Set along the meandering Beas River, Manali is best known for its beautiful landscape, adventure opportunities, and snow-capped mountains. It is one of the favourite destinations to visit to beat the scorching heat of Indian summers.
While Manali can get overcrowded, there is no better hotspot that remains everyone’s favourite throughout the year, no matter what month it is. People visit here during summers and winters to enjoy pleasant weather and the lush green valleys. Come December and you’ll see many travellers here yet again to enjoy the snow and activities that Manali has to offer.
Also Read: What’s The Way Up To The Paro Taktsang And How To Hike There
The best part of this destination is that it is accessible throughout the year. The roads leading here are quite smooth and does not get worse making it a perfect place for family for fun. Another benefit Manali offers is the great choice of accommodation that suit any budget. Lastly, the connectivity of public transport is great too. For almost every major attraction, there are buses that take you in and around Manali. So, if you cannot drive by yourself, you can enjoy the journey while relaxing on a bus.
I visited Manali in the month of June when the weather was cool (about 19°C during the morning and below 15°C at night), but it was quite crowded. With the roads packed with two and four-wheelers, I had to walk around to explore the mesmerizing corners, covering approx. 60,000 steps in 3 days (thanks to my Apple watch for constantly tracking my move).
Here’s Everything I Did In Manali:
Relaxing in Old Manali
One of my favourite locations in Manali was the bridge connecting Manali to Old Manali over the gushing Manalsu River; it was like a gateway to another world. This place had an idyllic village-like feel and the locals who run the foreigners’ market with its beautiful cafes were really friendly too. Old Manali is considered to be the fastest-growing tourist destination, which is unique in its own distinct space.
Enjoying the snow at the Rohtang Pass
There is really no greater place than this. A high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, it took around 3 hours to reach Rohtang Pass from Manali. Everyone here from December to February tries to spend some time in the snow, maybe even catch a live snowfall. However, when I visited in June, the snow was still around and hence I drove towards Rohtang Pass with my friends.
Paragliding in Marhi
Fly like a free bird! Adventure activities are quite popular here. Paragliding being one. This activity offers great views of the sky and lush green mountains surrounding the site. You can go paraglide anytime, except for the monsoon season. Solang Valley and Marhi are two of the most popular spots which makes Manali one of the most preferred paragliding places in India.
Fly with: Himalayan Raiders, Ski Himalayas, Tigereye Adventures
Cost: Short flights at INR 600 per person; Long flights start from INR 1,600 per person
So, have you been to Manali? What did you do there? Let us know in the comments below.
