Manali – Still the Switzerland of India

Manali, the erstwhile favourite Honeymoon Spot for Indians still retains its sheen. It is situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley offering spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and wooded slopes. A trip to Manali has been the dream of every Indian. The Beas river runs along its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream’s edge. There are marvellous walks too, through dappled orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar. It is an excellent holiday spot and a favourite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. Zorbing is one of the main adventure activities in Manali. Tourists, especially from Delhi throng to Manali in huge numbers during summers. Taxis/ cabs to Manali are available aplenty. Also, transport from Delhi to Manali is very robust and facilities of going from Chandigarh to Manali are also good. To check the best season to visit Manali and to check live temeprature in Manali, check http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Manali-weather/Himachal-Pradesh/IN.aspx

How to get there?

Buses/ Cabs: Cabs to Manali are available throughout the year. The approximate time taken from Delhi to Manali is 10 hours and can be reached by NH 1 up to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Delhi to Manali is 550 km and from Chandigarh to Manali is 273 km. The roads are well paved and the route is beautiful. Buses from Delhi to Manali start from ISBT Terminus and buses from Chandigarh to Manali start from Sector 17. Buses to Manali from other cities like Dehradun, Patiala, Meerut also run. To book cabs to Manali from Delhi kindly contact us at www.gozocabs.com. We also provide cabs from Chandigarh to Manali.

Trains: Trains from Delhi to Manali are non-existent currently. Since the terrain is hilly, the farthest that you can go to is Joginder Nagar which is 135 km from Manali. Other nearby destinations includes Chandigarh, Pathankot and Kalka. Beyond this point, one would need to book a cab to Manali. En route to Manali, cabs for Shimla can be booked, a stay can be planned for a day and then an onward journey can be taken.

Flight: The nearest airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km south of Manali and 10 km south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport. Indian Airlines and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport. Daily flight service (except Tuesdays) has been started by Air India from Delhi to Bhunter and vice-versa since May 2013. After reaching Delhi airport, taxis/ cabs to Manali need to be taken. Generally international tourists come for adventure sports in Manali and its pleasant weather in the months of April-July.

Where to Stay?

There are plenty of (more than 500) guest houses, lodges, rest houses and hotels in Manali. You can either book a place before hand, but in case you have an ad-hoc plan, there will always be a room waiting for you irrespective of the season. You can go through several web links including the one below to know more: http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g297618-Manali_Himachal_Pradesh-Hotels.html. A personal suggestion: A trip to Manali is never complete without a good hotel.

Budget hotels in Manali charging in the range of INR 700-1,000 per night include Apple Paradise, Hotel President, Pine Grove, Manali Majestic, Rising Star, Hotel Hadimba Way and Hotel Kalpana. The mid-range hotels in Manali are Hotel Snow Line, The Manali Lodge, Khushboo Resorts, Hotel Snow Park and Manali Heights. And names of some of the exotic hotels are Manu Allaya, Banon Resorts Manali, Hotel Sandhya Manali, De Vivendi Resorts and Span Resort & Spa. With no dearth of good hotels in Manali, you can plan a trip here at any time during the year.

Places to visit in Manali!

Solang Valley: A valley perennially covered with snow, this is the premier destination visited by tourists. With its fine ski slopes and snow clad terrain, paragliding and skiing is done here. Snowfall in this valley is perennial. Additionally, paragliding can be done here! Do not book a skiing jersey beforehand since you’ll be charged a bomb. Go to the valley and get your skiing gear there itself!

Rohtang Pass: The most famous place around Manali it is a significant landmark in the Indian landscape; special cabs from Manali to Rohtang go during the periods in which the pass is open which is typically May-August. Gozocabs provide cabs to Rohtang Pass from Manali during these months.

Jagatsukh: Situated on the left bank, it is famous for the historical interesting Sharvali Devi temple.

Tibetan Monasteries: There are 3 newly constructed colourful monasteries in Manali offering a wide range of handicrafts and carpets. Travel to Manali is incomplete without visiting this place.

Vashisht Hot Water Springs: Renowned for its natural hot water spring with temperature reaching as high as 100^°C; there are temples dedicated to Vashist Muni and Lord Ram in the vicinity as well. Visiting Manali excluding the hot springs is unacceptable.

Mountaineering Institute: The institute organizes basic and advance training courses in trekking, mountaineering, skiing and water sports and is often a place thronged by tourists in huge numbers.

Fun Stuff!

Rafting: White Water Rafting is done in the Kullu valley along the banks of the Beas river from Pirdi to Jhiri on a track of about 16 km in length. Canoeing and kayaking too is also done!

Zorbing Ball: One of the very few places in India where this is done, it’s an awesome sports activity. This is the main adventure sport here and is unique to the place.

Skiing: Skiing courses and competitions are held every year at Solang Nala. The best slopes include Bhrigu peaks near Hamta. A little bit of summer skiing can be done even on the Rohtang pass.

Trekking: Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges easily accesible from Kullu valley are the premier trekking spots. Other areas include treks to Lahaul & Spiti, Zanskar, Kinnaur and Kangra. Snowfall in Manali is a facet you need to be weary off. Else, the trek is amazing.

Festivals!

Doongri Forest Festival: Organized by the women folks of this place, this is a major event of this place in which sweets and cuisines specific to Manali are made to the forests. Special tourist cabs to Manali are available during the festival months.

Winter Carnival: Among all the Manali Tourist actvities, Manali Winter activities are a big hit amongst the tourists visiting Manali. Skiing competitions are organized in Manali during the winters every year. Athletes and tourists from all across the globe come over to this place to be a part of this event. Along with the snow in Manali, this forms a treat to the eyes of the beholders. Cabs to Manali from Delhi and Chandigarh are available in these months at special discounts. A trip to Manali should be planned during this time which would be the ideal time and ideal season to visit the place.

Things to Buy!

Kulu shawls are the highlight of the place. Kinnauri shawls, mufflers, Pangwali blankets from Chamba and multi-coloured hand-knitted woolen socks from Lahaul are the authentic apparels that one should buy in Manali. There is good range of thangkas, silver and turquoise jewellery available in the Tibetan market. Tibetan handicrafts including curios, antiques and knickknacks are also items to be added on your shopping cart. There are wide range of locally made pickles, jams and juices. Natural oil like apricot oil for massages and shampoos are available in the shops on the mall. Coming all the way from Delhi to Manali would mean that one should get a souvenir from this beautiful place.

Ideal Season!

The best season to visit Manali is after the retreating monsoon during December-February. However, even during the other seasons the place remains pretty cold. The average temperature in Manali is around 15 degrees. Being one of the premier hill stations in India, it has tourists all throughout the year. A breakaway during the summer months would be advisable. Snowfall in Manali is also a must watch and the month of December is ideal for it. However, the best season for enjoying an escape from the mundane city life is summer from April-June.

Ideal Time n Budget!

The stay at Manali depends on how much time you have allocated for your vacations. It is suggested that you plan a trip of 4 days from Delhi to Manali and back. You can stay in Manali for 2 days and while returning halt at Shmila or Kulu. Nearby places like Mandi and Kangra are also delightful hill stations. The optimistic estimate to place for a 4 day journey would be INR 8,000 per person. It would be advisable to hire a cab for Manali, use the same to roam around the place for a couple of days and return in the same.