Manali has long been the preferred holiday spot of North India’s privileged crowd.
Here are ten reasons why it’s much loved by them, as well as the numerous ex-pats, adrenaline junkies and families that climb up to its cool altitude.

 

1. Enjoy the rapid action in Manali
   

Manali isn’t all about languid rest and replenishment. Plenty of adventure sports are available here for thrill-seekers. One such activity is white water rafting. During summers, you can arrange a ride down the rocky rapids of River Beas  for the thrill of a lifetime.

 

 

2. Sledge and ski at  Rohtang Pass in Manali
This is the most popular day tour from Manali. It’s a snow-clad region where hundreds of people can be seen having snowball fights, making snowmen, sledding and more. It’s also a lot of fun to watch the tourists trying to ski for the first time and falling on their faces. A little mean but fun nonetheless.

 

 

1. Feel the wind beneath wings in Manali
   

On your way to Rohtang Pass, you’ll come across lots of people enjoying paragliding. You can be one of them by arranging a paragliding experience in Manali with the professionals who work there. The ride doesn’t often last long, but is fun and gives you a beautiful bird’s eye view of Manali’s lush landscape

 

4. Rest and relax
Manali’s hot water springs are essentially made of hot sulphur water, which helps relax your muscles and are believed to cure many skin diseases. A dip in your personal chamber isn’t going to cost a lot. So bring your bathing suits.

 

5. Bow your head
The Hidimba temple in Manali  is one of the most revered religious spots in Manali for Hindus. It is dedicated to Hidimba Mata, one of the most influential female characters in the Mahabharata. Other than this important temple, plenty of beautiful monasteries are speckled all over Manali. If you plan your trip to coincide with the festival of Dussehra, you might catch the famous Kullu Dusshera – a great parade of deities – at its best.

 

6 Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, Manali

Another beautiful place to visit is the Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, which was built by Tibetan refugees in the 1960s. The monastery is embellished in bright coloured frescoes and has a mid-sized Buddhist statute. It also has a list of Tibetan martyrs killed in the Tibetan occupation of 1987-89.
The monastery is located at the bottom of the Mall dominating the Tibetan area.

 

 

7. Go rock climbing
The temptation of taking on the mighty Himalayas attracts a lot of rock climbing enthusiasts to the area. But for those who want to enjoy a light-hearted version of the adventure sport, there are plenty of companies who will take good care of you with something for beginners.

 

 

8. See the glaciers of Solang Valley
The famed Solang Valley is a great place near Manali from where you can see beautiful glaciers and snow-clad mountains. You can reach its ski point using the ski lift. Even if you don’t ski, the journey will afford you unforgettable vistas of the region.

 

 

9. Soak up the Old Town atmosphere
If you’re looking to hang out with the elite crowd of Manali and not the usual tourists, then Old Manali is where you should head to. Other than the very best cafes, bars and restaurants in Manali, you might even notice a celebrity or two. The eating and drinking places are filled mostly with ex-pats and retired or semi-retired actors, who call this area of Manali home.

 

 

10. Finish with a toast
The state of  Himachal Pradesh  is most famous for its red, juicy apples. And naturally, the apple juice and cider produced here is unmatched by any other brand or place. But for those who prefer their drinks with a bit of a kick, Lugdi and Chhang are the perfect options. These are locally produced alcoholic drinks and have a pretty robust flavor.

 

 

Some more places of attraction near Manali
Arjun Gufa: At a distance of 15 km from the main Manali town area, Arjun Gufa is another place to visit in Manali. Located near the Prini Village, the legendary gufa (cave) is an ideal spot for a daylong visit. According to a myth, Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, is believed to have performed his penance here.

Vashisth (3 kms): The hot water spring of Vashishtha is famous for its medicinal power. A large number of people throng here for a bath as the water of the spring is believed to cure several diseases. There is a pyramidal stone temple nearby, which is dedicated to Vashishta Muni. 

Jagatsukh (6 kms): Located at a distance of 6 km from Manali, Jagatsukh is the largest village of Kullu district. It is situated on the bank of the river Beas, and is famous for its glorious history as well as the religious importance that it holds. The village has a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The structure of the temple is of the Shikhara style. Jagatsukh also holds historical importance as it functioned as the ancient capital of Kullu for about ten generations. 

Kothi (15 Kms): Located at a distance of 12 km from Manali, Kothi is situated on the Lahaul-Spiti-Leh highway. Kothi served as the camping place for tourists when the 3,978-metre-high Rohtang Pass had to be reached on foot. However, the Rohtang Pass is now accessible by bus, jeep and pony. 

Nehru Kund (6kms): Located on the Manali-Keylong road at a distance of 6 km from Manali town, Nehru Kund is a calm and peaceful place to visit. The name of the place is given after the first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. The place is especially famous for the clean water spring, which is believed to flow from the Brhigu Lake. 

Rehalla Falls (51kms): Located at a distance of 16 km from Manali, the picturesque Rehalla Falls is a result of spilling water from steep rocks and melting glaciers. It is perched at an altitude of 9,000 ft. and provides you an excellent view of the nature around. 

Solang Valley: Located at a distance of 13 km from Manali town, Solang Valley is known for its beautiful landscape, thrilling snow-capped mountain peaks and the view of the glaciers. Many tourists throng this place especially during the winter skiing festival. It also has on-the-spot skiing training facility, a hostel of the Department of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, and ANTREK Campsite Resort