Manali Travel Must-dos

By Author: Noshir Lavangia
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Himachal Pradesh is one of India’s most beautiful states, abundant with natural beauty and places worth visiting. The imposing Himalayas, a network of rivers and well maintained hill stations give travellers everything they could possibly want from a holiday in the mountains. A Himachal travel package is likely to take you to Manali, Kulu, Shimla, Mcleod Ganj, Dalhousie and Dharamsala. These are some of the most beautiful hill stations in Himachal, each of which is unique in its own way.

If you have the time and the inclination, it might be worth your while to spend a few days in each of these, and experience their unique offerings; you’ll never run out of things to do and places to see. Take Manali for example, even a week spent in this popular travel destination will not be enough to explore the area entirely.

The most striking thing about Manali is that is divided into two precincts; old Manali and new Manali. Old Manali is a hot-spot for foreign tourists, packed with quaint guest houses and eateries that serve cuisines from across the world. New Manali is where the locals live, with bustling market places ...
... and Indian restaurants.

A visit to the Tibetan Monastery is a definite Manali travel must-do! This functional monument situated in the heart of Manali is a symbol of peace and serenity. Besides being beautifully constructed, visitors swear by the monastery’s power to make you forget your troubles. There is something calming about being within its walls, surrounded by hum of chants and the sound of rotating prayer wheels.

The Hadimba Devi temple is another monument worth visiting. This ancient cave temple is surrounded by picturesque cedar forests. A large rock, which juts out of the ground is enclosed within the inner sanctuary of the temple. This is worshiped instead of an idol or image of the goddess.

A travel package to Manali would be incomplete without an excursion to the Rohtang Pass, also known as the Snow Point. The Rohtang pass was an old trading route used to cross over to Lahaul and Spiti. One can take a road trip to the pass or ride on horseback to get there. This is a great place to spend time playing in the snow! You can even explore the Rohtang town and enjoy a nice hot local meal. For those who are more adventurous, the Rohtang pass can also be accessed via an enjoyable trek, which offers breath taking views of the valley below.

If you enjoy adventure sports, Manali is a great place to try out some river rafting or paragliding. After spending time in the cold the best way to warm up is to spend some time at the Vashisth hot sulphur springs, located just a few kilometres from the central bus stand.

After you’ve ticked all these off you’re to-do list, spend some time simply enjoying the fresh mountain air and expansive views. There is really no better way to spend your vacation!

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Ninad Chaudhari works as a Web UI Designer / Developer with Cox & Kings. When it comes to travelling he prefers well defined travel packages over haphazard travel plans. He is also an ardent photographer and his albums are replete with pictures of his recent travel to Manali.