Manali Trip - Explore the beauty of Manali as a Divine destination
If you are looking for a divine destination to be explored then go ahead with your plan of travel to Kullu Manali.
Manali is one of the most popular tourist places in North India situated in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh on the banks of River Beas. Standing tall at an altitude of 6500 Feet, Manali offers some of the most mesmerizing & panoramic views of Himalayas ever seen by you. Manali derives it name from the Home of Manu Rishi.
Best time to visit Manali
Summers - April to June is the best time to visit Manali as the climate is pleasant
Winters - If you like to see snow, then you can enjoy winters from November to February.
Avoid the rainy season for visiting an mountain regions during July to Aug
Delhi to Manali Travel Options
Manali is well connected by road from Delhi via National Highways. One can travel Manali by all modes but the recommended mode would be Road travel as it offers the views which would remain with you for a long time.
Train Travel to Manali
Chandigarh Railway station is the closest Station to Manali. One can hire a cab for the duration of the trip which would make sense if you are travelling with breaks in between like Mandi, Kullu & Manikaran. This saves a lot of time for the travellers. It takes around 8-9 hours to reach Manali by car. Also one can have a stop over at Mandi which takes around 5 hours time & offers some good tourist locations.
Air Travel to Manali
Bhunter is the nearest airport located about 50 km from Manali. One can easily get a cab to reach Manali in 1.30 Hours time & would cost around Rs 1500 to Rs.2000, depending upon the season time.
Road Travel to Manali
Manali is located around 570 km from Delhi & it takes around 13-14 hours to reach depending upon traffic and how you drive. There are many options of HPTDC Volvo Buses as well as private operators who run buses from Delhi every day & charges around Rs.1500 to Rs.2000 one side.
Recommended Route/ Travel Plan for Road Travel - Delhi to Manali Tour
- Day 1 - Delhi to Chandigarh (Kalka Shatabdi - Leaves around 7.40 morning reaches 11 am at Chandigarh
- Day 2 - Chandigarh to Mandi (Via Roopnagar – Kiratpur – Bilaspur – Sunder Nagar) Hire a Cab or Taxi & reach Mandi in 5 Hours time.
- Day 3 - Mandi to Manali ( Via Pandoh – Kullu) - This would take 3 Hours by Cab.
- Day 4 - Manali to Rohtang (1.30 hours by car)
- Day 5 - Manali Local Sightseeing
- Day 6 - Manali to Manikaran ( 3 Hours Journey by Car one way)
- Day 6 -Manikaran to Bhunter ( 1.30 to 2 Hours of car journey). One can have a stopover at Bhunter & then proceed to Chandigarh the next day as visit to Manukaran & Kasol would be tiring & would require 5 hours of travel time
- Day 7- Bhuntar to Chandigarh ( 7 -8 Hours of travel depending on traffic by car )
- Day 7 or 8 - Chandigarh to Delhi (One can get Kalka shatabdi OR Chandigarh Shatabadi to reach back in 3.15 hours)
Top Tourist Places to Visit in Kullu Manali
Bhimkali Mandir (Mandi)
Bhimakali Temple is located on the bank of river Beas & is one of the top Hindu religious site visited in Mandi. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhima Kali (incarnation of Goddess Durga). One can find a museum inside the temple which showcases the exclusive images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Bhimakali Temple architecture stands out & mesmerise the travellers from all across.
Address: NH20, Bhiuli, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 175002
Timings: 6:00 Am to 8:00 PM, Open all days
Visit duration -1-2 hours
Gurudwara Gobind Singh( Mandi)
The Gurudwara is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the 10th Sikh guru) & is situated on the banks of the river Beas (also known as the Gurdwara Palang Sahabas). One can see the bed inside the Gurudwara on which Guru Gobind Singh used to sleep. Apart from that, musical instruments like Rabab & a gun used by Guru Gobind Singh Ji are also showcased here. Peace & calm atmosphere would be something you would take back along with the blessings.
Address -PW3R+3H5, Chandigarh, Naggar-Manali Rd, Kartarpur, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 175001
Timings :- Open 24 hours
Visit duration -1 hours
Do also see the Travel Guide -Best Places to Visit for Summer Vacations in Himachal Pradesh
Hidimba Devi Temple(Manali)
Hidimba Devi Temple ( Dhungari Temple) is located in Manāli, which is hardly 10 minutes drive from the Mall road built in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. The temple is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima (from the Indian epic Mahabharata). The Views & trek around the temple are simply amazing with the backdrop of cedar forest. The temple is built around a cave where Devi Hidimba is believed to have performed meditation.
Timings :- 8 am to 6 pm
No entrance ticket
Visit duration -1 to 2 hours
Ghatotkacha Tree Temple (Manali)
Ghatotkacha Tree Temple is just 5 minutes walking distance from Hadimba temple.
Ghatotkacha ( character in the Mahabharata epic) was the son of Bhima and the giantess Hidimbi (sister of Hidimba).
Timings :- 8 am to 6 pm
No entrance ticket
Visit duration - 30 Minutes
Jogini falls (Manali)
Jogini Fall is a 150 feet beautiful waterfall located at a distance 7.5 Km from Manali Bus Stand near the village Vashisht. The waterfall can be reached by trekking & one needs to have at least 1-2 hours for the same. It is among some of the most popular places to visit in Manali & offers some of the stunning photography opportunities for all travellers.
There is a small pool which is just at the starting point of the trek at the base where travellers can enjoy the water fall & spend some quality time in the lap of nature.
Timings: 6:00 Am to 6:00 PM, Open all days
Visit duration - 3-4 Hours
Vashisht temple (Manali)
.jpg "Vashisht temple (Manali)")
Vashisht temple is located in a small village called Vashisht located around 4 km from Manali on the bank of river beas. It is famous for its sulphurous hot water springs and Vashisht temple. Also it houses the temples Lord Rama & Shiva which are also very popular among the tourists travelling to Manali. Taking a bath in these hot water springs is believed to have great healing power & can cure many skin diseases. There are arrangements of separate baths for both men and women, fitted with showers.
Timings: 7:00 Am to 9:00 PM, Open all days
Visit duration - 1-2 Hours
Mall Road (Manali)
A visit to Manali cannot be completed without a visit to the Mall Road. Mall road provides travelers with ample places to relish different cuisines & shop for souvenirs or warm clothes.
Sitting at Mall road & seeing the Mountain all across gives a feeling no words can explain & if one adds a Chai/ Maggi to it is a feeling out of the world.
Durga Mata Mandir (Manali)
Durga Mata Mandir is one of the popular Religious temple located in the mid of the Mall Road & is one of popular places among the tourist
Rohtang Pass Manali
Rohtang Pass is located at the altitude of 13,051 feets is one of the top most recommended places for every tourist who goes to Manali. You can find snow throughout the year at this place though during peak summers you will not get snow clad mountains as in winters. The pass further connects the Kullu Valley to Lahaul-Spiti Valley & acts as a gateway. It's a photographer's delight to be at this picturesque pass which is located around 50 kms from Manali.The Rohtang pass is open for 6 to 7 months of the year through April to October & one needs to get a permit of the vehicle online to get there which cost around Rs.550 with 6 Hours validity for the vehicle entry & exit.
One needs to have Car registration details with valid PUC to get the permit online along with driver driving licence details.
Timings - Vehicles needs to leave by 4 pm with valid permit
Activity Fee - Quad Bike Charges - Rs.2000 for Two person up the hill & back while a Horse Ride to Snow capped mountain is Rs.750 for One Adult & Child
Himalayan Nyinmapa Tibetan Buddhist Monastery (Manali)
The Buddhist Monastery is a two storeyed building located near the Mall Road Manali which was built-in 1957. It is one of the most popular destinations for the tourist coming to Manali with a walking distance from Mall road. Its architectural beauty stands out & provides the peace one is looking for in life with a colourful temple standing in the midst of Mountains. The Tibetan market is nearby which is also a hot destination for shopping among the tourists.
Timings - 6 am to 7 pm
Entry - Entry is free
Solang Valley Manali
Solang valley ( Snow Valley) is another famous tourist place in manali which offers various winter adventure sports like skiing, parachuting, paragliding, trekking, and mountaineering. This valley offers the most picturesque sights in Manali with an average altitude of 2560m above sea level offering a perfect place for the people travelling on Honeymoon to Manali.
One can cover the same while returning from the Rohtang Pass
Timings - 10 am to 6 pm
Adventure Sports Fees - Zorbing - Rs.500 per person / Paragliding-Rs.1200 to 1500 / Ropeway - Rs.500
Atal Tunnel Manali
While returning from Rohtang don't miss the Atul Tunnel Named after the former honorable Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel) with a length of 9.02 km is the longest highway tunnel above 10000 feet in the world. It is a tunnel between Rohtang pass on the Leh Manali Highway located in Himachal Pradesh.
Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara (Manikaran)
Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara is located in the Parvati Valley northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh (45 km from Kullu). It Stands at an altitude of 1760m & is located around 4km of Kasol which is a prominent spot for adventure sports.
Manikaran Sahib is a top pilgrimage site for Sikh’s & its hot boiling spring in and around it is considered to have magical healing powers.
Timings - 24 Hours
Entry - Entry is free
Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery( Kullu)
Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery (Kais Monastery) is located in Kullu District on the bank of river Beas with a distance of 10 km from Kullu Bus stand & 31 km from Manali. It was inaugurated in 2005 by the great Nobel laureate and his Holiness Dalai Lama Ji. The Monastery offers architectural beauty making it a delight for every photographer. It offers a peaceful & calm environment which helps you to connect with your inner soul.
Timing - 6 am to 6pm
Entry - Entry is free
Vaishno Devi Temple (Kullu)
Vaishno Devi Temple(Mahadevi Tirth) is located in Kullu on the banks of the Beas River dedicated to Vaishano Mata. The magnificent temple with multistorey building is one of the most frequented places in Kullu Highway & was built in the year 1966. It offers a similar resemblance of the Gufa/Cave as one can see in Vaishno devi Katra. A must visit place for every tourist.
Timing - 6 am to 6pm
Entry - Entry is free
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