It would not be wrong to say that Manali is a land of contrast. There is something for everyone to enjoy here. From adventure lovers to those who have a thing for nature, each one of them can have a great time here. If you are visiting Manali with your family, rest assured that you too will get your share of happiness and joy at the hill station.
See Also: Best time to visit Manali
With such an extensive list of things to do in Manali, it was difficult to put down a list of top activities. But yet again we have successfully compiled a list of places where you can enjoy. This is a prime and ideal list of things to do in Manali for people of all age groups.
List of amusing things to do in Manali for every visitor of this hill station
1. Mountain trekking – Hike to the alpine lake Chandra Taal
Visiting any hill station in Himachal Pradesh and not taking a trekking expedition will be a total bummer. And we would not let you do that. There are a few amazing trekking trails in and around Manali that can be taken by the visitors. So, here are some treks that can be enjoyed during your visit.
Name of the trek | Total trek distance | Highest altitude achieved (in ft.) | No. of days required for the trek |
Hampta Pass Trek | 35 km | 14,039 | 6 days |
Beas Kund Trek | 16 km | 12,772 | 3 days |
Bhrigu Lake Trek | 25 km | 14,100 | 5 days |
Chanderkhani Trek | 19 km | 12,000 | 4 days |
Bara Bhangal Trek | 80 km | 16,000 | 11 days |
You can opt-in for any of these treks but there are a lot of things that you will have to keep in mind. What all you should pack while going for the trek, do you require any permission or not? What things should you pack? And so on.
2. Manali Gompa shopping – Find handicrafts at a Tibetan monastery
The existence of Manali Gompas is because of the population of Buddhists in and around the area. They are one of the finest attractions of the hill station attracting a lot of people throughout the year. Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa is one of the prime locations which is also the other name of the monastery.
One of the best parts of the Gompa is its shopping complex offering handicrafts and other handmade items. If you wish to buy some souvenirs you can head to these complexes and get your bags full.
3. Mountain biking – Cycle the challenging route to Leh
Manali is often connected with Leh and when you talk about the adventurous road between these two destinations things become interesting. A lot of people enjoy taking a trek in and around the valley. But others take their adventure to an all-new level. Mountain Biking is another enthralling sport. But as exciting as it may sound, one has to be very careful and responsible on this expedition.
If you are already interested in mountain biking between Manali and Leh, here is a list of important things you will have to keep in mind.
Route: Manali- Rohtang La- Baralacha La- Nakee La- Tanglang La- Leh
There are other small villages and passes that would come along the way. Make sure you take note of these points.
- Total time is taken- On average a fit person takes 12-14 days from one side. Considering the stoppages and resting breaks the time can reduce or increase accordingly.
- You should also acclimatize properly before leaving for the expedition.
- It is important to keep a bag full of fruits, dry fruits, water, and juices at least. Because you will be needing a lot of energy and carbs on the way.
4. Alpine lake trek – Camp out near a high-altitude lake
There is one alpine lake in or around Manali that people love to conquer and that’s the already mentioned Bhrigu Lake. People enjoy taking a trekking expedition here because that fills them with thrill and treats the eyes with a beautiful nature view. Here is a handy guide about the alpine lake trek to help you with your vows.
- Name of the trek- Bhrigu Lake Trek
- Total trek distance- 25 km
- Total time is taken- 5 days approximately (by a fit person)
- The highest altitude attained- was 14,100 ft.
- Best time to take the trek- Between October and December
- Route: Manali- Gulaba- Rola Kholi- Bhrigu (and the same route to be followed while coming back. People usually take a car or taxi from Manali to Gulaba)
- Cost of the entire trek- The entire expedition takes about 7000 INR per head
- Keep all the medicines, needful trek equipment, a map, and all your documents.
This is one of the best treks and probably amongst the most loved ones amongst the trekkers. They love and enjoy the entire expedition because of the thrill it has on offer as well as the panoramic view.
5. Waterfall picnic – Have a picnic at Rahala Falls
One of the best family vacation spots in Manali are the waterfalls in and around the valley. People hailing from cities love to spend their time around the falls. That’s because these are soothing and calming. Here are some blissful waterfalls where you can enjoy in Manali.
Name of the waterfalls | Distance from Manali | Height of the waterfall |
Rahala Waterfalls | 28 km | 9000 ft |
Knoi Waterfalls | 10 km | 20 ft |
Jogini Waterfalls | 2 km | 160 ft |
Rozy Waterfalls | 28 km | 3890 ft |
Jana Waterfalls | 33 km | 7480 ft |
Tip: All these waterfalls are open 24*7 for tourists and they can enjoy their time here whenever they want. The best part of the day is between 10 am- and 5 pm. Also, it is advised to take your camera, hiking shoes, and other equipment to make your trip memorable.
6. Soak in the baths at Vashisht Temple
Vashisht temple of Manali is approximately 3.5 km from the bus stand. The temple is dedicated to sage Vashishtha who was known to be the kula guru of Lord Rama. Since the beginning, the temple and the hot springs around the temple have been two of the main attractions of Manali. This Rishi Vashisht temple is said to be more than 4000 years old and has been decorated with excellent wood carvings.
The temple is very extensively visited by not just pilgrims but other travelers as well. Also the springs around the temple or noon to cure skin diseases and many other problems. The only thing that you have to do is take a dip in the water and all the infections or diseases would go away. There are separate bathrooms for women and men.
Location | Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh |
Temple Timings | 7 am to 9 pm |
Bath Timings |
|
7. Browse stores along Manali Mall Road
Be it Manali or any other hill station of India, one of the most visited and a great attractions of each destination is its small road. Similarly, Manali Mall Road is also one place where you will see visitors taking a stroll or going on a shopping spree. Manali Mall Road is also known to be one of the finest places to shop in the entire hill station.
From branded outlets to local shops, there are several options to explore and buy all things from. Apart from the shopping stores, there are a lot of food outlets where you can savor a lot of amazing cuisines.
8. See snow year-round at Rohtang Pass
For people who have been visiting Manali or even reading about it, they must be aware of the fact that Rohtang Pass is one of the exceptional and exquisite attractions around the hill station. Rohtang Pass remains closed throughout the year except for the summer months. Therefore if you visit here throughout the year one thing is for sure and that is to find snow.
Apart from the summer months if people visit or try to visit Rohtang Pass they can rather visit Solang and enjoy multiple snow activities here.
Conclusion
This is a list of things to do in Manali that will surely give you a chill in the spine and loads of enjoyment. There are many things that you will have to keep in mind in certain activities. Make sure you take precautions in certain activities and do get your check-up done. We will keep updating our list so keep coming back to know more about the same.
See Also: Things to do in Mussoorie | Things to do in Shimla