Manali- the name is enough to evoke emotions of peace, recreation and the big chill. This hill town, located amidst the great Himalayas calls for adventure, leisure and a break from your tedious 9 to 5 jobs. But as many people may not realise, there is a lot that can be done in this exotic station in the hills.
Although just enjoying the cold weather and lush green mountains provide a good enough time, but if you are one who doesn’t settle for “okay” stuff and look for the best then this list is going to help you get what you want.
1. Visit Old Manali
Valleys, passes, bridges, lovely roads to enjoy a drive, there are plenty of things to do in Manali when you visit the countryside of this exquisite town. Forget the cacophony of irritating noise of cities when you are in Old Manali, or what some people call the “actual Manali”.
Enjoy the sweet music of nature created by chirping birds and gushing waters of the Kullu River. Enjoy the drives and unexplored territories in this part of the world, which is still uncorrupted by the city life.
2. Visit the Temples of ‘Dev Bhoomi’ Himachal Pradesh with an Edge
The whole state of Himachal Pradesh is famous for its mystical and historical places of God. This is, in fact, one of the reasons why Himachal Pradesh is famous all over the world, and people visit this place to find oneself and the idea of divine being.
And you find plenty of them in this town. Visit the pious Hadimba Devi temple, have a dip in the reverent hot springs in Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara and others to have a soul searching experience in the “Dev Bhoomi”.
3. Zorbing and Paragliding in Solang Valley
Enter Manali, ask anyone about Solang Valley, and paragliding and Zorbing would come up. Going round and round vertically in a plastic ball on the beautiful lush green valley could evoke a feeling that is just out of this world. It is a once in a lifetime experience.
The only thing that matches it is touching the blue and transparent clear sky of the Himalayas in a paraglider and having an epiphany that this is the moment your whole life has led you to. Solang valley on the outer skirts of Manali is a perfect spot for your flying fetish.
4. Adrenaline Rushed Treks
Are you a health junkie? Well, then you are familiar with the rush that one gets while trekking in the mountains. Even if you are a couch potato, when you are in these mountains, and your lungs are filled with the purest form of oxygen you will ever inhale in your life, you will feel a rush that is totally alien to you. Trekking in these valleys and hills would prove to be a self-exploring experience.
The small town in Himachal Pradesh called “Manali” offers you plenty of these treks. This one should be on the top your “things to do in Manali” list. Beas Kund trek, Bhrigu lake trek, Lama Dhug trek, vashisht Jogini waterfall trek are just a few of the best treks of the ever beautiful Manali.
5. Rafting
Get your adrenaline junk on when you are in Manali. You won’t be here every day, so leave aside your fears and reservations and get in those speeding, streaming waters. Raft across to get a unique experience. You won’t regret it that is assured.
It is unlike rafting in any other place, primarily because of the icy cold water of Beas. One of the best and most weird experiences that you will have here is the wonderment of how much you can enjoy your fears.
6. Mountain Biking
Immerse yourself in nature and health and absorption of the world that you just won’t experience in the cities. Hire a bike and hit the mountains for a challenging yet serene experience.
There are plenty of routes in Manali that offer a blissful bike ride. You will discover a side of yourself while paddling those bikes on the high altitudes. You are sure to carry the memories of the bike-ride with yourself for the rest of your life.
7. Nightlife of Manali
Although Manali isn’t exactly touted for its nightlife but still if you are a night owl, there are definitely a few places that can make you feel at home. So you can add these night spots in your things to do in Manali list. Pick the pricey yet classy restaurant Khyber which offers a panoramic view, for a night out. You could even head to one of the malls that provide you with brands and ethnic and traditional items and souvenirs of Manali.
You could also head to a club like the Chelsea in Holiday Inn, The Lounge Bar at Apple Country Resorts, or Johnson’s Café that also has a DJ for the footloose people amongst you. In addition, there are a lot of private parties going on that are trippy beyond your expectation you just need to know the right people to get into one of them.
So here is the definitive list of things you want to experience while in Manali. Explore the town and do share your experience of Manali with us.
