Manali

Manali (alt. 1,950 m or 6,398 ft), in the Vyas River valley, is an important hill station in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. Manali is administratively a part of the Kullu district, with population of approx. 30,000. The small town was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there, over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. Manali and the surrounding area is of great significance to Indian culture and heritage as it is said to be the home of the Saptarshi, or Seven Sages. Manali is a popular Himalayan tourist destination and accounts for nearly a quarter of all tourist arrivals in Himachal Pradesh. Manali's cool atmosphere provides a contrast to hot Indian summers. Manali is famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. Yak skiing is a sport unique to this area. Manali also featured in Time magazine's "Best of Asia" for its "Extreme Yak Sports". Manali also offers hot springs, religious shrines and Tibetan Buddhist temples. Manali has become the favourite destination for honeymooners in last years. Statistics show that around 550 couples reaches Manali daily for honeymoon in season (May, June, December, January) and around 350 couples reaches Manali daily in rest time.Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. With the highest concentration of Tibetan refugees in the entire Kullu valley, it is famous for its Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969. The monastery is maintained by donations from the local community and through the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop. The smaller and more modern Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa stands nearer the bazaar, in a garden blooming with sunflowers. Tours in Himachal provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the wonderful natural beauty of Manali Tour Package - which has been the second most preferred mountain place other than Kashmir for travellers, vacationers, families, nature lovers, adventure seekers, couples and honeymooners. Especially for honeymooners, Manali tours presents a breathe taking picture-perfect lush-green landscapes and sheer & serene ambiance. Manali tour also deserves the attention of adventure seekers and provides a wide range of adventure and sport options. Come and experience nature by its fullness on your Manali tours and travel. See & feel the captivating view of snow-capped mountain peaks, explore the fruit orchards or flower gardens, indulge in adventure sports, and explore the beautiful landscapes blessed with superb nature not forgetting its well preserved mystic history in your tours to Manali in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Prime Attractions of Manali :
Temple Of Manu
Slippery stones paths lead through the old village houses up to the temple of Manu. Manali is named after the sage Manu who meditated when he came in this area.

Rohtang Pass Manali
Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali. Located at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucial trade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts of Lahaul and Spiti.The Pass is open from June to November each year, and provides wonderful views of the entire surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is the Sonapani Glacier and the twin peak of Gaypan. The Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, a holy site for Hindus, as the sage Vyas is said to have meditated at this spot, is also accessible from the Rohtang Pass.

Solang Valley (14 kms)
Solang Nullah is in a side valley at the top of the Kullu valley. It is the site of Manali’s ski school and, once the snow has gone, all the local paragliding 'schools'. Phatru is a steep, rocky face above Solang Nullah, facing roughly east. There is no top landing, but good bottom landing near the school or in the fields above Solang village on the opposite side of the river. From 10am until 1pm or so there are many excellent thermal sources. In the afternoon the sun is often hidden by cloud forming on the higher mountains behind and it can get rough as soon as it is out of direct sun. In a picturesque setting this has good ski sloped and picnic spots. Around 14 kms from Manali, is the Solang valley, that boasts of the glacier nearest to the resort. Replete with terrific picnic - spots, the amazing ski slopes here are full of hectic activity, come January - February.

Naggar
Nagar, a lovely village set on a hill surrounded by forests, was the capital of kullu in the 16th century and the monuments in the region are witness to its glorious past. The temple of the area, such as the grey sandstone Gauri Shankar Temple of Shiva that lies close to the Castle, the chatar Bhuj Temple, Tripura Sundri Devi Temple, the Jagti Patt Temple, with its triangular slab of stone, strewn with rose petals and rupee notes and the Murlidhar Temple, are worth a visit. The paintings and Photographs of the late Nicholas Roerich are exhibited in the Nicholas Roerich Gallery. He was an artist, Writer, Photographer, Archelogist, Explorer and mystic. Inside the Museum, one can see the beds, librery, settees, writing tables, toiletries, and samovars of the Roerich family.

Adventure Activities - ADVENTURE SPORTS IN MANALI :

RAFTING IN MANALI
The Beas River flowing through Kullu valley is suitable for not only white water rafting but is ideal for canoeing and kayaking too. The Beas River from the Manaki to Jhiri near Bajaura in Kullu district has become very popular among the lovers of river rafting and many competitions have been organised in the same. The trip starts from Mohal and covers a total

distance 10-kms. The season normally starts from May to mid-June and rest depends on the arrival of monsoon. The various clubs provide the basic equipment required for the water sports.