Manali Tours

Manali is circled by beautiful glades of deodars and flowering horse chestnuts. Manali is one of the most popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers. In the Summer Manali is packed with Pahari-speaking Kullus, Lahaulias, Nepali labourers, foreign and Indian tourists. Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Legend has it that Manu stepped off a boat in Manali to recreate human life after floods had devastated the world. Manali tour offers marvelous walks through orchards and fairly tale forests of deodar. As one climbs the grassy path the fluid fluting notes of the whistling thrush comes across the forest.

Hadimba Devi Temple: The temple of the goddess Hadimba, who plays such a major part in Kulu's annual festival, is a sombre, wooden temple in a clearing in the dense forest about 2.5 km from the Tourist Office. It's a pleasant stroll up to the temple which was built in 1553. Also known as the Dhungri Temple there is a major festival here in May of each year.

Vashisht Baths: Vashisht village is an extremely picturesque little place, clinging to the steep hillside about six km out of Manali. On foot it's only about 4.5 km since you can follow paths up the hillside while cars have to wind up the road. Worth a wander round to admire the solid architecture, thatched roofs and colourful people.

Old Manali Village: The current town of Manali is actually a new creation which has superseded the old village, a couple of km away. Follow the trail off the road out of town and you cross the cascading Man-aslu stream over a very picturesque bridge and can then climb up to this interesting little village.

Jagatsukh: About 12 km north of Naggar and six km south of Manali on the east bank road, Jagatsukh was another former capital of Kulu State until it was supplanted by Naggar. There are some very old temples in the village, particularly the Shiva temple in shikhara style. Shooru village, nearby, has the old and historically interesting Devi Sharvali temple.

Other Places: Arjun Gufa, with a legendary cave, is near the village of Prini, five km from Manali. A cold water spring named the Nehru Kund, after Prime Minister Nehru, is six km from Manali on the Keylong road. The Solang Valley is a little north-west of Manali, but before Kothi. The nearest glacier to Manali is here, only 13 km from Manali. You can get there by bus to Palchan village then following the jeep track. Kothi is a pretty little village, 12 km from Manali on the Keylong road. Its rest house is a popular resting place for trekkers heading for the Rohtang Pass. There are very fine views from Kothi and the Beas River flows through a very deep and narrow gorge at this point. The Rahla Falls, 16 km away, are another popular excursion.