Places to Visit

Hadimba Devi Temple
Built in 1553 and with a superbly crafted four tiered pagoda roof. It is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway.

Manu Temple
This is dedicated to the sage Manu.

Vashishth (3km)
Well known for its hot springs. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashishth and to Lord Rama. These are just beyond the Himachal tourism baths.

Monasteries

There are three recently built Tibetan monasteries at Manali.

Jagatsukh (6km)
The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The Arjun caves are just ahead.

Solang Valley (l4km)
In a picturesque setting, this has good ski slopes end picnic spots. It has the glacier closest to Manali.

Towards the Rohtang Paas
On the road to keylong is the Nehru kund (6 km) which is a clear water spring end scenic spot named after the late Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. Kothi (12 km) is a picturesque village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through which the Beas swiftly races. The beautiful Rahalla falls (16 km) are at an altitude of 2500 m. A crucial link on the old trade route and still the gateway to trans Himalayan Lahaul, the Rohtang Pass is at the height of 3980m.

Keylong
Lying about 120 km from Manali, Keylong is the headquarters of Lahaul and spiti district Monasteries of Kardung and Shashus are important attractions.

Kothi
A place with charming natural beauty, just 10-12 km from Manali.

Triloknath
Located in the Pattan Valley, its an important pilgrimage centre. Noted for its temple dedicated to six armed statue of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva.

Udaypur
An important pilgrimage place in the Pattan Valley.

Club House
The club House with its comprehensive facilities that includes roller skating ring, an auditorium, a billiards room, a library, a bar and a restaurants, makes a wonderful outing for the day.

Vashisth Baths
One of Manali's main attractions, is a place to luxuriate in Himachal Tourism's baths where the water of hot sulphur springs renowned for their medicinal qualities has been piped into baths.

Food

Chopsticks : For Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese food.

Gozy Restaurant : For reasonably priced Punjab and Gujarati food located at the southern end of the Mall.

Juniper Restaurant : Good Food, for a bit higher prices. Run by HPDC.

Mahadev Food Corner : For cheap Indian food

Moc Restaurant : Cheaper Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese food. Located near Sukhiran Guest House.

Mona Lisa : Indian and western food at reasonable prices. Located near bus stand.

Mount View Restaurant : A cosy place offering good Chinese, Tibetan Japanese delicacies.

Mayur Restaurant : For vegetarian food. Located near the Mall.

Sher-i-Punjab : Indian food and pizzas. Located on the Mall.

Swamiji's Madras Cafe : A large thali may cost around Rs 40 - RS 45

Dhabas Himalaya : For Indian food

Kamal : For Indian food

CAFES

Jhonson's : For pasta, pizza, deserts and cold beer.

Phuntsok Coffee House : A range of cakes and pies is served here. It's a Tibetan-run place.

Ish : A popular place, located in Old Manali area.

Little Tibet : Cheap Tibetan food is served here.

Mount View : A good seduded place. Located in Old Manali area.

Tibet Kitchen : Popular for its Tibetan noodles and western food. Located in old Manali area.

Shopping

Charitrust Tibetan Handicrafts Emporium (Mall) and Kullu - Kashmir Handicraft Cooperation (Bus Stand) offer local clothes (viz. Pashmina shawl) and souvenirs. Traditional Afghan, Kullu and Kinnawri hats are quite cheap. Go for bargain!

For thangkas and a variety of silver and jewellery, you can go either to the Tibetan Market or the Tibetan and Nepalese shops near the Post Office. Do buy locally made pickles, jams and juices.

Access

Airways

Manali has no airport of its own. The nearest one Bhuntas is around 10 km south of Kullu town and about 50 km from Manali. Flights are available to and from Lucknow, Delhi, Ludhiana and Shimla. Timings and booking details should be checked in advance. Booking could be made through travel agents both at Kullu and Delhi as well as other places.

Roadways

The entire Kullu Valley is connected with various centres both inside and outside the state. Other than HPTDC, a fleet of buses is run by road transport corporations and private operators.

Shimla to Manali (via Mandi)

One has three options for Shimla-Mandi drive.

One which passes through Jalosi Pass. Total distance is about 270 km.

Through Tattapani. Total distance is about 300 km

Via Ghaggas and Sundernagar to Pandoh.

Road distances to important places (Km about)

• Jutogh : 10 km
• Shallaghat : 35 km
• Daslaghat : 45 km
• Chamakri Pal : 55 km
• Bhararighat : 60 km
• Namhol : 65 km
• Bhrampukas : 75 km
• Ghaggas Pal : 90 km
• Barmana : 102 km
• Slapper : 105 km
• Sundernagar : 120 km
• Ner Chowk : 130 km
• Mandi : 145 km
• Pandoh : 165 km
• Aut : 155 km
• Bajaura : 200 km
• Bhuntas : 205 km
• Kullu : 215 km
• Raison : 230 km
• Katrian : 235 km
• Pattikuhl : 237 km
• Manali : 260 km

Diversions

At Ner Chowk : For Rewalsar Lake, about 12 km away

At Mandi : For Dharamsala, about 125 km and pathankot, about 215 km.

At Aut : For Sainj, about 15 km and Manikaran, about 35 km.

Fuel and Repair Facilities

Fuel available at Darlaghat, Beri, Barmana, Sundernagar, Ner Chowk, Mandi, Aut, Bhuntar, Kullu, Manali. Repair Works done at Darlaghat, Sundernagar, Mandi, Kullu and Manali.

Taxi

Himachal Taxi Operators' Union provides taxi services to and from many destinations. Fares are as follows (RS approx):

• Dharamsala : RS 2500
• Kullu : RS 600 (one way) and RS 800-900 (return) Return via Naggar costs a bit more)
• Leh : RS 12000. For this amount the cab is yours for three days and two nights
• Naggar : RS 400 - RS 500

Bus

Two computerized booking booths are at the bus stand. They open between early morning to 500 pm in the evening. Advance booking facility is also available. Besides, travel agents , too can make arrangements for you.

A number of public and deluxe buses runs between Manali and Leh. A daily bus connects Manali with Leh. This bus, originating in Delhi is run by HPTDC and charges around RS 1200. Other than an overnight camp at Sarachu, dinner and breakfast are pasts of the package. Private agents charge less but with the above package. You can take a public bus from RS 375 to RS 575.

Several buses operate between Manali and Kullu and Parbati Valleys.

Some are (RS approx):

• Kullu : Fare RS 30 - about 2 hrs
• Naggar : Fare RS 15 - about 1hrs
• Manikaran : Fare RS 45 - about 4 hrs
• Fares and travel time for some other places are as follows (RS approx):
• Delhi : RS 350 for deluxe and about RS 300 for semi-deluxe (HPTDC bus charges around RS 475 while in private buses you can save RS 50)
• Shimla : RS 275 to RS 300, takes around 10 hrs
• Dharamsala : RS 275 to RS 300, takes around 10 hrs
• Chandigarh : RS 325, takes around 10 hrs

Public buses charge less (RS approx):

• Dharamsala : RS 140, takes around 10 hrs
• Delhi : RS 300 (Semi Deluxe), takes around 10 hrs
• Shimla : RS 150 (Semi Deluxe), takes around 10 hrs
• Mandi : RS 50, takes around 5 hrs
• Keylong : RS 60, takes around 6 hrs
• Spiti : RS 140, takes 14 hrs

Railways

No direct rail connection. Chandigarh, about 280 km away and Joginder Nagar, about 200 km away.

Climate Conditions

In winter, the temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy wollens are required. Summer temperatures are mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.

Best time to visit

The climate of Manali is very cold as it is located in the Himalayas and the snow line is not far from the place. The altitude of Manali gives it a climate, which is loved by one and all. The summers are cool and the winters prove to be very harsh. During the winters the snow line comes down and there is snowfall in the region and heavy woollen cloths are required. During the monsoon months due to heavy rainfall there are landslides, which hamper movement. The best time to visit Manali is May and October but one can visit this place during winters too.