With the mention of the word hill station, one can visualise a heavenly place decked with scenic vistas, lush greenery, snow-capped mountains, picturesque locations, gushing sound of flowing rivers, dense forests, calm weather, fresh air, & much more. Manali is one such example to view all these. After all, it counts among the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. With so many things to do in Manali, your journey will turn out wonderful & reminiscing.
It doesn’t matter whether you are coming to Manali as a lone traveller, adventure seeker, or a honeymoon couple; the hill station has much to offer for its travellers. So before you embark on your trip to this evergreen hilly destination of Himachal, let us brief you on what things you can add to your Manali Itinerary trip.
Top Things To Do In Manali For a Joyous Vacation
1. Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is one of the best things to do in Manali. To enjoy this adventure sport, you can plan your day from Manali to Ladakh. So hire a bike from the organisers and pay them a negotiable security deposit. You can return it after experiencing a joyous expedition ride. The price for renting a bike is Rs 500.
2. Camping
Another exciting activity to indulge in during your trip to Manali is camping. It is one such popular activity people experience in this hill station. There are many camping options, including jungle camps, riverside camps, night camps, & many more. The best time to experience camping in Manali is from May to June. Camping by the Beas River, & spending beautiful nights under the sky is something you should enjoy in Manali.
3. Skiing
Manali is open to more than scenic vistas. You can experience skiing in Solang Valley under an expert’s guidance here, which will be a fascinating & unforgettable experience for you. The cost for this sport starts from Rs 300, depending on the course & duration.
4. Zorbing
Zorbing is a great adventure activity that should be included in your Manali Itinerary list. It is a lovely adventure sport where you will be put inside a giant transparent plastic orbit ball to begin the rolling down activity on a gentle slope. Even though it is safe, still, people who have a fear of confined spaces can avoid it. The best time to visit Manali to enjoy this sport is from January to May or October to September. During the monsoon, this adventure sport is not conducted. The cost of one session in Zorbing is Rs 500.
5. River Rafting
Manali is a haven for exploring adventure activities, including river rafting at Beas River. To enjoy the best rafting experience, travellers prefer to visit in June or July. Those who have never experienced this water sport before can have the first session in Grade 2 near Raison & Babeli. Even though harsh waters can be expected while rafting, it is limited to a slight stretch of 3 km. For the experienced ones, Grades 3 & 4 are recommended in the Pirdi region. The price for basic river rafting may range from Rs 500 to Rs 1000.
6. Picnicking
You can enjoy your family vacation in Manali by picnicking at Van Vihar. Here, you can feel relaxed in the lap of nature on soft green grass, reading a book of your choice or playing with kids. All these things help in de-stressing & refreshing with positivity amidst nature. You can experience boating at Rs 30 for 15 minutes to add more fun to your trip.
7. Sledge Riding
Step into the shoes of Santa Claus by riding on an open wooden sledge zipping down to snow-capped mountains. Exploring this snowy sport during the Christmas carol season will bring more excitement. The places to visit in Manali to experience it are Solang Valley & Rohtang Pass. When enjoying sledge riding, please avoid competing with your siblings or friends, as it can result in severe casualties.
8. Trekking
When coming to Manali to seek adventure activities, trekking at Hampta Pass is famous among trekkers. It is a 6-day trekking journey covering a distance of 25 km. The other places to practise this adventure sport include Prashar Lake, Beas Kund, Chandratal Lake, & Bijli Mahadev Temple or Bhrigu Lake.
9. Paragliding
Have you ever had a dream to fly from one mountain to another? If your answer is yes, then you should not keep it shelved in your dreams but make it happen by experiencing paragliding & having a bird’s eye view of splendid landscapes in Manali. It would be one of the most memorable adventurous experiences in your life.
10. Praying At Hadimba Temple
When planning to vacation in Manali, visit the famous Hadimba Temple, which attracts tourists with its spectacular architectural structure. Dedicated to Hadimba Devi, the demoness consort of mighty Bhim from the Mahabharata era, this temple is adorned with carvings of folk deities, animals, & plants. At the entrance point, you will see the hanging hunting trophies. Unlike any temple, where there is an idol of a deity, you won’t find any such in Hadimba Temple except the footprints on a stone. The local people of the region celebrate the Navratri festival here.
11. Meditating At Arjun Cave
If you wish to remove all the clutter of stress from your mind, then you should experience meditating at Arjun Cave in Manali. The best thing about this place is it is not thronged with tourist footfall, as many are not so aware of this spot. Still, it remains one of the offbeat things to explore in Manali. Other than Hadimba Temple, this place is also linked with the legends of Mahabharata. It is where the great Pandava warrior Arjun used to meditate. So it does make a worth-visiting.
12. Ropeway Ride
The Ropeway ride is one thrilling activity you should do in Manali. From here, you can witness the panoramic view of the latter hill town. It is a newly added feature in Manali Tourism to attract more tourist footfall. Enjoy this marvellous ride with your partner for your honeymoon.
13. Experience Healing Bath At Vashist Hot Water Springs
What if you find out that you have been healed of your skin problems by merely taking a dip in the water? Well, it does sound nice, but at the same time, you would also wonder whether it is true or a myth. The answer to this is yes, it’s true. The place where you will experience this wonder is Vashisht Hot Water Springs. The water here is known to have healing properties with natural minerals.
14. Watching Spectacular Waterfalls
If you are attracted to waterfalls, you should travel to Manali & experience the astonishing sights of cascading waterfalls. The best waterfalls here include Rahala Falls, Jogini Falls, & Zana Falls. Your trip to Manali seems incredible with these natural wonders.
15. Spotting Snow Leopard At Manali Wildlife Sanctuary
Manali Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent retreat for wildlife lovers. It comprises several wild animals, including Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Monal, Musk Deer, Barking Deer, Himalayan Palm Civet, Flying Fox, & Kashmiri Flying Squirrel. You can also spot many birds & reptiles here.
16. Strolling Through Apple Orchards
Besides enjoying the scenic vistas, & other top attractions, you can also stroll through Apple Orchards in Manali that are set against the spectacular backdrop of mountains. Knowing the famous phrase, An Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Away, you can pluck the red fruit & take a healthy bite.
17. Taking Sulphur Water Bath At Manikaran Gurudwara
Manikaran Gurudwara is one of the prominent travel destinations to experience a tranquil atmosphere & peaceful vibes. Also, bathing in its sulphur hot springs with healing properties will free you from stress & anxiety.
18. Yak Safari
If you call yourself a wildlife admirer, Manali Wildlife Sanctuary should be in your Manali Itinerary list. Here, you can experience an excellent yak ride, one of the popular things to participate in the hill town. Get yourself pictured sitting on the animal & video while having a ride on its back.
19. Seeking Peace At Tibetan Monastery
Besides its unmatched scenic beauty, Manali welcomes tourists to explore the Tibetan monasteries depicting Buddhist culture. The place attracts a maximum number of tourist footfalls to experience mental peace.
20. Naggar Castle
Naggar Castle is an ideal spot for those who admire art & paintings. Located in Naggar Town, this place can be visited all seven days from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It is an excellent place to soothe your mind while watching the captivating artistic pieces.
21. Exploring The Rare Antiques At Museum Of Himachal Culture & Folk Art
Another interesting spot in Manali is the Museum Of Himachal Culture & Folk Art. Visit this museum with your little ones & get them exposure to rare antique collections of household objects, instruments, scale models, weapons, religious relics, & much more.
22. Practising Yoga At Shri Hari Yoga Ashram
Remember to register for yoga sessions at the orange-roofed Shri Hari Yoga Ashram during your trip to Manali. One must be aware that practising yoga is one of the famous activities in Manali. It is as essential as experiencing rejuvenation & peace.
23. Bollywood Connection
The primary reason driving you to Manali is its Bollywood connection. The filming of songs from Bollywood films like Krrish, Jab We Met, Black, & Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani have been shot in this hill town of Himachal. So now it seems exciting to visit those places & reenact any of your favourite scenes from these films with poses.
24. Tasting The Local Street Food
After exploring a lot of adventure activities, it’s time to venture into Kwality Sher-e-Punjab restaurant. The delicious food served here will tantalise your taste buds. The restaurant excels in its flawless hospitality services, quick services, & of course, the quality of food.
25. Shopping
Before winding up for your last stay in Manali, it would be nice to carry the token of memories of the hill town by strolling through local shops where you can utilise your bargaining skills in purchasing Indian wear, & other things like books, handloom products, Tibetan jewellery, & other accessories. You will also find many cafes & restaurants in the lane.
Conclusion
Today, in this blog, we presented the checklist of things to do in Manali. Exploring them will make you carry a dozen memories of returning to your hometown. Now, where to plan your stay in Manali? Well, no need to bother yourself to scroll through a long list of hotels & resorts, as we suggest you book jüSTa Grand View Resort & Spa, one of the best hotels in Manali. This luxury hotel will leave no stone unturned in satiating its guests with its flawless hospitality services. The facilities include 36 rooms with space for the third occupant, a Multi-Cuisine Restaurant, a Board Room, gymnasium & spa.
