Manali, India

Manali is a hill town and resort in the low Himalayas to the north of Delhi, in the region of Himachal Pradesh. Many Tibetan refugees live in the town and region.

The town is popular with visitors to India because of its scenic beauty, relatively easy access, and its altitude -  which allows an escape to cooler weather during the blisteringly hot Indian summer. Manali is also a popular pilgrimage point, and also attracts many honeymoon couples.

Access to Manali is usually by road. The road from Delhi to Manali is quite good, and continues on to be the worlds highest navigable road. Train links are more or less non-existent, and air links are not recommended. The route is also very scenic, especially the latter part through the Kullu Valley.

Warning: when we travelled there were a very high number of crashed vehicles at the edge of the road, which can become a bit of a racetrack in places. Brace yourself as you climb on the overcrowded bus from Delhi!!

The town is also popular with hippies and their modern day descendants. The region is well known for its cannabis, which even grows by the side of the road, and attracts many visitors because of this.

 

The town of Manali is pleasant, if not overexciting, and has most facilities that you will need. A couple of attractions include the 16th century temple and pagoda, and the castle and shrine at Naggar Fort a little south of the town - now a hotel. The town is also well known for its decorative Buddhist monasteries.

Various other attractions include Gulaba Camp - a scenic highlight; the Malana Valley; and the lovely village and setting at Naggar.

It is the surrounding countryside that will interest you more than the town itself. Numerous activities are pursued in the hills, from rafting and mountaineering to hiking and paragliding. Skiing is popular at Manali during the winter months.

It is a very beautiful region, and only a short walk away from the town will take you away from all tourists and into the hills above, where you might only see the occasional local trekking along with a laden donkey, and a great deal of very beautiful scenery.

Assuming you travel here in summer be sure to visit the Rohtang Pass to the north - found on the road towards Keylong, this high pass (more than 4000 metres above sea level) has stunning views across to the Himalayan mountains beyond.

When we visited the Rohtang pass the other tourists on the bus - almost exclusively Indian - were more fascinated by the remains of snow than the great views and many, even adults, were able to touch and hold snow for the first time in their lives. Lots of happy travellers!