For all those who wish to escape to the enchanting Himalayas in the summers, Manali can be the obvious choice. Just a mere mention of this beautiful place rings happy memories in my mind. We went to Manali on our tour of Himachal Pradesh couple of years ago. Its sceneries and the bounty of nature is still fresh in my mind.

Manali is located in the Beas river valley, and is quite close to the Kullu valley. Both Kullu and Manali are small towns of tranquil natural beauty and sparse population. Over the years, Manali has emerged as a significant hill-station for enthusiastic travelers. It is a sacred place and is even known as the “Valley of Gods.” Beautiful gardens, apple orchards, gardens of pears abound throughout Manali. The National Highway-21 connects Manali with Delhi. Bhuntar is the nearest airport. Manali attracts a lot of travelers and trekkers throughout the year. For the sports enthusiasts, this place offers a wide array of activities like skiing, hiking, river rafting, para gliding, and mountain biking. For me, the best feature of Manali is its cool climate and the fascinating Beas. The river Beas or Bipasha, runs throughout Himachal Pradesh and is breathtaking in its beauty and grandeur!

The five days that we stayed in Manali, gave us an unforgettable experience! We visited many temples and religious places, the Hidimba Devi temple being the most important. It is a very famous and ancient cave temple. Other notable tourist attractions in and around Manali are, Naggar Fort, Buddhist Monasteries and the Gumphas, Himachal Cultural Museum, Nehru Kund, Manu Temple, Rohtang Pass, Kothi, Solang Valley, Vashisth, Arjun Gumpha, Rahalla Falls, Jagatsukh, etc.

The Rohtang Pass is a must visit for any mountain lover. You will feel incredibly cold even on a hot summer day. Here you can take the opportunity of trekking and skiing and get a spectacular view of the surroundings. Rohtang Pass is considered as the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti. This pass is open to travelers from June to November. There is a small lake nearby called Dassaur Lake. The Vashisth hot water springs also attracts considerable tourists every year. If you are staying in Manali for few days, a quick visit to Manikaran would be an added advantage. Located 85 kilometers from Manali, this spot has some great hot water springs known for their healing properties.

When it comes to hotels in Manali, you will be flabbergasted with making the right choice. You will find innumerable hotels, guest houses, holiday inns, luxury and five-star resorts to select from. Select a hotel or resort that fits your needs and budget. You will have plenty of choices. Manali, no doubt,will captivate you from the first time you step in this land of meadows and flowers and towering mountains. It is truly, the paradise on earth!