Hi guys, today I'll be sharing a place that is very close to my heart and situated in the most amazing state of India. The place is none other than Manali, the winter paradise of Himachal Pradesh. This is the most happening place in Himachal around the winters, where people from all over India and the world come to see the beauty that it holds in the winter. Manali has a perfect balance of modern and ancient culture, giving you a lot of options to choose from when you are here. If you are someone who wants to enjoy their vacation in peace, you have a lot of options to go to some villages nearby, book a homestay, and enjoy the peace there. Otherwise, if you are someone who wants luxury with beauty, then you can stay in the mainstream Manali town.
In this blog, we'll embark on a journey to uncover the timeless beauty and myriad attractions of Manali, and I'll be sharing my vacation with you. Starting with all the famous places, Manali is surrounded by Solang, Kullu, Sissu, Kasol; these places make Manali worth visiting. People coming to Manali should never miss these places, as they are worth visiting to completely enjoy your travel. Nowadays, people are coming up with new property ideas around the place; some are unique, like dome houses, glamping homes, and wood cottages. I prefer the wood cottages as they give you a comfy and traditional vibe. You can find these properties all around Manali.
For all the adventure lovers, this is also a heaven. You can go skiing, snowboarding, river rafting, trekking, paragliding, and many more adventurous things that you wish to do in your life. Solang offers you paragliding and some other adventure activities, but it’s crowded in winters, so you can look for better alternatives. The price range for all the activities ranges from 1500 INR to 4000 INR, but it all depends upon the demand, which is at its peak around the winters. The must-visit place if you go to Manali is Sissu; the beauty of Sissu is unmatched. The Sissu waterfall is famous because it freezes during the winters, and it's majestic. Sissu is around a 3-hour drive from Manali with moderate traffic, with heavy traffic it might take more than that. The mountain view from the roads while going to Sissu is just amazing, and in between, you will find the ATAL tunnel, an incredible piece of infrastructure.
So, I planned my trip for a long duration of time; I had 2 weeks to explore and enjoy the peace that Manali had to offer. I started with a 2-night stay at a beautiful homestay in Nagar village; the stay was just amazing. Basically, it was a tree house made with perfection; it was like a dream. I enjoyed a lot there; the morning peace and views were just out of the world. I felt like just staying there my whole life; it was just amazing. After a good start, I had pre-planned some treks and drives with my friends up to Sissu, so we gathered all the people and stuff necessary for beginning the trip and started to explore nearby places. Nagar is becoming a village of homestays; there are multiple homestays at every corner of the village, all have different vibes and something unique to amaze you. But we had to leave this village in the day because something more exciting and beautiful was waiting for us in Manali.
So, we went to Manali; it took a short time from Nagar to reach Manali. We started by visiting the Hadimba Devi Temple; it was nestled between the forest, giving it a different vibe. You could clearly hear the sound of nature while reaching the temple. People have a lot of belief in this temple, so you will see a crowd gathered here every day. The temple is dedicated to Hadimba Devi, a character in the Indian epic Mahabharata. It's surrounded by cedar forests at the foot of the Himalayas. The architecture of the temple is unique, with its wooden doorway, and it's a popular destination for both tourists and devotees alike.
After visiting the temple, we explored the Mall Road in Manali, which is the main shopping street. It's lined with shops selling local handicrafts, clothes, and souvenirs. There are also many restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy local cuisine. The Mall Road is a bustling place, especially in the evenings, with tourists and locals alike strolling along and enjoying the atmosphere. We also visited the Manali Club House, which is a recreational facility with indoor and outdoor activities like billiards, video games, and river crossing. It's a great place to unwind and have some fun
Another must-visit place in Manali is the Vashisht Temple and Hot Water Springs. The temple is dedicated to Sage Vashisht, and it's believed to be more than 4000 years old. The hot water springs are located nearby and are famous for their medicinal properties. Taking a dip in the hot springs is said to cure many ailments and is a popular activity among tourists.
During our stay in Manali, we also went on a trek to the nearby village of Solang. The trek was through beautiful forests and valleys, and the views were breathtaking. Solang is also a popular destination for adventure sports like paragliding and skiing. We didn't miss the opportunity to try out these activities, and it was an exhilarating experience.
Overall, my trip to Manali was an unforgettable experience. The natural beauty of the place, combined with its rich culture and warm hospitality, made it a truly memorable vacation. I would highly recommend Manali to anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic getaway.
How to reach Manali- The nearest international airport to manali is Chandigarh airport so you can fly to Chandigarh or Delhi airport and take a bus from there. [//]:# (!pinmapple 32.24320 lat 77.18958 long d3scr)
Will be sharing the second part soon where i visit sissu and will share some amazing photographs.