How to reach Manali ??

Manali is located in Himachal Pradesh in the Kullu Valley along the Beas River. Along the road to Ladakh, it serves as a stopover on trips further north in the Himalayan Mountains in India. It has become a popular travel destination for foreign and Indian tourists. Tourism has grown the formerly quaint village into a bustling tourist town. It is rich in Hindu mythology as a setting for some events in the Mahabharata. The local Himachal architecture and culture provide and beautiful mountain landscapes provide travelers with stunning insights into Himalayan India.

How to reach Manali ??

Reaching Manali is manly by road. Busses from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, and Leh are available. Taxis and jeeps from these and more remote locations can be hired. Indian Airlines, Air Deccan and Jagson Airlines operate flights to Kullu (two hours away) from Delhi and Chandigarh.

Places to see in Manali

Besides the stunning Himalayan scenery, Hindu and Buddhist Temples abound in Manali and its nearby suburb of Vashist.

Old Manali has a ruined fort, old guest houses and orchards. The cave temple, Hidimbi Devi Temple, is located outside of town and is the location of one of the many battles in the Indian epic the Mahabharata.
The village of Vashist is located 3km from Manali across the Beas River. Here is a hot water spring the powers a public bath house, laundry, and bathing pool.
Also, a temple to the town’s patron saint Vashista and two stone temples provide excellent sightseeing and places to seek some quite meditation.

Cuisines to try in Manali

Manli is renowned for is assortment of International cuisine.
Most guesthouses have in-house cafes which serve Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisine.
Dharma Guesthouse is a multi-storied hotel atop the mountain in Vashist. A stay here is recommended. The staff are friendly and mostly speak English, rates are cheap, and the views are stunning.

The Rainbow Café also provides stunning views and serves excellent food and drink.
On the outskirts of Vashist is Il Forno Pizzeria. Housed in a traditional Himachel wood house, Il Forno serves authentic and delicious pizzas and Italian food.

Places to Shop in Manali

Manali’s tourist shops are full of handicrafts, trekking gear, literature, and knick-knacks. The Main Market is a great places to find anything you need for your stay. The main road in Vashist is lined with shops of all varieties.

Unknown fact about Manali

A hike up the mountain from Vashist leads to a tucked-away guesthouse/café. The trail is well marked up to this point. Once the guest house is reached, a trek up the mountain side leads to a magnificent waterfall. A stream of water falls in three stage down a steep cliff. The base of the falls is a great place to cool off after the long trek up. Make sure to walk behind the fall of water to see the ancient “footprints of the Buddha”. Much like the cross in Christianity, footprints are used to designate a symbolic or important location in Buddhism. This is a little-known, but must see destination.

Article by John Huber

An Indian Backpacker