Manali Travel Guide – 20 Amazing Places to Visit in Manali& Kullu (2024)
Manali is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is nestled between the hills bordered by the stunning pine trees and forest and the raging Beas River. The place has a unique energy to it which one feels while visiting the place. This Manali Travel Guide will help you plan your trip by providing a list of the beautiful places to visit while your stay in this gorgeous hill stations of Manali and Kullu.
Manali is a popular backpacking destination famous with solo and group travelers who are planning to enjoy a leisure holiday in the area or for hikers who are planning to go for treks in higher Himalayas from Manali and planning to stay for a day or two in Manali. It is a gateway to many adventure activities in Solang, Gulaba, and Kothi.
Kullu is a small town located in the Kullu district and is a broad open valley formed by Beas river between Manali and Largi. Kullu valley is known for the many famous temples in the area and the hills are covered with pine and deodar forests and the sprawling apple orchards. Kullu valley is sandwiched beautifully between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan, and Great Himalayan Ranges. There is much more to Kullu and Manali and their popular tourist spots and adventure. Most of the places are always buzzing with tourists and you will find some quiet spots too if you want to spend your holiday at quaint and quiet places.
Best Time To Visit Manali & Kullu
The best time to travel to Kullu and Manali is late March until mid-July which is before the arrival of monsoon, and September to October. The nights and mornings are cold October onwards and it starts snowing in December. March to July is the best time since the spring sets in and nature start coming alive again after the cold winter. You can feel the cool and clean air in your lungs and blossoming apple orchards, and masses of butterflies are a real treat. August is apple season, and the orchards around Manali are filled with them.
20 Amazing Places to Visit in Manali & Kullu
1. Hadimba Temple:
Hadimba temple, also known as Hidimba Devi Temple and Dhungari Temple, is one of the most famous places to visit in Manali. It attracts many tourists throughout the year. This temple is built in the memory of Hadimba who is the wife of one of the Pandav brother Bheem. The most beautiful part of this temple is that it is surrounded by Pine trees. The temple is located in the Dhungri forest and is surrounded by greenery all around which makes it stunning. It is a classic pagoda-shaped temple which attracts many tourists. The sculpture of Hidimba is made of brass and is unique and awe-inspiring. It is one of the most religious places in Manali and is a must-visit.
Location: Hadimba Temple Rd, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm; throughout the year
2. Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art:
The museum of Himachal culture and folk art has engaged in the collection of heritage from Himachal Pradesh since 1990. The Museum has a unique and extraordinary collection of unknown and rare antiques from the state of Himachal Pradesh. The museum has a collection of almost extinct articles that display the forgotten culture, art, and handicraft of Himachal Pradesh. The museum is also a popular spot for tourists and considered as a major Art, Culture, and Tourism of Himachal Pradesh. The museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art is located in Utopia Complex, Near Hadimba Devi Temple, in the year of 1998. The museum exhibits traditional dresses, utensils, musical instruments, ritual instruments, wood carvings, and all other traditional instruments and articles used by the people in the state which are on the verge of extinction. Tourists find this museum very attractive for the craft and culture they get to see at the museum. Do not miss visiting the museum when you visit Manali.
Location: Utopia Complex, Hadimba Temple Rd, near Hadimba Temple, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm; throughout the year.
3. Vashisht Hot Water Springs and Temple:
Vashist is a small and quaint place located 3 km from Manali near the Beas River and at a short distance from the Rohtang Pass. Although a quaint village, this place is always full of tourists who are visiting Kullu and Manali. The main attraction and highlights of this place are the hot water springs and two temples located here. One of the temples is dedicated to Vashist Muni and the other temple is dedicated to Lord Ram.
Taking a dip in the hot water spring at Vashisth is one of the favorite things for the tourists to do and to beat the cold in Manali. It is said that the water possesses natural healing power and has the energy to heal people. The hot water springs are natural hot Sulphur springs and are divided into two tanks, one for women and the other for men. You can stay at the nearby homestays in Vashisth if you prefer staying in a calm and quaint places away from the hustle-bustle of the city.
Location: Vashisth, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: 7 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 10 pm, throughout the year
4. Nehru Kund:
This is a clean water spring said to be originated from Bhrigu lake is a very attractive tourist sport near Manali. Nehru Kund is located at a distance of 5 km from the Manali bus stand and attracts thousands of tourists every year. The spring is named after the first prime minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who supposedly loved visiting this place.
The place is calm and silent you will hear the bubbling sound of water which feels like music to the years. River Beas flows through it which makes it even more stunning and attractive. The lush greenery around the spring makes it even more attractive as the place is surrounded by tall pine trees all around. You must not miss vising this place during your next holiday to Manali.
Location: Vashisht, Himachal Pradesh
Opening Hours: throughout the year
5. Jogini Falls:
The stunning and awe-inspiring Jogini falls are located around 5kms from Vashisth temple and around 7.5 km from the Manali bus stand. The waterfall is formed by a stream that is merged into the Beas river. It is a short trek to reach Jogini falls from Vashisth temple and this trek is quite popular among the backpackers who are looking for adventurous places to go to near Kullu and Manali. It is among popular places to visit in Manali and also one of the famous places to visit in Himachal. This is one of the top attractions which you will find in most Himachal tour packages. The waterfall is 150 feet high and meets river Beas downstream and comes cascading down through multiple levels. There is a small water body at the base of the waterfall where the tourists enjoy taking a dip after the trek to the waterfall. The flow of the water is the heaviest during monsoons and the tourists shouldn’t take a dip and swim in the pool. There is a very popular temple located at the base of the waterfall which is called the Jogini Mata temple. This temple is famous amongst the locals as well as the tourists visiting the place. It is also a very popular picnic spot around the area for locals.
The trek to Jogini Falls is among the best and beautiful short treks near Manali. The trek route is extremely scenic as it passes through a narrow lane adjacent to Vashisht temple and goes through apple orchards, tall pine trees, and small water streams. It takes around 1 hour to reach the base of the waterfall from the Vashisth temple and the top point of the waterfall can be reached by a walk of another 15 minutes. The whole trek route is extremely beautiful, and it takes you through beautiful villages aligned with the sprawling valleys.
Location: Vashisht, Himachal Pradesh
Opening Hours: throughout the year
6. Solang Valley:
Solang valley is one of the best places to visit in Manali for adventure sports. This valley lies between the famous Beas Kund and Solang Village and is a very beautiful place in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This is also among the most popular places to visit near Kullu and Manali. Solang valley lies about 14 km from Manali and is home to the most popular and vibrant Manali festivals i.e. winter skiing festival that is held here every year. People of all age groups love to visit this place during winters to enjoy skiing and other adventure sports in Manali. The place is covered in snow during the winters and is a sight to behold. The entire place is covered with fluffy, milky white snow, the whole place appears like a themed Christmas movie setting. There are groves of emerald green pine trees in the milky white landscape amid mountains covered with snow and the clear blue skies. This place looks like heaven in Winters and the evenings, you can spot the milky way in the sky in the missile of gazillions of stars that adorn this beautiful place.
Photo By Raman Virdi Image Source
Location: Solang, Himachal Pradesh
Opening Hours: throughout the year
7. Kullu:
Kullu is also known as the “Land of Gods” as there are many local temples dedicated to the gods and goddess which are visited by many tourists around the year. Kullu is a small town set on the banks of Beas river and is a heaven for people who love quiet places to stay away from the hustle-bustle of the cities and looking for a short escape from the busy city life. This town has an intricate web of valleys, deep pine forests, hundreds of streams, and the Beas River located in the middle of mountains. The place is also famous for a week-long Dussehra festival which is organized every year in October and that’s when the quiet town comes to life. Kullu town is a 50 minutes drive from Manali and is a nice place to visit. Make sure you do not miss visiting Kullu during your next holiday.
Photo by Himanshu Jain Image Source
Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Opening Hours: throughout the year
8. Manali Sanctuary:
Your trip to Kullu and Manali is incomplete without visiting the majestic Manali sanctuary which is a jewel in this place. This is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary at a walking distance from the center of the town and if you are staying in the Manali city, this sanctuary can be reached easily by foot. You can enjoy the wide variety of flora and fauna in this place. It is also a very popular place to visit for the adventure seekers as they can camp here and there are short hikes in the sanctuary which people can enjoy. The sanctuary has a wide variety of reptiles, birds, animals, and mammals. You will also be able to see the rare and endangered species, the Himalayan Black Bear, Kashmir flying Squirrel, Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Yellow-throated Marten, Barking Deer, Flying Fox, etc.
Location: Circuit House Marg, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
9. Van Vihar:
Another famous tourist destination in Manali is Van vihar which is adorned by tall, sky-high deodar trees and scenic beauty. The place is lush green and is very popular among tourists. It is also located close to most major places in the city which makes it even more popular. Van Vihar is maintained by the municipal corporation of the city and is a popular garden also. There is a manmade lake in the middle of Van Vihar where tourists enjoy boating and they also feed the fishes. It is also a very beautiful and popular spot among locals for picnics and to enjoy time with family and friends. Do not miss adding Van Vihar to your itinerary when planning for your vacation to Manali.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: Summers: 8:00 AM -7:00 PM and Winters: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
10. Gulaba:
Gulaba is a small village around 27 km from Manali and is on the way from Manali to Rohtang pass. It is a very famous tourist destination and is covered in snow in winter during November and December. It is a perfect time to visit Gulaba in these months as the place offers as many adventure activities like Skiing, Paragliding, Mountain biking, etc. Many tourists come around this time to enjoy these adventure activities at Gulaba.
It is also not very crowded like the downtown Manali. So, if you are looking for a place to spend time in peace and a quaint and quiet place then Gulaba is the place to be.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year
11. Manu Temple:
Manu temple is located at a distance of around 3 km from the main city and is a well-known and famous temple among both tourists and locals. It attracts thousands of tourists every year and is one of the most frequently visited places in Manali. The temple also has a brilliant architectural style and is built in classic pagoda shape which adds to its attraction. You will feel peace and serenity in your soul while walking on the premises of this temple. Make sure you visit the temple if you are looking to spend some time in peace and give calmness to your soul.
Location: Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: 5 am – 9 pm; throughout the year
12. Mall Road:
One place which you should not miss at this beautiful hill station is Mall Road. Mall Road in Manali is a famous tourist attraction like any of the other Indian Hill stations. This place is always full of tourists and locals where people come to see the hustle and bustle of the city once in a while. You will see people taking a stroll on the Mall Road in the evening and enjoying ice-cream in the cold Manali weather. This is also a one stop place for many affordable places to stay in Manali, nice restaurants and cafes to enjoy food with friends and family. You will find many things to buy including daily utilities to souvenirs that you can carry back for your loved ones. You will also find transportation to major spots around Manali from the mall road. You must not miss going to the mall road during your stay at Manali or Kullu.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year; shops and restaurants are open at defined timings.
13. Old Manali:
Old Manali is a jewel and a hidden gem in Manali. It is located at a distance of around 3 km from the Mall road yet you get to see and feel a different vibe when you visit this place. Located on the banks of Beas river, this place is a backpacker’s haven with numerous affordable options and places to stay. You will see many tourists including Indian nationals and foreigners walking around the old rustic streets of the town. Old Manali also has some quaint and perfect cafes on the banks of Beas river where you can sit enjoy your meal with your friends and family while listening to the live music and the sound of the stupendous river flowing on the side. Make sure you visit Old Manali whenever you are here. It is not a place to be missed.
Location: Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year;
14. Kothi:
Kothi is a small village located at a distance of around 16 km from Manali and is known for its beautiful landscape. This is a quiet and hidden gem around Manali surrounded by thick pine forests and apple orchards. This place is especially famous for the landscape during the winter when the village is covered in snow and you can see the snow-capped mountains at a distance. This place looks straight out of fairy tales. Many art lovers like poets and painters come and spend time here as this place inspires them to create art. Do come to Kothi when you plan your vacation to Manali next. This place also offers adventure sports during the winter which can be enjoyed by the tourists between 6 am to 6 pm.
Location: Kothi, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year
15. Rahala Waterfalls:
Rahala like the Jogini waterfalls is another very famous tourist spot around Kullu and Manali. The place is famous for its Pristine natural beauty with cascading waterfalls, hiking trails, and picnic areas where locals come and enjoy time with friends and family. It is very famous among the tourists too. The source of water in these magnificent falls is the water melting from the glaciers and precipitous rocks. Thick and tall birch and deodar trees in the surrounding forest area look truly magnificent. Stunning and amazing views of snow-clad Himalayan ranges can be seen behind these beautiful waterfalls. Do not miss visiting this place on your next visit to Manali.
Location: Leh Manali Hwy, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year
16. Naggar Village:
Naggar village is a beautiful, small, and quaint village around 19 km from Manali. People who want to spend their time away from the hustle-bustle and busy city life this is the place to be. This stunning village is a paradise for the people who want to stay in a beautiful place to rejuvenate their senses. The village is set against the backdrop of majestic hills with thick forests and the clear and pristine Beas River, this village is ideal for people who want to relax and rejuvenate by living in the lap of nature. There are many short and long hikes nearby where people can spend the day and camp in the evening in the beautiful wilderness. Famous for being in the abundance of unexplored natural beauty this place is historic and has an ancient castle, which has now been converted into a heritage hotel where you can choose to stay. Naggar also has a famous folk-art museum and a hot water spring that tourists should not miss while visiting the place.
Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year
17. Arjun Gufa:
Another ancient and historic place in Manali is Arjun Gufa with mythological stories associated with it. It is said that the Arjun, one of the Pandav brothers sat in Arjun Gufa for meditation and he was given Pashupati Astra from Lord Indra when he was happy with Arjun’s dedication. Because of this mythological significance, Arjun Gufa is a famous tourist spot in Manali. This cave is a natural development and not a manmade creation. Intricacy attracts people from all over the country. The cave is a favorite picnic spot and is also famous for the adventure of exploring the creation from inside. A short hike up to the cave is exciting in itself with the surrounding natural landscape so beautiful it cannot be explained in words. One must visit Arjun Gufa during the next visit to Manali. It is located at a distance of around 20 km from Manali.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: Throughout the year
18. Rohtang Pass:
Rohtang pass is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh and is a sight to behold. This place is nothing less than heaven. The landscape of the place during winters is like a fairy tale. Rohtang pass is located at a distance 51 kilometers from Manali, it can be reached only by road. The pass is located at a massive height of 3978 meters. It is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range, and it connects Kullu valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the highest passes in the Himalayas.
Photo by B Balaji Image Source
The place is also very famous in Bollywood as many Bollywood movies have been shot here and hence a famous tourist spot too. During winters, many snow adventure sports are organized here and people from all over the country come to Rohtang place to enjoy the snowfall and the adventure activities. One can try adventure activities like sledge ride, which involves sliding through the snow in a wooden toboggan which even sounds thrilling. Another thrilling activity that can be pursued at Rohtang Pass would be mountain biking where you ride your mountain bikes off the regular course and if you can ride well, you can take the bike into the lesser taken routes. Tourists also enjoy skiing and tire drop at the Rohtang Pass as well, where again you slide down a slope of snow. This is a very fun and non-dangerous activity and even kids enjoy doing it multiple times without a break. The equipment including the gear and gumboots to walk in slow is available on rent in the nearby shops at reasonable prices. One must not miss visiting this heavenly place if you have some time to spare during your vacation. Visiting Rohtang pass is once in a lifetime experience and should be done at any cost.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year, however, adventure sports are organized at a specific time during the year.
19. Chandrakhani Pass:
If you are someone who enjoys trekking in far, distant, and beautiful places where you can see more nature and less of the human interaction, this is your place. This is a den for adventure seekers and people who enjoy living and spending their time in quiet and quaint places. There are many trek routes around the area where people go for hiking and can camp in the wilderness in the evening. The greenery at this place is out of a movie and is awe-inspiring. This trek route is full of beautiful interactions with nature in the raw form with hilly villages where you can see people doing their daily chores, growing vegetables, and the sight of massive mountains all through the way. At the final destination or end of the hike, the view of Deo Tibba and Pin Parvati Range is simply breathtaking and makes one marvel and wonder about the wonders of nature. You would not feel like coming back from this place after visiting it once.
Location: Kullu valley, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year
20. Bhrigu Lake:
The last on this list is the very famous Bhrigu lake. It is one of the most beautiful destinations around Manali. Bhrigu lake has a stunning landscape that attracts thousands of tourists around the world. Bhrigu lake trek is also the most famous trek in the area which does not only involve expedition till the lake but the landscape on the way is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Bhrigu Lake is located at a high altitude and is about 40 kilometers away from Manali. The route to the lake passes through entrancing meadows and grasslands which are famously known as the Bhrigu Lake Meadows. These meadows are often compared with the alpine meadows found at high altitude locations such as in the Alps in Switzerland. Traveling to Bhrigu lake is once in a life-time experience and one feels transported to an alternate world when at this place. It is a perfect place for people who constantly search for locations to escape city life, traffic, and pollution.
The name Bhrigu lake also has mythological significance as it is said that Maharishi Bhrigu meditated near it and it is his blessing that this lake never freezes despite the temperature in the area. The campers generally camp on the banks of the lake and enjoy a bonfire in the night and food cooked on the fire in a makeshift kitchen which is an enthralling experience. Make sure you add Bhrigu lake to your list of expeditions of you are an adventure-seeking soul and looking for places where you can get adrenaline rush and soothe your soul at the same time.
Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Opening hours: throughout the year
