Manali is a tourist paradise when it comes to chilling and adventure at the same time. It is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley in the Beas River Valley. As it is in the northern part of our country, there are mountains everywhere. The temperature in Manali stays cool throughout the year. Thus, many tourists visit Manali with the wish of experiencing snow. Though the weather stays cool through the year, still you can experience snow only when the temperature goes down to minus. Hence, Manali experiences snow between the months of November to February.
But this doesn’t mean that there is nothing to do here in summer. Actually, there are a lot of fun and adventure activities to do in Manali that can only be done in summer.
Manali in Summers
If you are a travel and adventure enthusiast, then Summer (precisely April to June), is the best time to visit Manali. Unlike many parts of the country, whether in Manali stays pleasant during this period of time. If you visit Manali during the summers, you can enjoy many outdoor activities like trekking, paragliding, and rafting. This sort of weather condition is perfect for doing such activities. As summers cut off the snow factor, you can also have an incredible experience with zorbing and mountain activities. Also, you can see flowers blooming at this period of time. It’s a great view for nature enthusiasts.
Manali is in festive vibes during summers. You may get to witness a whole different and unique culture. You can enjoy the festival of Basantotsav in the summer month of April. Himachal Pradesh declared this fair as the festival of the state. As it marks the beginning of the spring season, it is also known as the “Spring Festival”. The temperature in summers lies between 10 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius in Manali.
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River Rafting
As we know, Manali is associated with the river Beas Valley. Rafting here in cold icy water is surely a lifetime breathtaking experience. The River Beas is at its strongest here. The valley is famous for its range of 14-kilometer stretch of white water down to Jhiri. These properties and natural conditions make this place perfect for rafting. Many sports adventure companies offer rafting facilities in Manali. If adventure is something you are looking for, then what’s better than facing huge waves in a raft along with your friends.
As River Beas valley’s stretch is one of the best places for rafting in India, it offers short stretches for beginners and long, powerful stretches for experienced people. Summers that are months of April and June are most suitable for rafting in Manali. Rafting activities are done under complete training and safety guidelines.
Paragliding
For people who love adventures and height, Paragliding is one of the best activities to explore in Manali. You can fly in the sky with a glider over the beautiful town of Manali. This can give you a chance to enjoy a thrill experience feeling like flying a bird. Also, Paragliding in Manali gives a chance to have a breathtaking view of the Dhauladhar mountain range and the meandering Beas River. Solang Valley and Gulaba, Marhi are some popular spots that offer Paragliding activities in Manali. The best time to take up paragliding in Manali is between the months of May and September.
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Sightseeing
There are many beautiful villages and temples in Manali that offers a very soothing view and vibe.
Hidimba temple – Hidimba Devi temple is an ancient cave temple in the name of Hidimba Devi, wife of Bhima ( One of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata). Locals also call this temple as Dhungari Temple. A cedar forest “Dhungiri Van Vihar ” covers the boundaries of the temple. Maharaja Bahadur Singh built this temple in 1553.
Vashishth temple- Vashisht temple is a popular tourist destination. This temple was founded by Guru Vashisht who was the sole guru (teacher) of Lord Ram and Lord Laxman. It is at a distance of 3.5 km from Manali Bus Stand. The village of Vashisht was named after Rishi Vashisht one of the seven sages of Hindu. It is believed that this temple is 4000 years old. Inside the temple, there is a black stone image of the Rishi wearing dhoti.
Manikaran Sahib– Manikaran is 4 km away from Kasol and about 45 km away from Kullu. It is very famous for its hot spring bath and religious beliefs. There are many religious perspectives and believes associated with this sulfur water bath. This place has some temples and a gurudwara. Hence, it is associated with the religious sentiments of Hindus and Sikhs majorly.
Trekking
Basically, Trekking or long-distance hiking consists of walking for several days or several weeks and being entirely or partially self-sufficient. Originally, the sport is mainly practiced in mountains. Often at some places which are close to nature and away from metropolitan cities. When we say trekking, Manali makes its way to our hearts.
When it comes to trekking, Manali welcomes both, experienced trekkers and beginners. It offers the best view and a beautiful vibe to fulfill the expectations of trekkers coming from all over the nation. Here, trekkers will come across uneven territories, slippery courses, thick backwoods, and high meadows while walking through the Kullu Valley. Also, Manali is a tourist town in the lap of the Himalayas. The beauty of the Himalayas can never be overlooked. That’s why Manali attracts people from across the world. Here are some trek paths that Manali offers.
Many famous treks include Hampta Pass with Chandratal Lake Trek, Beas Kund Lake, Deo Tibba Base, Sar Pass trek.
Adventure
Rohtang Pass is also known as the snow point of Manali. People across the country visit this place to enjoy some breathtaking activities during the summer season. Due to unfavorable cold weather, Rohtang Pass is closed for the public from the month of October to May. This place is around 51 kilometers away from Manali and at an altitude of 3,979 meters above sea level. Hence, in Winters, the mountains in Rohtang pass are completely covered with snow.
This beautiful valley is a gateway to other valleys like Lahaul Spiti, Pangi, and Leh. Tourists enjoy a beautiful cinematic view here and also try different fun activities like snow scooters, skiing, paragliding, mountain biking, or ATV.
Zorbing
Zorbing means when people are tied in a huge unbreakable ball and pushed down from the hill. It is one of the best activities to enjoy in Manali. Due to favorable weather conditions, summer is the only time when you can do zorbing. In the summers, these snowy slopes meltdown. Hence at that time, the ground and weather conditions are perfect for zorbing or globe-riding. This activity is very popular among youngsters. Solang Valley is a perfect destination to do zorbing. The best time to do Zorbing is March to October excluding the monsoon time.
