13 June 2026
From where did your love for Manali first begin? For many people, it started while watching Naina from the hit movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani pack her bags and head out on that mountain trek. But did you know that Manali is so much more than just a hill station? While it is usually the very first destination that pops into anyone's mind when planning a Himachal vacation, there is a hidden side to this paradise waiting to be discovered.
Let us take you on a journey to explore what lies beyond the usual tourist spots. To make your trip planning effortless, we have categorized all the best places to visit in and around Manali. Now, you can easily choose the perfect spots based on your personal travel style!
You cannot miss Mall Road because it is the beating heart of the town, located exactly 2 kilometers from most local staying spots. It is a vehicle-free walking street, meaning you can stroll around safely without worrying about traffic or honking. The entire stretch is lined with shops, Kashmiri handicraft emporiums, cafes, and local street food stalls. This is the best place to spend your evenings hanging out, shopping for warm woolen shawls or souvenirs, and trying delicious local snacks like hot momos, sweet soft-serve ice cream, or wood-fired pizzas.
For a completely different, laid-back vibe, you can cross the bridge over the river to Old Manali, which is also just 2 kilometers away from the busy main center. The moment you walk into this area, the atmosphere leaves you awestruck. The commercial buildings disappear, replaced by old wooden Himachali homes, winding alleyways, graffiti art, and apple orchards. It is a favorite hangout spot for backpackers and solo travelers who just want to chill out and read a book with some delicious global food.
To experience a bit of royal mountain history, you can take a lovely drive 22 kilometers down the valley to Naggar. This town was actually the ancient capital of the Kullu region long ago. The star attraction here is the Naggar Castle, a palace built entirely of wood and stone that offers views of the entire valley. And if you're a true Bollywood fan, chances are you've already spotted this iconic location in the Jab We Met movie. The moment "Yeh Ishq Hai" starts playing, it's almost impossible not to imagine yourself channeling your inner Geet, twirling through Naggar Castle that stole our hearts on screen.
If you love adventure sports, Solang Valley is your paradise, located just 14 kilometers up the road from Manali. This valley is famous all over India for thrill-seekers and offers totally different vibes depending on the season. During the warmer months, you can go paragliding high above the mountains with an instructor, try zorbing inside a giant plastic ball rolling down a green hill, or ride quad bikes through the dirt trails. In the winter, the entire valley turns fully white and becomes a major hotspot for skiing, amateur snowboarding, and riding high-powered snowmobiles. There is also a modern cable car ride that takes you to a high ridge for spectacular views.
If you are up for a short, beautiful nature walk, Jogni Waterfall is located about 4 kilometers from Manali, starting from Vashist village. To reach the actual waterfall, you get to go on a 30-to-45-minute hike through pine forests and apple orchards. The trail offers some open views of the snow-capped peaks across the valley. The trek concludes with a spectacular sight of a waterfall dropping from great heights into a pool at its base. There are also tea stalls along the way where you can grab a bowl of “pahado wali maggi and chai”.
For the ultimate trekking experience, Hampta Pass is a legendary route that starts from a place called Jobra, just a short drive from Manali town. This is a multi-day high-altitude wilderness trek that is famous because the scenery changes completely every single day. You start by walking through green valleys and meadows filled with wild flowers. Then, as you climb higher, you cross the mountain pass and emerge into the stark, rocky mountain desert region. It requires a bit of stamina and a trekking guide. You can also opt for well-known trekking organisations like Trek The Himalayas for the best experiences.
Beas Kund, Bhrigu Lake, and Chandrakhani Pass are some of the most popular treks that start from Manali.
Perched much higher up the mountains via a steep, curvy road, Sethan is a Buddhist village that has become a hidden gem for travelers. Because of its high altitude, it receives a heavy amount of powdery snow during the winter. The signature attraction of this place is that during January and February, you can actually stay in real, handmade snow igloos built by the locals! In the summer, the snow melts away to reveal a rocky landscape that is absolutely perfect for bouldering, camping, and stargazing.
Note: It requires a special forest permit to drive up here, keeping the village wonderfully uncrowded.
If you want to see what a traditional mountain village looks like, Kothi is a beautiful village located at the foothills of the Rohtang Highway. It is located on a steep ridge and offers beautiful views of rock gorges carved by the Beas River. The village is surrounded by glaciers and snow-dusted ridges. Because it is so uniquely beautiful, it has actually been featured in several Bollywood movies. It is an amazing escape if you want to experience mountain silence away from the crowds.
For the mountain adventure, you can drive around 50 kilometers up to Rohtang Pass, which lies at an altitude of over 13,051 ft. This is a legendary mountain highway where you can find heavy snow even during the peak summer months of May and June. The journey to get there is an adventure all on its own, full of thrilling turns, waterfalls, and views of glaciers. It is an exciting day-trip where you can rent a snowsuit and slide down the icy slopes.
Note: You need a special government permit to drive up here, so book it a few days early!
If you want to drive through the world-famous Atal Tunnel, your destination should be Sissu, located 40 kilometers away on the other side of the mountain ridge. Passing through the tunnel takes you straight into Lahaul Valley, where the landscape changes from Manali's green forests into rugged mountains. Sissu greets you with a waterfall right by the highway, surrounded by beautiful willow trees and the Chandra River. It is much less crowded than Manali, so you can choose this destination for some good picnic time.
This is an absolute masterpiece of modern human engineering and a proud landmark! Stretching for over 9 kilometers through solid mountain rock, it holds the world record for being the longest single-tube highway tunnel above 10,000 feet. Driving through it is an experience in itself. You enter a high-tech, brightly lit tunnel on the green Manali side and emerge just 15 minutes later into the snowy mountain landscape of Sissu. It has completely changed how people travel through the Himalayas.
Gulaba is a gorgeous high-altitude mountain checkpoint located on the route to Rohtang Pass. In the summer, it is famous for its rolling meadows and wild mountain flowers. However, during the winter when heavy snow blocks the higher roads to Rohtang Pass, Gulaba becomes the official "snow point" for tourists. It turns into a fun snow playground where you can slide down the icy hills on wooden sleds, build snowmen, and enjoy the best time.
If you want to experience the history of Manali, you only have to travel 2 kilometers from the town center to find the Hadimba Devi Temple. It sits hidden inside a beautiful, thick forest of giant Dhungri pine trees that keep the area cool and shaded all day. The temple itself is totally unique because it is shaped like a wooden pagoda and was built way back in 1553! It has magnificent wood carvings of animals and deities on its doors. You will love the mystical vibe here. Once you are done exploring the historic structure, you can take photos holding ultra-fluffy Angora rabbits or riding yaks just outside the complex for a fun vacation memory.
Just 4 kilometers away, on the other side of the Beas River, lies the ancient Vashist Temple, which is dedicated to Sage Vashistha. This place is actually famous for its natural hot sulfur springs, which locals and travelers believe have healing powers for your skin, muscles, and overall health. There are separate, clean bathing pools for men and women where you can dip your tired feet or take a full bath in the warm, mineral-rich water. The temple itself features beautiful, intricate wood carvings that showcase traditional Himachali art.
Located a bit further out on the highway connecting Kullu and Manali, this beautiful spiritual stop is highly revered by travelers. The temple is built right along the banks of the fast-flowing Beas River. Inside the temple, it features a narrow, man-made cave system that you get to crawl and slide through to reach the main shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi.
Right near the bustling Mall Road, Van Vihar is a public park overflowing with Deodar trees. There is a small man-made lake right in the middle where you can rent a pedal boat for a relaxing ride. It is a very family-friendly spot where you can spend a relaxed afternoon.
This is a beautiful roadside natural spring located on the way to Solang Valley. The water here comes straight from a high-altitude lake in the mountains and is ice-cold. It is a quick and refreshing pitstop where you can drink some pure mountain water and look out over the river valley.
If you're wondering which part of the Manali region to stay in and explore first, it helps to plan based on how you're arriving and the experiences you're looking for.
If you're arriving by bus or from the nearest railway stations, such as Chandigarh, staying in Manali town or Old Manali is usually the most convenient option. Attractions like Mall Road, Old Manali, Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisht Temple, and Jogini Falls are all located nearby and can be explored over a day or two.
If you're travelling through the Kullu Valley towards Manali, consider visiting places such as Naggar and Vaishno Devi Temple along the way. This allows you to experience the valley gradually before reaching Manali.
If adventure and mountain landscapes are at the top of your list, consider staying closer to Solang Valley, Sethan Village, Kothi, Gulaba, Atal Tunnel, or Sissu. This part of the region offers easier access to trekking trails and snow activities.
As you can see, Manali isn't just a one-size-fits-all hill station. Now that all the best nearby treasures are right in front of you, planning the perfect trip is super easy. So, which vibe matches your style for this vacation?
13 June 2026
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Tips and insights for every trekker.
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04 Jun 2026
Witnessing each season in the mountains is truly one of the most beautiful experiences in itself. And just like every other season, the monsoon has its own unique charm.
The monsoon season has almost arrived, and we know that many true mountain and nature lovers have already started looking for the best monsoon trek to explore this year.
Packing a backpack for trekking has always been a challenging task for every trekker. Even today, many trekkers still rely on the internet to prepare the list of essential items needed during the monsoon season.
Monsoon season in India always hits differently. From sipping hot chai while it’s raining outside to witnessing the breathtaking mountains that look more alive than ever, everything feels so surreal.
The pine and oak trees are wrapped in misty curls, while the walk into the dense forest has started to feel like a mystical path that’s the true beauty of the monsoon trek.
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Spending weekends used to be all about binge-watching favourite shows, doomscrolling the entire day, or hanging out with friends in cafes and so on. That version of spending our free time still exists, of course. But now, another option has been added to the list.
There’s a saying among the trekkers: “No two treks can ever be the same." I’ve always believed it. But this time, when I revisited this trek that I've already done, I realised something deeper: “Even the same trail can feel completely different."
You know, a lot of times we come across something so surreal that even its existence leaves us wondering how something so magnificent can exist. And believe it or not, that’s exactly how I felt when I first set foot in Ranthan Kharak.
A trekker often visits the Himalayas in the search of catching a glimpse of some giant peaks, exploring the lush green valleys, and sometimes reconnecting with their true selves while being surrounded by the mountains. In quest to gain such an experience, many trekkers seek a trek that offers it all. From being transformative to unforgettable, it should have it all.
We often describe the Himalayas as an epitome of unmatched beauty, but we keep forgetting where that true unmatched beauty truly lies. That magical beauty is not present just in their landscapes, but it also lies in that ever-changing surrounding that we experience on the journey that the mountains offer us.