Top Places to Visit in Kullu Manali include Rohtang Pass, Hampta Pass, Malana Village, Kasol, Parvathi Valley, Bhrigu Lake, Manikaran Gurudwara, Solang Valley and many more.
Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh state. It has a reputation as a backpacking center and honeymoon destination. Set on the Beas River, it’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It’s also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal mountains, home to the 4,000m-high Rohtang Pass.
Overflowing with nature, and an abundance of flora-fauna surviving in it, there are fantastic tourist places in Kullu Manali. The place invites every age group as it has something for everyone starting from unmatchable sites to ancient temples.
1.Hadimba Temple
Hadimba Temple Also known by the names Hidimba Devi Temple and Dhungari Temple, this ancient shrine was built by Maharaja Bahadur Singh way back in 1553. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Hidimba Devi, wife of Bheema. The wooden architecture of the shrine is very distinct from most Hindu temples you will come across in the country. There’s another shrine dedicated to Hidimba Devi’s son Ghatotkacha on the premises. Surrounded by thick cedar groves and with snow-capped mountains serving as the backdrop, the temple is one of the best places to visit in Manali.
2.Manikaran Sahib
Relating directly to the first Guru and founder of the belief of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, the Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara is a place of pilgrimage. The reason that this place is extremely famous is because of the natural hot springs here, and the legend has it that when Guru Nanak and his disciple had all they needed for a ‘Langar’ but nowhere to cook, the Guru told the disciple to live a stone from where the hot springs came out and they could cook their food.
That is the reason that the Pilgrims now cook their offerings to the god in the many springs here, and also believe it to be auspicious to bathe in these holy waters. One of the best places for Kullu Sightseeing, Manikaran Sahib is a must-visit.
3. Solang Valley
Deriving its name from the nearby village, it is a side valley on the very highs of Kullu Valley and falls on the way of Rohtang Pass. Solang Valley is extremely famous for the adventure sports and activities that take place here and vary from season to season. For example, the summer seasons see the Solang Valley taking on activities like Parachuting, Paragliding, and Zorbing, whereas the winters see this place turn into an amazing skiing resort with the facilities and coaching all available during the appropriate season.
Apart from these, Solang is also famous for activities like ATV rides, ropeways, and trekking. For a memorable time when in the valley, Solang is a must of all the places to visit in Kullu Manali.
4. Hampta Pass
Hampta Pass or Hamta Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 4,270m above sea level and is a smaller corridor that leads from Kullu Valley to Lahaul Valley. Named after the village of the same name, the pass is like a gateway for the sheep and cattle herders of the Lahaul valley to search for pasture lands close to the high altitude cold desert of Lahaul, especially during the summer months.
The pass is famous for the colorful wildflowers growing between altitudes of 3000m and 3800m, mesmerizing waterfalls, glaciers clinging to cliff sides, high altitude lakes and several peaks above the height of 6000m, all of which are packed together to create this beautiful paradise. One of the best adventure activities in Himachal Pradesh is trek to Hamta Pass, which can be further extended to see the gem of Spiti Valley, the Chandratal Lake.
5. Parvati Valley
One of the most scenic parts of the country, the Parvati Valley of the river Parvati is easily the most heart-winning a destination in the entire Himachal Pradesh. The slopes of the valley are covered with dense and beautiful vegetation, with several waterfalls finding their way through the crevices of the region and adding to the beauty. No matter what the season, you will always find the place to be utterly beautiful.
With several things that you can do here, the best and most favorite things to do in Parvati Valley are trekking and camping. With the famous tourist destination of Kasol at its heart, Parvati Valley is emerging to be one of the most favorite holiday destinations in the area.
6. Bhrigu Lake
Located at an elevation of about 4,300m above sea level. Located to the east of Rohtang Pass and near the Gulaba Village, in the Pir Panjal Mountain range. Named after the famous sage, Maharishi Bhrigu, the legend has it that he used to meditate by the side of this lake. Because of this, the place became holy and this is one of the reasons why the lake never freezes even at such an altitude.
Apart from the lake itself and the temple on its banks, the meadows that one encounters on the way to the lake are what most people make a reason to take the trek that leads to Bhrigu Lake. The mesmerizing views from such height of the valleys nearby are another reason why people love to visit this place.
7.Malana Village
Popularly described as an ancient village, Malana is an isolated heaven in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The stand-alone village in the Malana Valley of the Malana River is cut off from the rest of the world because of the daunting presence of the Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba mountains. With a strict following of their rules and customs, Malana is considered to be amongst the oldest democracies of the world, where the people consider themselves to be Aryans and direct descendants of Alexander, the Great.
The best way to reach Malana is to take a trek from the famous tourist spot of Kasol. Surrounded by some of the greatest sceneries that you can find in the country, Malana is a must-visit for everyone at least once.
8. Kasol
Kasol is a hamlet in the Kullu district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated in Parvati Valley, on the banks of the Parvati River, Between Bhuntar and Manikaran, it is located 30 km from Bhuntar and 36 km from Kullu town, the district headquarters, 3.5 km from Manikaran.
The village is known for its cannabis plantations and the breathtaking views of the adjacent hills teeming with dense Himalayan vegetation.
9. Old Manali
Some 3 km away and slightly uphill from Manali is the quiet and quaint little town that is popularly known as the Old Manali. A favorite of many backpackers and admirers of the Hippie lifestyle in the country, Old Manali is an altogether different world from New Manali. The less crowded, offbeat location consists of many tourists and nomadic souls, especially non-Indians, who stay here for pretty long durations.
The place is lined with many quaint cafes and restaurants that serve some of the most lip-smacking cuisines. Home to the famous Hadimba temple, the place is especially famous for buying some of the funkiest stuff, especially clothes and cherries. Old Manali is the real spirit of Manali and is a definite visit when in Kullu Manali.
10. Jogini Waterfalls
At just a small distance from the Vashisth hot water springs in Manali are the beautiful Jogini Falls. The main way to reach these is by trekking from the Vashisth temple. One of the most famous Kullu Manali Sightseeing spots, the stream that these falls plunge into eventually Flow downstream into the Beas River. Falling from multiple levels, the water plunges from a height of almost 150 feet and forms a pool at the bottom which many visitors love to soak in and enjoy.
At the base of the falls is the Jogini Mata Temple which is considered to be a sacred spot for many villages nearby. Marking the northern boundary of the Vashisth Village, these waterfalls can be reached by a short 3-hour trek through one of the most scenic routes in the region.
11. Beas River
A north Indian river, the Beas originates from the famous Beas Kund and flows for almost 500 km before its confluence with the River Sutlej in the state of Punjab. The river acts as a source of water for the population of Kullu, Manali and even the Kangra region.
Related to many traditions and legends of Hindu Mythology including the Sage Vyas, after whom this river is named. Passing through many steep valleys and green-clad hill slopes, the river is still considered holy in many cultures and experiences a lot of pilgrims visiting it all year round.
Beas is also home to a rare population of Indus Dolphins, the ones that are not in Pakistan. Another fact is that after meeting with Sutlej in Punjab, the river then flows into Pakistan.
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
12. Vashisht Hot Water Spring & Temple
Not so far away from the city of Manali and located above the river Beas are the natural hot water springs of the village of Vashisht. These springs have resulted in the fame of this small town shooting to the very top amongst the international crowd. The temperature of the water is naturally maintained between the 43-degrees Celsius and 56-degrees Celsius, with a separate pool designated to only female visitors.
The village experiences a large footfall every day of tourists coming here to take a dip in the waters which are not just warm but are also considered to contain medicinal and many other health benefits.
13.Great Himalayan National Park
Established in the year 1984, this National Park of India covers an area of 1,171 sq. km and ranges between altitudes 1500m to 6000 m above sea level. It is home to over 375 species of wildlife, all of which fall under the species of protected, prohibiting any hunting activities in the area.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this place is a famous hotspot for Ecotourism in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is a heaven for trekkers and backpackers with immense love for nature. Lined with tree after tree of Deodar and Pine, the place is one of the best destinations to spot some of the most exquisite wildlife, like the snow leopards from up close.
14. Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass on the eastern end of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh, India.
15.Museum Of Himachal Culture And Folk Art
Established in 1998, the museum is the heritage of the ancient times of Himachal Pradesh. It houses a collection of articles that depicts the ancient culture, values, tradition and art of the state. You can witness all the essential pieces of history which are rare and on the verge of extinction. You can expect traditional dresses, utensils, musical instruments, woodcrafts and more, which display the forgotten lives of the people from Himachal Pradesh.
These articles tell a lot about their living styles in olden times. It also has displays of models of various monuments. This is one of the most visited tourist places in Kullu Manali which can teach you a lot about Himachal Pradesh.
16. Gulaba
A beautiful and scenic village falling on the route to Rohtang Pass and is famous for being certified and maintained as per the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal Act. Well equipped with all the necessary systems and computerized response structures, the village even has a highly effective waste disposal system, to maintain the pristine beauty of the village.
The scenic village is situated at a height of 4300 m above sea level in the Pir Panjal Mountain range and acts as an important link in the regulations for Rohtang Pass. The barricades are set up in Gulaba to stop vehicles going into Rohtang Pass during the winter months of November to March. Gulaba is also the starting point of the famous Bhrigu Lake Trek.
17.Arjun Gufa
Associated with the legend of Mahabharata, it is named after one of the Pandavas- Arjun. It is among the places to visit in Kullu Manali which is situated on the bank of river Beas. People come here to witness the splendid views of the hills and valleys from the cave.
The cave is a narrow passage going into the mountain where the light doesn’t enter after one point. The thrilling part comes when you have to figure out the bumpy journey into the cave using just a torch or a flashlight. You can explore the insides of the cave and then figure the way out.
18. Rahala Waterfalls
Melting ice makes its way through the haphazardly placed rocks and gives birth to Rahala Waterfall. The water of the fall is very chilled as it is a liquifying glacier. The fall looks amazing situated at an elevation of 8,500 feet from sea level. The forest around it consists of deodar and silver birch trees loaded with chirping birds.
The scene looks majestic enough to force tourists travelling to Rohtang Pass make a halt. You can click pictures of various tourist places in Kullu Manali and spend some time gazing at the waterfall and the valleys surrounding it.
19. Chandrakhani Pass
Located at an elevation of 3,600 m in the valley of Kullu, this pass is one of the suitable tourist places in Kullu Manali for trekking. You trail through the woods of Deodar to reach the summit. You can enjoy a variety of flora and fauna on the way. Hearing the chirping of the birds and witnessing distinct, colorful flowers dotting the track will be one hell of an experience.
You can gaze at the splendid views of Deo Tibba Peak, Pir Panjal and Parbati range of mountains once you reach the highest point. It is a marvelous blend of adventure and nature.
20. Bhuntar
Primarily Bhuntar is the pathway to all the places to visit in Kullu Manali. However, it is no less than a popular tourist spot but much less crowded, unlike them. It has an abundance of lush green vegetation and distinct flora and fauna. You can also visit several temples to witness their magnificent architecture.
A national park in the town also attracts people. You should even know that river Beas flows through the city making way for white river rafting. A campsite is also established in the town where you can spend some leisure time with yourself and rejuvenate.
21. Kothi Village
A scenic village falling on the way to Rohtang Pass, the Kothi Village is an amazing viewpoint to see some of the highest snow-capped peaks of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Apart from that, Kothi Village is also famous for offering views of glaciers nearby and the River Beas as it passes a deep and narrow canyon nearby. Located at an elevation of 2500m above sea level in the foothills of the famous Rohtang Pass.
As you set foot in the village, you will understand why this place is called any artist’s inspiration. The scenic beauty of this place will remind you of a lot of stills from many movies that have been shot here, on the slopes of the brilliant valley.
22. Tibetan Monastery
The Tibetan monastery is one of the oldest and most famous places to visit in Kullu Manali. With a high number of Tibetan people settling in the region, the monastery was set up. The monastery’s work and operation are handled by the local people who collect all the funds via donations.
Apart from being a religious destination and a spiritual outreach, the place is equally famous for the markets inside that sell authentic Tibetan handicrafts and handmade artifacts. Based on the older architectural style of Buddhists, the monastery is the home to a statue of Lord Buddha.
23. Van Vihar National Park
Located on Mall Road, the park is a green-clad and shaded region, thanks to a large number of Deodar trees that have made the area their home. It is one of the most favorite picnic spots for both the locals and the many tourists pouring in every week. For the convenience of the visitors of the park, there are many benches provided on the trails.
A place for everyone, the park is a great place to spend some time with your family, friends or loved ones while strolling in the tunnels made by the tall trees, or just simply sitting and lying down on the grassy areas of the park. For even more entertainment, the park even has a small pond for the visitors to enjoy boating in.
24. Jana Falls
Close to the Naggar region of Manali is the small village called Jana, which is home to the offbeat yet famous Jana Falls. Surrounded by forests of Deodar and Pine and orchards of Apples, and in clear view of many snow-covered peaks, this place has become a famous picnic spot because of the simple yet alluring charm it commands.
The wooden bridge near the falls makes for amazing photo ops, making the place even more worthy of visiting should you wish to go a little offbeat for finding amazing Kullu Manali sightseeing spots. You can Bathe and swim in the little pond formed at the base of the falls or climb to the top via an easy trail to get a better view of the surrounding areas.
25. Raghunath Temple
Dedicated to Lord Rama of the Hindu Mythology, the Raghunath temple at a height of 2,056 meters above sea level is one of the best places to visit in Kullu Manali. The valley of Kullu is considered to be the Kullu Valley of Gods, because of the number of temples in the region. This one, in particular, has a history attached to the royalty of Kullu.
It is believed that King Raja Jagat Singh erected this temple back in the year 1660 as an atonement for his sins. He even brought back an idol of Lord Ram from Ayodhya, which is also believed to be the birthplace of the god. Located in a beautiful place, the scenery around gives one the feeling of serenity with the temple providing one with the feeling of spirituality, making the entire experience an amazing one.
