A Hug from the Himalayas: My Heartfelt Guide to the Best Things to Do in Manali

Some trips touch the heart, like the cold mountain wind brushing your face in Manali. Some memories stay not just in your phone’s gallery, but deep in your soul. I took one such trip to this Himalayan town in northern India with my family and favorite cousin when I was fifteen.

Today, as I write this, those memories sparkle in my mind like hidden treasures waiting to be rediscovered. Come along on this mini virtual tour of Manali, and let’s relive those moments once more.

MALL ROAD AT MANALI 

DAY 1 IN MANALI

Finally we pulled the trip out of the group chat. After the long journey, I was both tired and hungry. Since Mall Road was just steps from my hotel, I decided to treat myself to a little enjoyment. 

This vibrant street of Manali is where hundreds of travellers come to eat, shop, or just walk after a day of adventure. The aroma of hot noodles, soup, ice cream, Siddu (steamed stuffed bread), Tibetan-inspired momos (dumplings), mouthwatering Indian desserts, etc. filled the air. The market was full of local shops displaying colourful mountain wear, scarves, winter wear, handmade crafts and wooden items that felt straight out of an old royal era. 

And of course, I visited Mall Road at night, which made this experience more magical. Twinkling lights shimmered on the rooftops and shops, casting a golden glow over the beautiful street. Locals and travellers were enjoying the warmth of good food and friendly conversations surrounded by the mountains. I met some of the kindest local street shop owners, whose smiles reminded me of India’s “guests are like gods” tradition. It felt like a lively celebration of life. I found happiness and fulfilment even in the crowded chaos. 

Walking through the crowd, I felt like I was a part of living stories and laughter. I felt connected to mountain life. That’s what made this place memorable for me. The next day, another adventure awaited: Atal Tunnel, Rohtang pass and Solang Valley.

Somewhere between the mountain air and the sound of laughter on Mall Road, I realized travel isn’t just about the places we see, but the stories we carry home. I’ve started sharing more of those stories here — the kind that stay with you long after the trip ends.

ATAL TUNNEL

This 9.02 km-long highway tunnel is a great tourist spot. They say the most beautiful views come after the toughest road trip. Yes! They’re absolutely right. You don’t get to see sights like this every day. Even if life isn’t going your way, take some time to travel. You know why? Because no matter what situation you’re going through, it will eventually get better, but these precious moments will never come back.

The view was absolutely breathtaking. I was standing there with my bike, completely lost at the moment. And just then, it started raining. I didn’t lose the chance to give off the perfect main character vibe; I did a little photoshoot, of course, and then just stood still, soaking in the beauty around me.

They say when you truly want something with all your heart, the universe finds a way to give it to you, and that’s exactly what happened. The experience I came for, I finally got it. The journey and the wait were totally worth it. My hands were numb and frozen in the chilling wind; the weather was very cold, and my body started shaking after some time. I could barely speak properly. Sometimes beauty is a pain, but it was all worth it.

ROHTANG PASS

It’s one of the highest-altitude mountain passes of the Himalayas. As soon as we got there, we rented snow jackets and boots from a local auntie’s shop nearby so we could play in the snow. It was really crowded inside the shop; everyone was picking out their preferred snowsuits, jackets, gloves and boots. Luckily, I found my favourite shade of pink. 

I still remember it as one of the best days of my life as a 15-year-old. And that’s because a part of my childhood wishlist was fulfilled at that moment when finally visiting Rohtang Pass. The dream of playing with the snowflakes on this breathtaking mountain pass took off to great heights. 

I am unable to jot down my thoughts in fancy words. The landscape literally felt like a snowy wonderland. Everything was covered in a blanket of white snow up to 7 or 8 feet. The greenery was hidden below the weight of heavy cotton balls. Some even call it “the Valley of Death” because even though it makes you say, “I can’t take my eyes off,” it’s actually very risky and dangerous to travel during the peak season. There’s a high chance of getting stuck under heavy layers of snow. 

Do you know what’s more attractive about the weather here? This place looks white in winter, lush green in monsoon, and has vibrant sky colours in autumn. Choose your vibe and play great! The weather was perfect for capturing and admiring the beauty of the Himalayas. 

Some locals told me that we can experience skiing, snowboarding, trekking, mountain biking, etc here. I made sure to have snowball fights with my annoying brother. My favourite cousin made a cute snowman and put his specs on him. 

After doing all the fun activities, photo shoots, and nature walks, I sat down to eat local food from the dhabas (restaurants) and roadside eateries there. I tried thukpa (a hearty and warm Tibetan noodle soup) and Maggi noodles, which felt like the perfect ending to this spot. I also tried Manali’s local fruits like strawberries, cherries, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, etc. 

SOLANG VALLEY 

The weather was quite warm in the morning. The snowy peaks of Solang Valley were shining like gold after being touched by the rays of the sun. The atmosphere was a perfect blend of white, yellow, green, and rock colours. The clouds looked like cotton shades flying above the mountains, almost like fluffy marshmallows drifting across the sky. The whole valley radiated quiet and peaceful vibes. Nothing feels more comforting and lively than just standing at the top of Solang Valley and watching such scenic views with your own eyes. 

What a privilege to experience this! Even if you’re not a big travel person, trust me, this place will make you fall in love with exploring and wandering. 

It’s the kind of spot that makes you forget about your notifications or social media and just allows you to live in the moment. I believe every single spot in Manali brings a different energy. This valley holds the power to instantly transform your mood and awaken your inner child. We all know kids don’t care about the world and do whatever makes them truly happy. In the same way, this valley awakened the little girl inside me and showered me with happiness and blessings for a refreshing road ahead in my life. It reminded me that sometimes, joy is as simple as snow under your boots, sunshine on your face, and that feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be.

Adventure activities that I found quite thrilling: 

Skiing

Zipline

Giant Swing

Paragliding

Ropeway

Solang Valley is a popular hub for adventure sports. The easiest way to enjoy them is to book them online in advance through sites like Solang Valley Sports Centre, Kullu Adventure, MakeMyTrip etc. 

There is no entry fee. Once you arrive, you’ll spot a bunch of local vendors offering everything from paragliding and skiing to ziplining and ropeway. You can also purchase your tickets on the spot. 

OLD MANALI 

It was a new day in the lap of the mountains. We woke up to the serene view; the sun was high above our heads, and the peaks of the mountains were glistening. We headed towards a small village called Old Manali.After hustling with heavy snowflakes for a few days, I finally got to enjoy the sunny, comforting, and green vibes of Old Manali. It felt so good walking here.The atmosphere felt so relaxing, warm, and comforting away from the chills.

Manali citizens live, breathe, and cohabit with apple trees for the greater part of the year. Old Manali is famous for its lush greenery and orchards full of ripe apples.When I first saw it, I felt like biting into the delicious fruit picked from the lap of nature. Almost every person who is native to Manali will claim they have at least one apple tree growing in their backyard. A local explained that various varieties of apples are available to purchase here, including deep red, golden-yellow, sweet and juicy, tart green and many more. Honestly, the fragrance of the apple orchard remained fresh as a unique memory.

It’s famous for its versatile markets, laid-back cafes offering a blend of global and local flavours, mouth-watering delicacies, along with live music by artists. It’s fantastic!. This place is also famous for its hippie culture. 

It’s a perfect place to spend your evening just relaxing, chilling, and observing the things around. You’ll find no vehicles in the streets of this village. If you want to closely observe the slow life of mountain people, their lifestyle, and their way of living, then Old Manali is the perfect spot. 

OFF THE BEATEN PATH ADVENTURES 

I love to jot down less commercialized and more localized places on my bucket list every now and again. So how on earth could I leave these places out? 

SETHAN VILLAGE 

Life feels challenging here.You know why? It’s because the houses and streets here are often covered with thick layers of white snow, making it difficult for locals to walk around. During heavy rainfall, some even shift to the lower altitude areas.

The minimalistic and slow life of people here feels very different from the vibes of the busy streets of Manali. This place feels like heaven on earth. This small village showcases the authentic life of the local people. I still can’t believe I was a part of it a few years ago.

One can easily enjoy the adventurous charm of the igloo’s here. The local people have become successful in preserving the old Himalayan culture and traditions. It’s amazing to see that they are so proud of their heritage. I personally love their way of greeting tourists. Manali is famous for its tourism, and the lives of people here largely depend on it. Most locals work as tourist guides, run local shops, sell handicraft items, sell famous fruits of Manali, own guesthouses or work in the fields.

LIFESTYLE OF MOUNTAIN PEOPLE 

You’ll easily find children playing and women carrying loads of wooden logs and other essentials on their backs for firing or cooking purposes on the streets of local villages. These people work really hard from dusk till dawn, not because they want to, but because it’s their only way to survive. These people are real-life examples of a “never say never” attitude. They taught me that, when life gives you tangerines, don’t run; instead, learn how to deal with it.

Hill people are incredibly strong. You could also say that their life situations make them tougher over time. Natural resources are their best friends, and they’re very down-to-earth people. You’ve probably heard the saying, When nature teaches, even the toughest break down.

The hill people face countless challenges every year, including heavy rains, snowfalls, etc., but what’s truly remarkable is that they never think about leaving their homeland. People from the hills share a deep, unstoppable bond with their roots. Houses in Manali are primarily built with the Kath Kuni architectural style.  

A SHORT VISIT AT NAGGAR  

Naggar Castle 

This place still feels so nostalgic. It’s the same spot where my favourite Bollywood movie, “Jab We Met”, was filmed. It used to be a royal palace back in the day. To get that royal feeling, I went all the way to the top and silently enjoyed the panoramic views. 

Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery

Nicholas Roerich was a respected public figure and a legendary Russian painter. The place that was once his home has transformed into a famous art gallery. This gallery has 2 floors. The upper floor serves as a memorial preserving his former residence. The ground floor has been converted into Roerich’s museum, displaying some of his original pieces. 

I really wanted to go inside and explore his lifestyle in detail, but visitors were not allowed into his private memorial section of the gallery, so I had to peep through the window instead. 

His paintings were primarily based on Himalayan landscapes and cultural themes. It’s fascinating to think that this was the same place where he must have once created this masterpiece. Just imagine how extraordinary it would be to be that person, someone who left his country, lived in the Himalayas and dedicated his entire life to art. 

And honestly, being a writer and artist myself, I just had to visit this place. 

I usually visit art galleries for one major reason: to understand the personality, emotions and lifestyle of the artist through their work. It felt amazing to experience both his personal and professional worlds all at once. Overall the vibe was enough to inspire me.

SPIRITUAL ADVENTURES 

HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE 

This place holds a lot of religious importance for the people of the Himalayan region. Thousands of locals and tourists come here regularly to worship the goddess Hidimba Devi (Hindu deity). Locals truly believe that the goddess protects the forest and the people here with her blessings. This belief enhances the mystical aura of this place.

You know what makes this place an amazing photoshoot spot? It’s the deodar groves and tall pine trees. This temple is amidst the cedar forest. And yes! I felt magical while standing between tall pine trees.

A GLIMPSE OF YAKS DURING MY MANALI TRIP

Yaks are common animals found in the Himalayan region. Many people were capturing memories, dressing up in  traditional Himachali attire for photoshoots or taking pictures with yaks.

VASHISHT TEMPLE 

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vashistha, and Lord Rama (Hindu deities). Thousands of locals and tourists come here to worship the gods.

This temple is famous for its hot water springs. Do you know what’s more fascinating about this place? The water from this spring is believed to have great healing powers, which can cure many skin diseases, infections, general fatigue and even joint pains. 

This temple made me feel refreshed, charged up, uplifted and full of holy bath vibes.

BUDDHIST MONASTERY 

This was the perfect ending to my Manali trip. It was the last spot I visited, and honestly, the energy felt unique, calm and peaceful. The monastery is famous for its peaceful aura, spiritual chanting, and meditation. I loved being part of the meditation session. Some people were sitting on the floor, completely lost in a deep connection with their souls and the divine. Joining the meditation activity literally stopped my worries and overthinking. 

The atmosphere had an old Tibetan-style setup. Although I was feeling quite sad that my trip was about to end, this place felt like a happy ending.

GOODBYE, MANALI, UNTIL THE MOUNTAINS CALL AGAIN…. 

The mountains taught me a lot more than any masterclass ever could. They not only gave me beautiful memories but also beautiful life lessons. Everything, including the people, the little moments, and the sharp peaks of mountains, taught me something valuable.The high-altitude mountains inspired me to achieve great heights in my life. The locals taught me to sprinkle positivity everywhere I go. The unshakeable confidence of these people taught me to stand courageous, even when life gets messy. The minimalistic life of village people made me realise how privileged I am today.

I have relived my trip, and I hope that you guys enjoyed this virtual trip.

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