17 Soul Relaxing Places To Visit On A Kullu Manali Tour

Any hill station has an ambiance, unique to it, which is soothing and relaxing while being rejuvenating, the reason why one likes to visit the destination repeatedly. Kullu Manali is one such hill station that beckons you, all year round, to come and spend quality time in the serene surroundings of the place. Kullu Manali as a hill station offers you various activities you can indulge in, from just chilling to trekking, river rafting, mountain climbing, paragliding etc.

The places one can chill out are, essentially the camping sites where you can, both, chill out and have an exclusive experience in adventure, other than the other places that you can visit for a chill out when on a Kullu Manali tour package.

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• Places To Visit In Kullu And Manali

1. Country Side

2. Hidimba Temple

3. Listen to the Beas sing

4. Waterfalls: Listen to The Music

5. Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art: Explore the Past

6. Temples: Pay a Visit to The Almighty

7. Shri Hari Yoga Ashram: Practice Some Yoga

8. Manali Wildlife Sanctuary: Ride a Yak

9. Arjun Gufa: Meditate and Relax

10. Beas Kund: Trek To The Top

11. Tibetan Monastery: Pay A Visit For Peace and Pleasure

12. Riverside Camping: For Utmost Fun

13.  Van Vihar Park: For The Lush Greenery

14. The Wrong Address Camp & Resort

15. Hermits Camp and Café

16. Footloose Camps

17. Shivaura Eco Camp & Homestay – Pulga

• Best Time To Visit Manali

• How To Reach Manali

• Routes To Manali

Places To Visit In Kullu And Manali

1. Country Side

Rent/ charter a bike and explore the countryside ride through the picturesque township and the views that the serene valley has to offer you in front of you while you ride. Mountains, waterfalls, riversides, forests, hot water springs, lush green meadows, and temples, there is so much Manali has to offer. You can choose to ride into the countryside and spend some quality time among pines and nature.

2. Hidimba Devi Temple

Hidimba Devi Temple, also known as the Dhungiri Temple, is one of the most famous and religious temples in Manali. This wooden temple is situated in the middle of the Dhungiri Van Vihar forest and is dedicated to Devi Hidimba, a character from the Mahabharata. It is visited by a large number of tourists, on their trip to Kullu Manali the year-round. It is also a very peaceful and enchanting place ideal for a picnic. One can chill out in the surrounding pine forest.

Also Read: Hidimba Temple - The Tribute to Devi Hidimba

3. Listen To The Beas Sing

The river Beas flows right through Manali. There are places on the banks of the river where one can relax and enjoy your morning tea or your beverage perched prettily on the lawns over this river as the gushing river makes music with birdsong. Enjoy this blissful time with your family, your partner, or just by yourself. Open a book and be lost in it as the mountains lose themselves in the clouds. Or pack your bags and head down to the river for some rafting action, so be sure to include this in your Kullu Manali tour package itinerary.

4. Waterfalls: Listen To The Music

One of the best ways to chill out is to enjoy nature. With the most serene cascades that greet you with aromatic air, dense silver birch trees and pristine views, rediscover yourself while you indulge in sweet nothings at Jogini Falls, or Zana Falls. A trip to Manali is considered to be incomplete without a picnic at Rahala Falls. This romantic water fall is located at a distance of about 17 km from Manali and should be ideally included in the Kullu Manali Honeymoon tour package itinerary

Famous waterfalls to visit in Manali: Jogini Waterfalls, Jana Waterfalls, Rahala Falls, and Rozy Waterfalls.

5. Museum Of Himachal Culture & Folk Art: Explore The Past

Walkthrough time as you explore the unique and extraordinary collection of unknown and rare antiques such as religious relics, household objects, instruments, weapons, architectural wood carvings, scale models, and more at the Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk art. You’ll find that spending some time amid Manali’s history and heritage is definitely on the most relaxing and fun thing to do in Manali.

Timings: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm

6. Temples: Pay A Visit To The Almighty

Another place to chill out, while at the same time, seek divine blessings, and inner peace, is to plan out a visit to the magnificent monasteries and ancient temples beholding legendary stories. Not only are they sacred but they are popular attractions amongst tourists. While here, paying a visit to the  Manu Temple and mystic monasteries gives a sense of divine blessings and relaxes your mind, make sure to visit this place when on your trip to Kullu Manali.

Best temples to visit in Manali: Gauri Shankar Temple, Hidimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple, Vashist Hot Water Spring and Temple, and Raghunath Temple.

Suggested Read: Secret Places in Himachal Pradesh

7. Shri Hari Yoga Ashram: Practice Some Yoga

Add a new skill to your life whilst on a trip to Manali! Register for yoga at the Shri Hari Yoga Ashram. Yoga classes at the ashram are very popular amongst the tourists visiting here, in fact, yoga is among the best ways to relax for those who are visiting the hills in search of rejuvenation and peace. This is also one of the most serene places to visit on a Kullu Manali honeymoon tour package for those couples who seek solitude after the busy wedding events. 

Location: Village of Vashisht, Manali, H.P

8. Manali Wildlife Sanctuary: Ride A Yak

Do not miss out on a Yak, ride as a side, when visiting the admirable Manali wild life sanctuary. This terrain hugs lush green forests and snow-capped mountains. It greets you with the most pleasing and refreshing sights and sounds of colourful birds and exotic flora and fauna – snow leopards, brown bears, musk deer, ibex herds, kokla and kingfisher. One willingly wishes to spend some extra time in such refreshing surroundings.

Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm

Suggested Read: Chandra Tal Lake - The Lake of Heavenly Crescent

9. Arjun Gufa: Meditate And Relax

In order to rejuvenate your energy what better way to visit the historic cave where once the Pandava king Arjun meditated. Embrace the silence of this beautiful place as you explore the exotic view of this region. And the best part – you won’t find this place crowded with throngs of tourists since not many know about, making a visit to this cave is one of the most offbeat things to do when, on a Kullu Manali Holiday Package, in Manali.

10. Beas Kund: Trek To The Top

An Amazing Site Mainly Famous As The Point Of Origin Of The Mighty Beas River The Beas Kund Is An Amazing Place Near Manali For People Who Love To Trek. Hiking And Trekking In Manali Always Ensure That Adventure Enthusiasts Indulge In The Beas Kund Trek To Get Closer To Nature And Be Entertained With Magnificent Views Of The Pir Panjal Ranges From The Top.

And once at the top, the magical view one gets of a melting glacial lake that happens to be the originating point of the Beas Lake, is in fact a blessing in disguise. In order to undertake this trek you do not need to be a hardcore trekker, as this is one of the shortest and easiest treks in Himachal, which one must have on his itinerary when on a Kullu Manali trip package.

Suggested Read: Nako Lake - The Realm of Fairies

11. Tibetan Monastery: Pay A Visit For Peace And Pleasure

There are two famous monasteries in Manali which attract tourists in large number. These Tibetan monasteries truly define the Buddhist culture and gives immense peace and pleasure to the visitors. Local people sell various colorful handicrafts and other artistic items right outside these monasteries at very reasonable prices, which one must check out when on a Kullu Manali tour package.

12. Riverside Camping: For Utmost Fun

One of the most exciting activities that one can try out when in Manali is camping. It is one of those places where you can try out riverside camping and conquer your fears. Imagine sleeping next to a roaring river! The thrill and the adventure of it is exciting and scary at once which makes it even more worth it, when on a Kullu Manali trip package.

Suggested Read: Pin Valley

13. Van Vihar Park: For The Lush Greenery

Manali offers so much, that you might tire yourself out, when on your Kullu Manali tour package, but, you won’t ever run out of the exciting places in Manali. Visiting the Van Vihar Park is another one of those interesting things that you must try. With sky-high Deodar trees and offering a boating experience, this park offers a fun experience. Located on the Mall Road, this park is situated on the banks of River Beas and offers views that will leave you spellbound.

In fact Manali being a haven for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts, it is also most suited, and a must, for people on a lookout for a peaceful and a rejuvenating retreat, when on their Kullu Manali tour package, the facility of open-air camping enables them to become one with nature, mentioned below are some such sites that offer you this opportunity.

14. The Wrong Address Camp & Resort

Located close to Hidimba Devi Temple and Tibetan Monastery, The Wrong Address Camp & Café offers accommodation in a tent with one double bed and two futon beds. When staying here you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a campfire, and evening entertainment at the same time along with amenities like car rental, LCD TV, buffet or continental breakfast at the restaurant, kids’ playground, bar, CCTV surveillance, and daily housekeeping.

Suggested Read: Narkanda – The Town of Apple Orchards

15. Hermits Camp And Café

Hermit’s Camp is placed away from the jam-packed areas of the touristy regions. You can make the most of your time with nature and in harmony at this camp, while on a Kullu Manali trip package. There are many hiking options close by with the destination that you can investigate the valley and simultaneously have some time of your own. Night bonfire cooking classes by local ladies on demand for the guests who need to get a more intensive look at the local culture and nearby delicacies are available.

16. Footloose Camps

Everything here has a touch of Spiti and Lahaul tradition, a place where you can masquerade as Himachalis and feel like one. Set in Sethan, a Buddhist town, 15 km away from Manali, Footloose camps will honour you with the most pleasing views of Kullu valley. Besides adventures like rappelling and jumaring, you can be your boss and explore the area at your own will. Along with meals and unlimited drinks, campers have access to a bonfire, common to all, where you can interact with like-minded people.

Suggested Read: Best Places to Visit Himachal Pradesh

17. Shivaura Eco Camp & Homestay – Pulga

Located in the small village of Pulga near Kasol, this campsite gives the guests a beautiful view of the mountains that surround the space. Guests can visit the Apple Orchards, take a short walk to the waterfalls nearby or even hike to the mysterious Fairy Forest. Apart from the cosy tents, guests have access to the common facilities here like the cafe, gardens and multiple swings, and a hammock!

Best Time To Visit Manali

October to June is the best time to visit Manali. With bright, colorful flowers in full bloom and a pleasant climate with temperatures ranging between 10 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius.

If you want to see snowfall, December to February is the best time. With temperatures that hover around subzero, Manali becomes a paradise on earth with its snow-clad surroundings.

While tourists visit Manali throughout the year, the monsoon season (July to August) is a bit low, due to landslides and land-blockages.

How To Reach Manali

Manali is a hill station in the princely state of Himachal Pradesh. Manali is well connected with most of the neighboring cities like Delhi, Shimla, Kullu, Dehradun, and Mussorie by road.

By Air

Manali does not have an airport. The nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar in Kullu which is about 50 km away. This airport operates domestic flights connecting to Delhi and Chandigarh. Taxi/cab and bus services are available to Manali. This is the least popular way to reach Manali, owing to adverse weather conditions and high altitude

By Bus

To reach Manali by bus, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) provides regular services, including Volvo and regular buses connecting all major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ambala and Jaipur. There are private bus operators as well to make the services more convenient and accessible.

By Road

Reaching Manali by road is a preferred option for tourists since it lets them enjoy picturesque views and pleasant weather. Most visitors prefer self-drive cars since it offers the privacy and flexibility to stop anywhere for quick selfie or grab some snacks.

By Cab/Taxi

If you are not comfortable driving on mountain roads, it is better to hire a taxi to Manali and enjoy sightseeing on the way. Cabs are easily available through travel agents in Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala and Dharamshala at reasonable fares.

Suggested Read: Kufri - Go Karting at the World's Highest Go-Kart Track

Routes To Manali

Route From Delhi

The distance between Manali and Delhi is about 536 km. The route goes through Chandigarh, Bilaspur, and Mandi, and the time required to travel is about 10 to 12 hours. New Delhi to Manali roads run on NH-1 and NH-21 highways. Roads are good in shape and pure bliss to drive.

Route From Chandigarh

From Chandigarh, Manali is at a distance of 300 km and it could take anywhere between 6 to 8 hours to reach Manali. The route from Chandigarh to Manaligoes through NH-21, from Ropar, Bilaspur, and Mandi. There is another route called as NH-21A, which goes via Nalagarh, Swarghat, and Bilaspur. This route should be avoided because of bad road conditions

Enjoy and have a relaxing and rejuvenating experience on your Kullu Manali tour package.

This article is originally published in Indian Travel Store