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They say that once you go to the mountains you never return completely. Probably, they were talking about Manali and its surrounding areas. Everything that you have read about in a fairy-tale from glistening mountain streams to lush green forests come alive in Manali but it does not end here. Once you are done with the sights of Manali there are the following weekend trips from Manali waiting for you that will simply leave you wanting more.
When you are in Manali and looking for one of the best weekend trips from Manali to unwind yourself, plan a quick trip to Kasol. Kasol is a small village situated in Himachal Pradesh. It’s a paradise for trekkers and nature lovers. The serenity refreshes every visitor’s mood and the beauty all around you is enough to uplift the travelling spirit and embrace everything that Kasol has to offer.
Do you know Kasol is called the mini Amsterdam? This is one part of India which is untouched by urbanization and we are glad about that. It attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year, the quaint village and the abundance of natural beauty captures the attention of travellers. Once you visit Kasol, you are sure to come back. The best time to visit Kasol is from October to June. During the winters this small village is covered in white snow making it look mesmerizing. From Manali, it will take 76 km and you should reach here in 2 hours and 29 minutes.
Things to do
Once you reach here, you can go for village exploration and click some picturesque moments. Things to do in Kasol includes visit to Sar Pass, Pin Parbati Pass, Kheerganga Trek, Yanker Pass and explore the evergreen environment and walk through the village. If you haven’t tried tent camping yet, make sure to try it here. Also, there are many Israeli food corners around Kasol. You can visit Stone Garden Café, Shiva Shanti Café. Freedom Café, Bhij Café, and more.
Another must visit place from Manali is Kullu. It is at a distance of 40.5 kms from Manali and you will reach here in approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes. Various tourist attractions in Kullu make it one of the most visited hill stations in India. Kullu is famous as a honeymoon destination for the newlyweds. The majestic hills which surrounds this town is covered with Deodar and Pine trees. Kulluis also famous for apple orchards and exciting sports activities. If you are an adventurous soul and want to immerse yourself into some exciting activities, Kullu will take care of that. Kullu is adored by everyone who visits for its peacefulness and serenity.
Things to do:
You can try rock climbing, paragliding, as well as bike safari in Kullu. Prashar Lake trekking route is famous here. Throughout the trekking voyage, you will be overwhelmed by the breath-taking view of nature. You can also trek to Rohtang pass and Dhauladar Pass. Along with it, you can indulge yourself in water sports too. The mind-blowing river rafting options that you will get here will make sure that you enjoy the long stretch of 14 km river rafting wholeheartedly. River rafting in Kullu is enjoyed by many travellers and you should definitely try it here.
Paragliding is another option for those who like to spread their wings and fly beside the birds and look at the enticing hilltops of mighty Himalaya.
The third place that we are going to cover is Naggar valley also known as the best picnic spot near Manali. The green surroundings and a plethora of treks to be covered is what Naggar makes popular among the visitors. Naggar falls under the Kullu district and is quite a quintessential place to visit. From sun-kissedhilltops to the beautiful Beas River, this small town is ideal for visitors who want to simply relax and let go of their stress. Naggar along with natural beauty provides an array of sightseeing options too. You can go for trekking and camping, explore the barely touched natural beauty, stay in heritage hotels, visit some of the popular art museums and more. It lies at a distance of 20.5 km from Manali and it will take 54 minutes to reach here.
Things to do:
Once you are here, start your day by visiting Naggar castle. This castle is built with stones and woods. From here you will get to the city the entire city blooming as the sun blesses the city with its rays. It was built way back in 1460 A.D and you will be awestruck with the Himalayan and Western architectural style. Remember “YehIshqHaye” song from the Jab We Met movie, well it was shot here. After that go for trekking and trek around Naggar’s natural bounty. Along with it, also try Trout fishing as well.
You can also visit the UruswatiHimalayan Folk Art Museum and Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery.
For people who are only looking for a relaxed weekend getaway spot, Bhrigu Lake is the place for you. It is 18. 5 km away from Manali and you can reach here easily. It is at a height of 4200 metres from the sea level and is at the eastern side of Rohtang Pass. Make a plan to visit here during the winters to truly enjoy the serene beauty. The lake already looks majestic but during winters Bhrigu Lake enhances its charm and attracts a lot of visitors to witness its surreal beauty. Blessed are those who have visited here and if you want to have an out of the world experience then make sure to travel to Bhrigu Lake. You can make this your picnic spot near Manali destination as well.
Things to do:
You can plan for 2 days trekking to Manali, visit Vashishth temple which is popular for hot springs. Don’t want to trek? No worries, just come here, sit here for hours, enjoy the cool breeze and mesmerizing beauty. Bhrigu Lake is also popularly known as “Pool of the Gods”. It is surrounded by majestic snow-covered mountains which will take your breath away. It is said that Rishi Bhrigu used to mediate here amidst the calm and pristine beauty and used to take dips in the lake and hence Bhrigu Lake is also considered to be holy. Other than trekking and relaxing there is not much to do but for people who are looking for a spot which will make their stressful mind relax and forget everything about their daily life and work, Bhrigu Lake will surely let you achieve that.
Tirthan Valley is famous amongst the tourists as the best place to do river crossing, trekking and for Serlosakar Lake. It will take 3 hours and 21 minutes for you to reach here. For people who are looking for a range of natural delights, Tirthan Valley is the place for you. The great Himalayan range that you will see looks majestic and when it is touched by the sunrays it looks as if it’s wearing a shawl of shining gold ornaments. This place offers an array of adventurous activities and sightseeing opportunities. The environment remains pleasant throughout the year and is accompanies by greet sightseeing opportunities.
Things to do:
We are your Manali tour guide and let us tell you about the things you can do here. Get up early and try River Crossing at Tithan Valley. It will surely increase your adrenaline rush. Don’t worry everyone will be tied to safety harnesses. Other than river rafting Tithan Valley is famous for trekking as well. Go to Great Himalayan National Park and trek amidst the lush green forest, meandering streams, and beautiful blooming flowers. You can plan for camping according to the time availablewith you. You will be called upon by the local Dhabas to try their lip-smacking dishes but you can also pack your own food and water to carry along to complete the trek comfortably as well. Another adventurous sport that you should try here in Tithan Valley is rock climbing.
Bir is quite far from Manali but if you have time and want to travel to a rather far destination from Manali then try Bir. It is 177 km away from Manali and it will take you 5 hours and 14 minutes to reach here. Bir is popular for hand gliding, paragliding and nature walk. Bir is a small town but is famous for its adventurous sports activities. Do you know that Bir is not only famous in India but it is known to be one the best paragliding destinations in the entire world? Having said that, won’t you also want to entertain your adventurous soul by planning a trip to Bir?
Things to do:
Since we talked about paragliding, make sure you visit Bir-billing which is the capital of Paragliding in India and try it here. Travellers and especially adventurous wanderers visit Bir- Billing at least once a year. Your take off will start from Bill-Billing and you will lend at the edge of the beautiful Tibetan colony which is in Chowgan. Around 14 km towards the south from Bir. Other than that try hand gliding too. Readers may note that you will need training to participate in Hand gliding. Once you are done with the adventurous sports, take a walk at Bir road and collect some souvenirs from the street shop to remind you about yourvisit to Bir once you leave for home.
The last weekend getaway place to visit near Manali is Mandi. It is at a distance of 123 km from Manali and you will reach here within 3 hours and 45 minutes. Mandi is packed with greenery and tea plantation. This place attracts tourists from all across the globe for its pristine beauty. Mandi is also popularly known as “Varanasi of Hills”.
Things to do:
If you are wondering about what to do in Mandi and looking for Manali tour guide, let us tell you that there is a lot that you can do here. You can for camping in Barot Valley. Gaze upon the bright stars at night and try bonfire with fellow travellers. Imagine a night in the laps of nature and amidst serene beauty. For shopping, lovers shop at local handicrafts and buy souvenirs like traditional jewellery, eat at local eatery outlets. Try thukpa and super delicious momos, visit sunken garden and calm your body, and go to Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary and spot black bears.
If you’re going to Manali, make sure that you visit the above mentioned places for a weekend that you will remember. The mountains have a lot to offer and once you go there, it is doubtful that you will want to come away easily. Explore the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas and take a break from the mundane in your life.
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April 15, 2024 
