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Situated in the picturesque Beas river valley, Manali is a treat for visitors looking to escape the scorching summer heat and relax in the lap of nature. The cultural and historical legacy of the hill town is an added bonus for tourists, who are invited to experience the best of Himachali heritage and hospitality while there. Due its location among the Himalayas, Manali is unsurprisingly the starting point for a number of treks into the majestic mountain range.
Here are five of the most eye-catching ones that you can undertake from Manali.
The Pin Parvati Pass in Himachal Pradesh connects the fertile and lush Parvati Valley on the Kullu side with the dry Pin Valley on the Spiti side. It sits at an altitude of 5,334m above sea level and the trek to the pass is a popular one with nature lovers and hikers looking to soak in views of snow-capped peaks, high-altitude lakes and glaciers.
However, the 110km trek is also challenging due to the steep terrain, rocky trails and river crossings. The best time to hike this route is from July to August and September to November.
This is the shortest trek on the list. Just over three kilometres from the Vashisht Temple in Manali is the Jogini Waterfall, a sacred spot with a temple to the goddess Jogini at its base. The water cascades from a height of 48m and the trek to get there takes visitors through orchards, pine trees, the Beas river and the snow-covered peaks of the Rohtang.
When you reach the falls, stay awhile for a picnic and take in the beauty of the landscape. March to May is the best time to undertake the hike.
Located at a height of 6,001m, Deo Tibba is the second highest peak in the Pir Panjal range. The trek to the top provides visitors with stunning views of pristine spruce and oak forests, snow-capped peaks, blooming meadows and shining streams. You will be able to see the Bhanara Cave, which was the abode of the Pandavas, during your trek and camp under starlit skies.
The trek takes anywhere from six to 13 days depending on your travel outfitter and is a moderate to difficult hike. The months of June to October are the best time for completing the 60km trek.
This trek starts from the Solang Valley and takes visitors through lush grasslands to an emerald-green glacial lake from where the river Beas emerges. The peaks of the Pir Panjal range jut out from the landscape, adding to the jaw-dropping beauty of the place. The journey takes two to four days and is a moderately difficult hike.
The best time to walk the 30km trek is from May to October.
The Hampta Pass is Himachal Pradesh’s answer to Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers. Lying over 4,267m above sea level, the pass offers a study in contrasts when you reach its highest point. The lush landscape of the Kullu Valley teems with flowers and forests while the barren and sparse landscape of the Lahaul Valley beckons just a few steps away.
The 26km trek is best undertaken from June to October. This is a moderately difficult trek so ensure that you are fit and able to do it.
