Hidimba Devi Temple
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Manali is this ancient 15th-century temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Hidimba who was the wife of Bheem, one of the Pandavas. This pagoda-style temple set on a rock, which is revered by the locals, has a fantastic architecture of cone-shaped roof and intricately carved wooden walls and doors.
Solang Valley
If you are done with roaming around the common Manali tourist places, the head out to Solang Valley. Laying between Solang Village and Beas Kund, Solang Valley derives its name from to separate words namely, Solang (the village nearby) and Nullah (Water Stream).
Rohtang Pass
Suspended at an elevation of over 13,000 feet above the ground, Rohtang Pass acts as the gateway to the valleys of Spiti and Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh. Ensconced within the towering peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains, this narrow pass is well known for its matchless natural beauty.
Manu Temple
This historical Hindu temple, dedicated to Sage Manu, is a place of great religious significance to Hindus. There are many interesting folktales associated with the establishment of this temple which you can learn about when you visit this place.
Manali Sanctuary
No trip to Manali is complete without visiting this sanctuary to see the native mountain wildlife and hundreds of varieties of plants & trees. An important part of the protected northwest Himalayan biogeographic zone, you can spot animals & birds like Barking Deer, Flying Fox, Kashmir Flying Squirrel, Himalayan Black Bear, Snow Pigeons, Chakor, Treecreepers, etc.
Vashisht Hot Water Springs & Temple
Located in the premise of the 4000-year-old temple of Vashisht, the kulguru of Lord Ram, the hot springs are a major places to visit in manali. Revered by the locals and tourists alike, the springs are said to have medicinal properties due to the presence of chemicals like lithium, calcium, etc. that cure a host of diseases.
Mall Road
A visit to this charming market, amongst the most popular places to visit in Manali, tops the charts of almost all the travellers. This place, lined up with hundreds of shops, cannot be missed to experience the local flavours, sights, and sounds of the region.
Old Manali
Separated from its newer counterpart by the river Beas, Old Manali is a charming, laid back district known for its distinct old world charm. Dotted with wooded mountain trails and apple orchards, the elegance of the little town secures its place as one of the top inclusions in any Manali honeymoon package. The Mall Road, stretching through the town, is the pulsating heart of the town, riddled with low-key stores selling handmade items and quaint little cafes boasting delicious wares.
Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art
This museum was established in 1998 to exhibit the cultural and folk art and antiques of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at a short distance from the famous Hidimba Devi Temple of Manali. The museum houses a very interesting and impressive collection of antique articles and other items reflecting the culture and heritage of Himachal Pradesh.
Himalayan Monal
The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), also called Impeyan monal and Impeyan pheasant, is a pheasant native to Himalayan forests and shrublands at elevations of 2,100–4,500 m (6,900–14,800 ft). It is part of the family Phasianidae and is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Jogini Falls
These 160 feet tall waterfall is one of the landmark attractions in Manali. The beauty of the falls accentuates with the surrounding lush greenery and the tranquillity of nature. Travellers love to spend time here listening to the sounds of water and sipping cups of tea and enjoying bowls of Maggi from the nearby restaurants.
Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple
This ancient Buddhist monastery with Pagoda-styled structure is among the major places to visit in manali. Its fascinating Tibetan style architecture is worth admiring. The elements that make this temple so popular are the massive, two-storey-tall statue of Lord Buddha and eye-catching wall paintings it houses.
Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa Monastery
This monastery, amongst the most popular tourist places in Manali, is an important seat of the Buddhist faith visited by people from as far as Nepal and Tibet. Built-in the 1960s by Tibetan refugees, it is famous for its beige and rust architecture frilled by bright golden colour. Visit the shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha and see the murals and carvings showcasing his life and teachings.
Nehru Kund
It is a natural spring located on Manali-Leh highway at a very short distance from Manali. The spring was named after India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who drank water from this spring and often visited it during his stay in Manali.
Arjun Gufa (Arjun Cave)
About 5km from Manali, as you take the road that goes towards Naggar, you will arrive at this destination which is known as Arjun Gunfa. One of the offbeat places to visit in Manali, it is replete with thousands of years’ worth of legends, folklore and tales.
Atal Tunnel
Also referred to as the Rohtang Tunnel, Atal Tunnel is a horseshoe-shaped highway tunnel that connects Manali and the Lahaul-Spiti valley, reducing the time taken by around 4-5 hours. Named after the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the tunnel is the world’s longest one above 10,000 feet and is constructed in the Pir Panjal ranges, under the Rohtang Pass.
Baralacha La Pass
Bara-lacha la also known as Bara-lacha Pass, or Bārā Lācha La, is a high mountain pass in Zanskar range, connecting Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Leh district in Ladakh. The Leh–Manali Highway traverses the pass. The two headwaters of the Chenab River, Chandra and Bhaga, originate near the Baralacha Pass.
Trilokinath Temple
Triloknath temple is situated in Udaipur sub division of District Lahaul and Spiti of Himachal Pradesh . It is nearly 45 KM from Keylong , Distt Head Quarter of Lahaul and Spiti early 146 KM from Manali . Ancient name of Triloknath temple is Tunda vihar . . This is holy shrine is revered equally by Hindus and the Buddhists. Hindus consider Triloknath deity as ‘Lard Shiva’ while the Buddhists consider the deity as ‘ Arya Avalokiteshwar ‘ Tibetan language speaking people called him as ‘Garja Fagspa‘.
Shinku La Pass
Shinku-La Tunnel or Shinkula Tunnel or Shingo-La Tunnel is upcoming motorable tunnel under 16,580ft high Shinku-la pass between Himachal’s Lahaul valley and Ladakh’s Zanskar valley in Northern India. Ministry of Defence through Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is building Darcha-Shinkula-Padum-Nimu as an alternative road to connect Ladakh with Himachal Pradesh. This will be the third highway.
Keylong
Nestled between the Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, Keylong is a serene place perfect for a getaway away from the tourists towns of the state. Due to the dry cold weather, Keylong does not have a lot of greenery, but the snow-covered mountains covered with mist are picturesque. Situated at an altitude of 3080 meters, the tiny hamlet has a rich culture and a laid back, small-town lifestyle.
Jispa Manali
Jispa is located 22 km north of Keylong and 7 km south of Darcha, along the Manali-Leh Highway and the Bhaga river. There are approximately 20 villages between Jispa and Keylong. According to the 2001 census, of the town's 332 residents, 235 were male and 97 were female.
Darcha
Darcha is a recurring name when you pack your bags for Padum trek as it is the base camp for the moderate yet adventurous trek in the Lahaul region. Darcha is a small village on the bank of Bhaga River in Lahaul in Spiti Lahaul District in Himachal Pradesh situated at an elevation of 3360 meters. In the northernmost part of Himachal Pradesh along the Leh-Manali Highway is Darcha, a secluded permanent settlement.
Suraj Tal
Third highest lake in India and 21st highest in the world, the Suraj Tal is a divine water body surrounded by barbaric bare mountains and soothing valleys. It is a common belief that anyone who takes a dip in the pristine emerald waters of the lake is cleaned off their sins.
Zanskar Sumdo
Zanskar Sumdo is a trekkers' halt on Padum Darcha trek. There is a tea house and a camping ground. On this route there is no permanent village between Kurgiakh and Palamo but tea houses are set up during the season at useful locations(June to Oct). Tea House trekking is possible on this route but one must confirm about the tea houses at the beginning. Other places where tea houses are expected are Lakhong, Chumik Nakpo and Palamo.
Chandratal Lake
Perched at a staggering altitude of 4200 meters above sea level, you have to witness the unparalleled beauty of Chandratal to believe it. A sanctuary from the lightning fast city life, this lake is slowly becoming one of the most attractive tourist places in Spiti valley. With the spellbinding backdrop of majestic mountains and meadows covered with gorgeous wildflowers, the lake is the perfect place to click Instagram worthy pictures.
Van Vihar Park, Manali
Adorned with sky touching deodar trees, Van Vihar National Park,is located near the Mall Road making it easily accessible. The favourite attraction of this park is a man-made lake that is open for boating. Van Vihar is run and maintained by the municipal corporation of the city, and . This beautiful garden is a popular and frequently visited destination for children and adults alike.