Manali is one of the most beautiful hill-stations located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Here you can enjoy many adventure sports such as skiing, trekking and hiking. It offers blend of tranquility and adventure making it one of the most after adventure destination of India.
Being at an average elevation of 2,050 m above the sea level, Manali has its climate range from moderate to cold. Reaching Manali isn’t a tough task at all. The roads leading to Manali are open for the most part of the year.
However, the landslides sometimes affect the passage to the Rohtang Pass. Buses come to and leave from Manali all throughout the year. If budget isn’t a constraint, it is advisable to travel to Manali in a private taxi.
The nearest airport is the Kullu airport (Bhuntar), which is 40 km from Manali. International tourists would have to go further by the road itself. There is no getting around the fact that the number of tourist attractions in Manali is quite high. It is easy for someone to be overwhelmed by the huge amount of choices out there. Moreover, another question that might enter the minds of travelers is what is the best time to visit Manali?
To answer this, let’s consider brief accounts of different months in the town.
March to June
These 3 months mark the summer season in Manali. The weather at this time of the year is quite pleasant. People on the way to Leh often devote a chunk of their time at the pass mentioned above.
Rohtang Pass rests at an elevation of 3,978 m above the sea level. That is quite high! Once you step into the boundaries of this mountain pass, you’ll experience the depth of the surroundings all around you. If you’re someone who has never watched snow before, your first time at Rohtang Pass will most definitely blow your mind away. But, getting your timing right is a tricky thing. The months when summers are at their peak will not let you witness a snowfall, but you might get lucky around October.
However, you must know that Rohtang Pass is located at a distance of about 50 km from Manali, and the roads leading to it aren’t open all year.
The temperature stays around 10 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius. Outdoor activities in Manali can be thoroughly enjoyed during the summers. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, a trip to Manali will provide you with many opportunities to get that spike in your adrenaline that you seek. The go-to place for adventure enthusiasts is the Solang Valley. You can do many adventurous activities there like cycling, paragliding, river rafting, trekking, and camping.
A visit to the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary is also optimal during summers. The lush-green forests on the mountainous terrain will surely get your attention the moment you start observing your surroundings inside the sanctuary. The different species of Flora and Fauna residing in the exotic land of Manali rightfully exhibit the diversity of Mother Nature.
In the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary, you are likely to come across a musk deer, a kingfisher, a brown year, and if you’re lucky, then even a snow leopard. Regardless, you must ride on a Yak in Manali. It is one of the experiences that the resort-town is most famous for.
The last few days of April are also when the Spring Festival in Manali is hosted.
July and August
These two months constitute the Monsoons in Manali. During this time period, there is a heavy risk of landscapes for travelers to be wary of. However, given the fact that it is the off-season, hotel prices go down.
Furthermore, the monsoon climate enhances the beauty of a visit to the waterfalls in Manali. This hill-station doesn’t lack the wonders of Mother Nature. You can visit a few cascades during your trip to this town. The Jogini falls are a spectacle of their own. The peaceful sound of water making a fall will soothe your ears the moment you get in its vicinity.
A similar experience awaits you at Zana Falls. If you have the means to move around, it is advisable to also visit the Rahala Falls that are located at a distance of 17 km from the main town. Nothing spells romantic better than being in the foothills of a waterfall with your beloved.
Well, even if you’re on a solo-travel escapade, the romanticism in the landscapes associated with the waterfalls in and around Manali will hook you under its spell.
September to February
These months mark the Winter season in Manali. The climate during this time tends to deviate towards the extreme end. The temperature often dips below 0 degree Celsius. However, this is also the time when snowfalls happen. Adventure enthusiasts don’t shy away from visiting Manali in this season.
Furthermore, peace lovers can also wind-down at the hot spring near Manali during these months. Such people can catch a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, by paying a visit to the Vashisht village near Manali. The number of tourists in that place isn’t going to be few.
But, you’d feel quite relaxed once you step into the hot spring situated in the village. It possesses some influential natural minerals that soothe the body to a comfortable degree.
The Dussehra festival in October is celebrated on a grand scale at Manali. Thus, you might want to feel its spectacle. The second and third week of January mark yet another important period in Manali. The Winter Carnival at Manu Kala Kendra is celebrated during that time. Its grandeur is something that you must witness.
Manali is a destination that experiences an influx of tourists all year round. However, it is advisable not to visit this town during the monsoon season. An important thing you need to keep in mind while deciding when to visit Manali is that the roads to Rohtang Pass aren’t open from January to April. Beyond that consideration, you are free to choose