The misty mountains
Located on the banks of the Beas river, the picturesque town of Manali nestles between rugged, snow-capped peaks, dotted with valleys, apple orchards and mountain streams. We rented a cottage (Retreat Cottages) with a lovely garden and fabulous views of the snow-capped mountains. Our mornings here would always start with a walk in the nearby woods bordering a stream. One morning my daughter and I encountered a Yak and the Yak boy very kindly allowed her to take a ride!
The cottage staff would make us a huge breakfast every morning — omelettes, parathas, toast, butter, jam, juice, cereals, the works! Dinner would be at the cottage, sitting outdoors around a fire, whilst the cooks in the cottage whipped up some delicious pahadi or hill cuisine. Half an hour’s drive from Manali town is Solang Nala, a great place for thrill seekers with many activities like paragliding, zorbing, horse riding, and other adventure sports, including skiing in the winter. Although we visited at the end of April, there was still a lot of snow. Another must-visit when you are in Manali is the Rohtang Pass, around 50 km from town. While the pass is only open when the snows have melted, it’s a beautiful drive, even if it’s closed.
Old Manali town is connected to New Manali by a bridge over the river Manalsu — this is the most fascinating part of Manali. The streets are lined with lovely cafes and eateries (serving mostly continental food) curio shops, clothes and jewellery. Many of the restaurants have artworks on the walls and floors. The town is full of foreigners, many of whom fell in love with the place and stayed back, mostly running shops and eateries. There are also some lovely Tibetan monasteries, a must for those interested in Tibetan history and Buddhism. I was a bit lazy, so didn’t check it out but was told that there are some wonderful trekking trails in these areas too.
When in Manali, picnics are a must. There is no shortage of scenic spots in and around town. We spent an entire day driving and exploring the areas, and found a lovely picnic spot by a stream surrounded by apple orchards. The only sounds were of birds chirping, and the stream gushing by — it was surreal. Thanks to the huge number of tourists, Manali has a wide variety of eateries, offering street food like chaat, dosas, Chinese, and dhabas, all in a very economical price range on the popular Mall Road. My favourite, The Johnsons Café, serves a multitude of cuisines in an open-air restaurant surrounded by gardens and apple trees — we spent many afternoons there and often went back just for their delicious pancakes and hot chocolate. Il Forno is another favourite. It has beautiful views from a rustic log cabin and amazing pizzas.
Trout is abundant here and is on the menu of almost every restaurant. Don’t leave without trying it!
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Shopping: There are great bargains for shopaholics in Manali — mostly in the shops located on the Mall Road. One can pick up beautiful wool and woollen attire, the famous Bhuttico shawls, Tibetan rugs and artifacts, curios and many other items, all at
throwaway prices.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit is April to June or October. Winters are very cold and many of the roads are inaccessible. However, in December, Manali also has ski tourists and people who want to experience snowfall.
Where to stay: Manali has accommodation available for every price range. It is, however, best to book online. The place is extremely
tourist-friendly.
How to get there: The best way to get to Manali is by car from Chandigarh — a seven-eight hour drive. Flights to Manali only operate during summer.
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Jasmine loves to explore new places and cuisines — and write about them