Kullu & Manali

Manali stands high at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level at the head of the Kullu valley. The beauty of the resort is enhanced by the Beas that flows through it. The river with the wild flowers, hamlets and fruit-laden orchards present the gifts of the sight, sound and smell.

Just 40 kms away from Kullu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal (Kangra), and Zanskar ranges. From temples to antiquity, to picturesque sight-seeing spots and adventure activities, Manali is a popular resort for all seasons and for all travellers.

Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year.Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect heaven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Besides offering quite a few places for sightseeing, The city is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. In short, Manali-is the "Valley of the Gods" and an ideal place for the ones in search of both adventure and comfort.

IL Forno- An Italian restaurant known for its spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna mushroom and pizza's particularly chocolate cake.Run by Roberta Angelone, restaurant with picturesque view is a must visit destination for any gourmet traveler in Manali. The restaurant has many visitors including ministers and film stars, including former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee and family. Mount View and Chopsticks -is a friendly place where you can order genuine Chinese food and not just chop-suey as well as momos.

Things to Buy

The cool nip in the evening air may well have you stocking up on colourful Kinnauri shawls, mufflers and caps: Pangwali blankets from Chamba and multi-coloured hand-knitted woolen socks from Lahaul.

There are good range of thangkas, silver and turquoise jewelry available in the Tibetan market. You can check out Shop No. 12 Artefacts behind Bus Stand.
There are wide range of locally made pickles, jams and juices. Natural oil like apricot oil for massages and shampoos are available in the shops on the mall.

Bodh Shawl and Manushri - Sell good quality hand spun Kullu shawls in pure wool, angora and pashmina with colourful borders.


Kullu

The most charming and beautiful Kullu valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. The valley runs north to south of this river and is 80km long and about 2km at its broadest. Yet with awe inspiring glens and mossy meadows encircled by the rushing streams and meandering brooks, flung east & west, a fairly wide area is open to the tourists, the trekkers, the mountaineers, the artists and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat & dust of the plains to breathe the exhilarating air of the Himalaya and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated mountain scenery. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colourful hand made shawls and kullu caps.


Climate: Pleasant temperature in summer and cold below 0 C with heavy snow fall in winter

Visiting season: March to June for relaxation and visiting the places of sight seeing and enjoy short and long excursions as well as climbing and river rafting

Rainy season: July and August

Autumn: September to November for trekking, climbing, sight seeing and river rafting

Winter: December to February- snow-skiing and heli-skiing in Manali and above

Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade

Clothing:Cotton and tropical in summer and heavy woollen in winter.