Nestled in the hills of the picturesque state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of Kullu Valley, Manali is an ancient town located at about 270 km. from the state capital Shimla. While Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisht Temple are some of the major attractions of Manali tour packages, there are a plenty of offbeat destinations perfect for weekend getaways. Here are some of the places to visit to enjoy a memorable outing with your family—
Gulaba
Located on the way to Rohtang Pass, Gulaba is a small village named after Raja Gulab Singh of Kashmir. Flanked by the alluring beauty of snow-clad mountains, lush greenery, and the gushing Beas River, Gulaba is a heavy snowfall region and is one of the favourite spots for the adventure lovers. The major adventurous activities include skiing and paragliding.
Kothi
Located at a distance of 16km. from Manali, on Lahaul-Spiti- Leh Highway, Kothi is a picturesque village nestled in the foothills of Rohtang Pass. With breathtaking views of the deep gorge and Beas River, Kothi is a perfect place for camping. The Kothi Gorge also serves as the base for paragliding. The place also has a number of geothermal springs coming off the rock.
Naggar Castle
Built in 1460 by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu, the medieval Naggar Castle, now a Heritage Hotel is famous for its breathtaking views of the green-carpeted hills of the Beas Valley. Overlooking the Kullu Valley, the castle offers an authentic flavour of the western Himalayan architecture. Run by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, the castle is made of wood and stone and has a unique blend of European and Himalayan architecture.
Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art
Located 2-3 km. away from the Manali centre opposite Hadimba Temple, the Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art not only preserves the art and culture of the state but also bring awareness about the age-old extinct traditions. The museum houses ancient weapons, household objects, instruments, religious relics, architectural woodcarvings, handlooms, ornaments, scale models of Himachal Temples.
Nehru Kund
Located at a distance of about 5 km. from Manali, on the National Highway to Leh, Nehru Kund is a coldwater natural spring. Fed by the water of Bhrigu Lake, the water is considered to be sacred and is said to have healing properties. Named after the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the place is one of the most serene getaways in Manali.
Apart from this, Manali has some beautiful waterfalls including Jana Falls, Rahala Falls, Jogini Falls, and Rozy Falls. There is also a cave called Arjuna Gufa, near the Prini Village, dedicated to Arjuna, the great warrior of Mahabharata. The beautiful hill town of Manali has lots in store for the tourists visiting here for vacations.