Experience the local color and beauty in Kullu-Manali's temples, quaint villages and the vibrant and festive mood of the people and their colorful clothes and handicrafts. Or encounter adventure; on the myriad trekking trails and routes, while skiing on the snow slopes, rafting down the Beas or just as you try your hand at some amateurish angling. Discover for yourself the Kullu Valley, going upto the Rohtang Pass at 13050 feet and encompassing the beautiful Manali in-between, nestled between the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. As its magical charms enamour, you ebulliently agree that it has rightly been christened as the "Valley of the Gods".

IN AND AROUND MANALI

Kothi: This is a quiet but picturesque spot, at the foot of the Rohtang pass, 12 km away Manali town, situated on the Lahaul-Spiti Leh Highway. It offers a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks and glaciers and an awe inspiring gorge where the Beas enters a chasm about sixty metres deep and just a few metres broad.

Van Vihar: This is just off the Mall with pathways between towering deodhars and also leads to a boating pond.

Tibetan Market and Mall:

The Tibetan Market is an interesting cluster of shops. Nice to browse around for knick knacks, handicrafts and imported goods. Located on the Mall. The Mall also has other shops selling local handicrafts and clothes. It also has some good restaurants. Buses, taxis and autos are easily available from the Mall for local sightseeing or excursions.

Rahalla Falls:16 km from Manali town at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 2501m. Rohtang Pass: Situated at an altitude of 3979 mtrs above sea level and 51 kms outside Manali is the mighty

Rohtang Pass - the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti valley. Open for just about four months a year, it affords a wide panoramic view of the mountains. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul valley. There is the beautiful Dashohar Lake left of the pass. A few km away from the pass is the Sonapani glacier and slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Gaypan-jagged pyramid of rock, snow streaked and snow crowned.

Solang Valley:13 kms outside Manali is the Solang Valley, offering spectacular views of the snow-clad mountains and the glaciers all around. Solang is the venue for paragliding and the annual skiing courses.

Marrhi:35 km from Manali, is famous for its natural beauty. Rani Nala:46 km from Manali, it is the glacier point where snow is available throughout the year. Jagatsukh Temple:About 6 km from Manali is the famous Shiva Temple in "shikara" style and nearby is the old and interesting Devi Sharvali Temple. Naggar Castle :22 kms from Manali, this is the old capital of Kullu. The castle was built by Raja Bhosal.

Roerich Art Gallery:In Naggar, the museum, houses a collection of the paintings by the Russian artist. It is located in a grove of deodhars and has lovely views all around. Naggar is very serene and picturesque.

Hadimba Temple:Also known as the Doongri Temple, this four-tiered pagoda-like wooden temple stands in a clearing amid tall and stately deodar trees and has beautiful carvings on its ornamental door. Dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhim, this temple is the venue for an annual fair held during May.

Vashist Spring: Across the Beas river, about 3 km away from Manali, at an altitude of 1,982 meters (6,200 feet), are the natural sulphur springs. The village itself is perched on a steep hillside across the river Beas.

Tibetan Monastery:This is new and colorful. A pleasant place to visit. Beas Kund:The famous Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, at the Rohtang Pass is easily accessible. The great rishi, Vyas performed "Tapa" here during the Mahabharat times.

Manikaran: 85 km from Manali and 45 km from Kullu, lies in the Parvati Valley, the holy pilgrimage place of Manikaran. Here icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exists with boiling water side-by-side. The hot water springs are reputed for their healing properties. Shoja:122 km from Manali and 77 km from Kullu it is a picturesque place in the Seraj Valley. 5 kms onwards is Jalori Pass at 10,000 feet. Shoja is a haven for nature lovers. The Retreat offers comfortable and basic accommodation.

Adventure Sports in Manali

Skiing in Manali:Near Manali there are some slopes, which have been rated the best for skiing in the world. The Solang Nullah, Patalsu, Kothi, Marhi and Rohtang slopes are very good for skiing in the winters as well as in summers. In fact Patalsu and Rohtang slopes are the only places where one can do summer skiing. The slopes are being further developed to accommodate more trainees and tourists. The national level skiing competition is held on the slopes of Solang Nullah and the winter carnival is organised at Manali. The place has immense potential to offer some world-class ski slopes and they are being developed on the same lines.

Rafting in Manali: The Beas river flowing through Kullu valley is suitable for not only white water rafting but is ideal for canoeing and kayaking too. The Beas River from the Manaki to Jhiri near Bajaura in Kullu district has become very popular among the lovers of river rafting and many competitions have been organised in the same. The trip starts from Mohal and covers a total distance 10-kms. The season normally starts from May to mid-June and rest depends on the arrival of monsoon.

Paragliding in Manali: Paragliding is a combination of hang gliding and parachuting. In parachuting one has to jump from an aircraft whereas in paragliding one has to run down hill. The slopes of Solang Nullah provide just the right kind of slopes for paragliding during summers.

Location:	570 kms from Delhi, 310 Kms from Chandigarh, 265 kms from Shimla
Height	6260 feet
Route:	New Delhi - Chandigarh - Ropar - Bilaspur - Sunder Nagar - Mandi - Kullu - Raison - Manali.
Nearest Railheads:	Chandigarh, Shimla, Jogindernagar.
Nearest Airport:	Bhuntar(10 kms from Kullu and50 kms from Manali).
Taxis & Luxury Buses:	24Hours just a ring away 0-98160 07799.
Temperatures:	Max 26 deg C, Min 12 deg C Winters:Max 12 deg C, Min sub zero.
Clothing:	April-Sept: Light Woollens.Oct-Mar: Heavy Woollens.