Manali is one name that is very commonly spoken of and heard when it comes to the discussion of tourism in India, and rightly so because this place is visited by thousands each year regardless of the time of the year. This article talks about the best time to visit the hill station and the various other things the hill station offers its visitors.
Situated on the river Beas, the popular hill station of Manali is one of the most talked about and sought after tourist destination in the country. The most beautiful elements of the hill station apart from its scenic landscapes are the apple orchards, the flower gardens and also the snow-capped mountains during the winters. Manali is one of the top trekking sites which makes it one of the most favorite destinations of backpackers and adrenaline junkies. The hill station can easily be approached by a Delhi to Manali taxi and you can take the same Manali to Delhi taxi on your way out. Manali also lies in the way enroute to Ladakh via Lahaul and Spiti when approached from New Delhi.
Manali sees three seasons — summers, monsoons and winters. Summers lasts from April till June with a pleasant temperature of not exceeding 25 degree celsius, and remains cool and calm. The monsoon season see heavy rains and on some occasions it sees landslides when heavy rains hit the hill station. The best time to visit Manali is between the months of October to March. It is during this time that the rains have gone stopped and winter slowly kicks in and you slowly start seeing some snowfall here and there especially in places with higher altitude and feel the chill of the winter winds. If you plan on visiting during the winter seasons, you will need to do some serious layering with gloves, layers of clothing, socks and mufflers as temperatures drop below freezing point.
Manali offers a great assortment to choose from in the food department. From tibetan cuisine, north indian cuisine to chinese and indo-chinese cuisines, you will see a whole lot of interesting and fusion dishes. Momo’s are great in the hill station and being in a cold place, you should definitely try a steaming hot bowl of Thukpa. Thukpa is a soup noodle dish with clear soup, brewed for a long time in chicken stock or vegetable stock with various other condiments and spices. The quantity of noodles are literally just a handful but the broth is the star of this dish. Manali also offers an extensive shopping experience. From jewellers at the Sultanpur market selling various jewellery and ornaments to the other markets selling warm clothes like tibetan shawls, carpets and caps, you can get anything at Manali. Stores in Manali also sell local produce and jams, fruit jellies and fruit juices and pickles made from everything grown in the hill station. These local products are worth every penny and also they are not that expensive!
Manali can easily be approached from the national capital of New Delhi by a taxi. The Manali to Delhi distance lies at about approximately 550 km which means it will take you about 11 hours by road. This is the most ideal way to approach as Manali has no train station or airport and to coe via train or flight you will have to stop at Chandigarh as that is the nearest airport or Ambala, the nearest railway station. Plus, even if you do take the train or flight, if your flight lands late you will have to end up spending the night at one of these places having to waste one more night and for stay best hotel in Chopta is good for you. Staying back at an unplanned destination is fine when you are done with your trip, but at the start of your trip when your excitement and anticipation to reach your destination is off the charts, an unforeseen stoppage at one of these places will be a big buzzkill, although not dismissing the fact that these two cities are also brilliant hosts to guests.