Among the many hill stations and tourist attractions around Himachal Pradesh, Kullu Manali is one of the leading spots to visit and explore. From waterfalls to adventure trails, and shopping centres to local cafes, there’s a diverse range of places to visit in Kullu Manali. There are remote villages across, away from the chaos of city life, adding to your travel experience. Perfect for summer adventures like paragliding or zorbing or winter adventures like skiing and snowboarding, there’s something for every traveller.
10 Places To Visit In Kullu Manali
Explore the best places to visit in Kullu Manali for a variety of experiences with its temples, rivers, lakes, outdoor adventures and picturesque viewpoints.
1. Solang Valley
Photo: Aditya Chache / Unsplash
The success of every Manali trip is heavily dependent on the kind of spots you are exploring. However, one indispensable place is Solang Valley. Often deemed as the adventure capital of Manali, Solang Valley welcomes you with a diverse range of activities like paragliding, skiing, and zorbing during the summer months. The true beauty of this valley comes to life during the winter months when the entire landscape is covered in snow, making it an ideal spot to explore skiing and snowboarding activities. You can also embark on multiple treks from Solang Valley, including the famous Patalsu Peak trek.
Location: Solang Valley, VPO Palchan, Manali, Distt. Kullu Manali, India 175131
Timings: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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2. Gulaba
Photo: Pankajpalpankaj / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most underrated tourist attractions in Kullu Manali is Gulaba, which is a quaint and remote village you encounter on the way to Rohtang Pass. It is one of the few villages in Himachal Pradesh that’s maintained as per the National Green Tribunal Act, equipped with all the latest technology and computerised systems for efficient workflow. The village is located at an elevation of 4300 metres above sea level and is an integral element in connecting Rohtang Pass with the rest of Kullu Manali. The village is also the starting point of the popular Bhrigu Lake trek.
Location: Rohtang Pass, on the Leh-Manali Highway
Timings: N/A
3. Arjun Gufa
Photo: YUVRAJ ANAND / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
With a heavy correlation with Mahabharata, Arjun Gufa is one of the best places to visit in Kullu Manali. The cave is named after one of the Pandava brothers, Arjun and is located on the bank of River Beas. One fascinating thing about this cave is that it gradually narrows as you enter into the mountain and at one point, you reach a spot where no light enters. If you are visiting this cave, be sure to carry flashlights and truly appreciate the work of art that is in this cave.
Location: Near Prini Village, Manali, Manali Tehsil, India
Timings: 24*7
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4. Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,978 metres above sea level, is a high mountain pass that serves as a gateway to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. The pass is one of the highlights of Kullu Manali, so visiting this particular spot is a non-negotiable the next time you are in Himachal. The pass is usually accessible from May to November, with road conditions being challenging during the winter months. Also, you will have the best experience exploring the pass if you hire a local 4×4 vehicle instead of trying to drive up the path yourself.
Location: Pir Panjal Mountain Range of the Himalayas
Timings: 24*7
5. Manikaran Sahib
Photo: Sandesh Deshmukh / Unsplash
Another one of the popular Kullu Manali tourist places you must add to your itinerary is Manikaran Sahib. It is primarily a pilgrimage site for the Sikhs but even Hindu devotees visit to pay their respects there. The gurdwara has a direct association with the first Guru and founder of the belief of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. One of the highlights of this gurudwara lies in the hot springs adjacent to it where the langar is cooked. There are separate areas for the hot springs for men and women to take a dip in.
Location: Hari Har Ghat, Manikaran Road, Distt. Kullu, Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 24*7
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6. Rahala Waterfalls
Photo: June Admiraal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Among the list of tourist attractions in Kullu Manali is the famous Rahala Waterfalls, which are formed by the melting glaciers from the distant mountains. Since the waterfall is directly formed from the glaciers, the water is cold. If you are visiting during the summer months, visiting this waterfall would be a refreshing experience. It is located at an elevation of 8500 feet and is surrounded by dense deodar and silver birch forests, which adds to the beauty of the falls further.
Location: Leh Manali Highway, Himachal Pradesh 175103
Timings: 24 Hours
7. Chandrakhani Pass
Photo: Ananya Bilimale / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
If you are looking for an adventurous spot, one of the tourist places in Kullu Manali Himachal Pradesh India is the Chandrakhani Pass. Located at an elevation of 3600 metres above sea level, the pass offers a glimpse of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and snow-covered landscape. The journey to reach this pass is one of the most exhilarating experiences that you will experience while you are in Kullu Manali. On the way to the pass, you can also witness views of Deo Tibba Peak, Pir Panjal and Parbati range.
Location: Kullu District
Timings: 24*7
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8. Bhuntar
Photo: Sukant Sharma / Unsplash
Bhuntar is located at the entryway towards Kullu and Manali, so you can stop to explore this less crowded spot, interact with the locals and bask in the green vegetation and rivers that flow through the town. There’s a national park in the town as well, which attracts wildlife enthusiasts. To get to witness River Beas flow through this town and relax along the banks of the river which is a pretty amazing experience too. You can explore river water rafting as well, provided that the water safety considerations are in place.
Location: Bhuntar, Kullu
Timings: N/A
9. Kothi Village
Photo: HARSH PATEL / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kothi village is one of the best tourist places in Kullu Manali wherein you get to learn about the locals, and their way of living and also get a glimpse into the true meaning of “slow life” in the mountains. The village falls on the way to Rohtang Pass and acts as a vantage point to witness popular ranges like the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. You can also witness a lot of the distant glaciers that feed the River Beas, which is quite fascinating to witness.
Location: Kothi, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: N/A
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10. Hadimba Temple
Photo: Ishank Choudhary / Unsplash
Hadimba Devi Temple is a spot that you must include in the Kullu Manali tourist places list. The temple is located in the dense forests of Dhungri and is a significant religious and cultural landmark in Manali. Dedicated to Hadimba Devi, a character from the Mahabharata, the temple is renowned for its unique architectural style, featuring a pagoda-shaped roof and intricately carved wooden walls. One of the highlights of this temple lies in exploring the surroundings of the temple and immersing yourself in the cultural heritage of the spot too.
Location: Regency Road, Siyal Rd, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
Timings: 24 hours
Kullu Manali, with its diverse range of attractions, offers something for everyone, from adventure seekers to those in search of some peace and tranquillity. Given the diverse range of places to visit in Kullu Manali, ensure that you make a detailed travel plan that includes a variety of amazing spots for you to explore and visit. Plan a trip with TripXL and avail the best deals.
Cover Photo: Abhishek Donda / Unsplash