Jun 14, 2016 06:14 PM
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The place is really a good change for people living in metro cities. My experience was truly an amazing one. Although its a place that I would suggest for couples but having said that, there are so many other places near Manali which are meant for groups and families.
The famous MALL ROAD is a place where one can find many options for eating and shopping. The best time to go there is after 7pm when the place is full of people.
Just between the mall road and the bus stand, one can find a VAN VIHAR which is a play ground for kids. It is surrounded by very tall trees and swings for kids.
Sher-e-Punjabi is a good option for food at MALL ROAD provided one can wait for 15 to 30 mins for reserving seats to eat.
The MALL ROAD market is a good place to shop for things but do keep in mind that one can easily bargain for the prices.
2 km away from MALL ROAD alongside the river ALsO lies a lodge named JOHNSON which is a cool place for youngsters to enjoy; as there are live events like dj session, live singing concert etc happening and it also is a suitable place for families to eat especially in the open garden area.
Just 300 metres or so from JOHNSON is the CLUBHOUSE were games and sports are available.
We rented a bullet bike for Rs. 1200 per day, to visit places like NAGGAR and JAANA WATERFALL.
NAGGAR is around 30kms away from Manali. It's a king's palace turned into a hotel on top of a mountain. The view from the top is just awesome. It also has a museum and an art gallery of a famous RUSSIAN artist who stayed there for many years. Its a must watch for photocopying people.
11kms or so from NAGGAR is JAANA WATERFALL. Although the waterfall is not that big but the place around it is really something which one would not find easily to visit at other places. I would insist to have a cup of tea with maggie here and take a seat besides the WATERFALL. Also, do try some of the traditional food they provide here like red rice. The food here was the most economical and the taste was really yummy.
From MALL ROAD, 2kms away lies a temple called HADIMBA TEMPLE.
Either by bike, bus or by hired cars, one can go to ROHTANG PASS. Only 1200 bikes per day can go there with permits. Although we hired a car but the best way to go is by bus.
ROHTANG PASS does not offer much now except the SNOW and the temple from where BEAS RIVER starts. All the adventurous sports have been removed from this place because of the POLLUTION caused by people themselves. One must have a camera at this place as it resembles a place which one can imagine in their dreams only.
Midway from ROHTANG pass to Manali lies SOLANG VALLEY, where one has the option to either PARA-GLIDE or use a CABLE CAR. I found the cable car too expensive. It was Rs 600 for both sides.
Other nearby places are Kullu and MANIKARAN.
I enjoyed every bit of my stay here for 3 days and 2 nights.
