These are the most interesting things to do in Manali this summer!

Manali is one extraordinary and evergreen hill destination in India, visited by lakhs of tourists every year. While summers here are beautiful, winters are magical! The evergreen tourist hub in Himachal Pradesh is loaded with legends. It is believed that Manali is named after Manu, a legendary figure from ancient Hindu scriptures, who is believed to be the forefather of the human race.

Manali is a perfect amalgam of beauty, spirituality and adventure, where travellers can have a perfect immersive experience.

If we have you intrigued, here’s our pick of the most interesting things to do in Manali this summer!

Some 15 km from Manali, Solang Valley is a perfect spot for adventure seekers. In winters, the place gets covered in thick snow making it a perfect skiing spot. In summers, one can enjoy paragliding, zorbing and mountain biking here.

It is one of the oldest temples in Himachal. Made of wood and stone, the temple is dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhima who was one of the Pandava brothers from the epic, Mahabharata. The temple was built back in 1553, and the structure is simply gorgeous, featuring a four-tiered pagoda-shaped roof. Ghatotkach, the son of Bhima and Hidimba, is also worshipped here in the form of a tree.

A pretty small hamlet set on the banks of the Beas River, Vashisht village is noted for its hot sulphur springs, which are believed to be created by Laxmana from the Ramayana. There are also two temples dedicated to Rama and the sage Vashisht nearby.

Your visit to Manali won’t be complete without eating at the pretty riverside Cafe 1947. It’s worth all the hype! Travellers to Manali, make sure to visit this beautiful cafe by the Manalsu River. From views to food, everything here is almost perfect!

The Mall Road is the heart of Manali and one of the prime focal points of this popular hill destination. Buzzing with activity, the Mall Road is perfect for shopaholics. Lined with multiple hotels and restaurants, this busy region also houses numerous shops and emporiums.

Another incredible place here is the snow-covered Rohtang Pass. The pass is set right on the highway to Leh at a height of 3979 m above sea level. From here, one can enjoy some spectacular views of glaciers, towering mountain peaks and the serene Chandra River. Rohtang Pass is also a gateway to other prominent tourist destinations in Himachal including Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi and Leh.

The beautiful town of Naggar is the former capital of Kullu. Situated on the banks of the River Beas, Naggar is some 20 km from Manali and is a must-visit place! The place was founded by Raja Visudhpal and remained the political centre for a long time. The Naggar Castle here is simply gorgeous and is made of wood.

Did you know that Kasol is often referred to as mini-Israel? Set some 70 km from Manali, Kasol is a picturesque town where one can find a number of cafés, activities and, surprisingly, little boutiques that specialise in Boho clothing. With the Israeli impression, some of the restaurant menus here are all in Hebrew!

Gulaba in Manali is noted for being home to India's highest sky cycling track and you simply can’t miss out on this activity that is full of adventure! The track has been built at an altitude of 9000 ft above the sea level. Sounds fun, right?