Travel To Manali

Manali, at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, is a hill station situated at a height of 2050 M (6398 ft) in the Himalayas. Situated on the Beas river (Vyaas in Hindi) and near its source, it is a popular tourist spot for Indians in summer and a magical, snow-covered place in winter. A staging point for a number of treks (Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass) and sports such as white-water rafting, Manali is also on the road to Ladakh via  the valley of Lahaul and Spiti and rohtang pass which is main attraction near manali.Set in a picturesque landscape of ravines, ridges, peaks, glaciers and twisting trails, the hill town of Manali is an oversubscribed tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. The town owes its name to a Hindu sage Manu, the Indian Noah, who saved all the  species on earth after a devastating deluge. A fish that had been looked after by Manu admonished him of this impending peril. Manu accordingly carried a pair of all the species in his ark and first landed at this place, which is now known as Manali after him.

 Although the tourist traffic to this Eden of nature buffs, honeymooners, solitude seeker and adventure junkies has witnessed a sharp increase in the recent years, but still it has somehow managed to remain unspoiled. Adventure savants will revel in discovering the variety of adventure sports that can be enjoyed here. Whether you choose to go skiing, rafting or trekking Manali will get your pulse thumping and take your breath clean away.

   There is no dearth of accommodation at this place. The entire stretch of 40 km between Kullu and Manali is strewn with luxury resorts. Manali is well equipped to satiate your palate as well. You can get authentic bakery items and specialized food from Italy, Israel and Germany. Tibetan delicacies especially thukpa and momos, are worth trying. For a change try some of the most friendly and colorful service at tiny nondescript roadside stalls called 'dhabas'.

 Weather:

 Minimum temp could be below -05 C from Oct till March. Dec Jan and Feb are coldest months. Rest of the year the minimum temperature would be between 15 to 20 C.

By bus:

 Manali is about 540 km from Delhi, the capital of India, and there are buses connecting the town with Delhi, Shimla, Dharamsala and Leh. For service from Delhi to Manali and back, tickets and reservations can be made  at the Inter State Bus Terminus or the Himachal Tourism office on Safdar Hashmi Marg near Mandi House in New Delhi. You can book tickets online too. The approximate travel time from Delhi to Manali is 14 hours; from  Ambala to Manali is 10 hours; and from Kulu to Manali is 1.5 to 3 hours. Volvo buses—which depart at around 06 PM and reach at 09-10 AM next day—are available from Delhi and is the best option in terms of comfort and value for money to reach Manali but you need to book these in advance. Some Hotels will book your volvo along with their hotel package. A new operator named Harison Travels has LCD displays mounted on every seat viewer   can choose movie from the selection provided (Delhi to Manali Rs. 900 only), fares may change due to demand.

     

By train:

  The nearest Broad Gauge Rail Head is Ambala Cantt(200 km) or Chandigarh (250 km)from Indian Capital New Delhi. Ambala Cantt is on the Delhi - Amritsar and Delhi - Jammu main lines and is well served by rail, but you will   need to travel to Ambala to get a bus for the 10 hour ride to Manali. Jogindernagar and Kalka are other, less preferable, rail heads for Manali. The nearest Broad gauge station is Kiratpur Sahib in punjab near the  city of Nangal. It lies in Ropar district of Punjab. The station lies on the Ambala Cantt - Una route of Indian.  Railways. From here you can easily get buses for Manali.

  Rohtang Pass:

  At an altitude of 3979 m (13,050 ft) above sea level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is truly breath taking. Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake?

 Beas Kund:

 The source of river Beas is also nearby. In winter, the road of Rothang Pass is closed.  Important to note that the road to Rohtang Pass is closed off at Manali bridge,on all tuesdays between 0900-1800  hrs for carrying out road widening work & repairs. If you are able to leave early, before 0900, you can avoid the traffic rush (found on all other days) and have Rohtang Pass to yourself (well almost!!). Flip side is to be prepared for stoppages (extending upto a few hours) on the return trip as the road is blocked off where repair works are progressed. If you are driving up, be prepared for the rough broken roads at many places, sheer blind turns and tight hairpin bends, which can be exhilarating depending on the state of your nerves. If you are hiring a vehicle then better rent a four wheel drive vehicle from Manali. Sometimes the local people along with police  does not allow the non-four wheel drive vehicles from going beyond Snow-Point(a place 16 kms before Rohtang Pass) and force to hire their owned 4WD vehicles at exorbitant prices which can be up to 1500-2000 INR per person.

 This happens in the winter times when there is heavy snow fall. The tours organized by HPTDC do not go up to Rohtang pass and terminate at Snow-Point. Shared taxis are also available.  Rohtang Pass can also be accessed on foot, if there are stoppages beyond Snow-Point. However, it is a strenuous climb and also needs a good guide to show the short cut routes to the Pass.Beas Kund, an igloo shaped temple, on top has a spring which is the origin of River Beas.

 Hidimba Temple:

 It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahābhārata. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful cedar forest (Dhungri Van Vihar) at the foot of the Himālayas.The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshiped as an image of the deity.The structure was built in the year 1553.

  Maa Sharvari Temple:

This temple is represented as KULDEVI of the kings of Kullu in early times and is worshipped as a manifestation of Durga, and image of the goddess is also enshrined here. The divinity is popularly worshipped throughout the region during the festivals and the Goddess is transported to Kullu to visit the Lord Raghunathji during Dussehra festival. This temple is on the top of above the Shaminallah village,  which is around 5 Kms from Manali, accross the Beas river on the left bank on the way to Naggar Casttle Kalath Hot Water SpringsAround 6.5 Km downstream from Manali,natural sulfurous water flows from the bowels of earth. Public bath areas and private bath areas are available."Asia Sulphur hot water spring" is a small hotel. Where private bathroom can be hired on per-person basis (appx. Rs. 100/person).these is simple bathrooms but give all the privacy needed by a couple or family.It can be easily spotted on your way to Manali just before the "Green Tax barrier".

 Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple:

Around 3 km from Manali, across the Beas River is Vashist, a small village with natural sulphur springs. Modern bathhouses, with Turkish-style showers, have the hot water piped into them for the convenience of the visitors who come here to benefit from the medicinal properties. Vaishisht, also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square. Dedicated to the local patron saint Vashista, the smaller of the two opens on to a partially covered courtyard, and is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings. Those lining the interior of the shrine, blackened by years of oil-lamp and incense smoke, are particularly fine. The temple tanks are underground hot-water/sulfur springs. Be wary of hanging up your trousers or bags on the hooks provided, pickpocketing is a daily occurrence. Hand over your wallet to a trusted person for safekeeping before you enter the springs for a bath. Separate tanks for men and women are provided in the temple.keep in mind these are open baths and little or no privacy is available for women except separated areas for bathing.

 Jogini Falls:

About 2 km Trek from Vashisth Temple. Going to the top of the falls would need a guide and quite a bit of trekking, but if you wish you could just keep asking for directions from Vashishth temple and reach the first level of the falls.Solang Valley popularly known as Snow Point, is 13 km northwest of Manali and famous for  its 300-meter ski lift. The Ski Lift ticket is Rs. 500 per head for a trip both ways. It is a picturesque spot and offers splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. Solang valley also offers attractions like paragliding, snorkeling etc. Jagatsukh, the former capital of Manali, is also an important spot.

  Jagatsukh:

The former capital of Manali, has a few nice temples done in Shikhara style. You can visit them while travelling to Naggar.

 Rahala waterfalls:

About 16 km from Manali at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, are the beautiful Rahalla Falls at an altitude of 2,501 m.

 Rozy Falls:

 On the way to Rohtang amazing water fall worth seeing. This water fall looks amazing between the high hills.

 Monasteries: 

Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. It is maintained by donations from the local community and by sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop.

 Old Manali:

At a distance of 3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses.  Beas River is a very peaceful experience. There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu. Gauri Shankar Temple at DASHAL village(700 mtrs. from Sarsai )on the main left bank Kullu Manali Highway.It is a 12th century protected monument.Also see lush green apple orchards,play with water stream out thereThere are some  interesting temples of Tibetan Buddhist lineages located between old and new Manali.

  Naggar:

The Castle, Roerich House and Art gallery are places to see. Moonlight dinner on the balcony of Hotel Castle restaurant is worth experiencing, with the lovely sight of twinkling lights below in the Beas valley. Bijli Mahadev temple, about 20 kms from Naggar, is also worth visiting.

Krishna Temple at Thava:

         Ask for directions to this temple from Naggar Castle and do a small trek of half an hour through dense pine and deodar forest to reach the beautiful Krishna Temple. With hardly any tourists around, this place is magical.

 Zana Falls:

 15 Kms from Naggar and 35 Kms from Manali, at Zana Village, beautiful Water Fall is worth visiting.    The valley provides amazing views. There is one water fall on the road side and two other water fall  which are not much explored by tourists and are amazing. Moreover Traditional Himachali food is available here at small hut like shops.

 Beautiful Log Hut Area and Club house:

 In fact both these places especially log hut area have some good hotels to stay.

  The Manali Gompa:

Manali Gompa was built in 1960. It is one of the most important places for Buddhists. Buddhists come to this place from Ladakh, Tibet, Spiti, Lahul and Kinnaur. Manali Gompa is world famous for a large statue of Buddha and for its wall paintings.

 Kothi:

Kothi is located at the bottom of Rohatang Pass. It is a beautiful and photographic village where tourists can capture different thrilling views of the deep gorge through which the Beas swiftly runs. This is an amazing place to experience the natural beauty of high altitude mountain.

Nehru Kund:

Nehru Kund is located at the distance of around 6 km from Manali. It is one of the natural springs of natural water in India. Nehru Kund is named after the late Prime Minister Jawar Lal Nehru. Nehru used to drink water from this Kund, while his journey to Manali. Nehru Kund is on the Manali-Keylong road, about 6 kms from Manali. It is understood that a landslide has wiped out this spring.

India tour packages.

Travel to Nepal from India

Nepal Travel

Nepal is a small, landlocked country situated between India and China. Famous for the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, and the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Nepal offers amazing and diverse holiday opportunities. With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, it is known as the roof of the world. Read more about Nepal country facts, visit Nepali local media sites or flick through the photo galleries. 

STEP 1

If you plan to travel by land, take a train or a bus to the nearest border town, and research local bus schedules to find a bus to the border. Once there, it is likely that you will need to walk across the border and catch a taxi or bus on the other side. There are several land crossings at the India-Nepal border. If you are coming from Calcutta, consider crossing at Naxalbari or Birganj. From Darjeeling, try Siliguri and from Varanasi or Delhi, take Sunauli.

STEP 2

Try a tour. For a more organized experience, head to a travel agent or tour operator in India to book travel. The bus/train trip from India to Nepal can be long and grueling, and a tour operator will ensure that you are able to make the transportation changes on schedule. If there are no available tours from your location, ask the travel agent for schedules and price information to better assist you in planning.

STEP 3

Book a plane ticket. The easiest and most convenient way to get to Nepal from India is to fly. That way, you can avoid the long bus or train ride, and you will be spared the hassles at the border. Cities in India with direct flights to Nepal include Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay. All international flights to Nepal arrive in Kathmandu. Be sure to arrive in Nepal with enough money to cover the tourist visa, which costs around $30, and either two passport-sized photos or the money to pay the photographer in the arrivals area. There is no ATM before immigration.

STEP 4

Understand visa requirements. Before you attempt to travel from India to Nepal, be sure to research the visa requirements for citizens of your nationality. For citizens of the US, European Union, Australia and Canada, both passports and visas are required; visas are valid for two months and can be obtained upon arrival with two passport photos and $30

                                               WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO NEPAL

Climate factors are very important in deciding on a visit to Nepal. October-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. With the monsoon only recently finished the country-side is green and lush and Nepal is at its most beautiful. Rice is harvested and there are some more important and colourful festivals to enjoy. At this time of the year the air is sparkling clean, visibility is unexcelled and the Himalayan views are as near perfect as you can ask. Furthermore the weather is still balmy, neither too hot nor too cold. For obvious reasons, this is also the peak tourist season.

In December - January the temperatures and visibility are still good, though it can get very cold. Trekkers need to be well prepared, as snow can be encountered on high-altitude treks. Heading for the Everest Base Camp at this time of the year can be a real feat of endurance and the Annapurna Circuit trek is often closed by snow on the Thorang La pass. Down in Kathmandu the cheaper hotels, where heating is non-existent, are often chilly and gloomy in the evenings. There's sometimes a brief winter monsoon, lasting just a day or two in January.

February-March - April, the tail end of the dry season, is good second-best time. The weather gets warmer so high-altitude treks are no longer as arduous, although by the end of the dry season, before the monsoon breaks, it starts to get too hot for comfort. Visibility is not good as earlier in the dry season since the country is now very dry, and dust in the air reduces that crystal Himalayan clarity. In compensation, Nepal's wonderful rhododendrons and many other flowers are in bloom so there are plenty of colours to be seen along the trekking trails. May and the early part of June are not the best months as it is extremely hot and dusty and the coming monsoon hangs Over you like a threat. Mid-June to September, when the monsoon finally arrives, is the least popular time to visit Nepal. The rains wash the dust out the air, but the clouds obscure the mountains so you're unlikely to enjoy more than a rare glimpse of Himalaya. Although it doesn't rain all day it usually does rain everyday and the trails will be muddy and plagued by leeches. Despite this, it is possible to trek during the monsoon, although high rivers may further complicate matters and it's certainly not as pleasant as other times of the year. Landslides sometimes block roads during the monsoon but many visitors still come to Nepal from India as the weather is even less pleasant down on the plains. The latter parts of the monsoon, the months of August-September, are a time of festivals which will certainly enliven a visit to Kathmandu.

 Entry Procedure:

 All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold a passport and a valid visa.  The visas can be obtained at the Nepalese Diplomatic Missions and Consulates abroad and entry points issue visa for visitors.  The visa will be extended at the Department of Immigration.

A visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained for the following duration from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry points in Nepal.

   1. The single entry tourist visa can be obtained from the entry points of Nepal or from the Royal diplomatic missions abroad by paying US$30 for 60 days.

   2. If the visitor, who has already visited Nepal under tourist visa, intends to come again within15 days of the same visa year he/she can obtain entry visa by paying US$50 for 30 days at the entry points or at the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad.

   3. The visitors who wish to stay for more that 60 days in Nepal can extend their tourist visa by paying the equivalent of US$50 in the Nepalese currency for 30 days from the Department of Immigration.

   4. Business visa with multiple entry facility for the period of one year and five years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration on the recommendation of Ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent of US$250 and US$100 respectively in the Nepalese currency for the foreign investors.

Travel route:

Royal Nepal Airlines the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International airlines operate scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Doha, Delhi, Dubai, Dhaka, Paro (Bhutan),Varanasi, Frankfurt, Paris, Hong Kong, Karachi, London, Moscow, Singapore, Osaka,  Lhasa and Vienna.  The International Airlines operating their flights to Kathmandu include Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South West Airlines, Druk Air, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Thai International. The overland tourists entering the kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

Facilities:

Nepal has every type of accommodation facilities that a tourist might ask for.  This ranges from the international standard star hotels to budget hotels and lodges.  Similarly one can also have a choice of sightseeing from a range of different tour packages.  In order to have an assured quality service it is advisable to use the facilities and services of government-registered hotels, lodges, travel agencies the licensed tour guides only and engage an authorized travel/trekking agency.

Major tourist attractions

Very few countries in the World can offer as many varieties of adventure tourism packages as Nepal.  Of the 14 peaks above 8000 meters in the World, eight are located in Nepal.  It is the land of Sagarmatha (Mount. Everest 8848 meters), the highest peak in the World and other 1310 mountain peaks which are opened for expeditions.  Nepal has thousands of such peaks, which are yet to be conquered by the expeditions. For those who cannot withstand the rigorousness mountain climbing there are mountain flights, which fly around the Mt. Everest and provide a close look of the top of the World.  From Nagarkot (32 kilometers East of Kathmandu) and Daman (80 Kilometre southwest

Of Kathmandu) one can have a distant view of Mt. Everest and beautiful Himalayan range.  Trekking is the best way to get to interesting and remote mountain villages of Nepal and to enjoy views of the focused peaks together with their lifestyle untouched by modern civilization. The river rafting which is known as White Water Adventure represents another major attractions. With distance of 100 miles, one can see the topographical variations with the river rising from the higher points near Nepal - Tibetan border and then dropping dramatically to lower levels the plains bordering India.  For those who wish to view wildlife, Nepal offers plenty of scope. There are eight National Parks and four Wildlife Reserves and two Conservation Area in Nepal. For the less adventure, Pokhara the lake-city of Nepal has no equal as it provides ample opportunities  for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating along with the sightseeing of majestic panoramic views in its background. It is only Pokhara, a tropical spotty with an altitude of about 900 meter from where one can see the mountain crossing over 8000 meters from such a short distance of about 40 kilometers.

For the nature lovers Nepal is such a land of natural beauty that metaphors cannot delineate its real picture. At the same time, Nepal proffers an incomparable scope to the scholars and connoisseurs of art and culture to see and study the different aspects of fine arts be it painting, sculpture, woodcarving or architecture.Kathmandu valley possesses several historical monuments, old place and palace squares, shrines and temples.  Ageless tradition and legends all make it a living museum that any visitor would cherish its vivid memory in his/her heart forever. Nepal is the land of Lord Pashupatinath, which is the holiest Hindu temple in the World.  Besides, two out of the four main holy places (Chhetras) of Hindu pilgrimages namely Muktichhetra and Varahachhetra, are located in Nepal. Not only for the Hindus but also for the Buddhists, Nepal offers a unique place of pilgrimage as it happens to be the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace and compassion. Nepal is the Land of festivals with some part of the Kingdom or the other celebrating festival everyday of the year.  Festivals may be linked with the remembrance of the departed soul, to herald the different seasons, to mark the beginning or end of the agricultural cycle, to mark the national events, or just family celebrations.  On a festive day the Nepalese take their ritual bath, worship different

Gods and goddesses, visit temple, observe fasting and undertake feasting.  The most important aspect of Nepalese culture is the religious harmony and understanding prevailing among the Hindus and Buddhist.

PLACES TO VISIT

 Kathmandu City:

Kathmandu is known as Kantipur, the kingdom of Nepal. Here you will visit the temple of the living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of her devotees from balcony of her temple residence, Kathmandap-the source of the name Kathmandu. It was allegedly made from the timber of a single tree.  Next, on to the Durbar Square area with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace,  the ancient palace of the Nepalese Royalty.

Pashupatinath:

Lying 6 Km from central Kathmandu, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to  Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, the temple, which was built in pagoda style, has a gilded roof and beautifully carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of the Bagmati river, as entrance into the temple is strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Pashupatinath is the centre of an annual pilgrimage on the day Shivaratri, which falls in February or March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

Dakshinkali:

Literally meaning the Kali of the south, this temple is dedicated to the Goddess Kali, the Hindu goddess of power. Goats, chickens, ducks etc. are sacrificed on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The temple itself is located in a forested canyon and lies 19 Km. from Kathmandu.

Boudanath:

This stupa, situated 11 Km. from the center of Kathmandu, is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal directions, keeping a lookout for righteous behavior and human prosperity. This Buddhist stupa was built by King Man Deva at the advice of the Goddess Mani Jogini. It is built on an octagonal base and is contains inset  prayer wheels. The shrine is surrounded by the homes of Lamas, or Buddhist priests.

Swayambhunath:

Located approximately 3km from the canter of Kathmandu, this Buddhist stupa is said to be 2000 years old. The stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth which supports

a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of gilt copper. Painted on the four sided base below the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The whole area around the Stupa contains an array of small stupas and temples. This is one of the best places from which to view the Kathmandu valley, as it is situated on a small hillock.

 Bhaktapur:

 Also known as BHADGAON meaning the city of devotes, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. Lying 14Km east of Kathmandu city. This place was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. The city is at the height of 4600 ft. above sea level. In Bhaktapur you will visit the Durbar Square with its array of temples overlooked by the palace of 55 Windows built by King Bupatindra Malla, the Nytapola Temple. This temple, which was also built by king Bhupatindra Malla, is the best example of the Pagoda style and stands on five terraces, on each of which stands a pair of figures, famous strong men, elephants, lions, griffins and goddesses. Time permitting, a visit to the museum of Thanka painting can also be considered. A 30 minute walk brings you to the Dattatraya temple and Pujari Math which can also be done provided there is plenty of time at the clients' disposal.

 Nagarkot:

It is situated about 35Km. east of Kathmandu city and from here one can see Mt. Everet and other peaks of the Himalayas. Nagarkot is located between Kathmandu valley in the west and Indravati in the east. He top of Nagarkot commands accelerating views in all direction. The altitude of Nagarkot is 2229Mt. above from sea level. It is also very popular for the viewing sunrise and sunset.

 Dhulikhel:

It is situated at an altitude of 1600 m. above from sea level, and 32 Km. from Kathmandu City. Dhulikhel is famous for its vantage location in viewing the Himalayan ranges, from Cho Oyo in the east to Himalchuli  in the west. It is popular for viewing the sunrise and sunset.

 Patan:

5 Km. away from Kathmandu city.  Patan, also known as Lalitpur, is a city of fine arts, enclosed within 4 stupas, which are said to have been built in the 3rd century A.D. by Emperor Ashoka. You will see Durbar square, the Patan durbar (palace), which houses a bronze collection, the Krishna temple built by King Siddi Narsinh Malla, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, and Mahaboudha Temple.  A trip to the Tibetan Refugee Centre and the Handicraft Centre will be included during your visit to Patan,  where you will witness the hand weaving of Tibetan carpets and molding of metal statues.

 Pokhara Valley:

Pokhara is Nepal's second most popular tourist destination and its adventure capital. It is overshadowed by a massive wall of the Himalayas, and dominated by the towering peak of the Annapurna range. Even more impressive is the fishtailed pinnacle of Mt. Machhapuchhare (6977mt.) For the adventurous, the massif of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) waits to be explored. Pokhara is the starting point for the most famous treks in Nepal, in the Annapurna area. Pokara is situated 200 K.M. west of Kathmandu.