From an exotic honeymoon destination to a perfect getaway for families with children and from a backpacker’s paradise to a flourishing leisure and recreational center for friends, Manali is a place that welcomes everyone with open arms.
The amazing combination of the old-world charm with a distinct culture entices tourists to take a break from their busy office life and head to this lovely hill station to see how it feels like staying at a place encircled by lush green forests, majestic mountains, scenic landscapes, sprawling meadows, gushing blue streams, and snow-capped peaks. Add lip-smacking cuisines and several shopping opportunities to all this and we bet you’d want to make it your home for the rest of your life.
Nestled against the mighty Himalayas, Manali has always been the top hill retreat destination for tourists, whether you’re an Indian or a foreign traveler, for a wide variety of reasons. It’s a little hamlet that pleases everyone’s mind with umpteen things to do and see all around the day and has something to keep your interest hooked throughout the time.
Ideal for people of all kinds, the town of Manali has plenty of places to be explored by sightseeing lovers. However, it’s not possible to take a tour of all the attractions in a day. Hence, for your ease, we at Holidays DNA, have curated a list of top 5 places that are worth exploring on your 1-day visit to Manali and these are as follows:
- Manali Places to visit in 1 Day: Hadimba Devi Temple, Jogini Waterfalls, Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art, Manali Wildlife Sanctuary, Van Vihar National Park
1. Hadimba Devi Temple
Pay heed to Hadimba Devi Temple to seek blessing from Hadimba Devi, who is known as the presiding deity of this religious shrine.
Built in the year 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh, the Hadimba Devi Temple or Dhungari Temple is an ancient temple that features beautiful architecture with serene surroundings encompassed by snow-capped mountains and gorgeous cedar forests. It’s a four-storeyed structure that has a conical-shaped roof with wooden doorways and walls that make it look unique and different from the other temples you’ve ever seen until now.
Another thing that encourages tourists to visit this place at least once is the Navratri festival which is organized with great zest and enthusiasm by the locals there. During this time, you’ll see a long queue of devotees waiting outside the temple to worship the idol of Hadimba Devi with full faith and devotion. Other festivals such as Dussehra also draw the attention of people to this temple in large numbers every year.
2. Jogini Waterfalls
Take a moment to appreciate the untouched and unspoiled beauty of Jogini Waterfalls in Manali. Perched at a distance of only 3 km from the center of the town, the Jogini Waterfalls is a popular tourist spot that invites nature buffs to fall in love with its magnificent displays of nature time and time again. It’s a kind of place that promises to offer a delightful experience to all age groups and has natural scenery that serves as a perfect backdrop for shutterbugs to click some memorable pictures.
Experience a joyful trek through pine and orchard trees to climb up the Jogini Waterfalls and see the mesmerizing view of the river Beas and the peaks of Rohtang Pass. It takes a total of 3 hours to complete the trekking trail, so make sure to carry enough drinking water to keep yourself hydrated all day long. On your way, you’ll also come across many restaurants that offer local snacks along with a cup of tea to satisfy the hunger pangs of trekkers. Try to start early in the morning if you wish to spend more time at this location.
3. Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art
Heaven for art lovers, the Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art is another famous sightseeing attraction to be explored on your 1-day visit to Manali. It’s an interesting museum that displays a fascinating collection of traditional and cultural heritage that gives insight into the ancient lives of people that they used to follow to live their life in the region.
Founded in 1998, the Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art boasts ancient artifacts that not only attract history lovers but also researchers who are interested in learning about ancient civilizations. From traditional apparel to household items, jewelry, furniture, utensils, musical instruments, accessories, and handloom products, you will find each and everything under one roof. For your interest, this museum also features various models of ancient houses and temples along with wooden work and paintings from the bygone era. What else?
Make sure to include it in your itinerary list if you’re traveling with your children as it is undoubtedly a great way to introduce your kids to the rich heritage of this state.
4. Manali Wildlife Sanctuary
The next destination you cannot miss visiting on your Manali tour is the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary. Lying a short stroll away from the main town of this hill station, the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary is an impressive and astounding wildlife sanctuary that presents a perfect weekend getaway retreat to people looking to explore the wilderness in its natural habitat. It’s an ideal spot that provides shelter to a variety of flora and fauna that is hard to find anywhere else in the region.
Out of plenty of rare and endangered species of animals, the most common species that call this place their home are Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Black Bear, Kashmir Flying Squirrel, Barking Deer, Himalayan Yellow-throated Marten, and Flying Fox. In addition to all this, several other types of mammals, reptiles, and birds can also be spotted here by wildlife enthusiasts who flock to this sanctuary to make the most of their time. This reserve forest also allows you to try your hand at trekking and camping to feel an adrenaline rush in your body.
What makes the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary stand out from the other sanctuaries is the breathtaking scenic beauty that will surely leave you spellbound every time you come here, whether for an hour or a half-day. Such is the aura of this place!
5. Van Vihar National Park
Lastly, the Van Vihar National Park should be your destination to relax and unwind especially if you’re looking for a place where you can be as close to nature as you want. It’s a wonderful place for avid travelers to spend some ME time in a laid-back atmosphere and is indeed a great location for families to have a memorable picnic under one roof.
Encompassed by lush greenery and sky-touching deodar trees, the Van Vihar National Park is a public park that has been gaining popularity among both children and adults alike. Here you can sit close to nature for hours, walk hand-in-hand with your loved ones, read a book of your choice or simply choose to jog along the track at any time of the day. Please note that this park also has a man-made lake where you can enjoy boating to enjoy your visit to the fullest.
Other than these places, the hill station of Manali has a lot more to offer to keep its travelers occupied all the time. So, if you’re interested and have time, you can extend your getaway to 2-days, 3-days, or for a complete week to cover its frequently visited tourist attractions. Some of the places that deserve your attention are Hampta Pass, Arjun Cave, Naggar Castle, Beas River, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Great Himalayan National Park, Bhrigu Lake, and Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple.
If you need any help with your itinerary planning, you can get in touch with our professionals. We at Manali Tourism, an important division of Holidays DNA, take care of everyone’s varied holiday needs and design our Manali tour packages accordingly. Depending on your trip duration and time, our all-inclusive packages can also be customized to match your expectations. For your convenience, there is also a list of top car rental companies in Manali available with our team of travel experts. To know more about the ongoing travel deals, we request you to fill out the Contact Us form. We’d be happy to answer all your queries.
