Manali is one of the popular hilly destinations in Himachal Pradesh that has always remained an apparent choice among backpackers for spending vacations. The weather here remains pleasant in summer & winter. When taking a weekend break from the busy schedule, you must embark on the journey to this hill station as it is impressive with its scenic vistas, fresh air, meandering rivers, verdant greens, & so on. But apart from beautiful sights, there are adventure activities to do in Manali, which adds a spark to your journey.
The thrill of exploring new things in Manali is a great experience. It fulfils your purpose to enjoy your weekend. So now it is evident that this hilly beauty has everything to offer to its visitors, be they nature lovers or adventure seekers. So are you ready to experience thrill in this Himachal’s adventure hub? If yes, let us bring you a compiled list of activities you must not miss.
Top adventure activities to do in Manali for a thrilling weekend break
If you are wondering what else to explore in Manali, apart from its scenic vistas, lush valleys, and snow-capped mountains, below is the list of activities you can enjoy in the top places here.
1. Enjoying skiing at Solang Valley
If you are coming to Manali for winter vacation, you must enjoy skiing at Solang Valley, one of the best places to visit in Manali. While gliding down on the snow-covered slope, you can enjoy the beautiful views of alpine trees. For safety, beginners can hire instructors from the directorate of Mountaineering and Allied sports.
2. Trekking in Rohtang Pass
People comfortable going for long walks must experience trekking in Rohtang Pass. If you are one of them, participate in this adventure activity, & experience panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Trekking is a sport that has gained popularity in the adventure sports category as it benefits spiritual well-being & physical fitness.
3. Picnicking at Rahala Falls
Rahala Falls is one of the top attractions in Manali to explore. This fantastic waterfall happens with the melting of glaciers. Beholding the sight of the gushing downward fall of water from a certain height is a fascinating experience. It is an excellent spot for picnicking with family or friends, plus taking & getting yourself clicked amidst such a beautiful backdrop.
4. Exploring the historical charm of Naggar Castle
Manali is also worth exploring for its historical structures and picturesque vistas. Naggar Castle is one prominent example. This palace had been an erstwhile residence of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu. Established in 1460, it is worth admiring for its spectacular Himalayan & European architecture. Art lovers will find this place fascinating as they can check out paintings, wall hangings, & displays of other incredible art pieces.
5. Experience rolling ball ride sport at Solang Valley
Solang Valley is an exciting place to add to your Manali itinerary list. This is because it allows you to indulge in activities you have never tried before. One such is zorbing. In this, you will be put inside a giant transparent ball, & will be pushed to roll downhill. There is no need to worry about mishaps, as this activity occurs on gentle slopes.
6. Rock climbing at Dungri & Aleo
If you have no fear of climbing heights, rock climbing at Dungri & Aleo is an ideal adventure activity to experience on your Manali tour. The mountainous terrains & landscapes are perfect to try this daring adventure sport. By partaking in a course on it, you will gain knowledge of all techniques, knots, gears, & balancing. Beginners must perform this adventure sport under the guidance of an instructor. It is one of the most thrilling activities to do in Manali.
7. Catching fish at Beas & Manaslu River
Angling is one of the famous adventure activities to do on the Beas River, Manaslu River, & Raison River. This adventure sport tests your ability to catch fish with accurate angling points. The picturesque streams & rivers of Manali house exotic fish species, allowing you to angle the rainbow trout. Enjoying fishing amidst the serene background on the river bank is an intriguing activity you should not miss.
8. Heli-skiing in Rohtang Pass
Apart from trekking, one more exciting adventure to experience in Rohtang Pass is heli-skiing. In this sport, a person is airlifted by a helicopter to the mountain peak, & then is dropped to share skiing on the powdery snow. It is a rare, thrilling fun among all the other adventure sports in Manali. Besides Rohtang Pass, heli-skiing can be performed at Hanuman Tibba, Chandrakhani Pass, & Deo Tibba.
9. River rafting at Beas River
Take a firm grip of your oars for rowing your boat to push the waters of Beas River flowing through the mountain terrain. This water sport in Manali is known as river rafting, a popular, thrilling adventure that must be experienced for reminiscing memories. There are different levels for beginners who can share it at shorter distances, whereas experienced ones can take up challenging levels.
10. Have a memorable camping experience at Kothi Village
Camping in Kothi Village is one of the best things to experience in your Manali trip. The place is located at a high altitude of 2500 m above sea level, at the foothills of Rohtang Pass, & is 15 km from Manali. When setting your camps here, you can have beautiful views of glaciers & mountains covered in snow, with the gushing flow of the Beas River. So while camping you can enjoy its surrounding natural beauty.
11. Enjoy paragliding sport at Parvati Valley
Fulfil your desire by flying like a bird soaring in the sky on a colourful glider. While in the middle of the air, you can have a panoramic view of the Dhauladhar mountain range & snaking Beas River. If you are partaking in this adventure sport for the first time, then it is suggested to go for tandem flights. Apart from Solang & Parvati Valley, paragliding also occurs at Gulaba & Marhi. The timing for paragliding depends on the movement of winds.
12. Mountain biking at Rohtang Pass
Mountain biking in Manali at Rohtang Pass is a challenging task that lets you bike on the rough terrains & raw tracks of hills. If you have sound experience in cycling and & have the expertise to handle the cycle, this is an ideal adventure sport for you.
13. Admiring the architectural marvel of Hadimba Temple
Hadimba Temple in Manali is admired for its Pagoda-style architecture. Located in the middle of Van Vihar forests, this four-storeyed wooden temple is dedicated to Hadimba Devi, wife of Bhim, a famous character from Mahabharata. Unlike most temples, where you worship the idols, there is no such idol of the deity here; only the footprints are considered sacred for worshipping.
14. Hiking at lush green forests of Manali
Hiking is also a walking activity different from trekking. It involves taking leisure walks across forests & hills while having beautiful views of landscapes. This adventure activity is categorised into two levels, easy & moderate, depending on the capability of the doers. Gifted with scenic natural beauty, Manali is also at its best in being the adventure capital of India, giving you a golden chance to experience hiking with your loved ones.
15. Mountaineering at Beas Kund
If you have no hesitation in scaling heights, then you are perfect to experience mountaineering at Beas Kund in Manali. But do not take it lightly, as you may face hurdles ahead. That is why partakers are given lessons on the knowledge of equipment so that they can use it wisely for their convenience & safe travelling. Rock climbing & altitude climbing comes under mountaineering in Manali.
16. Bungee Jumping at Bahang
Bungee Jumping is another thrilling yet intriguing adventure sport to try out in Manali. Imagine yourself leaping in the middle of the air & watching down the bundle of massive greenery dotted with trees. When looking at the downward side, they appear like shades of colours. Bahang, a village in Manali, is the best place to experience this daring sport.
17. Quad biking across Manali’s dense forests
If you expect more thrilling adventure fun in Manali, get ready to hold on to the steering as you will experience quad biking, also known as ATV rides. You will ride across the dense forests on the wet, muddy terrains. This travel ride comes with conditions depending on the participant’s age.
18. Experiencing peace at Manu Temple
Manu Temple is one of the famous tourist spots in Manali that cannot be overlooked, as it holds mythological significance. The hill city is named after the sage Manu, to whom this temple is dedicated. He was the first man to have walked on earth & began the evolution of human settlement. Visiting this holy shrine will be a relaxing break from your adventure tour ride.
19. Riding on Snow scooter at Solang Valley & Rohtang Valley
If you want to spend your honeymoon in Manali, it would be better to add thrill to your journey by experiencing a snow scooter ride at Solang Valley & Rohtang Pass. These scooters can go up to the range of 2 km & can give you a one-time fun ride that you will remember & would wish to revisit. You can drive your own or accompany the instructor with you for safety reasons—experience riding at your convenience by choosing easy to moderate levels.
20. Taking blessings at Manikaran Gurudwara
Among the top sacred sites in Manali is Manikaran Gurudwara. This holy sanctum attracts a lot of devotees from the Hindu & Sikh religions. People here pray to Guru Nanak Dev ji, a saint known to have shown many miracles during his lifetime. Located in Parvati Valley on the Parvati River, this sacred shrine is also famous for its hot springs & beautiful landscapes.
Bookmark Resorts, Manali: A luxury retreat for a memorable vacation
With all the mentioned adventure activities to experience with your loved ones, it’s time to look for a luxury sojourn where you can spend your vacations immersed in luxury & comfort. Before shortlisting the best hotels & resorts, we suggest you plan your staycation at Bookmark Resorts, Manali. It is one of the top-rated luxury resorts in Manali, exceptional in its hospitality services, leaving no stone unturned in making their guests experience all sorts of luxury.
The resort lies at a high altitude of 7000 ft, & is located between the Dhauladhar & Pir Panjal mountains of the Himalayas, giving you a panoramic view of the Rohtang La. This luxurious well-being resort is ideal for well-furnished rooms with many luxury amenities.
It also welcomes you to one of the best restaurants in Manali, where you can taste Himachali cuisine and other international flavours. To complement your meal, there is a well-appointed bar where you can hang out with your favourite drink. So do come & make your stay memorable.
Conclusion
Manali is a charming hill town of Himachal Pradesh that has never lost its lustre in driving tourist footfall for its breathtaking natural beauty. This is why many couples love to go with the idea of a destination wedding in Manali to take sacred vows amidst the scenic backdrops. This hill station is a treasure trove of everything that a traveller may think of. Besides scenic vistas, it houses several places ranging from historical structures to temples. River rafting, bungee jumping, and rock climbing are some of the adventure activities to do in Manali to add excitement to your hilly journey with family and friends or even as a solo traveller.
