Manali
The town that you and I know as `Manali ‘ is actually a collection of three adjacent hills. Each hill has a village and an old temple dominating it. In the beginning was the village. People grew , and still grow, wheat rajma ,vegetables and apples. They kept and still do cows buffaloes and goat and sheep. The people weave their own clothes. The wheat was ready for harvest in spring, the apple would be ready for plucking by August –September, and the snow ripe for falling by December-january. The British never made a hill station here, never laid rail tracks or built a Mall Road.
Indian travellers come more for the temples, snow in Rohtang Pass and organized adventure acivities. Internet cafes offer bus services to Leh , tour operators offer opportunities to go paragliding in Solang Nallah or river rafting on the Beas .
Most importantly Manali offers that haunting Himalayan beauty to which hill stations in the lower Himalayan ranges can only aspire. Look around and there’s the river made of freshly melted snow, and protected stretches of deodar. Look up and the majestic Pir Panjal and Bara Bhangal ranges cradling the town mesmerize you.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Solang Valley
Solang Nallah (or Solang Valley)is a beautiful green strench 13 km from Manali, where most of the area’s adventure activity is centered. Paragliding Zorbing and horse riding are the popular picnic activites here.Its a popular picnic spot, but also has plenty of getaway space for those willing to walk a bit extra. Travellers can make a day trip there by bus , or taxi or car from Manli or even camp overnight.