Adventures in India

There are not many places where visitors are encouraged to have their photo taken with a yak or a rabbit, but in the town of Manali in the Kullu Valley of India travelers are prompted to do just that. The town is an incredibly popular destination for Indians year round, most of who will travel from Delhi, the capital city of India, by bus, taxi, train or air. For visitors traveling to the area from farther locations a great amount of financial savings can be found by booking both airfare and accommodations through HotelsCombined.com.

During the summer months visitors will often travel along the Rohtang Pass, the highest point of the Manali-Keylong road. The trip provides many panoramic views of the mountain ranges and bodies of water, including the source of the Beas River and the lovely Dassaur Lake. At the foot of Rohtang Pass is Rahala Waterfalls, a popular spot for cooling off and gorgeous during the monsoon season.

The old town of Manali is incredibly well known for its many orchards and cozy guest houses and smaller accommodations. It is here in this part of Manali that many tourists pay a small fee to have their photos taken with a local’s pet rabbits or a farmer’s laboring yaks. The old town is noted for its tidiness and cheerfully maintained gardens and homes.

The area also has many Turkish bath houses where the Vashisht Hot Water Springs are piped in. A great many of the annual visitors come specifically to enjoy the healing and medicinal properties of the waters.

Among the many temples and monasteries in the area are gleaming and well tended Gompas, a Maharishi Temple dedicated to Manu, and at nearby Vaishisht is a pair of old stone temples dedicated to the local saint Vashista. Many photographers, artists and tourists come to view the elaborate carvings of the building and it’s interior. The famous Hadimba Temple is in nearby Jagatsukh, which is the old capital city of the Manali area.

In the Manali area is the Solang Valley resort known as Snow Point. The town offers a 300 meter ski lift that carries guests high into the mountains and gives them incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys below. Other outdoor opportunities in the area include trekking and skiing, river rafting and even a few opportunities for paragliding.