Tall deodar forests, snow-capped mountains, glistening lakes, and rustic villages are what make Manali a beautiful holiday destination. Anyone who hears you’re planning a trip here will immediately tell you about the kind of experiences you should try out. The place has lots in store for its visitors. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best places you can explore on a 1-day walking tour of Manali. We’ve featured all the attractions that are worth seeing on foot when you’re here.
Places To Visit On A 1 Day Walking Tour Of Manali
Route: Manali Mall Market – Van Vihar National Park – Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple – Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art – Hadimba Devi Temple.
Manali 1-Day Walking Tour Distance: 3.9 km
Total Duration: 1 hour.
1. Manali Mall Market
What better way to start your walking tour in Manali than pass by the major shopping center of the town? The Mall Road has a very popular shopping destination called the Manali Mall Market. This is a shopper’s paradise and is flocked with people all day! You’ll find locals, travelers from India, and abroad walking this street and buying various items. The colorful shops here will tempt you to buy something for yourself and your family.
Before you begin sightseeing and exploring the many places of the town, it’s good to fuel yourself with some delicious food to get you energized. Fortunately, the food scene at Manali Mall Market is amazing. This resort town boasts of its authentic street foods which are found throughout the place. Some of the dishes worth trying are khatta (fried pumpkin balls with mango powder), patande (Himachali pancake), and aktori (buckwheat cake). The local street food is so good that we wouldn’t be shocked if you felt tempted to take some with you. You can fulfil your food cravings at popular places like The Corner House Restaurant & Bar, Van Vihar Food Corner, and Gozy Restaurant.
Now, let’s do what everybody at Manali Mall Market comes to do, shopping! When it comes to clothes, there are endless options in this market. You can buy Kashmiri Salwar Suits and silk sarees from here. There are many winter essentials like Himachali caps, shawls, woolen items, and scarves at this bazaar. You can check out places like New Kashmir Arts Emporium and Larje Garments to buy Kashmiri shawls and jackets. There are many footwear shops right opposite the Durga Mata Mandir at the Mall Road. You’ll find several warm footwear options, starting at the range of INR 400 onwards.
Things To Do Here:
You can buy things like artificial jewelry, books, footwear, and much more as souvenirs for your friends. Good bargaining skills will get you great deals on the different items sold at this market.
How Much Time To Spend Here: 1 hour.
2. Van Vihar National Park
One of the most popular attractions of Manali is the Van Vihar National Park, which is located on the Mall Road. This park is the perfect retreat for both nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The sight of the sky touching deodar trees here will make you fall in love with the place instantly. This entire national park looks lush green because it’s enveloped by trees. That makes it a perfect picnic spot for you to enjoy some quiet time with your family and friends.
You can take a stroll at this park while marveling at the greenery of the place. There are several wooden benches for the convenience of all those visiting here. The artificial lake is the highlight of this park. You can take a boat ride at this lake while admiring the views around you. There are several swings at the garden here where children can play and have fun.
The River Beas is quite close to here, so you’ll get to listen to the soothing sounds of the water. It’s a perfect place to relax and feel the fresh breeze coming from the many deodar trees at the park.
Things To Do Here:
You can enjoy a pleasant walk in the garden in this park. A boat ride at the artificial lake here is something you should try. This park is the perfect place for photography as well. The beautiful deodar trees will make the perfect backdrop for your pictures. If you’re an animal lover, you can also enjoy bird watching at this park.
How Much Time To Spend Here: 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple
If you’re visiting Manali, the Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple is a must-visit place! It’s known as one of the most popular monasteries in North India. Apart from being a place of prayer, meditation, and worship, this place is also an architectural marvel.
The temple has beautiful yellow colors that reflect the Tibetan style of architecture. Once you enter the temple, the huge statues of Buddha, Sayakumi, and beautiful wall paintings will surely capture your attention. You’ll feel the tranquil vibe of this place right from the time you enter here.
At Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple, you’ll get a peek into the lives of the monks in this area. There are signs in this entire temple to guide your way around the stupas here. You’ll get to see the daily activities of the Buddhist monks and how they offer their prayers every day. A visit here will help you calm your mind, seek peace, and learn more about Buddhist culture.
Things To Do Here:
After you’re done with your sightseeing and prayers at the temple, you can check out various restaurants near the temple. This walking tour can be exhausting and the next destination is quite far from here. So, you’ll need to find a place to have your meals and relax for some time. You can enjoy some yummy food at nearby restaurants like Mezbaan Khana Khazana, Piyush Dhaba, Curly Potato, and Eddie Bakers.
How Much Time To Spend Here: 1 hour.
4. Museum Of Himachal Culture And Folk Art
The Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art has an ancient collection of traditional heritage of the state which can be dated back to 1990. It’s the perfect place to know about the life of the ancient Himachali people. Established in 1998, this museum has things like antiques, art, and handicraft, that’ll remind you of the lost culture of Himachal Pradesh.
All kinds of travelers, tourists, and even researchers are drawn to this museum to know more about the former civilization. The rare collection of temple models, traditional attire, musical instruments, utensils, and old houses portrays the traditions that the ancestors here followed.
Something that’ll certainly catch your eye are the masks at this museum. They are of various types like dance masks, wooden masks, and those that represent religious deities. The way this museum has preserved these exhibits will leave you impressed.
Things To Do Here:
You can interact with the local guides at this museum and learn more about the Himachali culture. Do keep in mind that you’ll have to pay an entry fee of INR 10 over here. The museum allows visitors to click pictures and record videos of the many exhibits. So, you can click some snaps of the relics displayed here on your phone or DSLR. You can also make an informative video for your vlog to make people aware of the lost culture and traditions of Himachal Pradesh.
How Much Time To Spend Here: 1 hour.
5. Hadimba Devi Temple
Tucked between the beautiful dense cedar forests is another popular attraction in Manali – the Hadimba Devi Temple. You’ll find people from all around India coming to worship Goddess Hidimba Devi at this temple. Remember that scene from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, when Bunny expresses his opinions about marriage to Naina? Well, this scene was shot here!
All history buffs and architecture enthusiasts will instantly notice that the construction of Hadimba Devi Temple is unique and different from others. It has doorways made out of wood and whitewashed stone is used to make its base. The intricately carved wooden doors and architecture of this temple will leave you awestruck.
The location of this temple is right at the foot of the Himalayas. You get the most amazing view of the snow-capped mountains from here. At the entrance, you’ll get to see a 10 cm footprint of Goddess Durga. When you enter inside, you’ll see a 60 m tall idol of Goddess Hidimba Devi. It’s said that the locals come here and pay the Goddess to save them from any kind of calamities. You can spend some peaceful time inside and pay your respects to this temple.
There’s another temple nearby known as the Ghatotkach Tree Temple. Ghatotkach was the son of Goddess Hidimba Devi. You’ll find his idol placed around 70 m away from Hadimba Devi Temple. A lot of tourists come to meditate at the cave where this temple is built. You can also embrace the spiritual and quiet vibe of this temple.
The best time to visit Hadimba Devi Temple is during Dussehra and Navratri celebrations. If you come here in May, you’ll get to witness the Bahadur Singh Re Jatra. It’s said that this festival is celebrated to honor Raja Bahadur Singh, who is known to have built this temple.
Things To Do Here:
If you didn’t get a chance to shop earlier, now’s the time. That’s because Mall Road is just a distance of 2.5 km from this temple. This is the best place to end your walking tour because you can head straight to the many restaurants on Mall Road and satisfy your hunger pangs. Before you leave, don’t forget to take a minute to marvel at the gorgeous scenery that surrounds the Hadimba Devi Temple.
How Much Time To Spend Here: 1 hour.
Here Are A Few Tips For Your Manali 1-Day Walking Tour
- The ideal time to start your walking tour would be at 9 am. If you start your tour early, you’ll get enough time to check out all the places without having to hurry. Manali has a very rich history and a culture worth exploring. So, appreciate the time that you get to spend at all viewpoints, especially ones that are heritage sites.
- If you’re carrying things like a camera, you’ll need to abide by the rules of the places you visit. See to it that you don’t miss out on any of the photography rules at any of the viewpoints.
- We want you to know that the distance from the Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist temple to the museum is very far. So, depending on your stamina and priority, you can either choose to visit there or skip that tour. If you decide to skip the tour of the museum, you can go back to Mall Road and shop for some souvenirs.
- You’ll need to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the tour. Don’t forget to carry a bottle of water and some snacks with you. You’ll need to keep these things handy as the walking tour can dehydrate you and make you feel tired.
Summing Up
This Manali 1 day walking tour will take you to the top attractions of the town within a limited period. There are lots of other things you can try here like trekking, paragliding, and hiking. If the beauty of this place makes you want to stay for a longer time, feel free to do so. After all, there’s nothing quite like staying in a cool place amidst huge mountains and green forests.
FAQs
Can We Explore Manali In One Day?
It’s not possible to explore all the attractions of Manali in one day. However, you can choose to visit only the most popular viewpoints in a single day.
How Can I Go On A Low Budget To Manali?
If you’re traveling to Manali on a low budget, you can always take a bus ride to this town from Delhi. For your accommodation, you can choose to stay at a hostel or a homestay. When it comes to taking a tour of this place, you can explore the town by yourself rather than paying for guided tours.
How Much Time Is Enough For Manali?
If you want to embrace your stay in Manali and visit the entire place, a week is enough to check out all the tourist attractions of the town. For those who can’t afford a week’s stay, a 2-3 day trip can also be enough to check out the main viewpoints of the town.
Which Thing Is Famous In Manali?
Manali is famous for a lot of things like its religious temples, ancient monasteries, and great food scene. For adventure junkies visiting here, the town is famous for thrilling activities like zip lining, paragliding, river rafting, rappelling, and much more.
In Which Month Snow Falls In Manali?
If you’re lucky enough, you can witness the snow in Manali in the months of December and January.
How Far Is Solang Valley From Manali?
Solang Valley is around 13 km from Manali.
How Far Is Manali From Kasol?
Manali is around 76 km from Kasol.
