Places to visit in

Himachal

Manali is a Himalayan resort town in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, historically an important stop on ancient trade routes between India and Tibet. It's known for its rich Kullu and Tibetan cultural influences, traditional temples, apple orchards and as a gateway to high mountain passes (notably Rohtang Pass) and alpine landscapes. The area is ecologically significant for its diverse Himalayan flora and fauna and for being a base for treks into the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges.

Hadimba Devi Temple (Manali, Himachal Pradesh) is an ancient shrine dedicated to Hidimbi (Hadimba), a figure from the Mahabharata and the mother of Ghatotkacha. Built in the 16th century by Maharaja Bahadur Singh, the temple is notable for its unique pagoda-style wooden architecture and its location within a tranquil cedar (deodar) forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar. The site blends religious, cultural and natural significance—serving as both an active place of worship and a heritage landmark that reflects Himalayan woodcraft traditions.

Vashisht Hot Springs are a group of naturally occurring thermal springs located in the village of Vashisht, just above Old Manali in Himachal Pradesh. They are important both as a natural geothermal feature and a cultural/religious site — the springs are adjacent to the ancient Vashisht Temple dedicated to the sage Vashishta, making the location a pilgrimage spot for locals and visitors. The springs are valued for their sulphur-rich waters, traditionally believed to have therapeutic properties for skin and joint ailments.

Old Manali is the original settlement of Manali, retaining a traditional Himalayan village feel alongside a long-standing backpacker and hippie culture. It sits on the banks of the Beas River and is framed by apple orchards, cedar and pine forests—making it important for both cultural continuity (local Himachali life, temples and markets) and natural scenery.

Natural alpine valley near Manali (Himachal Pradesh) famed for its dramatic snow-clad peaks, glacial meadows and as a major hub for adventure sports (paragliding, skiing, zorbing). Solang Valley supports the local tourism economy and provides easy access to nearby attractions such as Rohtang Pass and the Beas river basin.

Rohtang Pass (approx. 3,978–3,980 m / ~13,050 ft) is a high-mountain pass on the eastern end of the Pir Panjal Range that historically connected the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys. It is important as a traditional trade and travel route and today is a major scenic gateway for tourism, offering dramatic Himalayan landscapes, snowfields, glaciers and alpine meadows. The pass is also ecologically significant as a fragile high‑altitude environment sensitive to traffic and climate change.

Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel) is strategically and socio-economically significant: it provides year-round road connectivity between Manali (Kullu Valley) and Lahaul-Spiti, reducing travel distance and time by bypassing the high-altitude Rohtang Pass. Opened in October 2020 and named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the 9.02 km tunnel is a major engineering achievement in the Himalaya and is one of the longest high-altitude highway tunnels in the world. It has transformed access for local communities, improved disaster and medical evacuation routes, and boosted tourism and commerce in the otherwise remote Lahaul-Spiti region.

Hampta Pass (approx. 4,270 m / 14,000 ft) is a high-altitude mountain pass in Himachal Pradesh that links the lush Kullu Valley with the barren Lahaul and Spiti regions. It is valued for its dramatic natural contrasts, alpine meadows, glaciers and panoramic Himalayan views. Historically the pass was used by local shepherds (Gaddi community) and seasonal travelers; today it is a popular trek that showcases shifting ecosystems over a short distance.

Beas Kund is the high-altitude glacial lake regarded as the primary source of the Beas River. It is important both naturally — as a glacier-fed alpine catchment surrounded by high Himalayan peaks and fragile ecosystems — and culturally: local lore links the site with the sage Ved Vyasa, for whom the river is named. The area is also part of the larger Kullu-Manali landscape, which has long-standing traditions of hill pastoralism and mountain pilgrimage.

Bhrigu Lake is a high‑altitude alpine lake in the Kullu district near Manali, Himachal Pradesh. It is both a natural landmark (known for clear blue water, surrounding meadows and panoramic Himalayan views) and a culturally sacred site—named after the sage Bhrigu, who is believed to have meditated here. The lake and its fragile alpine surroundings are important for local biodiversity and seasonal grazing.

Jogini Waterfall (near Vashisht, Manali) is a picturesque natural cascade valued for its scenic beauty and proximity to the sacred Vashisht temples. The site blends natural importance — a mountain stream descending into a shallow pool surrounded by pine and deodar forests — with cultural significance because the nearby Vashisht village is an old pilgrimage site known for its hot springs and temples. The waterfall adds to the spiritual landscape and is a popular spot for local picnics and nature appreciation.

Jana Waterfall is a scenic Himalayan cascade located in Himachal Pradesh, valued primarily for its natural beauty and contribution to the local mountain ecosystem. The falls are an attractive example of mid-altitude Himalayan streams that create clear plunge pools and support riparian vegetation, birdlife and seasonal wildflowers. The waterfall is a local landmark and a popular spot for nature lovers, photographers and trekkers exploring the surrounding hills.

Natural importance: Rahala Waterfalls is a scenic Himalayan cascade in Himachal Pradesh known for its clear mountain water, pine and deodar surroundings, and as a seasonal feeding point for local flora and fauna. It is valued as a local picnic and photo spot and contributes to nearby river systems that support agriculture and biodiversity in the valley.

Kothi is a small village in the Sangla/Baspa Valley of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh. It is valued for its traditional Kinnauri culture, vernacular wooden architecture and terraced apple orchards. The village and surrounding valley are part of the trans-Himalayan cultural landscape where Hindu and Buddhist influences blend, and the area serves as a living example of mountain agriculture and high-altitude village life.

Sethan is a small Himalayan village in Himachal Pradesh (exact district depends on the local administrative listing). It represents the typical rural Himachali way of life — terraced fields, apple orchards, small local temples and traditional houses — and offers a quiet experience of mountain culture and scenery. The village's importance is primarily cultural and natural, as a living example of Himalayan agro‑pastoral settlements and local traditions.

Kullu (Kullu Valley) is a historically rich and naturally spectacular valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Formed by the Beas River, Kullu has been an important Himalayan transit and trade route linking the Indian plains with the higher Himalayan reaches. Culturally, it is known for its distinctive valley traditions, temples, folk music and dance, and handicrafts (especially shawls and caps). Natural importance stems from its dramatic pine and deodar forests, apple orchards, riverine landscapes and proximity to protected areas such as the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, is a globally important protected area in the Western Himalaya known for its exceptional biodiversity, intact mountain ecosystems and role in watershed protection. It conserves a wide altitudinal gradient of habitats (temperate forests to alpine meadows and glaciers), supports many endemic and threatened species, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. The park also sustains traditional livelihoods of local mountain communities and is a model for community-based conservation and sustainable ecotourism.

Tirthan Valley is an ecologically rich mountain valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh that serves as a gateway to the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). It is important for biodiversity conservation (alpine meadows, deodar and pine forests, endemic flora and fauna) and for sustaining traditional Himachali/Gaddi village life. The river Tirthan and surrounding villages are known for low-impact tourism—homestays, nature-based activities and trout farming—helping preserve local culture and livelihoods.

Jibhi is a tranquil hamlet in the Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh, valued for its unspoilt natural beauty, traditional Himachali village life, and proximity to protected areas (including approaches to the Great Himalayan National Park). It serves as a quieter alternative to more commercial hill stations and is important for eco-tourism, river-based recreation, and as a base for local treks.

Jalori Pass (approx. 3,120 m) is a high mountain pass in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is significant for its natural beauty — alpine meadows, dense forests of deodar and rhododendron, and proximity to the sacred Serolsar Lake. The pass serves as an important local link between the Kullu valley and the Seraj valley and is valued by trekkers, nature lovers and those seeking a quieter Himalayan experience.