Around Kullu Manali

Solang Nullah

Solang Nullah is in a side valley at the top of the Kullu valley. It is the site of Manali’s ski school and, once the snow has gone, all the local paragliding ‘schools’. Phatru is a steep, rocky face above Solang Nullah, facing roughly east. Take-off is about one hour’s climb above the ski school. There is no top landing, but good bottom landing near the school or in the fields above Solang village on the opposite side of the river. From 10am until 1pm or so there are many excellent thermal sources. In the afternoon the sun is often hidden by cloud forming on the higher mountains behind and it can get rough as soon as it is out of direct sun. In a picturesque setting this has good ski sloped and picnic spots. HPTDC organises ski packages during winter. Around 14 kms from Manali, is the Solang valley, that boasts of the glacier nearest to the resort. Replete with terrific picnic – spots, the amazing ski slopes here are full of hectic activity, come January – February.

Private companies offer ski and boot rental – expect to pay Rs 350 to Rs 500 per day, plus Rs 300 for use of the ski lifts. Winter clothing, and slightly tired ski gear, can be rented at dozens of wooden huts on the road between Solang Nullah and Manali. Advanced skiers can join expeditions to high-altitude slopes in Manali and Vashisht.

In summer, pony rides cost Rs 100, quad-bike rides cost Rs 300, zorbing starts at Rs 200 and paragliding flights start at Rs 1200. The slopes are also good for walking – the Shiva temple 3km above the village is a popular destination.

Rahalla Falls
Beyond which is the Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali. Located at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucial trade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts of Lahaul and Spiti.The Pass is open from June to November each year, and provides wonderful views of the entire surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is the Sonapani Glacier and the twin peak of Gaypan. The Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, a holy site for Hindus, as the sage Vyas is said to have meditated at this spot, is also accessible from the Rohtang Pass. Rani Nullah, below Rohtang Pass. Height 3700m. Rani Nullah is shortly before the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul, at about 55km from Manali. The take-off area itself is not great as there are sharp stones to snag your lines on, but even if there is no lift it offers great ‘sled-ride’ flying, especially for beginners. There is a vast landing field at the truckstop at Marhi about 400m below take-off, though be warned that at over 10,000ft a HUGE flare is needed on landing – you come in like an express train! If you have reasonable height above Marhi it is a 10km sled-ride down to other landing fields at Kothi at the foot of the pass.

Vashisht (3 kms)
Three kms from Manali is the village of Vashisht, which is renowned for its hot sulphur springs. The village is also the site of some old temples, dedicated to the great sage Vashisht, and to Lord Rama. The Himachal Tourism sulphur baths are just beyond these shrines.

Jagatsukh (6 kms)
The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The Arjun caves are just ahead.

Kothi, (15 Kms)
Bottom of Rohtang Pass Kothi (12km) is a picturesque village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through which the beas swiftly races. , an idyllic village, which boasts of a superb view of the deep gorge, and the Beas river rushing through it. Sixteen kms from Manali, at an altitude of 2500 m are the magnificent Easy to get to (except the walk!) The slopes above Kothi are a steep one-hour walk up from the road, but there are excellent thermals coming off the rocks and it is a favourite of the local eagles. Plenty of bottom landing in the fields around Kothi village.

Naggar
Nagar, a lovely village set on a hill sourrounded by forests, was the capita of kullu in the 16th century and the monuments in the region are witness to its glorious past. The Naggar Castle, a stone and wood structure built by Raja Sidh singh over 500 years ago, has been converted in to a heritage hotel. The gracefully built castle has a temple in the courtyard and also houses a small museum.

The temple of the area, such as the grey sandstone Gauri Shankar Temple of Shiva that lies close to the Castle, the chatar Bhuj Temple, Tripura Sundri Devi Temple, the Jagti Patt Temple, with its triangular slab of stone, strewn with rose petals and rupee notes and the Murlidhar Temple, are worth a visit. The paintings and Photographs of the late Nicholas Roerich are exhibited in the Nicholas Roerich Gallery. He was an artist, Writer, Photographer, Archelogist, Explorer and mystic. Inside the Museum, one can see the beds, librery, settees, writing tables, toiletries, and samovars of the Roerich family.

The Urswati Himalyan Folk Museum near by is another place to visit. while in the area, a trip to Gardhak Chuli is recommended for the spectacular view it provides of the valley on one side and the imposing, snow clad peaks on the other.This upper Beas region is surrounded by glaciers on three sides. The Chandekhani Pass at 12200 feet leads to the legendary Malana Valley and is easily accessible from here.

Manu Temple (2 kms)
This is dedicated to the sage Manu. Just near the Hadimba temple flows the Manalsu River, that culminates in the main Beas river. Across the Manalsu river is the original village of Manali, that houses the ancient temple of the sage Manu. Manali itself is named after Manu, who is said to have dwelt here.

Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali. Located at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucial trade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts of Lahaul and Spiti.The Pass is open from June to November each year, and provides wonderful views of the entire surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is the Sonapani Glacier and the twin peak of Gaypan. The Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, a holy site for Hindus, as the sage Vyas is said to have meditated at this spot, is also accessible from the Rohtang Pass.