Camping in Manali, which is a backpacker’s paradise tucked within the foothills of the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, is an exciting adventure. Manali is flanked by the mighty ranges of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar, with the River Beas running through. It is the gateway into Ladakh and Spiti via the Rohtang Pass, and home to many adventure sports, which make it a perfect getaway for thrill-seekers.
Manali is surrounded by lush forests of oak and pine that double up as serene campsites where you can spend some days amidst the scented nature. There are also many campsites along the banks of the Baes River where you can go for fun riverside camping in Manali.
While camping in Manali, you can either head out on the many treks that take you deeper into the Himalayas, or you can go rafting on the white waters of the Beas River. If you want, you may even head to Bir Billing for a thrilling session of paragliding, or to Solang for some skiing fun.
And if you are not into high-level adventures like those, then you can just go camping in Manali and engage in some on-site adventures like rappelling, ziplining, etc. And in the evening, you can head to the quaint villages around Manali or you can indulge in some delicious food at the many Isreali cafes and bakeries in the town.
All of this, along with the easy accessibility to the remote Himalayas, exciting adventures like trekking or rafting, the quaint villages and alleys lined with cafes, make this little town the perfect adventure destination in India where you can escape to get away from the noise of the city.
Here are some of the best adventure activities in Manali that you can do with camping:
Rafting is one of the best one-day activities that you can do with your camping trip in Manali. Here, you get to go rafting on the Beas River on a 14 km stretch, battling rapids of Grade II and Grade III - all under the watchful eyes of an experienced rafting instructor. While rafting, you get to explore the lush landscape of the Kullu Valley from a unique perspective
There are many rafting plus camping packages in Manali that you can book. These packages include accommodation in tents or cottages along with one rafting session on the Beas River under the supervision of an experienced rafting instructor.
Manali is also the starting point of some of the top treks in India. These treks immerse you into the verdant landscape of the Kullu Valley and take you into the upper reaches of the Himalayas. On these treks, you get to cover forested trails and sprawling meadows, cross high altitude passes and visit alpine lakes. And all of this with the constant backdrop of the Himalayan peaks!
Here are some of the top treks in Manali:
This is one of the most scenic treks in Himachal Pradesh that begins in the lush valleys of Kullu and takes you across the Hampta Pass into the arid landscape of Spiti. The trek ends at the enchanting Chandratal Lake in Spiti.
This splendid trek takes you Bhrigu Lake, a high-altitude glacial lake located in the Upper Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh. This is an easy trek where you ascend to 14,000 feet while treating you to the magnificent views of the Pir Panjal Range and the peaks of Seven Sisters, Deo Tibba and Hanuman Tibba.
One of the most challenging treks in India, this trek leads you to the high altitude Pin Parvati Pass that connects the lush Parvati Valley in Kullu to the Pin Valley in Spiti. Giving you a complete change in the landscape, this trail is ravishing, taking you to an altitude of 17,000 feet.
Paragliding is one of the most thrilling single-day activities you can do in Manali. These paragliding flights happen at Bir Billing, near Manali where you get to soar through the blue skies while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges. You see the towering peaks all around you along with the lush landscape dotted by quaint villages, lakes and serene rivers.
Camping in Manali Summary
- State: Himachal Pradesh
- Total days: 2 days
- Grade: Easy
- Accommodation options: Alpine tents, swiss tents, cottages, etc.
- Season: Throughout the year
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