Manali is located at the northen end of the Kullu Valley; Manali has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes. The Beas rushes beside its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop beside while stone to stone along the stream's edge.

Present are marvellous walks too, throughout dappled orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar.

The Manali market is crowded with myriads of attractive shops selling Tibetan carpets and crafts and the appetizing aroma of steaming noodles hangs about the little restaurants.

Manali, with its Mountaineering Institute, is a well-liked base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter. Interesting routes into the surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are offer with tourist huts and rest houses for trekking enthusiasts.