Manali, at 1,926 metres on the northern edge of the Kullu valley, is the most popular tourist resort in this area. Though it does not have the colonial characteristics of Shimla, over the last few years Manali has developed into a major hill resort, chock-a-block with modern hotels and tourist lodges. Situated along the Beas River with a superb view of the perennial snow cover of the Solang Nala, Manali transports travel-weary tourists into the exalted heights of the Himalayas. Originally known as Manu-alaya or abode of Manu, the name was later simplified to Manali. The ancient village is said to be the original home of Manu, the 2nd century BC lawmaker of the Hindus.

Manali is the focal point for treks and mountaineering expeditions into the Solang Valley and over the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul-Spiti. It is also the beginning of the epic two-day trans-Himalayan journey up to the cold desert town of Leh in Ladakh, connected by the Leh-Manali highway. Manali’s rapid ascent as a major tourist destination has been further accelerated by the rise of terrorism in the Kashmir valley. Besides the local Kullu people, Manali is full of migrants including Lahaulis, Nepali labourers and Tibetan refugees. Manali is also one of the favourite joints of marijuana-hunters, ever since the hippie cult of the 60s.