BIKERS CLUB JUNE 2019 ISSUE | Page 38

KNOW THE PLACE manali LOVER ' S PARADISE INDIA ' S HONEYMOON CAPITAL COUNTRY : INDIA STATE : HIMACHAL PRADESH WEATHER : -7° C MIN & 30° C MAX IDEAL DURATION : 2 TO 4 DAYS BEST TIME TO VISIT : OCT TO JUNE NEAREST AIRPORT : CHANDIGARH Manali is a resort town nestled on the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley in the Beas River Valley. It is located in the Kullu district, about 270 kms north of the state capital, Shimla, 309 kms north east of Chandigarh and 544 kms north east of Delhi, the national capital. The small town, with a population of 8,096, is the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and from there over the Karakoram Pass on the Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. It is a popular tourist destination and serves as the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti district as well as Leh. Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. With jaw-dropping views, lush green forests, sprawling meadows carpeted with flowers, gushing blue streams, a perpetual fairy- tale like mist lingering in the air, and a persistent fragrance of pines and freshness - Manali has been blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty. From museums to temples, Issue 27 | 234