Himachal Pradesh
Sulphur-laden hot springs are channelled into small public baths inside the compound of Vashisht Mandir. The three-level wood-and-stone temple within appears to be new but encases a far older carved stone shrine: peer in to catch the silver eye of the time-blackened idol – a statue of the sage Vashisht.
There's another open-air bathing pool (men only) just uphill, past a set of hot-water spouts where locals wash clothes and dishes. Across the footpath is a sikhara-type Rama temple.
28.94 MILES
This gloriously calm glacial lake presents mirror-perfect reflections of the surrounding white-top peaks and geological colour-swirls. At 4270m, the 20…
27.5 MILES
Forming the watershed between Lahaul and Spiti, this 4551m pass, accessed by multiple switchbacks, is topped by a grassy area where stupas are strewn with…
International Roerich Memorial Trust
10.33 MILES
This fascinating complex, set in lovely hillside gardens 1km above the castle, is centred on the former home of Russian painter, writer and Inner Asian…
23.68 MILES
A popular day trip from Kullu starts with a 20km uphill drive southeast to Chansari followed by a 2.5km uphill hike to the Bijli Mahadev. The temple…
1.25 MILES
This much-revered wood-and-stone temple, constructed in 1553, has a three-tier pagoda-style roof plus conical top. The wooden doorway is richly carved…
10.67 MILES
Built by the rajas of Kullu around 1500, this fort-cum-mansion is a splendid example of the earthquake-resistant, Kathkuni (alternating stone-and-timber)…
23.65 MILES
High above Gemur but accessed on the side lane that winds up via Kolong, Khamsar Khar is an intriguing, unrestored Lahauli palace: 104 dusty, barely lit…
28.84 MILES
Sitting amid young orchards beside a holy peepul tree, this 9th-century stone sikhara is a small but ornately carved national monument. Niches on the…
0.02 MILES
The sikhara-style Rama temple, up a few steps from the Vashisht Mandir, has old stone carvings on its exterior and a wooden canopy above.
0.14 MILES
This school, built over a stream, is a key landmark on the walk from Vashisht to Jogini waterfalls.
0.85 MILES
Himachal Tourism's amusingly low-tech leisure and games centre beside the Manalsu Nala stream includes swan-shaped pedal-boats, a little haunted house and…
0.89 MILES
Rebuilt in 1991, this towered temple sits near the top of Old Manali on a site where, legend says, the Noah-like figure of Manu landed his ark after the…
0.91 MILES
This squat, striped tower house with wraparound carved balcony is one of the most appealingly antiquated buildings in Old Manali, but hurry to see it as…
0.99 MILES
This woodland of magnificent towering deodars (cedars) offers the nicest walking route between the centre and Old Manali, though is not recommended for a…
1.25 MILES
This much-revered wood-and-stone temple, constructed in 1553, has a three-tier pagoda-style roof plus conical top. The wooden doorway is richly carved…
8. Wildlife Information Centre
1.28 MILES
Though there's relatively minimal information here beyond a few photos of local wildlife species, the place is handy for a free toilet. More importantly,…