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Written by Rajoo on July 28, 2023 Share on

Get A Feel Like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani At Gulaba Manali!

Gulaba Manali is a small village that’s located a few kilometres from Manali and places itself on the way to Rohtang Pass. This place is nestled amidst picturesque snow-capped mountains, lush greeneries and everything that would soothe your soul. Gulaba is a great snowy region that makes your trip not only relaxing but adventurous too. Some of the major activities that you can enjoy here include skiing, hiking, paragliding and snow scooter riding.

Gulaba - Leh-Manali Highway
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

The natural landscape of the village of Gulaba attracts a large number of tourists every year, making you feel peaceful and you can even set up camps in the meadows of Gulaba, enjoying the stunning sunset while staring at the glittery night sky. Additionally, it is here at Gulaba where some scenes of the famous Bollywood movie, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, were shot and is a top spot for all types of travellers. Also, Gulaba is one such place that simply escapes from your busy and hectic lifestyle and experiences serenity and tranquillity. It is one of the few places in Himachal Pradesh where you can expect such escape from the hustle and bustle.

History of Gulaba Manali

The village is named after Raja Gulab Singh of Kashmir as this was the place that he stayed during his invasion of China in the early 1800s. He was the founder of the Dogra Dynasty. It is located 4000 m above sea level and stays as a haven for skiing and adventure sports for all the adrenaline junkies as well as nature lovers out there. Situated in the Pir Panjal ranges of the mighty Himalayas, the village is managed and designed according to the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal Act. We Indians are already in love with the place when we saw Ranbir Kapoor’s movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, right?

Leh–Manali Highway - Gulaba - Kullu
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

How to reach Gulaba Manali

The best way to reach Gulaba Manali from Manali City Centre is by taking a car, or by hiring a private car or taxi as the distance between Gulaba Manali and Manali city centre is around 12.5 kilometres which would take 30 minutes at least. If not taxi, you can even take jeeps to Gulaba. Alternatively, the cheapest way to reach Gulaba from the Manali city centre is by the state bus services. There will be HPTDC buses from Manali city centre to Gulaba on the way to Rohtang Pass.

Best time to visit Gulaba Manali

Summer, as well as winter months, are the best times to visit Gulaba Manali. The winter months, between the months of November and February, are amongst the best times to visit the village. This is when the entire region is covered with a thick layer of snow, making it perfect for enjoying a wide range of exciting adventurous activities, such as ice skating, skiing, paragliding, trekking and much more.

Gulaba experiences summer from March to the month of June. This season is known for lush greenery, verdant trees and pleasant weather. This is also the best time if you wish to enjoy zorbing, river rafting or other mountain sports. However, the one season that’s not much recommended to visit Gulaba is the monsoon season which is from July to September. During this time, you can expect heavy downpours, which may lead to landslides too.

Rohtang Pass Kullu Manali
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Things to do in Gulaba Manali 

1. Stargazing from a camp: One can enjoy camping here as there are many areas in the village of Gulaba. The best part about this camping experience is the fact it becomes an eye-treat for every stargazing lover. See, who wouldn’t love looking at the stars?

2. Adventure activities: Gulaba is a great place for adventure activities. It offers a wide array of activities such as trekking, hiking, camping, paragliding and even skiing and zorbing. 

3. Riding a yak and a horse: Gulaba is a great place for going for a yak or a horse ride. It is hyped so much as you ride on this animal while they walk on ice. Amazing, isn’t it?

Attractions in Gulaba Manali

1. Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass, Located close to Gulaba, is amongst the most famous tourist attractions in Manali, offering tourists views of snow all year round. You can also see many beautiful glaciers, mountain peaks as well as streams and rivers from Rohtang Pass. These include the Sonapani Glacier and Dashahr Lake. It is also a great place for adventure sports like skiing and snow scooter riding.

Rohtang pass snowy valley
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

2. Solang Valley

Again, offering stunning views of the snow-capped mountain ranges and picturesque glaciers, is the Solang Valley, a well-known tourist spot. Known as the skiing destination of Himachal, you can also enjoy zorbing, paragliding as well as horse-riding in the scenic Solang Valley. You can also visit an ancient temple at the top of the valley, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In addition to that, you can also get professional skiing training here, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. 

3. Kothi

Yet another picturesque village-like Gulaba is the village of Kothi, known for its amazing gorges. In addition to that, you can also find numerous natural geothermal springs emerging from the rocks here. Kothi boasts many scintillating sights, along with those of the Kothi Gorge which is perfect for shutterbugs. One of the best things about this village is that it is still quite idyllic and tranquil, along with nature being unspoilt. It is also a great destination for paragliding enthusiasts.

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