When visiting Manali for holidays, two absolutely essential destinations in the itinerary are Rohtang and Solang Valley. At a distance of 14 kilometers northwest of the main city of Manali, Solang Valley is one of the most popular tourist places in Himachal Pradesh. Situated on the way from Manali to Rohtang, this valley welcomes a large number of tourists every year. A favorite for adventure enthusiasts, from parachuting to paragliding, horse riding to driving mini-open jeeps, especially available to tourists of all age groups, Solang Valley has it all.
During the winter, the Solang Valley remains covered with snow, making skiing a popular sport here, with training institutes and instructors located in the valley monitoring the skiers and training beginners. As the snow melts, the skiing is taken over by Zorbing. Another popular attraction of Solang Valley, taking advantage of the slopes of the valley, you will see a huge transparent ball inside which mostly two people roll down the slopes during the summer. Yes, Zorbing is as fun to watch as it is fun. One cannot miss out on this wonderful valley while staying here, one of the most vibrant and enjoyable places in Manali.
Solang Valley Snowfall Time
Crystal snow begins to appear in Solang in early October. With the onset of the main winter months, the temperature can drop to -1°C with the nights being particularly chilly, so it is advisable to carry plenty of wool clothing. December to January is the peak time for snowfall and an ideal time to enjoy adventure sports.
Paragliding and Other Activities in Solang Valley
Solang Valley is easily a paradise for every adventure lover. There are a variety of activities and adventure sports here where you can really challenge the daredevil inside you. Of these, paragliding is probably the most pursued activity here. In this game, you have to jump from a high height such that a parachute opens and allows you to cover some horizontal distance as well. Adequate arrangements have been made here in the Solang Valley so that both fresher and experienced paragliders can enjoy this activity.
The best time for paragliding varies according to the season. If you are planning to travel from January to May or October to December, then 09:00 am to 05:00 pm is the time slot for paragliding. This activity is usually stopped during the monsoon season due to unfavorable weather conditions. The cost of paragliding varies from INR 600 – 1800. It is an extremely thrilling activity that will take you to your limits.
Another activity you can try here is skiing, where you are allowed to go down a snow-covered slope with appropriate gear and supervision. If you see people in a giant transparent ball rolling down the canyon, you’ve just seen zorbing! Zorbing can be done here at a cost of Rs 500 per person and is definitely a must-try. An overhead cable car ride is also available, which offers a breathtaking view of the entire valley.
Apart from the variety of adventure sports available here, there are also swings on the valley floor for the kids. Other leisure activities like horse riding and fancy photography are other attractions that keep the tourists hooked and maintain a fair-like atmosphere in the valley throughout the day.
Solang Valley Weather and Best Time to Visit
The best thing about Solang Valley is that it is an all-weather place. So visiting Solang depends on your purpose. If you want to enjoy winter sports, it is advisable to visit Solang from November to February as the valley is covered with snow at that time of the year. Winters are also preferred for pleasant weather. When this valley is covered with snow it looks very spectacular. During summer, the valley experiences mild warmth in the afternoon, while it remains cold in the morning and evening. Adventure sports vary according to the season.
Tips
The locals here are convincing and soft-spoken, while you will be sitting in your quiet corner, some local vendors are bound to approach you with a smiling face and a humble request to try the local traditional attires and pose for a picture (for which you will be charged), you may also come across cute rabbits and yaks and cobras which a tourist can pose and click. Do not accept deals, photography, or adventure sports deals as offers.
How to reach Solang Valley
HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) runs regular buses from the neighboring states of Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. NH21 connects the city of Kullu-Manali to the rest of North India via Chandigarh. It is a beautiful highway with the river Beas flowing on one side and several riverside cafes and restaurants, where tables are laid on the banks and guests can really dip their feet in the cool waters of the Beas and enjoy their food.
Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar, which is 10 meters from Kullu and 50 km from Manali, light vehicles and buses are available to travel Kullu-Manali. Also, most of the tourists prefer to stay overnight in Bhuntar and go sightseeing nearby.
Road: HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) runs regular buses from the neighboring states of Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. NH21 connects the city of Kullu-Manali to the rest of North India via Chandigarh. It is a beautiful highway with river Beas flowing on one side and there are many riverside cafes and restaurants, where tables are laid on the banks and guests, can really dip their feet in the cool waters of Beas and enjoy their food.
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Important Links
- Solang valley temperature (Link)
- Solang valley weather (Link)
- Solang valley resort (Link)
- Manali to solang valley (Link)
Frequently Asked Questions About Solang Valley
Q. What is Solang Valley famous for?
A – Solang Valley also known as ‘Snow Valley’ is famous among tourists for its adventure activities organized there. Some adventure sports like skiing, trekking, mountaineering, and paragliding also.
Q. Which is the best time to visit Solang Valley?
A – Beautiful as a picture that the valley is year-round, and there are many places to visit. However, the best time to visit here is from April to December. The temperature of Valley is ideal in the summer months and you will enjoy many adventure activities.
Q. Is it snowing in Solang Valley?
A – The best time to visit Solang Valley to see snow is during the winter months from October to March. During this, the temperature remains extremely low and the entire valley is covered with a beautiful sheet of snow.
Q. Is Solang Valley open?
A – Yes, Solang Valley is open now but Rohtang Pass is closed you can only go till Marhi or Kothi. Plan your trip at the right time to enjoy the beauty of Himachal Pradesh.
Q. Is Atal Tunnel open today?
A – If there is snow on the road and the road is slippery then sometimes you will not be allowed to reach the Atal Tunnel. Opening Hours: 24×7. and from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Q. How far is Solang Valley from Manali?
A – The distance between Manali to Solang Ghati is 13 km, with duration, driving directions, and route map.
Q. How much does paragliding in Solang Valley cost?
A – As for the pricing, there are 2 levels of paragliding. 1 from the middle and 1 from the top. The cost of the package for the top is around INR 3000 per person, and the middle one is INR 1000 per person.