Mandi attractions

You will begin with a comfortable hotel pickup in Rishikesh and drive through scenic Himalayan roads to Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi River and Alaknanda River merge to form the sacred Ganges River. Along the way you will visit Vashishta Gufa, an ancient meditation cave on the Ganges that is ideal for quiet reflection (closed 12 PM–3 PM). At Devprayag you will walk from the roadside about 20 minutes downhill, cross a suspension bridge over the Bhagirathi, stroll through the local market and then climb roughly 10 minutes to reach Raghunath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Rama (also closed 12 PM–3 PM). You will see the sacred Sangam where the two rivers meet and form the Ganges, and take in the riverside atmosphere before returning to Rishikesh. On the drive back there will be a scenic stop at Teen Dhara View Point to enjoy the views.

This offbeat, very little-explored trek begins and ends in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. You will follow quiet trails in the lower Himalaya and spend time away from well-trodden routes. Along the way you will move through a virgin forest and experience the remoteness of the area. The tour will involve walking approximately 35 kilometres and includes three nights of camping in dome tents. As you travel, you will explore unfrequented sections of the landscape and spend nights under a simple camp setup in the forest. The description focuses on the walking and camping elements you will experience, all arranged from Mandi to Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.

The Great Himalayas Motorbike Tour from Manali to Leh Ladakh is an extended motorbike journey across some of the highest roads in the world. You will ride through famous high passes, including Bara Lacha La, Khardung La, Tang Lang La and Rohtang La. Along the way you will face challenging mountain roads and high‑altitude terrain that will test your riding skills and endurance. The ride is exhilarating and keeps you on varied surfaces, steep ascents and winding descents. As you move through the region, the landscape will change from green valleys into the high, cold desert of Ladakh — the highest cold desert on earth. You will see snow‑capped peaks, wide barren plateaus and serene, picture‑postcard valleys. The route blends demanding riding with dramatic mountain vistas, giving you extended views of Himalayan scenery and the stark beauty of Ladakh’s deserts and passes.

At Prashar Lake in Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh, you’ll find a holy mountain lake set at about 2,730 metres (9,000 feet). The site is known for the three‑storey, pagoda‑style temple of Prashar Rishi and a curious floating island on the water. Around the lake you’ll see green meadows, and beyond them dense alpine forest that frames the shoreline. As you move around the roughly 300‑metre perimeter, the water’s clarity will let you spot fish beneath the surface. On a clear day the lake will appear a deep blue when viewed from the surrounding hillocks. Along the way you’ll also take in panoramic views of the snow‑clad Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges and the Great Himalayas. A walk around the lake offers a quiet, almost mystical sense of calm amid the meadows and woods.

You will begin in Sarchi, a small village where traditional Himachali culture and peaceful mountain views come together. Stroll through its rustic lanes, see handcrafted wooden art and soak up the village’s calm atmosphere before heading higher into the mountains. At Jalori Pass, sitting at about 3,140 metres, you will take in wide panoramas of snow‑capped peaks, alpine meadows and deep valleys. From the pass, a trek leads into dense forest to the hidden Choie Waterfall, where the sound of cascading water and green surroundings provide a refreshing stop. The route continues into the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you will hike through lush forests and experience the park’s rich natural beauty; along the way you may spot rare wildlife and diverse plant life. This weekend trek blends local culture, dramatic mountain scenery and quiet forested retreats into one compact experience.

Prashar Lake sits at 2,730 metres above sea level, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. You will arrive at a high-altitude mountain lake whose deep waters are held sacred to the sage Prashar, who is said to have meditated here. Close to the shore stands a temple dating from the thirteenth century; local legend says it was built from a single tree. As you take in the scenery, you will notice a small floating island drifting on the lake. This patch of floating land moves in various directions and occupies about 7% of the lake’s surface, while water covers the remaining 93%. The lake’s depth is not clearly known — a diver was unable to determine how deep it is — which adds to the sense of mystery as you explore the surroundings and learn about the site's cultural and natural features.

Rajaji National Park is known for its thriving elephant population and has become a paradise for birdwatchers. Every winter, more than 800 species of Himalayan and migratory birds flock to the park, so you may see everything from vibrant kingfishers to majestic eagles and rare migratory visitors. The park is also regarded as one of India’s top destinations for birdwatching and wildlife photography, offering many chances to observe and photograph birds in varied settings. You will feel the raw energy of the wild as you move through landscapes tied to the formation of the Himalayas, with the sacred Ganges River running along the park’s boundary. Dense forests, riverbeds and open grasslands form an unforgettable backdrop. Along the way, keep your eyes open for a diverse mix of mammals: Asian elephants are a highlight, and you may also spot leopards, Royal Bengal tigers, Nilgai and spotted deer. Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities vary with the season, but the park’s rich habitats mean there is always something new to observe.

Tirath sits high in the mighty Himalayas, still largely in its natural state. This 75 km round‑trip trek follows the Tirthan river to its origin at Tirath Hans Kund. You will move through pristine mountain scenery that appeals to nature lovers, photographers, bird watchers and adventure seekers, with surprises along almost every step. Your route takes you from Tinder Village (1,700 m) up through Rolla (2,100 m), Chalocha (2,400 m) and Balu (2,800 m) to Majhoni (3,300 m) and on to Tirath (4,000 m). There is also a day walk to Saketi Top (4,280 m) before you return along the same path. Along the way you may spot wildlife such as snow leopard, serow, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, ghoral, common leopard, black bear and several pheasants including western tragopan, koklas and monal. The trek is supported with world‑class equipment to help keep the journey comfortable. You will travel like a local and experience warm hospitality and delicious food when you ‘Trek with Tek’.

This experience introduces you to Neem Karoli Baba, affectionately known as Maharaj-ji by his followers. You will explore his life and spiritual teachings, and learn about his deep devotion to the Hindu deity Hanuman. The description will give you a clear sense of who he was and why his message continues to resonate. Along the way you will find out that Maharaj-ji left his body in 1973 and that his teachings and influence have spread globally since then. You will learn how his ideas have affected many people around the world, including well-known figures such as Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Julia Roberts. The focus will be on understanding his beliefs, his role as a guru, and the lasting impact of his message rather than on specific rites or events.

This motorbike tour takes you on a high‑altitude journey from Manali into Kinnaur valley, through Spiti and onward into Ladakh, crossing several high mountain passes, including two of the world’s highest. Along the way you will travel through dramatic, snow‑capped landscapes and rugged terrain, with wide vistas that are often described as some of the most picturesque in the world. You’ll begin amid Manali’s alpine atmosphere, pass into Kinnaur where Hindu and Buddhist traditions meet, and ride into Spiti — a Buddhist‑dominant region that resembles rural Tibet — before climbing into Ladakh and finally crossing Khardung La. The route is both challenging and rewarding and will test your physical and mental endurance. Expect highly variable weather: conditions may range from strong sun to freezing blizzards, even in mid‑summer. The safari focuses on the riding experience and the changing cultures and scenery you’ll encounter rather than a fixed itinerary, so come ready for varied conditions and an adventurous, demanding ride.

On this day hike to Kunjapuri from Rishikesh, you will visit the hilltop Kunjapuri temple, dedicated to the local goddess Kunjadevi, who commands high respect among the local people. The temple sits about 25 km from Rishikesh city and is easily reached by road. From the hilltop you will get a wide, panoramic view of the river Ganges, Rishikesh and the Indian Himalayan range, where peaks such as Bandarpunch, Swarga Rohini, Gangotri Peak and Chaukhamba are visible. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to take in these views. From the temple you will set off on a roughly 9 km downhill trek to Rishikesh. Along the way you will pass through local villages and meet residents, experiencing everyday life in the foothills. The walk finishes at a pleasant waterfall, which marks the end of the route. The experience combines spiritual and natural sights with local culture, offering varied scenery as you move from the hilltop down to Rishikesh.

From Rishikesh, you will take a private drive to the trek starting point near Kaudiyala village and walk with a guide along an ancient trail once used by pilgrims and sadhus travelling to Badrinath and Kedarnath. The Kotli Bhel Trek follows historic forest paths beside the Ganges, where you will walk through lush woodland, peer into deep valleys and take in traditional Himalayan landscapes. You will hike around 7 km downhill, passing a scenic waterfall and crossing a hanging suspension bridge. A narrow trail runs beside the river, so much of the route is along a quiet riverbank with the sound of flowing water. Along the way you will visit a Shiva Temple near Mohan Chatti and meet the resident sadhu, which adds a spiritual element to the walk. The route includes crossing the suspension bridge again before returning along the trail. On the return journey to Rishikesh there will be a stop at Vashishta Gufa, an ancient meditation cave where Sage Vashishta is believed to have meditated. You will have time to sit in silence by the Ganga before heading back.

The Kuari Pass trek in the Chamoli District of Uttaranchal follows the outer wall of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary in the Garhwal trekking Himalaya. At around 4,265 m, the pass sits high in the mountains and is popular with avid travellers seeking a more adventurous mountain experience. From the pass you will see high‑altitude Gorson meadows and wide views of major Himalayan summits such as Nanda Devi, Hathi Ghodi and Dronagiri. As you move along the route, the trek will take you through blossoming green fields, remote villages and largely untouched forest. You will cross overpasses and encounter the region’s dramatic river systems. Along the way you may spot some of India’s mightiest rivers, including the Ganges, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and Mandakini, as the landscape changes from meadow to alpine terrain. The overall experience combines mountain panoramas and varied natural scenery. You will explore high meadows and sanctuary ridgelines while taking in views of prominent peaks and the river valleys below.

This tour is managed by a professional tour guide and planner, and it will give you a well organised travel experience. You will have a choice of good hotels selected for comfort and convenience, and local tour guides are also available to add regional knowledge and context as you travel. The arrangement aims to combine expert planning with options that suit your needs. Along the way, the team will handle the practical details so you can focus on enjoying the trip. You will benefit from the planner’s experience in putting the programme together, and from local guides who can offer insights into culture, history and everyday life where relevant. The support team will coordinate the elements of the tour for you, helping ensure that the visit runs smoothly and that you have assistance if you need it.

You will raft on white waters, enjoying an adventure-filled outing on the river. As you move through the rapids, the boat will surge and dip so you will feel the river’s spray and the force of the waves. The experience will put you close to the water and offer repeated bursts of energy as adrenaline courses through you. Along the way you will take in the beautiful scenic environment that frames the river. Expect close-up views of the rushing water and the changing textures of the banks and surrounding landscape as you pass through each rapid. The combination of splashes, noise and movement will create a sensory, hands-on experience that focuses on the river itself and the immediate sights and sounds around you.