Ladakh or Manali Which is Better: Best Time & Places

Ladakh or Manali Which is Better: Best Time & Places

The peak of the heart calls for a fun trip to the adventurous cities of the mountains. When we think of fun with friends in this season, usually these 2 places come to mind- Ladakh and Manali. These are some of the best tourist spots in the country and provide an overall joyous experience to visitors.

Touring is a choice and you have to choose your destination before you depart right? So let’s take a look at the choices of today’s article- Manali and Ladakh and compare which one is better for you and your group to take a spin at. We’ll look at the best seasons to make the most out of your trips and the best places to sightsee along the way!

LADAKH

Home to high motor passes and beautiful landscapes, Ladakh is a newly created Union Territory. The snow, the cold and the meadows reign over its beauty and it is a delight for nature seekers. The destination offers tons of activities that are bound to give an adrenaline rush to adventure seekers; but if you plan to make your trip a peaceful one, you have beautiful landscapes and monasteries to check out as well.
 

Best time to visit Ladakh- 

Ladakh is a high-altitude town, and the best seasons to visit range from May –September. The cool breeze of 5-25 degrees marks the start of the tourist season. Since the destination is a high altitude one, it does not have much rainfall and can offer breathtaking views of the valleys and the passes you’ll go through.
 

Activities to enjoy- 

Since it is a high-altitude tourist attraction, you will get to try things like mountain climbing, biking, river rafting, and the infamous trekking experience to make a fantastic memorable experience.

Places to visit & Tourist Attractions of Ladakh- 

The popular locations within Ladakh are-

• Leh- The capital city with beautiful markets and stupas surrounding the vicinity
• Nubra Valley- A must-visit; it houses an alpine desert, a very tall 33-meter statue of Jampa, and camels of Bactrian descent.
• Zanskar- The frozen river trek here is the primal activity and scenic valley and river views will take your breath away!
• Drass- Popularly known as the Gateway to Ladakh, it is infamously the second coldest habitable place in the world.

# Some common tourist spots to explore in Ladakh are listed below-

• Hermis Monastery- Known for its 2-day Hermis festival, the best time to visit here is in June-July when the festival unfurls. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, dating back to the 11th century.
• Shanti Stupa- A commemorative destination, the stupa marks 2500 years of Buddhism.
• Khardung-la pass- If you are an extreme adventurer, this pass is for you. The highest mountain pass in the world awaits your arrival!
• Pangong Tso Lake- A popular attraction for movie shoots and the infamous 3 Idiots scene, you can enjoy photography and scenic beauty at this lake situated 4350 meters above sea level.
• Hermis National Park- Housing rich flora and fauna of the Leh-Ladakh region, this place is a gem in your list.

 MANALI

The home to precious fur, deodar, and pine trees, Manali is nestled in the Himalayan region within the state of Himachal Pradesh. Catch a glimpse of freshly sprawling meadows, a dash of Himachali culture, and religious attraction in one place. 

This place is a full package of wonderful experiences. With the breathtaking views of the Himalayan range with amazing cafes and activities, you are sure to enjoy your time in Manali.
 

Best time to visit Manali- 

The temperature in the region ranges from 10-25 degrees, bringing warmth at daytime with a dash of chill winds, and perfect weather to enjoy at night-time with beautiful rivers and bonfires with cold winds. The months of March to June give the best visitor experience. The season also offers many festivals and touristy rituals which you can only enjoy with a good crowd around you.
 

Activities to enjoy in Manali- 

With extreme mountain ranges and valleys in its range, you can get a taste of trekking on small trails, paragliding, mountain climbing as well as river rafting in all parts of Manali at a reasonable cost too.
 

Places to visit and Tourist Attractions of Manali- 

Popular locations to explore in Manali are listed here-

• Solang Valley- Catch a cable car and enjoy mesmerizing views of the snow clas and luscious green valley. Catch sports and adventure rides here.
• Jogni Waterfall- A beautiful trekking experience, the views are clad with the beauty of Beas River and Rohtang Pass.
• Hampta pass- Trek along the pass and visit the Chandratal Lake located en route. You can enjoy views of Hampta & Kullu Valley along the way.

# The tourist spots offer great cultural exposure to visitors. Some of these are-

• Hidimba Devi temple- Also called Dhungari temple, it is located in the center of the city. This temple is the pinnacle of wooden architecture and one of the most important attractions of Manali.
• Van Vihar- Housing lush deodar trees, this park in the city is all you’re looking for to have a tranquil experience. You can find exclusive species of birds nestled in the trees.
• Vashisht Hot water springs and temple- A 4000-year-old piece of culture, the hot springs hold healing properties and culture of the Himachal region. Enjoy the surrounding area and shop for the famous woolens while in the area!

WHICH DESTINATION IS BETTER Manali or Ladakh?

Although both destinations offer similar experiences, they are both very versatile and specific with their terrains. Both the places offer their culture but the experiences differ at various extents. Ladakh seems to offer a more tranquil experience and hidden pieces of scenic beauty, while Manali is a destination that offers touristy experiences with a bit of everything.

All in all, both destinations have something to offer according to the experience you as a tourist want to have.