Manali

Manali pairs old village charm with full-on Himalayan adventure. The old town's ancient temples, the bustling Mall Road, and the hot springs of Vashisht give way to high-altitude thrills at Solang Valley — paragliding, skiing, and ziplines — and the 3,980-metre Rohtang Pass. It is also the launch point for the famous Spiti Valley circuit and a firm favourite with backpackers and road-trippers.