The name Solang Valley is a combination of two words i.e. Solang which is the name of a village in Manali, Himachal Pradesh and Nullah which refers to a water stream.
Solang Valley is located at a distance of around 13 kilometres from Manali and lies between Solang village and Beas Kund. This beautiful valley offers breathtaking views to all travelers and is famous for its summer and winter sports conditions. Because of its steep slopes, this place is perfect for skiing
During winters, one can enjoy skiing in this mesmerizing valley and as the snow melts in summer, one can enjoy paragliding, parachuting, and horse riding. If you are visiting Solang Valley to witness the valley fully covered with a layer of snow then you should plan your visit between the months of December to February.
Parachutes lined up after landing at Solang Valley. Photography by Praveen Dhyani
Solang Valley: An Overview
| Location |
| North India |
| State |
| Himachal Pradesh |
| Best Time to Visit |
| From December to February |
| Activities to Enjoy |
| Paragliding
Zorbing Skiing Parachuting Horse riding |
| Nearby Places |
| Hadimba Temple
Rohtang Pass Beas Kund |
| Opening hours of Solang Valley |
| Open all days 9.00 am to 6.00 pm |
| Entry Fee |
| INR 500 per person for Zorbing
INR 1,200 for Paragliding. |
How to Reach Solang Valley?
Manali can easily be accessed via roadways, railways as well as airways. Solang Valley is located at a distance of around 13 kilometres from Manali. So, you can hire a taxi from Manali and witness the picturesque Solang Valley. Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in India and tourists from different parts of the country visit this beautiful place.
| By Road |
| One can drive from Kalka to Manali which is approximately 285kms and if you are planning your trip from Delhi to Manali, then en route to Chandigarh, you can drive to Manali which is approximately 550kms. Daily buses also ply from Delhi, Chandigarh and Dehradun for Manali. One can also reach Manali by train and the nearest railway station is Jogindernagar. The approximate drive from Jogindernagar to Manali is 3-4 hours via Mandi and Bhuntar. |
| By Air |
| If you are planning to reach Manali by air, then the nearest domestic airport is Chandigarh and the closest International airport is at New Delhi. The Bhuntar airport which is situated approximately around 50kms from Manali has been shut down. Activities to do in Solang Valley |
Way to Solang Valley from Manali. Photography by Mehul Gupta
On reaching Solang Valley, one sees the magnificent snow peaks. Photography by Bhagat Singh Khaira
Try Fun Adventure Activities at Solang Valley
| 1. Skiing and snowboarding |
| 2. Paragliding |
| 3. Zorbing |
| 4. Ropeway Ride |
Skiing and Snow Boarding at Solang Valley
During winters when Solang is covered with a blanket of thick snow, Solang valley becomes a skiers paradise. There is a vertical drop of around 500 metres from the top station to the base station. Skiing at this place ensures a fully exciting and adventurous skiing experience for you. To enjoy unlimited snow fun you can also purchase day ski passes. If you are not experienced in skiing then there is a button lift at the base station with a soft slope at the centre of the valley.
Paragliding and Scaling High in the Air at Solang Valley
Take a fun ride on a snow scooter if you’re visiting Solang Valley during winters. Photography by Rohit SiddhaHave you ever wondered how it feels to fly like a bird in the clear sky?
If you really wish to fly like a bird then Solang is the perfect place to experience your dream. The experience is really breathtaking and no words can describe the wonderful paragliding experience in Solang Valley.
If you are an expert in paragliding, then Solang holds many surprises for you. You have two choices to do paragliding in Solang i.e. there are two jump stations, one on a lower and one on a higher. To experience paragliding from a higher jump station, you need to take the gondola to reach the top station. For the less experienced, there is tandem paragliding in which they have well-trained monitors and you can experience the sensation of flying. There is no need for any previous experience except for the challenge to jump off the hill. You can enjoy paragliding in both the winter and summer seasons.
Paraglide your way through the air and enjoy the majestic view around. Photography by Akshay Limay
Zorbing Downhill at Solang Valley
If you are an adventure lover, then you will surely love Zorbing
Zorbing is fun when you roll down your way from the hill at Solang Valley. Photography by Deep Shah
Enjoy a Thrilling Ropeway Ride up till Solang Valley Top
The ropeway in the Solang is the latest state of the art built by Poma of France, having 19 cabins with a seating capacity of 8 persons each. It is designed to carry 1200 passengers up the mountain in an hour. It covers a distance of 1.3km having a rise of 500m and a top speed of 6 metres per second. It being the latest version of Gondola lifts it is inbuilt with multiple safety and security devices to facilitate a smooth and secure journey.
Hop to the ropeway and scale up the mountain. Photography by Nicholas Kishander
Where to Eat in Solang Valley?
Ride Inn
This wonderful restaurant is situated around 3.2 kms from Solang Valley.
This place offers you mouth-watering food. One can find almost every type of food here be it Chinese, Indian or Continental. If you really want to enjoy the calmness of this wonderful hill station then Ride Inn is the perfect place for you. This place offers its visitors breathtaking and mesmerizing views of the surrounding hills.
Must-Try Dishes: Cold Coffee, Chicken Bullet, Mutton Thump, Choco-Walnut Brownie and many more.
Ride Inn. Photography by Haroon Haru
Milestones with interesting snippets are painted on the wall of Ride Inn. Photography by Harry
Cafe Nirvana
with its International cuisine, this place lures a lot of travellers. Café Nirvana serves Italian, Mexican and Chinese Cuisine. The staff here is very friendly and you dont need to wait for a long time to grab your delicious food. The ambience of this café is very soothing. If you want to relax then this place is for you.
| Price Range | INR 64 – INR 385 |
| Must Try Dishes | Olive oil chilli sauce with pizza |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adventure lover by nature, Bhavna Sharma loves to travel and explore new places. She is basically from the birthplace of Lord Krishna – Mathura and is currently settled in New Delhi. A B.Sc (Hons) Physics graduate from Delhi University, Bhavna has received various scholarships for excellence in education. She also happens to be a freelancer for various industries – travel, food and fashion. Loves to sing and read romance novels. She believes in living life to the fullest and roams around the world and collects memories.
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