Are you ready for a beautiful journey in Himachal? yes, you read it right, we are taking you to a trip from Manali to Koksar- an offbeat place in the Himalayas, Koksar Himachal Pradesh is known for its peaceful landscapes and charming villages. With all the hidden gems in Himachal, it is a cold and secluded destination perfect for a soothing trip. Located on the famous Leh-Manali Highway, Koksar village sits at a height of about 12, 201 feet in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal. It is one of the coldest villages in the Lahaul-Spiti district and remains covered with snow during winter. Once you enter Lahaul, you will see the landscapes changing dramatically with more mountainous slopes and lower temperatures, enhancing the beauty of this place.
What is Manali to Koksar distance?
It takes 2 hours to travel from Manali to Koksar and covers a distance of around 41 km. Reaching here is quite easy, you can choose the most popular route via the Leh-Manali Highway, which passes through the iconic Atal Tunnel. This route is well-maintained and open for most of the year, except during heavy snowfall in winter. So you can conveniently plan a Manali to Koksar road trip by car or bike or if you are a budget traveller then you can also go by bus. Himachal Roadways buses connect Manali to Keylong and pass through Koksar. To reach from Manali to Koksar, you can take a local cab in Manali to enjoy the trip.
Also read: Things to Know about Atal Tunnel Tour
Koksar Weather
Koksar weather is what makes it so special and worth visiting. Located at the high altitudes near Manali, it offers chilly winters and pleasant summers thus making it a perfect place to visit all year. As summers are the Best time to visit Manali, planning a Manali to Koksar road trip would be a perfect thing to do. The weather is mild offering ideal conditions for exploring the scenic Koksar valley and surroundings. Winters, bring heavy snowfall, transforming the region into a snowy paradise thus perfect for snow enthusiasts.
What is Koksar Famous For?
It is a beautiful village surrounded by snow mountains with green valleys and is one of the unknown yet beautiful places to visit near Manali. The changing landscapes with every season add to its charm making it a visual treat for travellers. While exploring the beauty of this place there are a few things that you can do in Koksar like:
Explore Local Monasteries: Here, one of the most famous monasteries is Dimpuk Monastery which is also famous as Koksar. The name “Dimpuk,” means “abode of peace,” and is located in a perfect peaceful atmosphere. This is one of the must-visit attractions here.
There are no timings for the Koksar monastery, it is open 24/7.
Trekking Adventures: It serves as a gateway to several trekking routes in the Lahaul Valley so you can trek through the scenic trails that lead to Spiti Valley or Keylong with outstanding views of hills.
Visit the Lahaul & Spiti Tribal Museum: This cultural centre offers a glimpse of the traditions, crafts, and lifestyle of the Lahaul-Spiti region. It is around 44 km away from Koksar and is located near the market of Keylong. Here you will find old photographs of tourist sites in Lahaul and Spiti, a collection of traditional attires, instruments and other things like prayer lamps and utensils. It is a great place to learn about the culture of this place.
The timings of Lahaul and Spiti Tribal Museum are from 10 AM to 5 AM and it is closed once every week.
Indulge in Local Cuisine: Visiting Himachal and not trying the Himachali delicacies would not complete this trip although finding all of it would be a little hard here. But you can definitely try the Momo and Thupkas here.
Visit Chandrataal Lake: located 70 km from Koksar, Chandrataal Lake in Himachal Pradesh is a dream destination for every adventure enthusiast. According to Hindu mythology, it is said that Chandra, or the Moon god was set to bathe in this lake. The lake is open all day.
Visit Sissu Waterfall: Located just a short drive from Koksar, around 14 km away Sissu Waterfall is a breathtaking natural attraction. The amazing waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery making it a perfect and beautiful spot for nature lovers and photographers. There are no timings so you can visit anytime.
A 2-day trip plan for Koksar
A trip to Koksar is a very unique and interesting addition to your next Manali Tour. You can easily plan a 2-day trip from Manali to Koksar . All you have to do is start early from Manali and then drive through Atal Tunnel and reach Koksar in approximately 2 hours. After this, you can spend the afternoon at Chandra River and its surroundings and have a quiet lunch by the river or take some great pictures of the valley. Then to give your mind more peace in the evening you can visit nearby monasteries or take a walk around Koksar village to experience the local culture. End the day with dinner at your stay.
On the second day, you must start your day with an authentic Himachali breakfast. You can go for a short trek to the Lahaul-Spiti Cultural Center or Sissu Waterfall. Once done with this trek you can return to Manali by evening and that is how you can plan your simple yet refreshing two-day trip.
Hotels in Koksar
Here are a few places where you can stay while you are in Koksar trip:
Worthmiles Resort & Cafe: Burwa-palchan, road, near nehrukund, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
Misty Hills: Burwa Rd, Nehru Kund, Manali, Burwa, Himachal Pradesh 175131.
Himalayan Heritage: Cafe Kothi Kothi, village, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
Moustache Koksar Luxuria: Khasra No. 132, Leh Manali Hwy, near Atal Tunnel, KOKSAR, Himachal Pradesh 175140
Why Koksar Should Be on Your Bucket List?
Koksar might not be known by a lot but it is a place with peaceful surroundings and just the right amount of experience that you will never forget. The unexplored natural beauty and warm hospitality are a perfect place to escape from chaos of the city life and one of the best places to visit near Manali. So whether you are on a Kullu Manali trip or just looking for a quick break Koksar is a gem you should not miss. So what are you waiting for? Explore the unexplored side of Himachal, plan a Manali to koksar raodtrip.