Snowfall was reported at popular tourist destinations, including Rohtang Pass, Shinkula Pass and Baralacha, turning the weekend into a memorable experience for thousands of visitors.
The unusual weather coincided with a surge in tourist arrivals. More than 3,500 tourist vehicles entered Manali on Friday as the weekend rush gathered momentum. Hotels across the region reported heavy occupancy, with many premium properties booked well in advance and smaller hotels also witnessing near-full occupancy. Tourism activity in Manali and Lahaul received a significant boost as visitors flocked to enjoy the pleasant weather and scenic landscapes.
Tourists arriving from the plains expressed surprise and excitement at witnessing snowfall during the peak summer season. Himanshu, Lakshmi Das and Sushant, visitors from Gujarat, said temperatures in their home state had crossed 40 degrees Celsius, making the experience of watching snowflakes fall in June completely unexpected.
They also enjoyed viewing fresh snow and towering snow walls, ranging from 10 to 15 feet in height, at several high-altitude locations.
Tourism stakeholders believe the unusual weather has added to the appeal of Himachal’s mountain destinations. Roshan Thakur, president of the Manali Hoteliers Association, said snowfall in the higher reaches during June had emerged as a major attraction for tourists and expressed optimism about a strong tourism season.
Meanwhile, adventure tourism in the Kullu-Manali region is also witnessing renewed momentum. Hot air ballooning operations at Katrain, along the Kullu-Manali National Highway, have resumed after a temporary disruption caused by a shortage of gas supplies. The revival of the activity has brought relief to operators and local tourism businesses that suffered losses during the suspension period.
Hot air ballooning has emerged as a popular attraction alongside river rafting, paragliding and ATV rides. Tourists are enjoying five to eight-minute flights offering panoramic aerial views of the valley, apple orchards and surrounding mountains.
Operators currently charge around Rs 2,500 per person for the experience, compared to approximately Rs 1,500 a few years ago, reflecting rising operational and maintenance costs.
Tourists have been widely sharing their aerial experiences on social media, further enhancing the destination’s popularity. Tourism experts believe the growing demand for adventure activities is contributing significantly to the local economy.
With the summer tourist season at its peak, industry stakeholders expect visitor numbers to continue rising, strengthening the local economy and reinforcing Kullu-Manali’s status as one of the country’s premier mountain tourism destinations.
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