Roughly 45 minutes away from Manali, the pristine village of Soyal is a slice of a fairytale. The gushing stream of Soyal, nestled beneath the canopy of tall pines in the cradle of the mountains, appears to be out of this world. It is one of Himachal’s best-kept secrets, completely untouched by tourists. The stream is a 15-minute walk down a steep trail hemmed by pebbles from the main road. We went to Soyal for Christmas to get away from the maddening crowd of Manali. And the place literally had no visitors other than the three of us. When I eventually reached the steam, I was completely mesmerised. The beauty appeared surreal, heightened by the lack of visitors. There was pin-drop silence, and all that we could hear was the roar of the stream. I was in a dreamland, finally!
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The Stream Cuts Through A Lush Green Meadow Beneath A Wooden Bridge
The magnificence of the place was so overwhelming that my camera failed it capture all of it in one frame. The crystal-clear stream cuts through a lush green meadow, guarded by the whistling woods. Standing on the quaint wooden bridge above the steam, I was taking a bath in the soothing breeze. Soyal infused me with an energy I probably had never felt before. I wished to stay back, but the village was only a small part of our entire itinerary. I have made up my mind that I will definitely go back there and halt for a night to forget all woes and experience a renewed version of myself.
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Also Read: I Visited This Heritage Village Near Manali And Stayed With The Locals In A Kath-Kuni Style Home!
Soyal Can Be An Ideal Camping Spot
Lying off the beaten track, Soyal has remained out of the eye of most tourists except a few nomadic souls. The hamlet offers stunning views of the snow-clad mountains. It is emerging as an escape among campers, who seek solace amid pure nature. Soyal can be an ideal spot for a picnic or overnight camping. A local cafe near the steam serves authentic Himachali food like red rice and Himachali Rajma.
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And last but not the least, the village is one of the cleanest in Himachal. So, if you’re staying here, ensure to discard your trash properly to maintain the scenic beauty. As a place like Soyal is an asset gifted by nature that cannot be recreated at any cost.
First Published: February 17, 2022 5:22 PM