Himachal Pradesh, India · Travel guide
Manali travel guide
Snow peaks, apple orchards and cedar forests at the head of the Kullu valley.
- Best time
- Mar - Jun, Sep - Oct
- A day, mid-range
- ₹4,000-7,000 per person
- Getting there
- Bus · Air
- Ready-made trips
- 1 itinerary
At 2,050 m on the Beas river, Manali is the gateway to the high Himalaya and one of India's most loved mountain towns. New Manali has the Mall and hotels; Old Manali, across the river, is a village of wooden houses, cafés and guesthouses.
Since the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020, Lahaul's high-altitude valleys are a short drive away, adding year-round snow and Sissu's waterfalls to a Manali trip.
When to go
Best time to visit Manali
March to June and September to October for pleasant weather; December to February for snow in town.
- Jan: Good
- Feb: Good
- Mar: Best
- Apr: Best
- May: Best
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Avoid
- Aug: Avoid
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Best
- Nov: no note
- Dec: Good
- Mar - JunPleasant days, snow up at Solang and beyond the tunnel
- Jul - AugMonsoon landslide risk; check roads
- Sep - OctClear skies, apple harvest
- Dec - FebSnow in town; very cold, some roads closed
Getting there
How to reach Manali
- Bus
- Overnight Volvo buses from Delhi take 12-14 hours.
- Air
- Bhuntar (KUU), 50 km away, has limited flights; Chandigarh is about 8 hours by road.
- Getting around
- Local taxis (union-registered) for Solang, Atal Tunnel and Kullu; walk within Old Manali.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Manali
Old Manali
Cafés, guesthouses and hostels; the social base.
Mall Road area
Hotels with easy access to buses and restaurants.
Vashisht
Quieter village with hot springs and valley views.
Naggar
A heritage castle village 20 km south, peaceful and scenic.
What to see
Top things to do in Manali
- 01
Solang Valley
Snow slopes, ropeway and adventure sports 14 km north.
Rent snow gear at Solang itself.
Open in Maps - 02
Atal Tunnel and Sissu
A 9-km tunnel under Rohtang to Lahaul's stark valleys.
Check road status the night before.
Open in Maps - 03
Hidimba Devi Temple
A 1553 wooden pagoda temple in a cedar forest.
Go early to avoid queues.
Open in Maps - 04
Old Manali
The original village of wooden houses, cafés and the Manu Temple.
Great for live music evenings.
Open in Maps - 05
Vashisht hot springs
Sulphur hot-spring baths beside an old temple.
Bring a towel; baths are separate for men and women.
Open in Maps - 06
- 07
Rohtang Pass
A 3,978-m pass with snow most of the year; permits required.
Permits are limited daily; book online.
Open in Maps - 08
Naggar Castle
A 15th-century castle hotel with Roerich's art gallery nearby.
Combine with Kullu on the way.
Open in Maps
What to eat
What to eat in Manali
Siddu
Steamed wheat bread stuffed with walnuts or poppy seeds, served with ghee.
Himachali trout
Fresh river trout, pan-fried or grilled.
Thukpa and momos
Tibetan-influenced noodle soup and dumplings.
What it costs
Manali trip cost per day
Backpacker
₹1,500-2,500
per person, per day
Hostel, shared taxis, cafés
Mid-range
₹4,000-7,000
per person, per day
Hotel, private taxi, activities
Comfort
₹12,000+
per person, per day
Resort and private car
- Only Manali-registered taxis can run to Solang and the tunnel; outside cabs can't.
- Book overnight buses ahead in May-June and December.
- Carry cash: ATMs run dry in peak season.
Good questions
Manali travel FAQs
When can I see snow in Manali?
In town from about December to February; at Solang and beyond the Atal Tunnel from December to April.
How many days are enough for Manali?
Three to four days covers Manali, Solang, Atal Tunnel and Kullu; add Kasol or Tirthan for a week.
Do I need a permit for Rohtang Pass?
Yes, an online permit is required for vehicles going to Rohtang; Atal Tunnel and Sissu don't need one.
Is Manali good for a friends' trip?
Yes: hostels, cafés, rafting, paragliding and snow make it one of India's favourite group destinations.