Manali01$30/ night
Zostel Manali
Old Manali· Hostel
The social hub for friend groups, with dorms and private rooms and a big common area.
India · Ready-made itinerary
4 Day Manali Itinerary with Friends (Snow, Rafting & Cafés)
A friends' trip to Manali needs a mix of adrenaline and long evenings. This plan balances a snow day, a river day and a hike, with Old Manali as your base for nights out.
- Length
- 4 days
- Budget for two
- $700 incl. stays
- Best time
- Mar – Jun, Sep – Oct
- Pace
- Packed
Who it suits: Groups of friends on a budget who want adventure by day and café hangouts by night.
Day 1: Old Manali and the deodars
- 10:00 AM · Hidimba Devi Temple, Dhungri
- 1:00 PM · Old Manali café crawl, Old Manali
- 6:00 PM · Live music night in Old Manali, Old Manali
Day 2: Snow day
- 7:30 AM · Atal Tunnel and Sissu, Lahaul
- 1:30 PM · Solang Valley, Solang
- 7:00 PM · Dinner on the Mall Road, Mall Road
Day 3: River day
- 9:00 AM · White-water rafting on the Beas, Pirdi, Kullu
- 2:00 PM · Kullu shawl weavers, Bhuttico, Kullu
- 6:00 PM · Vashisht hot springs, Vashisht
Day 4: Waterfall hike
- 8:00 AM · Jogini Falls hike, Vashisht
- 1:00 PM · Manu Temple and Old Manali lunch, Old Manali
- 4:00 PM · Van Vihar riverside walk, Mall Road
4 days · GoRoam travel package · Friends
Manali
Four days in the Kullu valley with your crew: Old Manali cafés, a day in the snow at Solang and Atal Tunnel, river rafting in Kullu and a hike to Jogini Falls.
From
Anywhere
to Manali
Travellers
4 travellers
4 adults
Pace
Full throttle
Savvy spending
Staying in
Hostel
3 nights
Into
Outdoors, Adventure
+1 more
Don't miss
The big moments.
4 highlights · tap one to see its day
Where to stay
Pick your base.
Hand-picked for a hostel stay · Nov 19 Nov 22
The plan
Day by day.
Day 01 · Thu, Nov 19
Old Manali and the deodars
Settle in with temples, cedar forest and café-hopping.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 10:00 AM - 12:30 PMFree10:00 AM - 12:30 PM 2 hours
Hidimba Devi Temple
Culture DhungriA four-tiered wooden pagoda temple from 1553, set in a forest of giant deodar cedars. The carvings around the doorway are the finest in the valley.
Local tip · Queues build after 11; go straight after breakfast.
- 1.7 km~10 min by taxiDirections
- 2Afternoon· 1:00 PM - 4:00 PMEst.$301:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3 hours
Old Manali café crawl
Food & drink Old ManaliCross the Manalsu bridge into the old village for slow lunches of trout and Israeli plates, apple-wood houses and Himalayan views from café terraces.
Local tip · Most cafés are cash or UPI; card machines are hit and miss.
- 200 m3 min walkDirections
- 3Evening· 6:00 PM - 10:00 PMEst.$356:00 PM - 10:00 PM 4 hours
Live music night in Old Manali
Nightlife Old ManaliOld Manali's cafés host acoustic sets and open-mic nights through the season, the easiest way to meet other travellers.
Local tip · Places close by 11 PM under local rules; plan your walk back down.
Day 01 · Thu, Nov 19
Old Manali and the deodars
Settle in with temples, cedar forest and café-hopping.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 10:00 AM - 12:30 PMFree10:00 AM - 12:30 PM 2 hours
Hidimba Devi Temple
Culture DhungriA four-tiered wooden pagoda temple from 1553, set in a forest of giant deodar cedars. The carvings around the doorway are the finest in the valley.
Local tip · Queues build after 11; go straight after breakfast.
- 1.7 km~10 min by taxiDirections
- 2Afternoon· 1:00 PM - 4:00 PMEst.$301:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3 hours
Old Manali café crawl
Food & drink Old ManaliCross the Manalsu bridge into the old village for slow lunches of trout and Israeli plates, apple-wood houses and Himalayan views from café terraces.
Local tip · Most cafés are cash or UPI; card machines are hit and miss.
- 200 m3 min walkDirections
- 3Evening· 6:00 PM - 10:00 PMEst.$356:00 PM - 10:00 PM 4 hours
Live music night in Old Manali
Nightlife Old ManaliOld Manali's cafés host acoustic sets and open-mic nights through the season, the easiest way to meet other travellers.
Local tip · Places close by 11 PM under local rules; plan your walk back down.
Day 02 · Fri, Nov 20
Snow day
Atal Tunnel to Sissu, then snow play at Solang Valley.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 7:30 AM - 12:30 PMEst.$507:30 AM - 12:30 PM 5 hours
Atal Tunnel and Sissu
Nature LahaulDrive through the 9-km Atal Tunnel under the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul's stark valley, with frozen waterfalls and snow fields around Sissu.
Local tip · Hire a local taxi; private Manali taxis are the only ones with valley permits. Check road status the night before.
- 12 km~35 min by taxiDirections
- 2Afternoon· 1:30 PM - 4:30 PMEst.$601:30 PM - 4:30 PM 3 hours
Solang Valley
Activity SolangSnow slopes for sledging, skiing lessons and paragliding in season, with the ropeway climbing to 3,200 m.
Local tip · Rent snow boots and jackets at Solang, not in Manali; it's cheaper and you avoid carrying them.
- 11 km~35 min by taxiDirections
- 3Evening· 7:00 PM - 9:30 PMEst.$257:00 PM - 9:30 PM 2.5 hours
Dinner on the Mall Road
Food & drink Mall RoadBack in town, walk the pedestrian Mall and eat Himachali siddu and trout at one of the dhabas off the main strip.
Local tip · Siddu, a steamed stuffed bread with ghee, is the local dish to order.
Day 03 · Sat, Nov 21
River day
Rafting on the Beas and hot springs at Vashisht.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 9:00 AM - 1:00 PMEst.$409:00 AM - 1:00 PM 4 hours
White-water rafting on the Beas
Activity Pirdi, KulluA 14-km run of grade II-III rapids from Pirdi, the classic Kullu rafting stretch, with guides and gear included.
Local tip · Rafting runs roughly Mar-Jun and Sep-Oct; it stops during the monsoon.
- 2.1 km~10 min by taxiDirections
- 2Afternoon· 2:00 PM - 4:30 PMEst.$302:00 PM - 4:30 PM 2 hours
Kullu shawl weavers
Shopping Bhuttico, KulluStop at the Bhuttico weavers' co-operative to see handlooms and buy a genuine Kullu shawl with its geometric border.
Local tip · Co-op prices are fixed and the wool is genuine, unlike many roadside shops.
- 44 km~110 min by taxiDirections
- 3Evening· 6:00 PM - 8:30 PMEst.$56:00 PM - 8:30 PM 2.5 hours
Vashisht hot springs
Wellness VashishtSoak in the sulphur hot-spring baths beside the old Vashisht temple, then dinner in the village.
Local tip · The public baths are separate for men and women; bring a towel.
Day 04 · Sun, Nov 22
Waterfall hike
A half-day hike to Jogini Falls before heading home.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 8:00 AM - 12:30 PMFree8:00 AM - 12:30 PM 4.5 hours
Jogini Falls hike
Nature VashishtA 3-km trail from Vashisht through apple orchards and pine forest to a 150-m waterfall sacred to the local goddess.
Local tip · Wear proper shoes; the last stretch is rocky and slippery.
- 3.0 km~15 min by taxiDirections
- 2Afternoon· 1:00 PM - 3:00 PMEst.$251:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2 hours
Manu Temple and Old Manali lunch
Culture Old ManaliThe temple to the sage Manu, who gave Manali its name, sits at the top of the old village. One more café lunch before the road.
Local tip · Book overnight Volvo buses to Delhi a few days ahead in peak season.
- 3.2 km~15 min by taxiDirections
- 3Evening· 4:00 PM - 6:00 PMEst.$54:00 PM - 6:00 PM 2 hours
Van Vihar riverside walk
Nature Mall RoadA deodar park along the Beas for a last easy walk and paddle-boating on the small lake before your evening bus.
Local tip · Overnight buses leave from the private bus stand near the Mall around 5-7 PM.
Know before you go
Sorted before take-off.
Entry & visaCan you get in?
Check what your passport needs: visas, e-visas and any arrival forms.
Check your passportStay connectedData from the moment you land
A travel eSIM installs before you fly: maps, rides and WhatsApp work at the airport, without roaming bills.
Get an eSIMTravel insuranceCovered if plans change
Medical care, cancelled flights and lost bags, for a few dollars a day.
Good to know
The essentials.
Weather
Apr is crisp (5-20°C) with snow above Solang. Dec-Feb is freezing; Jul-Aug brings landslide risk.
Money
Indian Rupee (INR). UPI and cards work in towns; carry cash for small temples, coracles and rural stalls.
Language
Hindi and Kullui; English widely understood
Ram Ram: the everyday Himachali hello
Plugs
Type C/D, 230V
Tipping
Round up; tip rafting guides ₹100-200 each
Getting around
Overnight Volvo from Delhi (12-14 h) or fly to Bhuntar (50 km). Local taxis for Solang and Atal Tunnel.
Make it yours.
Change the dates, budget, pace or who's coming, and GoRoam re-plans every day around you.
Questions about this trip
Is 4 days enough for Manali?
Four days covers Old Manali, Solang, Atal Tunnel and Sissu, rafting in Kullu and a short hike. Add two days for Kasol or Tirthan Valley.
When is snow in Manali?
Manali town gets snow from about December to February. Solang and the area beyond Atal Tunnel usually have snow from December to April.
How do you get from Delhi to Manali?
Overnight Volvo buses take 12-14 hours. The nearest airport is Bhuntar, about 50 km away, with limited flights.
How much does a 4-day Manali trip cost per person?
Budget travellers in hostels spend roughly ₹12,000-18,000 each including bus fares, stays, local taxis, rafting and food.