Manali, India: travel guide

Himalayan valley town for snow, rafting and the road north to Lahaul

Adventure capital of the Himalayas — a base for Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley skiing, river rafting, and trekking into Lahaul and Spiti.

About Manali

Manali sits in the upper Kullu valley with the Beas River running through it and snow peaks standing behind. It is the main base in Himachal Pradesh for adventure, and also the start of the high road towards Lahaul, Spiti and Ladakh.

Solang Valley is the place for paragliding and, in winter, snow play. Others come for white-water rafting on the Beas, the walk to Jogini Falls, treks to Beas Kund, or the Hampta Pass crossing. Old Manali across the river has a laid-back cafe scene.

Manali suits adventure seekers, honeymooners and families. Summer, from April to June, and winter for snow, are both popular seasons.

Country
India
Currency
INR
Time zone
Asia/Kolkata
Nearest airport
KUU

Last updated

Plan a Manali trip

Top places to visit in Manali

  • Hadimba Devi Temple

    temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

    Distinctive 1553 cedar-wood pagoda temple set among towering deodar forest, dedicated to Hadimba, wife of the Pandava Bhima; Manali's most revered shrine.

  • Solang Valley

    adventure-valley · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · free entry

    Scenic high meadow 14 km from Manali, the hub for adventure sports — paragliding, zorbing and ropeway in summer, and skiing and snow play in winter.

  • Rohtang Pass

    mountain-pass · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · entry ₹550

    Dramatic 3,978 m Himalayan pass north of Manali offering glaciers and snow year-round; open roughly May–November and requiring an online permit to visit.

  • Mall Road Manali

    promenade · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    The town's bustling main promenade lined with shops, Himachali handicraft emporiums, woollens, restaurants and street food, buzzing in the evenings.

  • Old Manali

    village-cafes · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

    Laid-back village uphill from the town, full of riverside cafes, guesthouses, craft shops and a bohemian backpacker scene amid orchards and pine.

  • Atal Tunnel (North Portal)

    engineering-marvel · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

    The world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 ft (9.02 km), connecting Manali to the Lahaul valley; the approach and Sissu beyond are popular day-trip sights.

  • Van Vihar National Park

    urban-park · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

    Shady riverside deodar forest park in the heart of town with walking paths, a small lake for paddle-boating and abundant birdlife — a calm family spot.

  • Vashisht Hot Springs & Temple

    hot-springs · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

    Hillside village across the Beas known for natural sulphur hot springs and a stone temple to sage Vashisht, with bathing tanks and Himalayan views.

  • Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa

    monastery · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

    Colourful Tibetan Buddhist monastery in central Manali with vivid murals, prayer wheels, a large Buddha statue and a carpet-weaving workshop run by refugees.

  • Manu Temple

    temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    Stone-and-wood temple in Old Manali dedicated to the sage Manu, the mythological author of humankind — said to be the only Manu temple in India.

  • Jogini Falls

    waterfall · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    Picturesque multi-tier waterfall reached by a scenic 2 km walk from Vashisht through apple orchards and pine; a popular easy half-day trek.

  • Nehru Kund

    spring · 4.0 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

    Roadside natural cold-water spring on the way to Solang, named after Jawaharlal Nehru who is said to have drunk from it; a quick scenic stop.

Things to do

  • Solang Valley Paragliding Adventure · 0.5 h · from INR 1,800 per person
  • Rohtang Pass Snow Excursion Day Trip · 10 h · from INR 2,500 per person
  • Atal Tunnel & Sissu Day Trip Day Trip · 8 h · from INR 2,500 per person
  • Beas River Rafting Water Sports · 1.5 h · from INR 1,000 per person
  • Solang Adventure Combo Adventure · 2 h · from INR 1,500 per person
  • Manali Local Sightseeing Tour Sightseeing Tour · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
  • Jogini Waterfall Trek Hiking · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
  • Hampta Pass Trek Adventure · 72 h · from INR 11,000 per person

Day trips and tours

  • Rohtang Pass Snow Day Tour 10 h · from INR 2,500
  • Solang Valley & Atal Tunnel Day Tour 8 h · from INR 2,500
  • Manali Local Sightseeing Tour 5 h · from INR 1,200

Where to stay in Manali

  • Mall Road about INR 3,500 per night

    Busy shopping and dining street with hotels and tourist services

  • Vashisht about INR 2,000 per night

    Peaceful village area with hot springs and budget accommodations

  • Old Manali about INR 1,800 per night

    Bohemian area with cafes, budget stays, and alternative vibe

Hotels

  • Hotel Hollywood Manali 3-star · INR 1,100 to INR 1,800 per night
  • Hotel The Fortune Luxury Rooms Manali 3-star · INR 1,699 to INR 2,400 per night
  • Orchards House - The Hidden Tribe 3-star · INR 1,453 to INR 2,200 per night
  • The Himalayan 5-star · INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per night
  • Apple Flower Hotel Manali 3-star · INR 1,518 to INR 2,300 per night
  • Zostel Manali 2-star · INR 600 to INR 2,200 per night

Where to eat

  • Johnson's Cafe Continental, European, Cafe · about INR 800 per person
  • Cafe 1947 Italian, Continental, Cafe · about INR 700 per person
  • Chopsticks Tibetan, Chinese, Asian · about INR 350 per person
  • Dylan's Toasted & Roasted Coffee Cafe, Coffee, Desserts · about INR 300 per person
  • The Lazy Dog Lounge Continental, Asian, Cafe · about INR 650 per person
  • Casa Bella Vista Italian, Continental, Mexican · about INR 750 per person
  • Drifter's Cafe Cafe, Continental, Israeli · about INR 500 per person
  • Renaissance Restaurant North Indian, Himachali, Chinese · about INR 550 per person

Getting to Manali

Airport: Manali (KUU)

How visitors arrive in Manali

  • Overnight bus from Delhi By road from Delhi · common

    The guide recommends the overnight Volvo bus from Delhi, with buses also from Shimla, Dharamsala and Leh. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

  • Private taxi By road from Delhi / Chandigarh · common

    A hired taxi with a driver experienced in hill roads is a common option from Delhi or Chandigarh. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

  • Flight to Bhuntar (Kullu) By air from Delhi · possible

    Bhuntar airport is about 50 km away, with limited flights from Delhi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

  • Train to a rail head, then road By train from Chandigarh / Kiratpur Sahib · possible

    No railway in town; nearest broad-gauge heads need a long onward bus or taxi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

  • Long-distance bus to Manali

    Buses connect Manali with Delhi, Shimla, Dharamsala and Leh. Volvo services from Delhi are best booked ahead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

  • Private taxi from Chandigarh or Delhi

    Hire a driver experienced on hill roads who knows the route, and confirm air-conditioning terms in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

  • Auto Rickshaw
  • Taxi
  • Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

  • Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

    Airports, train stations, popular squares

    Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

    How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Manali

  • Jan 11°C
  • Feb 12°C
  • Mar 17°C
  • Apr 21°C
  • May 25°C
  • Jun 26°C
  • Jul 26°C
  • Aug 25°C
  • Sep 24°C
  • Oct 22°C
  • Nov 17°C
  • Dec 14°C

More in India

Frequently asked questions about Manali

What are the top-rated places to visit in Manali?
The highest-rated places in our Manali guide are Atal Tunnel (North Portal), Hadimba Devi Temple, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Old Manali.
Where should I stay in Manali?
Our guide covers these areas to stay in Manali: Mall Road, Vashisht, Old Manali.
How do I get around Manali?
Ways to get around Manali covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.
What scams should I watch out for in Manali?
Scams reported to us for Manali include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
What is the weather like in Manali?
Average daytime highs in Manali run from 11°C in Jan to 26°C in Jun.
Which airport is nearest to Manali?
The nearest airport to Manali has the code KUU.
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