™ 1Hadimba Devi Temple
A 16th-century wooden temple with a tall, three-tiered pagoda roof, built over a sacred rock in a deodar forest. Its carved doorway is one of the finest in Himachal; go early to beat the queues.
Manali travel guide
Apple orchards, deodar forests and snow peaks at the head of the Kullu valley – the gateway to Lahaul and Ladakh
📍 Himachal Pradesh 12 places to visit 🏨 10 stays to book Updated 20 Oct 2026
Manali is a mountain town at about 2,050 m at the northern end of the Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh, on the banks of the Beas. From the busy Mall Road to the cafés of Old Manali and the hot springs of Vashisht, it is the base for Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang Pass and the road to Leh, and one of the most popular hill getaways in India.
History of Manali
Manali takes its name from Manu, the first man of Hindu tradition – Manu-alaya, “the home of Manu”. Local legend says that after the great flood Manu stepped off his ark here to begin human life again, and an old temple to him still stands in Old Manali. The Kullu valley around it is known as the “Valley of the Gods”.
For centuries the valley was ruled by the Rajas of Kullu, whose early capitals were at Jagatsukh and Naggar before the court moved down to Sultanpur (Kullu town) in the 17th century. Raja Bahadur Singh built the wooden Hadimba Devi Temple in 1553, and Manali sat at the start of an old trade route over the passes to Lahaul, Ladakh and Central Asia.
Kullu came under British rule in the 1840s. British officers and settlers such as Captain A. T. Banon planted some of the first apple orchards around Manali, and apples – along with plums and pears – became the backbone of the local economy.
After independence, better roads turned Manali into a favourite for honeymooners, trekkers and skiers, and later for backpackers in Old Manali and Vashisht. The Atal Tunnel, opened in 2020 under the Rohtang Pass, now links Manali with Lahaul all year round.
Best time to visit Manali
March–June is the classic season for Manali, October–November is quieter with clear skies, and December–February is the time for snow. Avoid July–August, when landslides close roads.
Mar–Apr
Spring · Cool, about 5–20°C
Good
Snow still at Solang and Atal Tunnel; apple blossom in the valley.
May–Jun
Peak summer · Pleasant, about 10–25°C
Best
Rohtang usually opens and the Leh highway starts. Very busy – book early.
Jul–Aug
Monsoon · Heavy rain, landslides
Avoid
Roads can close for days. Only go if your dates are flexible.
Sep–Nov
Autumn · Clear, crisp, about 3–20°C
Best
Golden fields, apple season, fewer crowds and the clearest views.
Dec–Feb
Snow season · Cold, often below freezing
Good
Snowfall in town in most years, skiing at Solang. Roads beyond can be closed.
How to reach Manali
✈️
Nearest airport
Kullu–Manali Airport, Bhuntar (KUU)About 50 km south of Manali (1.5–2 hours by taxi). Flights are few and weather-dependent; Chandigarh airport (about 300 km) has many more connections.
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Nearest railway station
Kiratpur Sahib / Una / Chandigarh (broad gauge)Kiratpur Sahib is about 260 km (7–8 hours by road) and Chandigarh about 300 km (8–9 hours). The nearest narrow-gauge station is Joginder Nagar on the Kangra Valley line, about 150 km away.
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Bus stand
Manali bus stand (near Mall Road) – HRTC ordinary and Volvo buses to Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Dharamshala and Chandigarh. Overnight HRTC and private Volvo buses from Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate and Majnu ka Tilla) take 12–14 hours; most private Volvos stop at the Volvo stand near the Beas bridge or in town. In summer, HRTC and private buses run onward to Keylong and Leh through the Atal Tunnel.
| From | Distance by road | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | About 540 km | 12–14 hours (overnight bus) |
| Chandigarh | About 300 km | 8–9 hours |
| Kullu | About 40 km | 1–1.5 hours |
| Bhuntar | About 50 km | 1.5–2 hours |
| Shimla | About 250 km | 7–8 hours |
| Dharamshala | About 230 km | 7–8 hours |
| Amritsar | About 430 km | 10–12 hours |
| Leh | About 430 km | 2 days (summer only, overnight at Keylong or Sarchu) |
Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.
Famous places to visit in Manali
2Old Manali
The original village of stone-and-wood houses and apple orchards, now lined with cafés, guesthouses and small shops. A relaxed place to walk, eat and stay away from the town centre.
3Manu Temple
A small temple to the sage Manu, after whom the town is named, reached by a short climb through Old Manali’s lanes. Modest dress is expected inside.
4Vashisht Temple & Hot Springs
Old stone-and-wood temples to the sage Vashisht and to Ram, with natural hot sulphur baths (separate for men and women) beside them. The village above is a popular backpacker base.
5Jogini Falls
A tall waterfall reached by an easy walk from Vashisht through orchards and pine forest, with a small shrine to the Jogini goddesses near the base. Fullest after the monsoon; the upper path can be slippery.
6Solang Valley
A wide meadow below snow peaks that is Manali’s adventure hub – paragliding, zorbing and a ropeway in summer, skiing and snow play in winter. Weather can stop flying and the ropeway at short notice.
7Atal Tunnel & Sissu
The roughly 9 km Atal Tunnel under the Rohtang Pass, opened in 2020, takes you straight into Lahaul. Just beyond it, Sissu has a waterfall, the Chandra river and snowy views – an easy day trip without a Rohtang permit.
8Rohtang Pass (permit needed)
A high pass at about 3,980 m with snow for much of the year and wide views over the Pir Panjal. Under NGT rules only a limited number of vehicles are allowed each day with an online permit from the Himachal government portal; check the road status before you go.
9Mall Road
Manali’s main walking street, with shawl and woollen shops, Tibetan stalls, restaurants and bakeries. Best in the evening when the lights come on.
10Van Vihar
A shady deodar park along the Beas right off Mall Road, with walking paths and a small boating pond – a quick, quiet break from the crowds.
11Tibetan Monastery (Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa)
A colourful Tibetan Buddhist monastery built by refugees in the late 1960s, with a large Buddha statue, murals and prayer wheels. A small market around it sells carpets and handicrafts.
12Naggar Castle (day trip)
A stone-and-timber castle of the Kullu Rajas, now a Himachal Tourism heritage hotel with a small museum and a courtyard shrine. Combine it with the nearby Roerich Art Gallery and the valley views.
Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.
🏔️ Rohtang Pass & Atal Tunnel at a glance
- Rohtang Pass
- About 3,980 m, about 51 km from Manali
- Permit
- Needed for vehicles going to Rohtang – a limited number each day, booked online
- Open
- Usually about May–November, weather permitting; closed on some weekdays for road work
- Atal Tunnel
- About 9 km long under the Rohtang range, about 25 km from Manali; open most of the year
- Beyond
- Sissu waterfall and the Lahaul valley, about 40 km from Manali
- Carry
- Warm jackets, gloves, sunglasses, snacks; fuel up in Manali
Permit rules, open days and fees change often – check the official Himachal permit website or ask your stay a day before.
Manali itinerary
2 days in Manali
Day 1
- Hadimba Devi temple and the cedar forest of Dhungri.
- Lunch in Old Manali, then Manu temple.
- Evening: Mall Road and the Tibetan monastery.
Day 2
- Early drive to Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel (Sissu if open).
- Back via Vashisht for the hot springs.
3 days – Manali with Rohtang or Naggar
Day 1
- Hadimba temple, Old Manali, Vashisht and Jogini Falls.
Day 2
- Rohtang Pass (with permit, in season) or Solang + Atal Tunnel + Sissu.
Day 3
- Naggar Castle and the Roerich gallery, then rafting near Kullu on the way back.
Trip budget for Manali
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (homestay / hotel) | About ₹1,500–4,000 / night | Much higher in May–June and at New Year |
| Food | About ₹400–900 per person / day | Old Manali cafés, dhabas on Mall Road |
| Overnight Volvo from Delhi | About ₹1,300–2,500 one way | 12–14 hours |
| Taxi Solang + Atal Tunnel | About ₹2,500–4,000 | Local taxi union rates |
| Rohtang permit + taxi | About ₹4,000–6,000 | Varies by season and vehicle |
| Snow clothes / activities | About ₹300–2,500 | Boots and suits on rent; paragliding and skiing extra |
| Weekend for 2 (approx.) | ₹14,000–22,000 | 2 nights’ stay + food + one taxi day (travel to Manali extra) |
Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026; peak season and snow days cost more.
Manali vs Kasol, Shimla and Dharamshala
Manali or somewhere quieter? Here’s how the big names compare.
| Place | From Chandigarh | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manali | About 300 km, 8–9 h | Busy mountain resort, snow, cafés | Snow, Solang, Atal Tunnel, Leh road |
| Kasol | About 270 km, 7–8 h | Riverside, backpackers | Treks, cafés |
| Shimla | About 115 km, 3–4 h | Colonial capital, Mall Road | Short trips, toy train |
| Dharamshala | About 240 km, 6–7 h | Tibetan culture | Triund, monasteries |
Where to stay in Manali
Stay near Mall Road for shops, restaurants and easy taxis. Old Manali and Vashisht are quieter, with cafés and homestays among apple orchards. For snow and space, pick a cottage towards Solang or Palchan – and for calm, riverside stays on the left bank road towards Naggar.
Sagar Resort
Manali · Hotel
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹1,200 ₹1,080
The Higher Plane
Kullu · Hotel
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹599 ₹540
Casa de Barro Manali
Manali · Hotel
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹1,200 ₹1,080
Himalayan Sukoon Villa
Kullu · Homestay
New
from ₹1,799 ₹1,620
Founding Member
Lavish Homestay
Kullu · Homestay
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹2,500 ₹2,250
Rockstar Stay and Cafe
Kullu · Guest House
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹2,500 ₹2,250
Founding Member
Khushmita Boutique Homestay
Kullu · Homestay
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹1,500 ₹1,350
Founding Member
Advait Cottage
Kullu · Homestay
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹1,500 ₹1,350
Founding Member
The BB Camps & Huts Manali
Manali · Camp / Tents
Pay ₹0 now · pay at the stay
New
from ₹1,000 ₹900
Plan your stay in Manali
See all 10 stays
10 homestay, hotel or cottages – book directly with the host.
Own a homestay or hotel in Manali? List it with Stay in Bharat
Good to know before you go
PermitsRohtang needs a vehicle permit booked in advance; your taxi driver can usually arrange it.
TrafficWeekend and holiday jams near Solang and the tunnel are common – leave by 7–8 am.
Snow drivingIn winter roads beyond Manali may need 4x4 or chains, and are closed after heavy snowfall.
Fuel & cashFuel up and withdraw cash in Manali before heading to Lahaul.
AltitudeRohtang is close to 4,000 m – go slowly, drink water and come down if you feel unwell.
FAQs about Manali
What is the best time to visit Manali?
May–June for pleasant weather and the high passes, October–November for clear skies and fewer crowds, and December–February for snow. Avoid July–August because of landslides.
Do I need a permit for Rohtang Pass?
Yes, vehicles need a permit for Rohtang and only a limited number are issued each day. The Atal Tunnel and Sissu usually do not need one – check current rules before you go.
How do I reach Manali from Delhi?
Most people take an overnight Volvo bus (12–14 hours). You can also fly to Bhuntar (about 50 km) or Chandigarh (about 300 km) and drive up.
When does it snow in Manali?
Usually from late December to February in town, and from November to April at Solang and the higher roads.
How many days are enough for Manali?
Three days cover the town, Solang and the Atal Tunnel or Rohtang. Add a day for Naggar or Kasol.
Where should I stay in Manali?
Mall Road for convenience, Old Manali or Vashisht for cafés and quiet, and Solang or Palchan for snow views.
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