Manali Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Things to Do and Travel Tips
This Manali travel guide helps you plan a visit to the Valley of the Gods. It covers the best places to visit, things to do, the best time to go and how to get there. When you are ready to book, see our Manali tour packages.
Manali sits at the head of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, on the Beas River, with snow peaks on every side. For the whole state, read our Himachal travel guide.
Why Visit Manali
Every Manali travel guide has its reasons. These are ours:
- Snow for much of the year: at Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass and Sissu.
- Adventure: paragliding, skiing, rafting and trekking.
- Old temples and villages: Hadimba, Manu Temple, Old Manali and Vashisht.
- Beautiful drives: through the Kullu Valley and the Atal Tunnel.
Best Places to Visit in Manali
These are the places every Manali travel guide should start with.
Hadimba Temple
A four-roofed wooden temple in a cedar forest, built in 1553 and dedicated to the goddess Hadimba.
Old Manali
The old village across the Manalsu stream, with cafes, guesthouses and quiet lanes.
Solang Valley
About 14 km from town. Skiing in winter, and paragliding, zorbing and a cable car in summer.
Rohtang Pass
A high pass at about 3,978 m with snow for much of the year. It is open roughly from late spring to autumn, and a permit is needed for each vehicle.
Atal Tunnel and Sissu
The tunnel under the Rohtang range leads to Sissu in the Lahaul Valley, with a waterfall and wide snow views. It is open for much of the year, so it is the best choice when Rohtang is closed.
Vashisht and Manu Temple
Hot springs and a stone temple at Vashisht, and the temple of the sage Manu in Old Manali.
Jogini Falls
A pretty waterfall reached by a forest walk from Vashisht.
Naggar Castle
An old castle of stone and wood above the Kullu Valley, about an hour from Manali, with an art gallery close by.
Kullu, Kasol and Manikaran
Kullu is known for rafting and shawls. Kasol and the hot springs of Manikaran lie in the Parvati Valley nearby.
Best Time to Visit Manali
This part of our Manali travel guide matters most when you choose your dates.
- March to June: pleasant days, snow on the high slopes and the main season.
- July to September: the monsoon. The valley is green, but landslides can close roads.
- October and November: clear skies, autumn colours and fewer crowds.
- December to February: cold, with snow in town and skiing at Solang. Rohtang Pass is usually closed.
How to Reach Manali
This Manali travel guide lists the three main routes.
- By air: Kullu-Manali airport at Bhuntar is about 50 km away. Chandigarh airport has more flights.
- By train: the nearest useful stations are Chandigarh, about 310 km away, and Kiratpur or Una. The rest of the way is by road.
- By road: about 540 km from Delhi, 310 km from Chandigarh and 250 km from Shimla. Overnight Volvo buses run from Delhi.
Things to Do in Manali
Here is what our Manali travel guide recommends most:
- Paraglide over Solang Valley.
- Go river rafting on the Beas near Kullu.
- Ski or play in the snow in winter.
- Walk to Jogini Falls.
- Bathe in the hot springs at Vashisht.
- Visit apple orchards in season.
- Shop for Kullu shawls and woollens on the Mall Road.
Where to Stay in Manali
Stay near the Mall Road to walk to shops and restaurants, in Old Manali for cafes and a relaxed mood, or along the river road for quiet resorts with mountain views.
Ready-Made Manali Tours
If you would like us to plan your trip, these private tours follow the routes in this Manali travel guide:
- 6-day Himachal Delight tour: three nights in Manali, two in Shimla.
- 7-day Beautiful Himachal tour: three nights each in Manali and Shimla.
- 7-day Classic Himachal tour: Shimla, three nights in Manali and Chandigarh.
- 10-day Scenic Himachal with the Taj Mahal tour: Manali, Shimla, Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
Compare them all on our Manali tour packages page, or read our Shimla travel guide.
Travel Tips for Manali
Before you go, read these tips from our Manali travel guide.
- Carry warm clothes in every season, and snow boots in winter.
- Rohtang Pass permits are limited. Book your tour early in May and June.
- Mountain roads are slow, and traffic is heavy in peak season. Start early.
- Drink plenty of water at high places such as Rohtang and Sissu.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions travellers ask us most while reading this Manali travel guide.
How many days are enough for Manali?
Three or four days are enough for Manali and its nearby places.
Can I visit Rohtang Pass in winter?
Usually not. The pass is closed by snow in winter. Visit Sissu through the Atal Tunnel instead.
Is Manali good for a honeymoon?
Yes. It is one of the most popular honeymoon places in India.
How far is Shimla from Manali?
About 250 km, a drive of seven to eight hours through the Kullu Valley.
Plan Your Manali Trip
We hope this Manali travel guide helps you plan. Shamrock Journeys has planned holidays in Himachal since 2002. See our Manali tour packages, our Himachal tour packages, our best North India tours or all our India tour packages.
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