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Destination Guide

Manali Tour Packages & Travel Guide

Plan a Manali trip with MIT — Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Old Manali and the Beas river. Get a customised Manali tour package quote.

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Manali — travel guide by Mysore International Travels

Manali sits at roughly 2,050 metres at the head of the Kullu valley, on the banks of the Beas river, and has become Himachal's most popular mountain destination for a mix of reasons — adventure sports at Solang, the high drama of the Rohtang Pass, the cafés and old-world character of Old Manali, and its position as the starting point of the road to Ladakh and Spiti.

The town divides fairly clearly. Mall Road and the main bazaar are busy and commercial; Old Manali, up the hill across the river, is quieter, with guesthouses, cafés, and orchards; and Vashisht, on the opposite bank, has hot springs and an old temple. The Hadimba Devi temple, set in a deodar grove, is the town's most distinctive building — a 16th-century wooden pagoda quite unlike anything else in the region.

Beyond the town, Solang Valley handles paragliding, skiing, and snow activities; Rohtang Pass at about 3,980 metres is a seasonal high-altitude excursion requiring a permit; and the Atal Tunnel has made Sissu and the Lahaul valley reachable year-round. MIT arranges Manali itineraries with flights to Chandigarh or Delhi, transfers, permits where needed, and stays — usually as part of a Shimla-Manali circuit.

Best Time to Visit

March to June is peak season, with pleasant days, blossom in spring, and full access to Solang and the Rohtang road once it opens for the season. October to November brings crisp autumn weather, clear views, and thinner crowds. December to February is winter, with snow in town and around, popular for snow activities but with Rohtang closed and some higher roads inaccessible. July to September is monsoon, when landslides on Himachal hill roads are a genuine risk.

Weather

Manali has a cool mountain climate. Summers (April-June) are mild and pleasant, typically in the high teens to mid-20s°C, with distinctly cold nights. The monsoon (July-September) brings heavy rain and landslide risk on the approach roads. Autumn (October-November) is clear and cold. Winters (December-February) are cold with regular snowfall in and around the town, and considerably more at Solang and above; the Rohtang Pass is closed through winter and typically reopens around May, weather permitting.

Ideal Duration

4 to 5 days for Manali alone, covering the town, Solang, a Rohtang or Atal Tunnel excursion, and Old Manali and Vashisht. Combined with Shimla, plan 6 to 8 days for the full Himachal circuit — which is what most travellers from South India do, given the journey involved.

Budget

Manali has an exceptionally wide range of stays, from backpacker guesthouses in Old Manali to mid-range hotels on the Mall and riverside resorts and premium properties towards Solang and Naggar. Rates rise steeply in the April-June peak, over Christmas-New Year, and during long weekends. Adventure activities such as paragliding, rafting, and skiing are priced separately, and Rohtang requires a permit with capped daily numbers. As always from South India, flights are the largest single cost. MIT quotes each Manali trip to your dates and preferences.

Must-see

Top attractions in Manali

Solang Valley

A wide valley about 13 km from Manali, the centre for paragliding, zorbing, and cable-car rides in summer, and skiing and snow activities in winter.

Rohtang Pass

A high pass at roughly 3,980 metres on the road towards Lahaul, open seasonally (typically around May to October) and requiring a permit, with capped daily vehicle numbers.

Hadimba Devi Temple

A 16th-century wooden pagoda temple in a deodar grove, dedicated to Hadimba of the Mahabharata — architecturally unlike anything else in the valley.

Old Manali

The older settlement up the hill across the river, with guesthouses, cafés, orchards, and a markedly slower pace than the main bazaar.

Vashisht Hot Springs & Temple

Natural sulphur hot springs with bathing tanks alongside an old stone temple, across the Beas from the main town.

Atal Tunnel & Sissu

A 9.02 km tunnel under the Rohtang massif, opened in 2020, giving year-round access to the Lahaul valley and making Sissu an easy day trip.

Beas River & Rafting

The river running through the valley, with white-water rafting stretches operating in the appropriate season near Kullu.

Naggar Castle & Village

A medieval stone-and-wood castle about 20 km away, now a heritage hotel, in a village also known for the Roerich art gallery.

Getting there

How to reach Manali

By Air
Bhuntar Airport near Kullu is about 50 km away but has limited and weather-dependent services. Most travellers use Chandigarh International Airport, roughly 300 km away (8 to 10 hours by road), or Delhi, around 530 km. From South India, fly to Delhi or Chandigarh and continue by road.
By Rail
There is no direct rail link to Manali. Joginder Nagar is the nearest narrow-gauge railhead but is impractical for most itineraries. Chandigarh and Kalka are the usual broad-gauge railheads, with the onward journey to Manali by road.
By Road
Manali is about 300 km from Chandigarh (8 to 10 hours), roughly 530 km from Delhi (12 to 14 hours, commonly done as an overnight Volvo coach), and around 250 km from Shimla (7 to 9 hours). Overnight coaches from Delhi and Chandigarh are a common and reasonably comfortable option.
Make the most of it

Things to do

  • Spend a day in Solang Valley — paragliding and the cable car in summer, skiing and snow activities in winter
  • Drive up to Rohtang Pass in season, with the required permit, for high-altitude views towards Lahaul
  • Visit the Hadimba Devi temple, a 16th-century wooden pagoda set in a deodar grove
  • Wander Old Manali's lanes, cafés, and orchards, well away from the main bazaar's crowds
  • Bathe in the natural sulphur hot springs at Vashisht
  • Drive through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu for a taste of the Lahaul valley, now accessible year-round
  • Raft a stretch of the Beas near Kullu when the river is running at the right level
  • Visit Naggar Castle and the Roerich art gallery, about 20 km down the valley
  • Try local trout, and Tibetan momos and thukpa, which Manali does particularly well
  • Take a day trip to Kasol and the Parvati valley if you have the extra time
Where to stay

Hotels in Manali

Where you stay changes the trip. Mall Road and the main bazaar are convenient but busy and noisy in season. Old Manali, across the river, is calmer and has the guesthouse-and-café character that many visitors actually come for. Riverside properties along the Beas and resorts towards Solang and Naggar offer quiet and views but mean a drive into town. Vashisht has hot springs and a more local feel. MIT matches the area to what you want out of the trip rather than defaulting to the main bazaar.

Where to eat

Restaurants & local food

Manali has the most varied food scene of any Himachal hill town, largely because of its long-standing backpacker and international visitor traffic. Old Manali in particular has cafés serving Israeli, Italian, and continental food alongside Indian menus, though many of these close for the winter. The town centre has standard North Indian and multi-cuisine restaurants, and Tibetan food — momos, thukpa, thenthuk — is widely available and genuinely good. Himachali dishes such as siddu and madra appear on some local menus. Trout from the Beas is a regional speciality worth trying.

Before you go

Travel tips

  • Rohtang Pass requires a permit with a capped number of daily vehicles — apply well in advance, and note the pass is closed for much of the winter
  • The Atal Tunnel provides year-round access to Lahaul and Sissu, and is a reliable alternative when Rohtang is shut
  • Avoid the July-September monsoon window if you can: landslides on the Chandigarh-Manali road are a recurring problem
  • Carry proper winter clothing for December-February and for Rohtang or Solang in any season, since conditions at altitude differ sharply from town
  • Book adventure activities through your hotel or a reputable operator and check equipment and insurance — informal roadside operators vary widely in standards
  • Rohtang sits near 4,000 metres; ascend gradually, avoid alcohol beforehand, and descend if anyone develops a headache, nausea, or breathlessness
  • Overnight Volvo coaches from Delhi and Chandigarh are a comfortable and popular way in — book ahead for peak season
  • Old Manali's cafés largely shut down for the winter, so expect a much quieter town if you visit December to February
Nearby

Nearby attractions

  • Solang Valley – adventure sports and snow activities, about 13 km away
  • Rohtang Pass & Sissu – seasonal high-altitude excursion and, via the Atal Tunnel, year-round access to Lahaul
  • Naggar – medieval castle, Roerich gallery, and a quieter village setting about 20 km down the valley
  • Kasol & the Parvati Valley – riverside village popular with backpackers, roughly 75 km away
  • Shimla – the other half of a Himachal circuit, about 250 km and 7 to 9 hours by road
FAQs

Manali — Frequently Asked Questions

What is Manali famous for?
Manali is known for its mountain setting on the Beas river, adventure activities at Solang Valley, the seasonal Rohtang Pass, the 16th-century Hadimba Devi temple, and the cafés and slower pace of Old Manali. It is also the starting point of the roads to Leh and Spiti.
How do I reach Manali from Bangalore or Mysore?
Fly to Delhi or Chandigarh and continue by road. Chandigarh is about 300 km from Manali (8 to 10 hours); Delhi is roughly 530 km, commonly covered by an overnight Volvo coach. Bhuntar Airport near Kullu is closer at 50 km but has limited, weather-dependent services.
What is the best time to visit Manali?
March to June for pleasant weather and full access to Solang and Rohtang once the pass opens. October to November for clear autumn views and fewer crowds. December to February for snow, though Rohtang is closed. Avoid July to September monsoon because of landslide risk on the approach roads.
Is Rohtang Pass open year-round?
No. Rohtang typically opens around May and closes with the first heavy snows, usually by late October or November — exact dates vary with the weather. A permit with capped daily vehicle numbers is required. The Atal Tunnel now provides year-round access to Lahaul and Sissu as an alternative.
Do I need a permit for Rohtang Pass?
Yes. Vehicle permits are required and the number issued per day is capped, so apply well in advance. Permits are not issued on some days of the week for maintenance. MIT handles the permit process as part of the itinerary when Rohtang is on your plan.
What is the Atal Tunnel?
It is a 9.02 km tunnel beneath the Rohtang massif, opened in 2020, connecting Manali to the Lahaul valley. It has made Sissu and Keylong reachable year-round, cutting a journey that previously depended entirely on the seasonal pass, and it is now a popular day trip in its own right.
How many days should I spend in Manali?
Four to five days for Manali alone, covering the town, Solang, a Rohtang or Atal Tunnel excursion, and Old Manali and Vashisht. Most travellers from South India combine it with Shimla into a six to eight day Himachal circuit.
What adventure activities are available at Solang Valley?
Paragliding, zorbing, and a cable car in summer; skiing, snow tubing, and snow scooters in winter. Rafting runs on the Beas near Kullu in season. Book through your hotel or a reputable operator and check equipment and insurance — roadside operators vary a great deal in standards.
Does it snow in Manali?
Yes, regularly between December and February in the town itself, and considerably more at Solang and higher elevations. Snowfall varies year to year, so it is likely rather than guaranteed on any particular date.
What is the difference between Old Manali and Manali town?
Manali town, around Mall Road and the main bazaar, is busy and commercial. Old Manali, up the hill across the river, is quieter, with guesthouses, cafés, and orchards, and a distinctly more relaxed feel. Many of Old Manali's cafés close for the winter.
Will I feel the altitude at Manali or Rohtang?
Manali at roughly 2,050 metres affects almost nobody. Rohtang at around 3,980 metres is a different matter — breathlessness and headaches are common. Ascend gradually, avoid alcohol beforehand, do not exert yourself at the top, and descend if symptoms worsen.
Can Manali and Shimla be combined in one trip?
Yes, and this is the standard Himachal itinerary. The two are about 250 km apart, generally a 7 to 9 hour drive. A combined six to eight day trip is far better value than travelling from South India for either destination alone.
Is Manali suitable for families and honeymooners?
Both, and it is one of India's most popular honeymoon destinations. The mix of scenery, gentle sightseeing, and optional adventure activities works for families, and the valley setting and quieter riverside resorts suit couples. Activity intensity is entirely up to you.
What should I pack for Manali?
Warm layers year-round — evenings are cold even in summer. For winter you need proper insulation, waterproof jacket and boots with grip, gloves, and a hat. If Rohtang or Solang snow is on the plan, heavy winter clothing is essential regardless of season; local rental shops also hire it out.
Can I drive from Manali to Leh?
Yes, in season. The Manali-Leh highway is one of the most spectacular road journeys in India, but it is open only in the summer months — typically around June to September — and crosses several passes above 4,500 metres. It requires proper acclimatisation planning and should not be rushed.
Is rafting available in Manali?
Yes, on the Beas river near Kullu, roughly 40 km down the valley. Operations are seasonal and depend on water levels, generally running outside the peak monsoon period. Use a licensed operator with proper safety equipment.
What food is Manali known for?
Trout from the Beas is the local speciality. Tibetan food — momos, thukpa, thenthuk — is widely available and genuinely good. Old Manali's cafés serve Israeli, Italian, and continental food thanks to long-standing international visitor traffic, and Himachali dishes such as siddu and madra appear on some local menus.
How crowded does Manali get?
Very, during April-June, Christmas-New Year, and long weekends, with heavy traffic on Mall Road and long queues for the Rohtang road. October-November and the shoulder months offer a far calmer experience with excellent weather.
How long does the drive from Delhi to Manali take?
Roughly 12 to 14 hours for about 530 km, which is why the overnight Volvo coach is such a popular option — you sleep through the journey and arrive in the morning. From Chandigarh the drive is 8 to 10 hours.
How much does a Manali tour package cost?
It depends on dates, flights, group size, hotel category, and which activities you want — flights from South India are usually the largest single component, and peak season rates are substantially higher. MIT prepares a customised quote for your exact plan.
Does MIT arrange Manali and Himachal packages?
Yes. MIT arranges Himachal itineraries including flights, transfers, hotels, Rohtang permits where applicable, and activity bookings, most commonly as a combined Shimla-Manali circuit. Call or WhatsApp +91 96119 57301 or email mitb2btravels@gmail.com.
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