Manali travel guide

The head of the Kullu valley, gateway to Lahaul, Spiti and the high passes.

2,050 m Kullu district 225 km from Gaggal Airport

Manali sits where the Beas valley narrows below the Pir Panjal. It has two sides: the busy Mall Road, and the apple orchards and old wooden houses of Old Manali and Vashisht.

Since the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020, Lahaul (Sissu, Keylong) is about an hour away, which makes snow easy to reach well into early summer.

Things to do in Manali

  • Hadimba Devi temple: Sixteenth-century wooden temple in a cedar grove.
  • Old Manali: Cafés and village lanes.
  • Vashisht: Hot springs and temple.
  • Solang valley: Ropeway, paragliding and snow activities.
  • Atal Tunnel and Sissu: Snow and waterfalls in Lahaul.
  • Naggar castle: Heritage castle and the Roerich gallery.

How to reach Manali

Bhuntar (Kullu) airport is 50 km away. Gaggal is 225 km and Chandigarh 310 km. Overnight Volvos run from Delhi.

Dharamshala to Manali taxi from ₹2,820 Gaggal Airport to Manali taxi from ₹2,700 Pathankot to Manali taxi from ₹3,720

Best time to visit Manali

March to June and October. Snow from December to February. Avoid peak monsoon.

Where to stay

Old Manali and Vashisht for character, and the Hadimba road or Log Huts area for families.

Manali: questions

How far is Manali from Dharamshala?

About 235 km, 7 to 8 hours by road via Mandi.

Do I need a permit for Atal Tunnel?

No. Only Rohtang Pass needs a permit.

Nearby

Kasol Tirthan Valley
Tours that include Manali

See it with a local

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