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Himachal Pradesh

Manali

Himalayan backpacker basecamp for treks and easy adventure

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Best time to visit Manali

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: April to May, October and December
  • Shoulder: January to March, June, September and November, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: July to August

Planning a specific month? AprilMayOctoberDecember

Manali season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Dec brings snow and NYE crowds; Jan-Feb are colder, calmer, still fine for Solang snow trips.

Summer March to May Prime time

Peak escape-the-heat season - Apr-May are warm, green and busiest, book Old Manali stays ahead.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Jun is still decent; Jul-Aug bring the Kullu-Manali highway's worst landslides, best avoided; Sep clears fast.

Autumn October to November Prime time

The best weather of the year - clear skies, apple harvest, cool nights, fewer crowds than summer.

What Manali is actually like

Old Manali's cafe strip makes it easy to fall into a group of travellers by dinner.

Things to do in Manali

The local places worth your time in and around Manali, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Hadimba Devi Temple

    Temple · 2 km out

    Cedar wood pagoda of 1553 standing in a deodar grove above town; go before 9 am, tour buses fill the yard by ten.

  • Vashisht Hot Springs

    Hot spring · 3 km out

    Free sulphur baths beside the Vashisht temple, separate tanks for men and women; the water is scalding, go early.

  • Old Manali

    Food · 2 km out

    The cafe strip up the hill past Manu Temple, easiest place to eat alone; most kitchens shut from November to March.

  • Jogini Falls

    Waterfall · 5 km out

    Two tier fall above Vashisht, a 45 minute climb past apple orchards; the rocks at the top stay slippery all day.

  • Solang Valley

    Activity · 13 km out

    Meadow below the glacier with paragliding, zip line and the Atal ropeway; book at the base counters, not from touts.

  • Rohtang Pass

    Viewpoint · 51 km out

    3,978 m pass holding snow into June; permits are online and capped daily, and the road shuts every Tuesday.

  • Bhrigu Lake

    Trek · 22 km out

    Lake at 4,240 m reached from Gulaba, two days with a night at Rola Kholi; tents and guides hire in Old Manali.

Getting to Manali

Fly Bhuntar (50 min) or overnight Volvo from Delhi (12-14h) to Manali.

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
4 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Made for solo travellers
Altitude
2050 m
State
Himachal Pradesh
Coordinates
32.2455, 77.1873

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Manali?

April to May, October and December is peak season in Manali. January to March, June, September and November is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid July to August. Peak escape-the-heat season - Apr-May are warm, green and busiest, book Old Manali stays ahead.

How many days do you need in Manali?

4 days is the usual stay. Old Manali's cafe strip makes it easy to fall into a group of travellers by dinner.

How do you get to Manali?

Fly Bhuntar (50 min) or overnight Volvo from Delhi (12-14h) to Manali. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Manali expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Made for solo travellers.

Is there a festival in Manali?

Jan: Manali Winter Carnival. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Manali?

Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisht Hot Springs, Old Manali, Jogini Falls, Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass, and more. Cedar wood pagoda of 1553 standing in a deodar grove above town; go before 9 am, tour buses fill the yard by ten.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Himachal Pradesh

All 52 destinations in Himachal Pradesh