40 Manali itineraries.
From a day plan to a week, for a first visit, a couple, a family, a trek or a snow morning — each a different trip, each with real drive times, and any of them yours to copy and change.
Pick by nights first (day plans, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 nights are covered), then by who is going and the month. Every plan opens to a day-by-day with the minutes between stops, where to stay, what it costs on the ground, and a button that copies it into your own trips. New to Manali? Read the Manali guide first.
Manali to Sissu — the day trip through the Atal Tunnel
Day plan · Friends · Road trip
The Manali–Sissu day trip through the Atal Tunnel: about an hour each way, no permit, open all year. Timings, what to see in Sissu, and lunch at Solang.
Best Jan–Jun · Sep–Dec
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One day in Manali — the first visit
Day plan · First visit · Classic
A one-day Manali plan for a first visit: Hadimba's cedar-grove temple, the Manu shrine, the Vashisht hot springs and the walk to Jogini Falls — no car till two.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec
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Kullu from Manali — the district town, its temples and the river, in a day
Day plan · Slow travel · Temples & heritage
A day in Kullu from Manali, 40 km down the valley: the Raghunath temple above the bazaar, the Dhalpur ground, the shawl weavers, the stone temple at Bajaura.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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Old Manali — two days of cafés, lanes and one forest walk
1 night · 2 days · Slow travel · Cafés & food
Two days in Old Manali without a car: long breakfasts on the lane, the Manu temple, the riverside lawns, the forest walk, the Hadimba grove and the hot springs.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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Naggar and the left bank — two days below Manali
1 night · 2 days · Couples · Temples & heritage
A night at Naggar below Manali: the castle from around 1460, the temples and the Roerich gallery; then lunch at the Jana Falls dhabas and a temple walk.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec
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Waterfalls and short walks around Manali
1 night · 2 days · Slow travel · Waterfalls
A slow two-day Manali plan on foot: the Jogini falls above Vashisht, a rock shrine above Solang, and Rehala Falls and the meadow at Gulaba on the Rohtang road.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →Manali in two days — the first time
1 night · 2 days · First visit · Classic
A two-day Manali plan for a first visit: the temples and Old Manali on foot, then Solang in the morning and Naggar Castle after lunch. No permit, no pass.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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Manali as a stopover — one night before the road to Leh or Spiti
1 night · 2 days · Bikers · Road trip
One night in Manali before the road to Leh or Spiti: sleep low at 2,050 m, sort fuel and cash, a last hot bath, then out through the tunnel to Sissu.
Best Jun–Sep
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Manali with parents — three gentle days, short walks, no altitude
2 nights · 3 days · Family · Classic
A three-day Manali plan for travelling with parents: everything by car with a short walk at the end — the grove, the museum, the meadow, the baths, the castle.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov
See the plan →A Manali weekend from Delhi — two nights, one overnight bus each way
2 nights · 3 days · Friends · Road trip
A Delhi–Manali weekend by overnight bus: the town on foot the first morning, Solang and Sissu through the tunnel on the full day, Naggar on the way to the bus.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec
See the plan →Manali weekend from Chandigarh — two nights, one snow morning
2 nights · 3 days · Friends · Road trip
A two-night Manali weekend from Chandigarh: 264 km up on Saturday, hot springs and the Mall, the tunnel to Sissu on Sunday, the temple before the drive home.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec
See the plan →Three days in Manali — the classic first visit
2 nights · 3 days · First visit · Classic
A three-day Manali itinerary: the temples and Old Manali on foot, Solang and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu with no permit, then Naggar Castle on the way out.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec
See the plan →Temples and heritage of the Manali valley — three days
2 nights · 3 days · Slow travel · Temples & heritage
Three days of the Manali valley's temples: Hadimba, Manu and Vashisht in the town, then Jagatsukh, Naggar Castle and the stone temples below, and one hill walk.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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Manali to Sissu and Lahaul — three days with a night across the ridge
2 nights · 3 days · Friends · Road trip
Three days from Manali with two nights at Sissu: the tunnel and the meadow on the way, the Chandra valley to Koksar and Gondhla's tower house, the gorge home.
Best May–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →Manali for photographers — three days of light
2 nights · 3 days · Photographers · Classic
Three days of Manali's best light: the cedar grove at dawn and Old Manali at dusk, the pass road early for the widest valley, the tunnel to Lahaul's thin sky.
Best Jan · Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec
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Manali in spring — three days of blossom below and snow above
2 nights · 3 days · Couples · Classic
Three days in Manali in March and April: the empty town, the hot springs, the tunnel to a Sissu still under snow, Naggar's orchards in blossom. No crowd.
Best Mar–Apr
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Manali in the snow — December and January in three days
2 nights · 3 days · Couples · Snow
Three winter days in Manali: a slow cold town, the hot springs at Vashisht, and the snow day through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu while Rohtang is shut.
Best Jan–Feb · Dec
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Manali in November — three days between autumn and the first snow
2 nights · 3 days · Slow travel · Autumn
Three days in Manali in November: days around 17 °C, freezing nights later, Rohtang usually open till mid-month, else the tunnel to Sissu, Naggar's colour.
Best Nov
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Manali in the monsoon — three slow, green days
2 nights · 3 days · Slow travel · Monsoon
Manali in July and August: the forest path, the museum, Naggar Castle under a roof, the hot springs and Old Manali — three green days that need no high road.
Best Jul–Sep
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Manali in May and June — three days when everything is open
2 nights · 3 days · First visit · Peak season
Three days in Manali's fullest weeks, each started before the crowd: Solang at dawn and the Jogini walk, Rohtang Pass newly open, the shaded town after.
Best May–Jun
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Manali with friends — three days of paragliding, waterfalls and the snow line
2 nights · 3 days · Friends · Adventure
A three-day Manali plan for a group: paragliding off the Solang ridge at dawn, the Jogini falls and hot springs on foot, then the Rohtang road to the snow line.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
See the plan →Manali for couples — three unhurried days
2 nights · 3 days · Couples · Classic
A slow three-day Manali plan for two: late starts, hot springs in town, the castle terrace and a waterfall lunch at Naggar, then Solang at dawn and the river.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Dec
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Manali day hikes — three days on foot, home every night
2 nights · 3 days · Trekkers · Walks & treks
Three days of walking from Manali with a bed every night: Jogini Falls from Vashisht, the Anjani Mahadev climb and the sanctuary forest, then a temple walk.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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Manali with kids — four easy days
3 nights · 4 days · Family · Classic
Four easy days in Manali with children: a river park and the temple grove, Solang's meadow, snow through the tunnel to Sissu with no altitude, and the forest.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Dec
See the plan →Manali solo on a budget — four days on foot and by local bus
3 nights · 4 days · Solo · Classic
A four-day Manali plan with no taxi: the town on foot, free hot springs and a waterfall walk from Vashisht, Naggar Castle by local bus, and the forest.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov
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Manali in October — four days in the clearest month
3 nights · 4 days · First visit · Autumn
Four days in Manali's clearest month: the cedar grove and hot springs, Rohtang Pass before it closes, Solang and the shrine walk, the orchards of Naggar.
Best Oct–Nov
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Four days in Manali — the valley, the pass and the meadow
3 nights · 4 days · First visit · Classic
A four-day Manali itinerary: the temples on foot, a full day up to Rohtang Pass with the permit sorted, a slow day at Naggar Castle, then waterfall walks.
Best May–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →Manali by air — three nights from the Bhuntar flight, castle on the way up
3 nights · 4 days · Couples · Classic
Three nights in Manali built round the Bhuntar flight: Naggar Castle on the road up from the airport, Solang and Old Manali, the tunnel to Sissu, the grove.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov
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Bhrigu Lake from Manali — a four-day trek plan
3 nights · 4 days · Trekkers · Walks & treks
A four-day Manali trip built round the Bhrigu Lake trek: a climb to Jogini Falls first, two days from Gulaba to the lake at 4,235 m and back, then the grove.
Best Jun · Sep–Oct
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Manali adventure sampler — four days of flying, rafting, riding and one night under canvas
3 nights · 4 days · Friends · Adventure
A four-day Manali plan that tries everything: paragliding at Solang, rafting at Pirdi, a camp night above the meadow and a motorcycle day, with typical prices.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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The Tirthan valley and Manali in five days — the river and Jalori first, then the left-bank road to Naggar, Solang and Hadimba
4 nights · 5 days · First visit · Multi-hub · starts in Manali
Five days across two valleys: the Tirthan at Gushaini, Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake, the left-bank road through Naggar, then Solang, Vashisht and Hadimba.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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Kasol and Manali in five days — two nights on the Parvati, two on the Beas, the left bank between
4 nights · 5 days · First visit · Multi-hub · starts in Manali
Two nights on the Parvati and two on the Beas: Chalal, Tosh and Manikaran, the Naggar road with the castle for lunch, then Solang, Vashisht and Hadimba.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
See the plan →Five days in Manali, slowly — one thing a day
4 nights · 5 days · Slow travel · Classic
A five-day Manali plan at one thing a day: the temple and Old Manali, Naggar Castle and Jana Falls, the hot springs, the tunnel to Sissu, then the forest.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov
See the plan →Five days in Manali — the whole valley, first time, pass included
4 nights · 5 days · First visit · Classic
A five-day first-visit Manali plan in season: the town on foot, the tunnel to Sissu, Rohtang at six, Naggar and Jana Falls, then Solang and the springs.
Best May–Jun · Sep–Oct
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Beas Kund from Manali — a five-day trek plan
4 nights · 5 days · Trekkers · Walks & treks
A five-day Manali trip built round the Beas Kund trek: a settling day in town, the Solang meadow, three days up to the lake and back, the hot springs after.
Best Jun · Sep–Oct
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Shimla and Manali in six days — the classic Himachal trip, day by day
5 nights · 6 days · First visit · Multi-hub · starts in Manali
Shimla and Manali in six days: the Ridge, Jakhoo and Kufri, the long road via Naggar, then Hadimba, Vashisht, Solang and Sissu, with measured drive times.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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A week's workation in Manali — work the days, use the ends
6 nights · 7 days · Workation · Classic
Seven days in Manali with a laptop: five weekdays at a desk in Old Manali with the forest, hot springs and grove in the breaks, then Solang and Naggar.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Nov
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Himachal in eight days — Shimla, Manali, Bir and Dharamshala in one loop
7 nights · 8 days · First visit · Multi-hub · starts in Manali
An eight-day Himachal loop: Shimla's Ridge and Jakhoo, three nights in Manali with Solang and Sissu, Bir, then McLeod Ganj, Norbulingka and Kangra Fort.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
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The Spiti circuit in eight days — up through Kinnaur, out over Kunzum to Manali
7 nights · 8 days · Friends · Multi-hub · starts in Manali
An eight-day Spiti circuit: Sarahan, Sangla, Chitkul and Kalpa, Nako and Tabo, three nights at Kaza for Key, Kibber and Dhankar, then over Kunzum to Manali.
Best Jun–Sep
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Himachal in ten days — Shimla, Manali, Kasol, Dharamshala and Dalhousie
9 nights · 10 days · First visit · Multi-hub · starts in Manali
Ten days in Himachal: Shimla, Manali with Solang and Sissu, Kasol with Manikaran and Tosh, McLeod Ganj, then Dalhousie and Khajjiar, with measured drive times.
Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov
See the plan →Questions people ask
How do I choose between the 40 Manali itineraries?
Start from how many nights you have — the cards say it in the corner — then who is going. A first visit with two or three nights takes the classic plan; couples, families and friends have their own; the season plans fit the month you are coming. Every plan is a real trip, and any can be copied and changed.
What does "Copy to my trips" do?
It puts the whole plan — every day and every stop, with our measured drive times — into your own trip on HimLocal, where you can add a night, drop a stop or move a day. The published plan stays as it is; your copy is yours. A free HimLocal account takes a minute.
Are the drive times and prices real?
The minutes between stops come from our own road routing on OpenStreetMap data, and every plan was checked against a daily budget so no day asks more than a day allows. Prices are typical local bands with the date we checked them — operators quote on the day, and nothing here is a booking.
Photographs by Wikimedia Commons contributors (CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA), resized; each picture is credited on its own page.