One day in Manali — the first visit

Manali is a small town in a large valley, and one day is enough to see the town. This plan keeps you within a few minutes of the bus stand: the wooden temple in the cedar grove, the shrine above the old village, the hot springs across the river, and a waterfall you walk to rather than drive to.

It works for a day between arriving and leaving for Solang or the pass, and for a first visit where you do not want a car for the whole day. Every stop is 45 minutes or so; the afternoon walk is the longest thing on the list.

Who this is for

First visits with one day in town, or a rest day between drives. Not for anyone chasing snow — that is a Solang or a Sissu day, and both are separate plans below.

Day by day

Getting there

Overnight buses from Delhi and Chandigarh reach the bus stand in the morning, which is exactly when this day begins. If you arrive by car the previous evening, park it; nothing here needs it before two o'clock.

Where to stay

Sleep in Old Manali if you want cafés and a late breakfast, or near the bus stand if you leave early tomorrow. Our stays around Manali list both; the cafés page shows what opens before nine, and the map shows how far each is from the temple.

Know before you go

• Hadimba Devi Temple is busiest between ten and four. Half past eight is quiet; so is the last hour before dusk.
• The Vashisht baths are free and hot. The public tanks are basic; go in, sit, get out — it is not a spa.
• The Jogini walk is unmarked in places. Ask at the last house in the village which path to take, and do not start it after three in winter.
• Carry cash for the temple lanes; the card machines stop working when the power does.

Places on this route

Hadimba Devi Temple

temple · 1 min from Manali

Manu Temple, Old Manali

temple · 3 min from Manali

Jogini Falls

waterfall · 8 min from Manali

Vashisht Temple and hot springs

temple · 6 min from Manali

Other ways to do it

All Manali itineraries →

1 night · 2 days · First visitClassic

Manali in two days — the first time

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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1 night · 2 days · Slow travelWaterfalls

Waterfalls and short walks around Manali

A slow two-day Manali plan on foot: the Jogini falls above Vashisht, a rock shrine above Solang, Rehala Falls on the Rohtang road and Bhrigu Lake in season.

Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct

See the plan →

3 nights · 4 days · First visitClassic

Four days in Manali — the valley, the pass and the meadow

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 →