Manali
Photo: Rishabh gaur (CC BY-SA 4.0)Kullu Valley's adventure and honeymoon hub at ~2,050 m: Old Manali cafes, Hadimba temple, Solang, Atal Tunnel and the road to Lahaul–Spiti–Leh.
Most popular Himachal destination for young travellers; overnight Volvo from Delhi and a base for snow, adventure and Lahaul–Spiti trips.
November: Cold, clear
When to go
Things to do
- Visit Hadimba Devi Temple
- Cafe-hop in Old Manali
- Soak in Vashisht hot springs
- Drive through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu: Vehicles entering Lahaul need free e-Aagman registration. Expect jams at Solang/tunnel on peak days.
- Go up Rohtang Pass with a permit: Book NGT permit early; pass usually closed Tuesdays and in winter (approx Nov-May).
- Paraglide, raft or ski: Paragliding/rafting ban 15 Jul-15 Sep; skiing at Solang in winter.
- Trek to Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake or Beas Kund
- Attend the Manali Winter Carnival
- Solang Valley Paragliding: Short tandem paragliding flights over Solang meadows, mainly summer; banned in Kullu district during monsoon.
- Skiing in Himachal (Solang, Narkanda, Kufri): Winter skiing on beginner slopes at Solang, Narkanda and Kufri, roughly Dec/Jan–Mar.
- Solang Ropeway: Cable car ride at Solang Valley giving aerial views of the valley and peaks.
- Cross Hampta Pass (14,065 ft) from Kullu to Lahaul: 5-6 days, ~26 km, moderate; Jobra to Chhatru. Permit requirement not sourced.
Top sights
Hadimba Devi Temple
1553 pagoda-roofed wooden temple to Hidimba Devi set in a deodar forest above Manali, built over a cave shrine.
Sethan
Snowy hamlet at ~9,000 ft above Manali in the Hamta area, known for winter igloo stays, skiing and tube sliding.
Old Manali
Hillside village above Manali town known for traditional houses, backpacker cafes and the Manu Temple.
Manu Temple
Stone-and-wood temple in Old Manali dedicated to sage Manu, said to be among the very few in India honouring him.
Vashisht Temple and Hot Springs
Village 3 km from Manali with a Kath-Kuni temple to sage Vashisht and gender-separated public sulphur hot-spring baths.
Hidimba Devi Temple, Dhungri Manali
16th-century wooden temple for Hindu goddess in Himachal Pradesh India
Valley viewpoint
Old Manali View
Manalsu Nala Viewpoint
Jogini Viewpoint
Vashisht View
Wayland viewpoint
Nature and outdoors
Hampta Pass Trek
Classic 5–6 day crossover from green Kullu side to barren Lahaul over Hampta Pass (14,065 ft); Jobra to Chhatru.
Beas Kund Trek
Short 4-day trek from Dhundi (Solang) to the Beas river source glacial lake beneath Hanuman Tibba.
Inderkilla National Park
national park in Himachal Pradesh, India
Manali Sanctuary
Wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh, India
Van Vihar Manali (Gate 1)
HP Manali Wild Nature Park
Where to eat
Johnson's Cafe
Garden restaurant and bar on Circuit House Road, famous for its many trout preparations.
Cafe 1947
Riverside cafe on the Manalsu in Old Manali with live music, Italian food and outdoor seating.
The Lazy Dog Lounge
Riverside lounge on Manu Temple Road in Old Manali serving Asian and Italian food.
Drifters' Cafe
Old Manali cafe on Manu Temple Road known for all-day breakfasts like eggs Benedict and waffles.
Chopsticks
Long-running Mall Road restaurant for Tibetan, Chinese and some Japanese dishes, including gyakok hot pot.
Il Forno
Family-run Italian restaurant in an 1860s kath-kuni house in an apple orchard on Hadimba Temple Road.
Dylan's Toasted & Roasted Coffee House
Small Old Manali coffee house since 2005, famous for its gooey chocolate cookies.
Rose Garden (Vashisht)
Seasonal Italian garden restaurant in Vashisht, founded by Rosalba Lucioli, with wood-fired pizza.
Spoon Feed
Shanti Dhaba
Southern Souls
River Music
Shopping
Nearby
Other destinations close to Manali.