Manali

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

Sights and activities

Getting there

By bus

Manali is linked by road with Delhi (about 530 to 550 km), Chandigarh (about 306 km), Shimla, Dharamshala, Dehradun and Haridwar. Ordinary, deluxe, AC and Volvo buses run regularly, mostly overnight, and arrive at the bus stands near Mall Road.

By train

There is no broad-gauge station nearby. The nearest is the narrow-gauge station at Joginder Nagar, about 50 km away by one source and slow to reach. Most rail travellers get off at Chandigarh or Ambala Cantt, about 300 km away, and continue by bus.

By air

Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar is about 50 km from Manali, with taxis and buses onward. Flights are few, so many travellers fly to Chandigarh instead and continue by road.

Where to base yourself

Stay near Mall Road or Hadimba Temple Road for budget and mid-range hotels, or in Old Manali or Prini for cottages and resorts.

Getting around

• The town centre, Mall Road, Hidimba Temple and Old Manali are close enough to walk between.
• Auto-rickshaws and local buses cost about 50 to 100 rupees for short trips, by an older estimate.
• Motorbikes can be rented for about 700 to 1,500 rupees a day, with a security deposit of 2,000 rupees or more.
• Taxis are easy to find in town for Solang, Rohtang and Naggar.
• Buses between Kullu and Manali (about 41 km) start at about 90 rupees and take 1 to 2 hours.

On the way

Worth a stop on the drive from Chandigarh, the last stretch whether you arrive by train, bus or air. Stopping needs a taxi or your own vehicle; buses do not wait. Distances are by road.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

• Kaza and Spiti Valley: Road over Kunzum Pass, about 8 to 10 hours; the pass is usually open only from about June to October, about 180 km by road. See the Kinnaur and Spiti loop trip

Where to stay

Food

Mall Road and Old Manali have many restaurants and cafes serving Himachali, Tibetan, Chinese and Italian food. By an older estimate, street food costs about 100 to 300 rupees and a cafe meal about 400 to 700 rupees.

Try these

• Kaddu ka khatta (sour pumpkin dish)
• Guchhi matter (morel mushrooms with peas)
• Kullu trout (local river fish)
• Chicken anardana (chicken with pomegranate seed)
• Momos (Tibetan dumplings)

Vegetarian food is widely available, including local dishes.

Daily costs

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

No permit is needed for Manali town. Driving up to Rohtang Pass needs a vehicle permit, reported at about 500 rupees and booked online. Carry a photo ID. Check the current rules before you go.

Safety

By day

The town is busy with tourists by day. For adventure sports, check that the operator is certified and gives proper safety gear, and ask about refunds if weather cancels the activity.

At night

Nights are very cold in winter, so carry warm clothing.

Roads

Landslides are a risk in the monsoon, mainly July and August. Snow closes Rohtang Pass in winter. If you hire a taxi from the plains, pick a driver with hill-driving experience.

Emergency numbers

112 (all emergencies)

Practical

Mobile network

All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town. Wi-Fi is common in cafes and hostels, especially in Old Manali.

ATMs and cash

ATMs are easy to find in town.

Fuel

There are several petrol pumps in and around town.

Medical

There are several hospitals within about 6 km, including Lady Willingdon Hospital. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors

Town sights are close together and reachable by taxi. Rohtang Pass and the Atal Tunnel are at 3,100 to 4,000 metres, so people with heart or breathing problems should check with a doctor first.

Children

Suitable for families. Adventure activities are generally not allowed for children under 12.

Wheelchair users

The town is hilly, and Jogini Waterfall is reached only by a walking trail.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

• The name comes from Manu-Alaya, the abode of the sage Manu, and the area is called the Valley of the Gods. Treat temples as places of worship, not only as sights.
• The Kullu valley is known for its long Dussehra celebrations, and the Losar festival is also observed.
• A winter carnival is held in Manali in the first week of January.
• Local shopping is at the Tibetan markets, Manu Market, Mall Road and the Himachal Emporium.

What to pack

• Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
• Proper winter wear: a heavy jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap
• Waterproof shoes with grip if you go in the snow months
• Enough cash for the whole stay, a power bank and offline maps
• Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Manali

• Kinnaur and Spiti loop, 8 nights
• Spiti from Manali, 7 nights