Snow spots, temples and valleys in Manali, with the best time to visit each.
Some people come to Manali only for snow, some come for quiet cafes by the river, and some want to see old temples and villages. So instead of one long list, we have sorted the best places to visit in Manali by type. Just jump to the part you care about most.
Every place here is one our guests visit often, and we have added how far it is, the best months to go and a small tip from our drivers.
Think of Manali as the centre of one long road. Go north and you climb towards snow. Go south and you come down into green, warmer valleys. Plan one side for each day.
Distances are by road from Mall Road and are a rough guide. Time on the road can double in peak season or after snow.
These are the places most people mean when they say "Manali trip". The blue boxes show the months when each place is at its best.
A wide open slope at about 2,560 m, with snow peaks on every side. In winter it turns white and you can try skiing, snow tubing and ATV rides. When the snow melts, it becomes the paragliding spot of Manali, and the ropeway takes you higher for big views.
This 9.02 km road tunnel goes right under the mountains and was opened in 2020. The drive itself is fun, and when you come out at the north end, the land suddenly looks very different: bare, rocky and often covered in snow.
Sissu is a small village just after the tunnel, by the Chandra river. It has a tall waterfall, a small lake and very wide views. In winter it is one of the easiest places near Manali to walk on deep, real snow, so it is a family favourite.
Gulaba is on the road to Rohtang. When the higher road is closed in winter and early spring, this is often where the snow fun happens. Shops on the way rent out snow suits and boots, so you do not need to carry your own.
At about 3,978 m (13,050 ft), Rohtang often has snow walls on both sides of the road even in May and June. It is the big day out of most summer trips. The road is open only part of the year, it is closed on Tuesdays and you need a permit, so read the box further down.
Blue = best months to go. Snow can come early or late in any year.
Manali is not only about snow. Its old wooden temples, Buddhist monastery and village shrines show how people in this valley have lived for hundreds of years. Most of them are close to town, so you can see them all in one relaxed day.
Built in 1553, this temple has a four-level wooden roof and stands in a quiet forest of very tall deodar trees. It is made for Hadimba Devi, the wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata. Come early in the morning to enjoy it before the crowds, and see the small Museum of Himachal Culture next door.
Across the river from Manali, the village of Vashisht has an old stone temple and natural hot water pools, with separate areas for men and women. After a cold day in the snow, a warm dip here feels wonderful, so keep a towel in the car.
This calm temple is made for Rishi Manu, and the town of Manali is named after him. It sits at the top of Old Manali, so the short walk up through the village lanes is part of the fun.
A colourful Buddhist monastery with a big Buddha statue, prayer wheels and bright wall paintings. It is a peaceful place to sit for a while, and the small market outside sells Tibetan carpets and handmade gifts.
Want to slow down? These spots are all near town, need no long drive and are best enjoyed on foot.
Old Manali still feels like a village, with wooden houses, apple trees and the Manalsu stream rushing below. Its lanes are full of small cafes with river views, and it is the favourite part of Manali for couples and young travellers.
An easy walk through pine forest and apple farms takes you to this tall waterfall. It is the best short trek near town if you want a little exercise and fresh air, but wear good shoes as the path gets slippery after rain.
Van Vihar is a deodar forest park right next to Mall Road, with walking paths and a small lake for boating. Walk through it in the evening and then step out onto Mall Road for shopping, Kullu shawls and hot snacks.
Club House sits by the stream on the way to Old Manali, with boating, indoor games and small rides. It is a good place for kids to have fun on a slow afternoon.
Going south from Manali, the road follows the Beas river through apple farms and small towns. It is greener and warmer here, and a good change after a day in the snow.
This stone-and-wood castle is about 500 years old and is now a hotel and small museum. From its balcony you can see a long stretch of the Kullu valley. The Roerich Art Gallery, full of Himalayan paintings, is just up the road.
Kullu is the bigger town of the valley and the best place near Manali for river rafting on the Beas. You can also buy real Kullu shawls straight from small weaving units. In October, the town holds the famous Kullu Dussehra fair.
Kasol is a pine-forest village by the fast, blue Parvati river, known for its cafes and easy walks. Just 4 km further is Manikaran, with its Gurudwara and hot springs, where food for the langar is cooked in the hot water. See them together in one long day, or stay a night with our Manali Kasol Manikaran tour.
Short on time? Here is what we suggest for each kind of trip.
Want this plan ready-made with hotels and a cab? See our Manali tour package. Want Shimla too? The 5 Nights 6 Days Shimla Manali Tour covers both, and our guide to which is better, Shimla or Manali helps you decide.
For month-by-month weather, read our guide on the best time to visit Manali.
Most first-time visitors love Hadimba Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht, Solang Valley and the drive through Atal Tunnel to Sissu. Add Rohtang Pass if you travel between mid-May and October.
From December to March, Solang Valley, Gulaba, Atal Tunnel and Sissu usually have snow. Roads can close for a day or two after heavy snowfall.
Rohtang Pass is the best choice in May and June, as it often still has snow. You need a permit for your car, and the pass is closed on Tuesdays.
For a normal tourist visit to Atal Tunnel and Sissu, you usually do not need the Rohtang permit. Rules can change by season, so ask your driver or us a day before.
Three days are enough for the town, the snow side and one valley trip. With four or five days you can add Rohtang Pass or a night in Kasol.
Yes. Kids enjoy the snow and the ropeway at Solang, boating at Club House, the forest at Van Vihar and the drive through Atal Tunnel. Keep warm clothes for them even in summer.
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy most, snow, temples or quiet valleys. We will plan the days, the hotels and a private cab from Chandigarh or Delhi.
