Best Time to Visit Manali: Month-by-Month Weather Guide
Find the best time to visit Manali for snow, Rohtang Pass and sightseeing, with month-wise weather, crowds and travel tips. Plan your trip now!
Manali, the valley of the gods
Manali is a hill town at the northern end of the Kullu Valley, on the banks of the Beas river. It sits at about 2,050 m, surrounded by apple orchards, deodar forests and snow peaks of the Pir Panjal range.
Old Manali's wooden houses and cafés, the Hadimba Devi Temple in the cedar forest, snow at Solang Valley and the drive to Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel make it the most visited hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Our Manali tour guide covers each of these places, with timings and tips.
Manali is about 310 km from Chandigarh and 540 km from Delhi. The best time to visit Manali depends on what you want: pleasant sightseeing, Rohtang Pass, adventure sports or snow. Whichever season you pick, our Manali tour package can be planned around it.
Best time to visit Manali: quick answer
The best time to visit Manali is March to June, when days are pleasant at 10–25°C, adventure sports are open and Rohtang Pass opens from mid-May. For snow, go from late December to February. October and November bring clear skies, golden colours and fewer crowds. Avoid July to mid-September if you can, because heavy rain and landslides can block the highway.
| Best overall | March to June |
|---|---|
| Best for snow | Late December to February (January has the most) |
| Rohtang Pass open | Usually mid-May to late October / November |
| Clear views, fewer crowds | October and November |
| Peak season | May, June, Christmas and New Year |
| Cheapest months | July to September, early March |
| Avoid | July and August (heaviest rain) |
| Altitude | About 2,050 m (6,726 ft) |
| Ideal trip length | 3–4 nights; 5–6 nights with Shimla |
Manali weather in each month
Temperatures are typical day-time highs and night-time lows in Manali town. Solang Valley is 2–3°C colder, and Atal Tunnel and Sissu are colder still.
| Month | Temperature | Weather | Crowds | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°C – 8°C | Coldest month, best chance of snow | Snow season | Snow, skiing at Solang, Winter Carnival |
| February | -2°C – 10°C | Cold, snow likely at Solang and Sissu | Snow season | Skiing, snow play, quiet honeymoons |
| March | 2°C – 15°C | Cool, snow melting, sunny days | Low | Budget trips, late snow at Solang |
| April | 6°C – 20°C | Pleasant, orchards in bloom | Rising | Families, couples, Old Manali walks |
| May | 9°C – 24°C | Warm days, cool evenings | Peak | Rohtang Pass, paragliding, rafting |
| June | 12°C – 26°C | Warmest month, showers late in June | Peak | Rohtang, summer holidays, camping |
| July | 15°C – 25°C | Heavy rain, landslide risk | Low | Only with flexible dates |
| August | 14°C – 24°C | Wettest month, roads can close | Low | Lowest prices, green valley |
| September | 11°C – 22°C | Rain easing off by mid-month | Low | Apple season, late-month bargains |
| October | 6°C – 19°C | Dry, crisp, clear mountain views | Medium | Kullu Dussehra, photography, Rohtang |
| November | 1°C – 14°C | Cold nights, sunny days | Low | Peaceful trips, good hotel deals |
| December | -2°C – 10°C | Cold; first snow often late in the month | Peak at Christmas | Christmas and New Year, first snow |
Which season suits your Manali trip?
Summer · Mar–Jun
10°C – 26°CThe most popular time. Sunny days, every road open and the full list of adventure sports. Rohtang Pass usually opens from mid-May.
- Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel
- Paragliding at Solang
- River rafting in Kullu
Monsoon · Jul–Sep
11°C – 25°CA green valley and full waterfalls, but heavy rain. Landslides can close the highway from Mandi, and paragliding and rafting stop.
- Lowest hotel prices
- Apple orchards from August
- Cafés in Old Manali
Autumn · Oct–Nov
1°C – 19°CDry air, golden trees and clear snow peaks. Crowds drop after Dussehra and Diwali, and Rohtang is often open till early November.
- Kullu Dussehra
- Photography trips
- Good hotel deals
Winter · Dec–Feb
-4°C – 10°CSnow season. Solang Valley turns into a ski slope and the town often gets snow in January. Roads can be icy after fresh snowfall.
- Snow at Solang and Sissu
- Skiing and snow tubing
- Christmas, New Year, Winter Carnival
When does it snow in Manali?
Snowfall in Manali usually comes between late December and February, and January gets the most. Higher places nearby keep snow from December till March. The exact dates change every year, so no one can promise snow on a given day.
Where to find snow
- Manali town: a few snowfalls each winter, mostly in January
- Solang Valley (14 km): snow from December to March, skiing and snow tubing
- Atal Tunnel and Sissu (about 35 km): the surest snow in winter, if the road is open
- Rohtang Pass (51 km): snow walls from May to June, but closed in winter
Tips for a snow trip
- Keep 1–2 spare days; heavy snow can close the road beyond Solang
- After fresh snow, only 4x4 taxis or cars with chains may be allowed
- Check the weather forecast 3–4 days before you leave
- Rent snow boots and suits at Solang instead of buying them
Best time for Rohtang Pass and adventure sports
Rohtang Pass (mid-May to Oct/Nov)
At 3,978 m, Rohtang opens once the snow is cleared, usually in mid or late May. May and June are best for snow walls. You need an online permit, vehicles are limited each day, and the pass is closed on Tuesdays.
Atal Tunnel (open most of the year)
The 9 km tunnel to Sissu and the Lahaul valley stays open in most seasons. It can close for a few days after heavy snow in winter, so ask your driver on the day.
Paragliding (March to June, Oct to Nov)
Solang Valley and Dobhi are the main sites. Flights stop during the monsoon, usually from mid-July to mid-September, and in bad weather.
River rafting (March to June, Sept to Oct)
Rafting on the Beas between Pirdi and Jhiri, near Kullu, is best in spring and early summer. It stops when the river is in flood during the monsoon.
Festivals and events in Manali
Winter Carnival (early January)
A few days of folk dances, parades, local food and cultural evenings on Mall Road, held every year in the first week of January.
Hadimba Devi Mela (mid-May)
A three-day fair at the Hadimba Temple, with local deities, folk music and traditional Kullu dress, around the goddess's birthday.
Kullu Dussehra (October)
Starts on Vijayadashami and runs for a week at Dhalpur ground in Kullu, 40 km away. Hundreds of village deities come in procession.
Christmas and New Year (December)
Mall Road and Old Manali are lit up and the town is at its busiest. Book hotels and cabs well ahead.
What to wear in Manali in each season
March to June
- Light layers for the day
- A warm jacket for evenings and Rohtang
- Sunglasses and strong sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
July to September
- Raincoat or umbrella
- Quick-dry clothes
- Shoes with a good grip
- A light sweater
October and November
- Sweaters and a warm jacket for nights
- Light layers for sunny days
- Woollen cap and moisturiser
December to February
- Heavy down jacket and thermals
- Woollen cap, gloves and socks
- Waterproof shoes with grip
- Lip balm and cold cream
Best time to visit Manali: common questions
What is the best time to visit Manali?
March to June is the best time for pleasant weather (10–25°C), sightseeing and Rohtang Pass. December to February is best for snow. October and November have clear skies, fewer crowds and lower prices.
Which month has snowfall in Manali?
Manali town usually gets snow between late December and February, with January getting the most. Solang Valley, Atal Tunnel and Sissu keep snow longer, often till March. Snow is never guaranteed on a given date.
When is Rohtang Pass open?
Rohtang Pass usually opens in mid or late May and stays open till late October or November, depending on snow. You need an online permit, the number of vehicles is limited each day, and the pass is closed on Tuesdays.
Is it safe to visit Manali in the monsoon?
July to September brings heavy rain, and landslides can block the Chandigarh–Manali highway for hours or days. Paragliding and river rafting also stop. Travel only with flexible dates and keep a spare day.
Is Manali crowded in May and June?
Yes. May and June are the busiest months because of summer holidays. Hotels cost more and traffic to Solang Valley and Rohtang can be slow. Book hotels and the Rohtang permit 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
What is the cheapest time to visit Manali?
July to September and early March are the cheapest, with big hotel discounts. November and early December (before Christmas) are also good value with dry, sunny weather.
How many days are enough for Manali?
3 nights are enough for Hadimba Temple, Old Manali, Mall Road, Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel or Rohtang. Add a night for Kasol and Manikaran, or combine Manali with Shimla in our 5 nights 6 days Shimla Manali tour.
Is Manali good for a honeymoon?
Yes. December to February is popular for snow and cosy stays, while March to June suits couples who want sightseeing, Rohtang and pleasant weather. Choose a hotel with heating and valley views in winter. See our Himachal honeymoon package.
Plan your Manali trip
Tell us your dates. We suggest the best plan for that season, with hotels, Rohtang or Atal Tunnel, and a private cab from Chandigarh or Delhi.