Explore the best things to do in Manali, from paragliding at Solang and Rohtang snow to Old Manali cafés, rafting and hot springs. Plan your trip now!
Manali is Himachal's adventure capital, but it is also a place of old temples, hot springs, apple orchards and slow café afternoons. That mix is why families, couples and backpackers all love it.
Here are the 15 best things to do in Manali, with where each one is, the best season for it and how much time to keep. For a full plan with places, hotels and budgets, read our Manali tour guide.
All 15 activities in one table. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Activity | Where | Best time | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Paragliding at Solang Valley | Solang Valley (14 km) and Dobhi | March to June, October to November | 1–2 hours |
| 2. Snow fun and skiing at Solang | Solang Valley | December to March | Half day |
| 3. Drive up to Rohtang Pass | 51 km from Manali, 3,978 m | Mid-May to October | Full day |
| 4. Cross the Atal Tunnel to Sissu | Atal Tunnel south portal, about 25 km | All year (road permitting) | Half day |
| 5. Visit Hadimba Devi Temple | Dhungri, 2 km from Mall Road | All year | 1 hour |
| 6. Wander through Old Manali | 3 km from Mall Road | All year | Half day |
| 7. Bathe in the Vashisht hot springs | Vashisht village, 3 km | All year (best in winter) | 1–2 hours |
| 8. Walk to Jogini Waterfall | Starts from Vashisht | March to June, September to November | 3–4 hours |
| 9. River rafting on the Beas | Pirdi to Jhiri, near Kullu | March to June, September to October | 2–3 hours |
| 10. See Naggar Castle and the Roerich Art Gallery | Naggar, 21 km | All year | Half day |
| 11. Shop on Mall Road and at the Tibetan market | Mall Road, Manali | All year | 1–2 hours |
| 12. Camp by the river or in a winter igloo | Solang, Sethan and the Beas banks | Camps: April to June, September to October; igloos: January to February | 1 night |
| 13. Day trip to Manikaran and Kasol | Parvati Valley, about 80 km | March to June, September to November | Full day |
| 14. Stroll through Van Vihar | Near Mall Road | March to November | 1 hour |
| 15. Trek to Hampta Pass | Starts from Jobra, about 18 km | June to September | 4–5 days |
Fly over pine forests and the Beas valley with a trained pilot. Short flights from the Solang slopes last a few minutes; longer flights from higher take-off points at Solang and Dobhi give a real view of the valley. Flights stop in the monsoon, usually from mid-July to mid-September, and in bad weather.
In winter Solang turns into a snow park. Try skiing with a local instructor, snow tubing, snow scooter rides and the Solang ropeway to the upper slopes. Snow suits and boots are on rent at the base, so you need not buy them.
Rohtang is famous for walls of snow in May and June and wide mountain views later in the year. You need an online permit, only a limited number of vehicles go up each day and the pass is closed on Tuesdays. Start early to beat the traffic and carry warm clothes even in summer.
The 9 km Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in the world above 10,000 ft. On the other side lies Sissu in the Lahaul valley, with a tall waterfall, a small lake and snow for most of the year. It is the best option when Rohtang is closed or permits are sold out.
Built in 1553, this wooden temple with a four-tier pagoda roof stands in a tall cedar forest. It is dedicated to Hadimba, wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata. Come early to avoid the queue and walk around the forest behind it.
Old Manali's wooden houses, apple trees and riverside cafés have a slower feel than the main town. Visit the small Manu Temple, then stop at a café by the Manalsu stream for wood-fired pizza or Israeli and Tibetan food.
Vashisht village has natural hot sulphur springs inside the temple complex, with separate baths for men and women. A soak in the warm water on a cold morning is a classic Manali experience. Remove footwear and respect temple rules.
An easy trail of about 2–3 km from Vashisht leads through apple orchards and pine forest to Jogini Waterfall, which drops from a high cliff. It is the best short walk near Manali and suits most fitness levels.
A stretch of about 14 km on the Beas has rapids that are exciting but fine for beginners. Operators give life jackets, helmets and a short safety talk. Rafting stops when the river is in flood during the monsoon.
Naggar was the old capital of the Kullu kings. The stone-and-wood castle, now a heritage hotel, has a small museum and lovely views. Nearby, the Roerich Art Gallery shows the Himalayan paintings of the Russian artist Nicholas Roerich in his old home.
Pick up Kullu shawls, Himachali caps, woollen socks and dry fruit on Mall Road. The Tibetan market sells prayer flags, singing bowls and warm jackets. Prices are fixed in big shops, but bargaining is normal in small stalls.
Spend a night in a riverside camp with a bonfire and starry skies. In mid-winter, Sethan village, about 12 km from Manali, has snow igloo stays that sell out fast.
Manikaran is famous for its Gurudwara with natural hot springs and a free langar. Kasol, 4 km away, has riverside cafés and pine forests. Stay a night in our Manali Kasol Manikaran tour if you want more time.
Van Vihar is a quiet deodar park next to Mall Road, with a small lake for boating and benches along the Beas. It is a good place to rest between shopping and dinner.
For keen trekkers, the Hampta Pass trek crosses from the green Kullu side to the dry, rocky Lahaul side at about 4,270 m. It is one of the few treks that runs well in the monsoon. Go with a registered trekking company.
The best time to visit Manali for most of these activities is March to June. Come from late December to February if skiing and snow at Solang are on your list.
Paragliding, rafting, Rohtang from mid-May, camping and the Jogini walk.
Hampta Pass trek, cafés in Old Manali, Vashisht hot springs and green valley views.
Rohtang and Sissu with clear skies, paragliding, Naggar and Kullu Dussehra.
Skiing at Solang, snow at Sissu, igloo stays, hot springs and the Winter Carnival.
Want all of this without the planning? Our Manali tour package covers local sights, Solang and Rohtang or Atal Tunnel, with hotels and a private cab.
Paragliding at Solang Valley, a drive to Rohtang Pass or Atal Tunnel, visiting Hadimba Temple, exploring Old Manali, soaking in Vashisht hot springs and river rafting on the Beas.
From December to February you can ski and go snow tubing at Solang, see snow at Sissu, stay in an igloo at Sethan, bathe in the Vashisht hot springs and join the Winter Carnival in early January.
A café afternoon in Old Manali, tandem paragliding, a snow day at Solang, a riverside camp and a walk through the cedar forest at Hadimba Temple are couple favourites.
Paragliding, river rafting, skiing, snow scooter rides, camping and treks such as Jogini Waterfall and Hampta Pass are the top adventure activities.
Plan 3 to 4 nights: one day for local sights, one for Solang, one for Rohtang or Atal Tunnel and one for Naggar or Manikaran. Add Shimla for a 5 to 6 night trip.
No. Rohtang usually opens in mid or late May and closes by November because of snow. In winter, visit Solang and, when the road is open, Sissu through the Atal Tunnel.
Tell us what you want to do and your dates. We plan the days, hotels, Rohtang or Atal Tunnel and a private cab from Chandigarh or Delhi.
