Cradled in the cedar-lined Kullu Valley, Manali has lured travelers for centuries—traders on the old Trans-Himalayan routes, colonial-era hill-station seekers, and today’s hikers and powder chasers. Its story threads from the 16th-century Hadimba Temple to Naggar’s medieval castle and the modern engineering feat of the Atal Tunnel.

Expect a tapestry of experiences: temple bells and hot springs in Vashisht, meadows and zip-lines in Solang Valley, and glacier-fed rivers carving out apple orchards. Trout appears on many menus, while Himachali dishes like siddu, dham-style thalis, and steaming momos fuel exploration.

Practical notes: Manali sits around 2,050 m (6,726 ft), so pace yourself and hydrate on arrival. Winter (Dec–Feb) brings snow; summer (Apr–Jun) is mild and green; monsoon (Jul–Aug) can cause landslides. Rohtang Pass is typically open roughly May–Oct (permit needed), while the Atal Tunnel keeps access toward Lahaul open most of the year.

Manali

Manali pairs Himalayan drama with a friendly small-town heart. Wander Old Manali’s wooden homes and cafes, trace legends at Hadimba Temple, and soak in Vashisht’s mineral-rich hot springs. Adventure calls in Solang Valley and beyond the Atal Tunnel to Sissu’s stark, cinematic landscapes.

• Top sights: Hadimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple, Old Manali lanes, Vashisht Temple & hot springs, Jogini Falls, Solang Valley, Naggar Castle & Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, Sissu village, and seasonal Rohtang Pass.
• Local flavor: fresh river trout, siddu (steamed bun), thukpa and momos from the Tibetan kitchens, and wood-fired pizzas from hillside cafes.
• Fun fact: The 9.02 km Atal Tunnel is among the world’s highest highway tunnels, unlocking winter access to Lahaul’s moonscapes.

Where to stay (Old Manali for riverside cafes; around Mall Road for easy access; Vashisht/Shuru for quiet):

• Browse vacation homes on VRBO Manali
• Compare hotels on Hotels.com Manali

Getting to Manali (choose what fits your schedule and season):

• Fly to Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar, KUU) from Delhi/Chandigarh, ~1–1.5 hours; taxi to Manali ~1.5 hours (₹1,800–2,800). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.
• Train to Chandigarh/Kalka (Delhi–Chandigarh ~3–4 hours, ₹500–1,200); then private transfer or bus to Manali (8–10 hours). Check rail options on Trip.com trains.
• Overnight Volvo bus from Delhi: ~12–14 hours (₹1,200–2,000), popular in peak months.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Manali Stroll, and Trout Under the Pines

Morning: Travel toward the Himalayas. If flying into Bhuntar, enjoy the scenic drive tracing the Beas River to Manali.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress with a gentle walk in Old Manali. Pause at Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted for excellent espresso and warm chocolate-chip cookies; peek into boutique wool shops and apple-orchard lanes.

Evening: Dinner at Johnson’s Café & Hotel—order the Himalayan trout with herb butter and local veggies. If you prefer riverside vibes, Cafe 1947 pairs wood-fired pizzas and live music with the sound of the stream.

Day 2: Temples, Hot Springs, and Market Lanes (Guided City Highlights)

Morning: Fuel up with pancakes and masala omelets at Drifters’ Café. Then set out on a classic circuit—Hadimba Devi Temple’s deodar forest, Manu Temple’s mythic lore, and the Tibetan Monastery near Mall Road.

Afternoon: Ease into Vashisht: visit the temple, then relax at the hot springs. Grab a thukpa-and-momo lunch at a small family-run eatery in the village. Stroll Mall Road for souvenirs and cozy bakeries.

Evening: Book this comprehensive local tour to cover the essentials with stories and context: Highlights of Manali (Guided Full Day Sightseeing Tour by Car). You’ll tick off the key sights with flexible pacing and a private guide.

Post-tour dinner: The Corner House on Mall Road for north Indian curries and tandoori, or Il Forno for wood-fired pizza in a rustic cottage garden.

Day 3: Solang Valley Adventure Day

Morning: After coffee at Dylan’s, head 30–45 minutes to Solang Valley. Depending on season, try the gondola, zip-lining, ATV rides, zorbing, or gentle snow-play. Views stretch to glaciated peaks and paragliders dotting the sky.

Afternoon: Warm up with kahwa or chai at a Solang slope-side café, then continue to viewpoints. In summer, short meadow walks are great for families. Return to Manali by mid-afternoon for a late lunch.

Evening: Consider a curated outing for smooth logistics: Exclusive 6-Hour Private Manali & Solang Valley Tour—ideal if you want hotel pickup and time-efficient routing.

Dinner: The Lazy Dog in Old Manali for global plates and cocktails by the river, or Casa Bella Vista for vegetarian Spanish-Italian plates and a cozy fire.

Day 4: Atal Tunnel to Sissu—Lahaul’s Stark Beauty

Morning: Early start for the Atal Tunnel (about 1 hour from Manali). The 9.02 km tunnel opens into a different world—saffron-brown mountains, cobalt skies, and the Lahaul valley’s crisp air.

Afternoon: Continue to Sissu (30–45 minutes). Walk to Sissu Waterfall or the lakeside viewpoint, savor a simple lunch of rajma-chawal or maggi at a roadside dhaba, and photograph prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

Evening: Return to Manali. Book a seamless day with Atal Tunnel Sightseeing Tour Covering Sissu & Solang Valley to handle permits, road checks, and stops.

Dinner: Il Forno’s spinach-mushroom pizza or Johnson’s butter-garlic trout. Night stroll along the river if it’s clear.

Day 5: Naggar Castle, Roerich Art, and Jana Waterfall

Morning: Drive ~45 minutes to Naggar, former capital of the Kullu kingdom. Explore Naggar Castle’s timber-and-stone architecture and terrace views. Visit the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery to appreciate Himalayan landscapes painted a century ago.

Afternoon: Continue to Jana Waterfall along an apple-orchard road. Eat a rustic Himachali lunch at a local dhaba—siddu with ghee, rajma-chawal, and crisp pahadi veggies. Loop back via Rumsu village if you enjoy quiet scenic lanes.

Evening: Back in Manali, sip hot chocolate at Dylan’s or try a saffron kahwa. Dinner at Fat Plate Café (Shuru) for farm-to-table Himalayan and continental dishes, or return to Cafe 1947 for pasta and tiramisu.

Day 6: Guided Day Hike—Forests, Meadows, and Big Views

Morning: Early breakfast—parathas and chai—then lace up for a guided hike. Classic options include Lamadugh meadows, Bhrigu Lake approach (season/conditions), or alpine trails above Old Manali with cedar forests and ridge views.

Afternoon: Picnic on the trail; your guide will pace altitude gain and share local lore. Keep a windproof layer handy—mountain weather shifts quickly.

Evening: Ease tired legs with a soak at Vashisht hot springs if time allows. Book this flexible hiking experience: Private One Day Hiking Trip in Manali, Scenic Mountain Trail.

Dinner: The Corner House for tangdi kebab and dal makhani, or Drifters’ for live music, hot soups, and card games.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Souvenirs, and Farewell

Morning: Coffee crawl—Dylan’s for one last espresso, then a flaky croissant at a local German bakery. Shop for Kullu shawls (look for the Bhuttico showroom), pine-needle crafts, and handwoven caps at Manu Market and the Tibetan Market.

Afternoon: Early lunch of momos and thukpa or a trout burger at Johnson’s, then depart by taxi to Bhuntar Airport or your bus pickup. Allow buffer time—mountain traffic ebbs and flows.

Evening: If your departure is later, consider this compact orientation any time of day on arrival/departure days: Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour (2 Hours) to deepen your connection to the lanes you’ve just explored.

Seasonal and safety notes: In winter, expect snow chains/road checks; check your operator’s updates the evening prior. In peak summer, start early to beat traffic to Solang/Atal Tunnel. Carry cash for small dhabas (UPI is common but not universal) and a light rain shell in monsoon months.

Optional add-ons if you have extra energy: Paragliding (subject to weather/regulations), rafting in Kullu (late spring–early autumn), or a gentle hike to Jogini Falls from Vashisht.

Quick eats and sips to remember:

• Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted: coffee and cookies
• Johnson’s Café: trout specials and courtyard bar
• Cafe 1947: riverside Italian and live music
• Il Forno: wood-fired pizzas in a heritage cottage
• Fat Plate Café: farm-fresh plates in Shuru
• The Lazy Dog: global comfort food by the river
• Drifters’ Café: breakfasts, board games, music nights

One-stop tour suggestion if you prefer structure on Day 2 instead of self-guiding: Highlights of Manali – Full Day.

This week in Manali balances heritage, hearty food, and high-mountain vistas—from cedar temples to Solang’s meadows and Sissu’s raw beauty. With smart travel windows and a few guided days, you’ll see why the Kullu Valley is called the Valley of the Gods—and want to return in a new season.