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Town in India
Photo: Flickr user: D Bown https://www.flickr.com/photos/molesworth2/, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Manali is a city of about 11,000 people (2023) in Central Himachal Pradesh. A staging point for a number of treks (Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass) and sports such as white-water rafting, Manali is also on the road to Ladakh via the valley of Lahaul and Spiti and Rohtang Pass, which is the main attraction near Manali. Check live status of Rohtang Pass and Atal Tunnel on manali.today.
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At an altitude of 3979 m (13,050 ft) above sea level, this is another adventure tourist site where it can be cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is truly breath-taking. Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river Beas, is also nearby. In winter, the road of Rothang Pass is closed.
The road to Rohtang Pass is closed at Manali bridge on all Tuesdays between 9AM-6PM for carrying out road widening work & repairs. If you are able to leave early, before 09:00, you can avoid the traffic rush (found on all other days) and have Rohtang Pass to yourself (well almost!). Flip side is to be prepared for stoppages (extending up to a few hours) on the return trip as the road is blocked off where repair works are progressed.
If you are driving up, be prepared for the rough broken roads at many places, sheer blind turns and tight hairpin bends, which can be exhilarating depending on the state of your nerves.
If you are hiring a vehicle then better rent a four wheel drive vehicle from Manali. Some times the local people along with police does not allow the non-four wheel drive vehicles from going beyond Snow-Point (a place 16 km before Rohtang Pass) and force to hire their owned 4WD vehicles at exorbitant prices which can be up to ₹2000 per person. This happens in the winter times when there is heavy snow fall. Shared taxis are also available.
An igloo-shaped temple, on top has a spring which is the origin of River Beas.
Near the Hadimba Temple
Hidimba
It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahābhārata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshipped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in the year 1553.
This temple is represented as Kuldevi of the kings of Kullu in early times and is worshipped as a manifestation of Durga, and image of the goddess is also enshrined here. The divinity is popularly worshipped throughout the region during the festivals and the Goddess is transported to Kullu to visit the Lord Raghunathji during Dussehra festival. This temple is on the top of above the Shaminallah village, which is around 5 km from Manali, across the Beas river on the left bank on the way to Naggar Castle.
Manali is known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. These are maintained by donations from the local community and by the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshops.
The museum is situated on a two minutes walk from the Hadimba Devi Temple in Utopia Complex. The museum is a unique and extraordinary collection of unknown and rare antiques of the state. It demonstrates the almost extinct articles that clearly display the forgotten culture, art and handicraft of Himachal Pradesh. The museum has 18 galleries in it which display antiques from different aspects of cultural life of people of Himachal Pradesh.
3 km northwest of Manali is Old Manali, famous for its orchards and old guesthouses. There is ruined fort here by the name of Manaligarh. There is also the Manu Maharishi Temple, dedicated to sage Manu.
About 16 km from Manali at the start of the climb to the Rohtang Pass, are the beautiful Rahalla Falls at an altitude of 2,501 m.
On the way to Rohtang amazing water fall worth seeing. this water fall looks amazing between the high hills.
Popularly known as Snow Point, Solang Valley is 13 km northwest of Manali and famous for its 300-m ski lift. The Ski Lift ticket is ₹400 per head. It is a picturesque spot and offers splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. Jagatsukh, the former capital of Manali, is also an important spot.
Around 3 km from Manali, across the Beas river is Vashist, a small village with natural sulphur springs. Modern bathhouses, with Turkish-style showers, have the hot water piped into them for the convenience of the visitors who come here to benefit from the medicinal properties. Vaishisht, also boasts a pair of old stone temples, opposite each other above the main square. Dedicated to the local patron saint Vashista, the smaller of the two opens on to a partially covered courtyard, and is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings. Those lining the interior of the shrine, blackened by years of oil-lamp and incense smoke, are particularly fine. The temple tanks are underground hot-water/sulfur springs. Be wary of hanging up your trousers or bags on the hooks provided, pickpocketing is a daily occurrence. Hand over your wallet to a trusted person for safekeeping before you enter the springs for a bath.
Both these places especially log hut area have some good hotels to stay.
Manali Gompa was built in 1960. It is one of the most important places for Buddhists. Buddhists come to this place from Ladakh, Tibet, Spiti, Lahul and Kinnaur. Manali Gompa is world famous for a large statue of Buddha and for its wall paintings.
The Castle, Roerich House and Art gallery are places to see. Moonlight dinner on the balcony of Hotel Castle restaurant is worth experiencing, with the lovely sight of twinkling lights below in the Beas valley. Bijli Mahadev temple, about 20 km from Naggar, is also worth visiting.
Jana Waterfall
15 km from Naggar and 35 km from Manali, at Zana Village, beautiful Water Fall is worth visiting. The valley provides amazing views. There is one water fall on the road side and two other water falls which are not much explored by tourists and are amazing. Moreover traditional Himachali food is available here at small hut like shops.
Nehru Kund is around 6 km from Manali. It is one of the natural springs of natural water in India. Nehru Kund is named after the late Prime Minister Jawar Lal Nehru. Nehru used to drink water from this Kund, while his journey to Manali. Nehru Kund is on the Manali-Keylong road, about 6 km from Manali. It is understood that a landslide has wiped out this spring.
Savour a Himachali menu as well as delectable Indian, European, oriental cuisines.
It is a small eatery with good Indian and Western spread close to the bridge on the Beas River. You get the option of sitting and enjoying the food right next to the river gushing by. Try out the freshly made parathas, bruschettas, omelettes and traditional Indian tea.
Roasted and Toasted
Serves cookies, sandwiches, etc., with a complimentary movie theatre offering around 100 films alongside Bob Dylan's music.
A small Spanish-style café with 2 small & 2 cottage rooms available for stay. Serves fresh brick-oven pizzas & Italian.
The 1st music cafe in Old Manali (near the bridge), on the banks of the River Manalsu. Cuisines from all around the globe and known for its dishes like the "Burger of Bodom", "UFO", and "The Terminator". Travelers can also play instruments in rhythm with the Voice of the River, and there are unplugged concerts and parties held now and then.
The last cafe once you leave Manali and are heading towards Rohtang Pass. It is run by young enterpreneurs for their love of life in the mountains and music. They serve good pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and momos. They also play excellent rock music from the 1960s and 1970s. Most paragliders will land at their cafe and many enjoy their services while waiting for their friends or families to pick them up.
Delicious north Indian and Mughlai food.
Really good Tibetan food.
A well-decorated, in-house, multi-cuisine restaurant that offers Indian, Mughlai and Chinese delicacies.
This has great food, Wi-Fi internet and friendly atmosphere.
Italian pizzas prepared by an Italian cook.
It is also a very popular destination for both locals and foreigners. It serves Tibetan soups, veggie dumplings and other sandwiches and snacks.
It is a great place to hang out in the evening.
It has an extensive multi-cuisine menu. The food is quite good and the ambience is great.
One can eat sidu (which is like filled idli or filled rice baked bun) with chutney to experience a slice of Himachali cuisine with tea, black tea, or coffee.
It is a popular mess which serves south Indian meals and unlimited meals
Right from chat to Indian (veg/nonveg) to international cuisine like Italian/Chinese are available in the main market which is just opposite the Manali Bus stand. The mall road has a variety of eating options ranging from stalls and dhabas to fancy restaurants. Deeper into the lanes of the town, one can find more local eating places, catering to special tastes and habits ranging from Tibetan food, to Vaishnavi Dhabhas. You are sure to find something without hunting around too much.
Has a multi-cuisine menu, and the food and ambience are all good.
It is one of the best places to hang out in the evening. It has a great collection of restaurants/bars and shops. It is also not crowded like the Mall Road, with the crowd consisting mostly of foreigners.
Serves pizzas and Italian cuisine.
On the mall road 200 m away from main Manali Bus stand with seating capacity of 75 persons at a time on 2 floors. Vegetarian with Jain options available. All types of Punjabi, Gujarati, South Indian and continental.
Serves good butter chicken with butter naan. You can also get a beer which is not mentioned in the menu, if you ask.
Delicious non veg food specially kolapuri chicken and trout.
Known for beautiful view and good homely buffet food.
Serves mutton and chicken roasts alongside live BBQ and grilled dishes in a gourmet outdoor setting. Diners enjoy scenic mountain views and a garden enhanced by a flowing brook. The restaurant is pet-friendly and offers parking facilities, and reservations are advised, particularly on weekends.
Very friendly, food menu provided for additional nominal fees. Hot water is free.
3 km from the main town of Manali. Drifters is really high on value for money. Rooms and toilets are clean and cozy.
Room + breakfast + dinner @ ₹2300 per night for 2 persons.
Rooms overlooking the forest on one side. A favourite with World Challenge expeditioners.
Room + breakfast + dinner @ ₹1200 per night for 2 persons.
Run by a local family, with spacious rooms, mountain views and an outdoor cafe that serves food of Himachal Pradesh as well as a wide range of Indian, Tibetan, Italian, Thai, and Israeli cuisine.
Clean and warm rooms. Nice wooden floors. Comfortable bed. Hot water. Pretty courtyard.
In a small village with traditional wooden houses. It is surrounded by an apple orchard and wide view of the Himalayan mountain range. It is far from the crowds.
A heritage bungalow built in 1928, during the British era, with high ceilings, spacious bedrooms and fireplaces, and surrounded by apple orchards & kiwi plantations. It is managed by the descendants of the same family that built it. Behind the home-stay is the village of Benchi, whose residents work on the orchards. The village offers a glimpse of the Himachali countryside with its by-lanes overlooking the Beas and the Dhalaudhar range.
Set of three cottages near orchards.
A collection of three cottages with 2-3 rooms in each cottage, which are well decorated.
59-room hotel with extensive lawns and indoor facilities.
Provides accommodation with adventure activities facilities and free WiFi in camp area. There is a park on site and guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. A vegetarian/non veg food is served at the property. The tented camp offers a barbecue. Guests can rent a car or use the business centre. The camp can also arrange a bicycle rental service.
Resort set amidst ancient deodars.
44 rooms, in natural surroundings around Hadimba Temple.
Touts its "homely food and comfort". Hotel has facilities like Wifi, backup power, restaurants, television, credit card acceptance, 24 hours hot water with solar-heated backup heater, parking.
3-star hotel with 75 rooms. The hotel uses imported wooden flooring and has balconies that face the valley and snow-clad mountains. The rooms are furnished with 32" LEDs with satellite TV and refrigerators. The hotel also has a discotheque with a bar, and a multi-cuisine restaurant called Silhouette.
This is a handsome place sprawled over the Log Hut Area and is surrounded by apple orchards and deodhar forest. All rooms have facilities like 32" LCD TV, mini fridge, tea/coffee maker, wooden flooring.
3-star property with facilities such as a discotheque, coffee shop.
Tastefully done up property with a popular bar and restaurant.
A stone and wooden property facing the Himalayas. It has 7 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, TV, tea/coffee maker, and additional amenities. Each room has a great panoramic view of the mountainous landscape from the balcony.
A stone and wooden property facing the Himalayas. It has 12 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, TV, tea/coffee maker, water bottles and additional amenities. Each room has a great panoramic view of the mountainous landscape from the balcony.
Nirvana Hamta Retreat
Nirvana Hamta Retreat is a mountain retreat located in Sethan Village near Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,700 meters (8,860 feet), the property offers panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges and serves as a base for exploring the Hamta Valley region. Accommodation options include geodesic dome stays, glass cottages, and mountain-view rooms designed to provide a comfortable experience in a natural setting. The area is popular for hiking, skiing during winter, stargazing, photography, and access to nearby attractions such as Hamta Pass, Solang Valley, and Manali. The retreat is known for its peaceful location away from the busy tourist areas of Manali while remaining accessible by roa
8 guest rooms with four-poster beds, antique armoires and working fireplaces and 8 cottages each with 2 bedrooms complete with en-suite bathrooms, dining space and working fireplace. All cottages have their own private gardens, balconies and mountain views, croquet and trampoline provided. Refectory restaurant serves continental and Indian cuisine. On the premises is the Olde Raven Pub/Bar and a swimming pool (seasonal) open to non-resident guests at a charge. Boardroom/conference room for offsites/meetings.
4-star resort at Rangree on banks of the River Beas. 50 AC rooms, centrally heated.
Has family and couple suite rooms, and an onsite restaurant with beautiful views.
Riverside resort.
By private taxi
If hiring a private taxi, ensure that the driver has experience driving in hilly regions and does not have the habit of drinking alcohol.
By train
The nearest Broad Gauge Rail Head is Chandigarh (310 km).
By plane
The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu) Airport (KUU); Tel: +91 1902–265037, 265603), 50 km from Manali, 10 km from Kullu, about one hour away.
There are various ways of getting around in Manali, if you are not already travelling with your own vehicle.) It costs about ₹1800 per day, or a little over ₹3000 if you book together for 3 days (in the peak season).
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Bhuntar · Regional · KUU
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