Manali trip from Delhi NCR: student guide to what to see and when
More time · from Delhi NCR · checked 4 October 2026
Manali is a hill station at the northern end of the Kullu Valley, and a trip from Delhi NCR is a long one. This guide helps you decide whether a weekend is realistic and what to see if you have more time.
Manali at a glance
- Where
- Manali, Himachal Pradesh
- Good for
- Mountain views, cafes, snow in winter, adventure sports
- Time to allow
- Three or four days; a quick weekend leaves little time on the ground
- Getting there from Delhi NCR
- Wikivoyage lists roughly 570 km by road from Delhi, with direct buses and a nearby airport at Bhuntar
- Check before you go
- Weather, road conditions and Rohtang access rules
Planning notes are editorial. Facts are from the sources listed below.
What to see in Manali
Sights are spread out – group them by direction.
Hidimba Devi Temple
Wikivoyage describes it as an ancient cave temple, near Old Manali. A small museum of Himachal culture is a short walk away.
Source: Wikivoyage
Old Manali
About 3 km from the town, known for orchards and old guesthouses, per Wikivoyage.
Source: Wikivoyage
Vashist hot springs
A village about 3 km from Manali with natural hot springs and a temple.
Source: Wikivoyage
Solang Valley
About 13 km from Manali and known as "Snow Point", with a ski lift of about 300 m per Wikivoyage.
Source: Wikivoyage
Rohtang Pass
At about 3,979 m. Access rules change with the season and local regulation, so check the current rules on the Himachal Tourism site before planning a day around it.
Source: Wikivoyage, Himachal Tourism
Naggar
Castle, Roerich house and art gallery, listed by Wikivoyage as a half-day extension.
Source: Wikivoyage
Manali Gompa
A monastery built in 1960 and one of the important Buddhist sites in town.
Source: Wikivoyage
Food
This guide has no verified food recommendations from sources beyond the cafes and guesthouses Wikivoyage lists around Old Manali. Check recent reviews and menus before choosing.
When to go
Wikivoyage describes cold winters, with minimum temperatures between -15 and -5 degrees C from October to March, and moderately cool summers. Winter means snow and possible road disruption. Check the forecast and the road status for your dates.
Getting there from Delhi NCR
Wikivoyage lists about 570 km by road from Delhi, with buses from Delhi, and Bhuntar (Kullu) airport about 50 km away. This is a long overnight journey; do not plan it as a casual two-day trip.
Local etiquette
- Dress for the cold even in summer evenings.
- Keep temple rules in mind at Hidimba and the gompas.
- Do not litter; the valley is easily scarred by day-trip crowds.
Watch-outs
- Mountain roads close with weather. Keep flexible dates and a buffer day.
- Wikivoyage advises checking a taxi driver's mountain-driving experience before a long trip.
- Altitude and cold affect people differently; carry layers and rest on arrival.
A sample outline
An editorial outline, not a booked tour or a verified timetable. Change it to match your own transport.
- Day 1. Arrive and rest. Hidimba Temple and Old Manali on foot.
- Day 2. Solang Valley or another day trip by shared or hired taxi.
- Day 3. Vashist springs or Naggar, then start the long return.
What to put in your budget
This guide gives no prices. Check live quotes and write the date next to each one.
- Long return transport (both directions)
- Stay for several nights
- Food and water
- Local taxis for valley day trips
- Optional activities (adventure sports, entry fees)
- A reserve for weather delays
Sources
Facts marked Wikivoyage are summarised from Wikivoyage, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Prices and timings there are dated, so this guide does not repeat them as current. Last checked 4 October 2026.
Photo credits
- Manali: Anuj.bhargava7 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized and cropped
- Hidimba Devi Temple: Ganesh Mohan T · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized and cropped
- Solang Valley in snow: Bleezebub · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized and cropped
