Manali in 3 days

Himalayan valley town for snow, high passes and the road to Ladakh and Spiti. Best time to visit: March-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $20 to $70 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Old Manali, Cafes, hostels, guitar music and the backpacker heart above the river.

Morning: Atal Tunnel to Sissu. A nine-kilometre tunnel that drops you into the stark Lahaul valley in minutes.

Afternoon: Explore Old Manali, Cafes, hostels, guitar music and the backpacker heart above the river.

Evening: Hadimba Temple. A 16th-century cedar-shingled shrine set in dense forest.

Eat: Siddu, steamed Himachali bread served with ghee

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Vashisht, Hot springs, an ancient temple and cheap guesthouses across the valley.

Morning: Solang Valley. Paragliding, skiing in winter and ropeway views of the Dhauladhar range.

Afternoon: Explore Vashisht, Hot springs, an ancient temple and cheap guesthouses across the valley.

Evening: Jogini Falls hike. A two-hour walk above Vashisht through apple orchards to a waterfall.

Eat: Trout from the Beas, grilled or fried

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Mall Road / New Manali, Hotels, shops and buses, the busy domestic-tourism centre.

Morning: Naggar Castle for valley views and the Nicholas Roerich art gallery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Mall Road / New Manali, Hotels, shops and buses, the busy domestic-tourism centre.

Evening: The Beas riverside path between Old Manali and Vashisht at dawn.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Thukpa and momos from the Tibetan kitchens

Hidden gems

Naggar Castle for valley views and the Nicholas Roerich art gallery.
The Beas riverside path between Old Manali and Vashisht at dawn.
Hamta Pass trek, a two-day route from green Kullu into desert Lahaul.
Chandratal lake on the Spiti circuit, if you have the days and the vehicle.

Getting around

Overnight Volvo buses from Delhi take 12 to 14 hours to Manali; the nearest airport is Bhuntar, 50km south, with weather-dependent flights. Locally, shared autos and taxis run between Mall Road, Old Manali and Vashisht, and most of Old Manali is walkable. For Solang, Rohtang and Lahaul, hire a taxi or rent a Himalayan-style motorbike; Rohtang Pass requires a permit issued by quota.

Safety

Mountain roads are the real hazard: landslides are common in monsoon and night driving on the Leh or Spiti highways is best avoided. Anything above about 3,000m risks altitude sickness, so acclimatise before Rohtang, Spiti or Leh. River currents in the Beas are far stronger than they look, and drownings happen every season. Rent bikes only with a helmet and check the brakes yourself.

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