Our local Manali sightseeing tour guide is here to assist you with an itinerary before you visit.
How to reach Manali
All hill stations are a concern when planning how to reach the place. Since there is no railway station or airport near the destination, the closest railway you can reach is Chandigarh, and the closest airport is Bhuntar. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate Manali:
By air
Bhuntar Airport is located around 50 km from Manali and 10 km from Kullu. Domestic airline facilities from Chandigarh, Delhi, and Pathankot are available directly to Bhuntar. Tourists flying from other destinations will get two-stop flights from these destinations before reaching Bhuntar. There are repaid taxi facilities from Bhuntar airport to help you come to Manali.
Delhi to Bhunter flights | Chandigarh to Bhunter Flights
By road
The best way to experience Kullu Manali local sightseeing is by road because of the scenic beauty of the route. Manali is accessible from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla and Ambala. You can book a car, bring your vehicle, or book a Volvo from these destinations. Delhi to Manali bus services are available via NH 1 and NH 21 for a convenient road trip.
Delhi to Manali Volvo | Chandigarh to Manali Volvo
Delhi to Manali Private Cab | Chandigarh to Manali Private Cab
By train
Manali is not directly accessible by train as it is a hill station. The closest train station is Joginder Nagar. After reaching this place you will have to avail a prepaid taxi to drive through Mandi-Pathankot way. Manali is 120 km away from this station and takes you through a narrow-gauge track to come here. Another railway station to reach Manali is Kiratpur. It is located 200 km away from Manali on the Kullu-Chandigarh highway.
Joginder Nagar Train Ticket Price
Here is a 4-day guide to cover all the places in Manali and why these places are worth a visit:
Manali local sightseeing
Day 1 – Manali Local Sightseeing
Reaching Manali
At first, you would want to locate your hotel, check-in, and have enough rest to fight the tiredness of your road trip. If you’re unsure where to stay, you might want to target The Mall area to have accessibility in terms of transport and places to eat. Book a Manali tour package From experts
Hadimba Temple
Depending on the time, you can visit the cave temple of Doongri, one of the famous temples in Manali, which is open 24/7. It is dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhima, from Mahabharat. It is said that Hadimba supposedly meditated there to attain supernatural powers.
Manali Nature Park
Open between 8 am and 6 pm, Manali Nature (Van Vihar) Park is your first stop to experience the scenic beauty of this destination. Situated on the banks of the Beas River, this place welcomes you amidst tall deodar trees. You can spot pheasant birds, musk deer, brown bears, and more.
Vashisht Temple and Hot Water Springs
The temple of Guru Vashisht is located in Old Manali, around 4 km from Mall Road. The temple dedicated to this sage is believed to be the Guru of Lord Rama.
A holy hot spring within the temple premises is known as the Vashist Kund. The water has cleansing properties and medicinal values. It is believed to heal skin disorders and infections.
Jogini Falls
Jogini Falls is a famous waterfall located 4.6 km away from Vashisht Temple. Goddess Jogini is known to have attained spiritual pursuits in this place, which is why the waterfall got its name. There is a Shakti Peeth in this place, and it has spiritual significance due to its feminine energy.
Day 2 – Manali Nearby Sightseeing
Solang Valley
Solang Valley is the most sought-after Manali local sightseeing destination, which interests adventure lovers. Raise your adrenaline as you go skiing, zorbing, or paragliding across the beautiful valley. This place also interests trekkers and campers. Here, you spend the first half of the day and have lunch at a local restaurant.
Rohtang Pass
Manali local sightseeing is incomplete without being mesmerized by the beauty of Rohtang Pass. It is located 13,050 feet above sea level and is 32 km from Atal Tunnel. The scenery drastically changes as you pass through the watershed between the water basins Beas and Chenab River. It is the same route you must take when going to Leh.
Day 3 – Kullu Manali Sightseeing
Naggar Castle
Start your day with a 15-20 km ride away to this 15th-century medieval castle. The architectural interest was built by Raja Sidh Singh in 1460 AD during his reign in Kullu. The castle is a heritage hotel but is also open to public interest.
After the visit, you can experience the local markets of Naggar to shop for authentic Himachal shawls, artifacts, clothes, souvenirs, and more. Lunch at a local restaurant like Nightingale or Soof.
Jana Falls
After lunch, experience Jana’s cascading waterfalls, located 13 km away from Naggar Castle. This place is surrounded by a forest filled with pine, apple, and deodar trees. If you want to stop for snacks before returning, try local cuisine at the Jana Fall River restaurant.
Mall Road
End your day with bright city lights across the famous Mall Road in Manali. This is where you shop for souvenirs, eat local delights like Khatta and Siddu, and explore the culture of Himachal. End your day by dining at one of the famous places to eat, like Johnson’s Café & Bar, Chopsticks Restaurant, Mountainview Noodles, and more.
Day 4 – Kullu Nearby Sightseeing
Manikaran Sahib
Manikaran is around 80 km away from Manali. It attracts tourists due to mysterious hot springs that are located at an altitude of 1,829 meters above sea level. Located by the famous Gurudwara Sahib, this hot spring attracts tourists due to its healing properties. You must bring extra clothes if you want to dip into the holy water known to heal skin problems.
Mall Road
If you still want to spend more time shopping and tasting food from another delectable eatery, Mall Road is where you end yet another day. From woollens to shawls, from handicrafts to local food, you can never have enough of this Manali local sightseeing option.
Final thoughts
Depending on your time, you can include a few more experiences in your Manali itinerary. These include the Manu temple, Atal Tunnel, Baralacha Pass, Sissu Lake, Manali Gompa, Bhrigu Lake, Nehru Kund, and Hampta Pass. Note that some places require you to trek, and you need more time to cover these experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most famous thing of Manali?
The most famous attraction of Manali is the Rohtang Pass. It is where the movies “Jab We Met” and “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” were shot due to their incredible beauty. More reasons to come to Manali include the adventure activities and the place being a honeymoon paradise.
What places should we visit in Manali?
Your trip to Manali is Incomplete without visiting famous places including the Hadimba Temple, Vashisht Temple and Hot Springs, Jogini Falls, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Mall Road, and more.
Is 2 days enough for Manali?
Two days is enough for Manali if you allocate one day for Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass and another day for Hadimba Temple, Vashisth Temple, Jogini Falls, and Manali Nature Park.
What is the local mode of transport in Manali?
Taxis and private cars are the two most common modes of transport to travel within Kullu and Manali. Other forms of local transport, like auto and bus services, are not available locally.