Kullu · Himachal
Manali & Solang
The classic honeymoon and family hill station, with winter snow at Solang and Atal Tunnel.
Manali & Solang is an easy snow destination in Kullu, Himachal, reaching 3,978 m. The best time to go is December to February, May and June and October. Plan 3 to 5 days on the ground from Bhuntar (Kullu) / Chandigarh and about ₹3,500 per person per day.
What to do in Manali & Solang
The one thing not to miss
Old Manali and Hadimba temple
The wooden temple in a cedar grove, then the lanes of the old village.
- 2Solang valleySnow in winter, a ropeway and paragliding in summer.
- 3Atal Tunnel to SissuThrough to Lahaul in minutes; a different landscape on the far side.
- 4Vashisht hot springsPublic baths in the village across the river.
A sample plan: 5 days
Day 1
Bhuntar to Manali & Solang
About 1.5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings; go gently, you have gained height.
Day 2
Old Manali and Hadimba temple · Solang valley
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Atal Tunnel to Sissu · Vashisht hot springs
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 4
A free day
Go back to whatever you liked best, or do nothing at all.
Day 5
Manali & Solang to Bhuntar
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Easy access, every kind of stay, and guaranteed snow somewhere nearby in winter.
Why not
Traffic jams and crowds in peak season; it can feel like a city in the hills.
Before you go
- Permits
- Rohtang Pass needs an online vehicle permit; Atal Tunnel does not.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Snow-day traffic can trap cars for hours — carry food and warm clothes.
- Phone & internet
- Excellent.
Altitude
Manali & Solang reaches 3,978 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Himachal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District emergency operation centre, Kullu, Kullu.
All emergency contacts for Himachal →What to pack for Manali & Solang
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
11 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
7 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,978 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsRohtang Pass needs an online vehicle permit; Atal Tunnel does not.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereExcellent.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Himachal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Himachal
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Bhuntar (Kullu) / Chandigarh.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Snow can close the road above Manali in winter; local 4x4 taxis run to Solang when private cars are stopped.
By road
From
Chandigarh
- Distance
- about 290 km
- Drive time
- 7–8 hours
- Chandigarh
- Bilaspur
- Mandi
- Kullu
- Manali
From
Delhi
- Distance
- about 530 km
- Drive time
- 12–14 hours
- Delhi
- Ambala
- Chandigarh
- Bilaspur
- Mandi
- Kullu
- Manali
From
Bhuntar airport
- Distance
- about 50 km
- Drive time
- about 1.5 hours
- Bhuntar
- Kullu
- Patlikuhal
- Manali
Solang is about 13 km beyond Manali.
Live directions from Bhuntar airport
Buses and shared taxis. Overnight Volvo and state buses run from Delhi (Kashmere Gate) and Chandigarh. Bhuntar (Kullu) has a small airport with limited flights.
Pickups & drivers
From Bhuntar (Kullu) / Chandigarh. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Manali & Solang yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Manali & Solang: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Manali & Solang?
The best months for Manali & Solang are December to February, May and June and October. March and April, September and November are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Manali & Solang?
Manali & Solang is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 2,050 m and reaching 3,978 m.
How many days do you need for Manali & Solang?
Plan 3 to 5 days on the ground, counted from Bhuntar (Kullu) / Chandigarh. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Manali & Solang cost?
Expect about ₹3,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹17,500 for 5 days, before the cost of getting to Bhuntar (Kullu) / Chandigarh.
How do you reach Manali & Solang?
By road: from Chandigarh it is about 290 km, 7–8 hours (Chandigarh → Bilaspur → Mandi → Kullu → Manali); from Delhi it is about 530 km, 12–14 hours (Delhi → Ambala → Chandigarh → Bilaspur → Mandi → Kullu → Manali); from Bhuntar airport it is about 50 km, about 1.5 hours (Bhuntar → Kullu → Patlikuhal → Manali). Overnight Volvo and state buses run from Delhi (Kashmere Gate) and Chandigarh. Bhuntar (Kullu) has a small airport with limited flights. The nearest gateway is Bhuntar (Kullu) / Chandigarh.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Manali & Solang?
Permits: Rohtang Pass needs an online vehicle permit; Atal Tunnel does not. Guide: Not needed.
Is Manali & Solang suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is good. It is busy in season. Snow-day traffic can trap cars for hours — carry food and warm clothes.
What should you pack for Manali & Solang?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, sun cap or hat. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Manali & Solang?
Excellent.
Will I get altitude sickness at Manali & Solang?
Manali & Solang reaches 3,978 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Manali & Solang?
Manali & Solang is not a good choice for anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,978 m. Also keep in mind: Traffic jams and crowds in peak season; it can feel like a city in the hills.
Close to Manali & Solang
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Chandrakhani Passabout 9 km
- Beas Kundabout 12 km
- Bhrigu Lakeabout 16 km
- Hampta Passabout 16 km
- Deo Tibba Base Campabout 17 km
- Sissu & Lahaulabout 27 km
More in Kullu, Manali & Lahaul
- Beas Kund3,690 mcompare
- Bhrigu Lake4,235 mcompare
- Chandrakhani Pass3,660 mcompare
- Deo Tibba Base Camp4,480 mcompare
- Hampta Pass4,270 mcompare
- Sissu & Lahaul3,200 mcompare