Manali Trip Complete Guide 3-Day Manali Travel Guide – Budget, Hotels, Activities & Tips
Hello friends!
Manali is one of the most famous hill stations in India. Almost every Indian who loves traveling wants to visit Manali at least once in their lifetime. I personally believe that 3 days are enough to explore Manali and its nearby popular tourist spots.
So in this post, I’ll give you a complete itinerary for 2 nights and 3 days in Manali, along with all the important travel information—
How to reach Manali,
Where to stay on a budget,
Top tourist attractions,
Adventure activities,
Best time to visit,
And most importantly, your total trip cost.
So if you’re planning a trip to Manali, make sure you read this guide till the end so you don’t miss any important details.
🚌 How to Reach Manali
Since Manali is a hill station, there is no airport or railway station directly in Manali.
- Nearest Railway Station: Joginder Nagar (about 95 km away) – but it has very limited connectivity.
- Nearest Airport: Kullu-Manali Airport (about 52 km away) – again, connectivity is not very reliable.
👉 Best Option: Reach Manali by road.
If you’re coming from Delhi, Chandigarh, or nearby cities, you can drive your own car. The roads are mostly in good condition.
Alternatively, you can book Himachal Roadways buses or private Volvo buses.
It takes around 10–12 hours from Delhi to Manali by bus.
Tickets cost between ₹800 to ₹1500 per person, depending on the bus type.
🏨 Where to Stay in Manali
- You’ll find many hotel options near Mall Road, the main area of Manali.
- Budget hotels range from ₹1000 to ₹3000 per night.
- Staying near Mall Road is convenient for food, shopping, and easy access to local spots.
If you prefer a peaceful stay with amazing views, consider hotels in Old Manali.
Here, you can get a nice 3-star property with breakfast included for ₹3000–₹4000 per night, depending on the season.
📅 Day-by-Day Manali Itinerary
Day 1 – Explore Local Manali
Rent a scooter or bike:
- Scooter: ₹600–700/day
- Bike: ₹1000–1200/day
Or hire an auto (₹500–700) or a local taxi (₹1000–1500).
Places to visit on Day 1:
- Hidimba Temple – Just 2 km from Mall Road, dedicated to Hidimba Devi (wife of Bhim from Mahabharata). Beautiful ancient temple surrounded by tall deodar trees.
- Van Vihar Park – Right behind Hidimba Temple. Great for kids. Entry: ₹10.
- Ghatotkach Temple – A small temple nearby, worth a quick visit.
- Vashisht Temple – About 4 km from Mall Road, known for its hot water spring.
- Club House – A fun place with activities and games for kids. Entry: ₹250.
- Buddhist Monastery – A peaceful spot near Mall Road.
- Mall Road – End your day with food and shopping here. Spend 1–2 hours easily.
Day 2 – Solang Valley & Nearby Attractions
- Solang Valley is about 13 km from Mall Road.
- Hire a taxi: ₹2500–₹3000 for the day (can be cheaper if off-season).
Activities in Solang Valley:
- Paragliding
- Zorbing
- Ziplining
- In winter: Skiing
Nearby:
- Anjani Mahadev Temple – 2 km from Solang Valley. You can reach by foot, horse ride (₹500), or ATV.
- Atal Tunnel – 12 km from Solang. After crossing it, visit Sissu Village, which often has snow even in summers.
You’ll spend the whole day covering these places. Return to your hotel in the evening.
Day 3 – Choose One of the Two Options
After checkout, you can either:
Option 1: Manikaran Sahib
- Famous Sikh Gurudwara known for hot springs.
- Around 80 km from Manali.
- Taxi fare: ₹3000–₹4000 depending on vehicle type.
Option 2: Naggar Castle + Kullu
- Naggar Castle – Filming location of many Bollywood movies with beautiful valley views.
- Kullu – Enjoy river rafting and visit Vaishno Devi Temple in Kullu.
✅ Best Time to Visit Manali
- Off-season: After monsoon and before peak winter (Sept to early Dec) – cheaper rates.
- Peak Season: April to June (summer holidays) – high prices due to heavy tourist inflow.
Avoid late December if you want to skip crowd and high costs.
💰 Total Budget for 2 People
Depending on the season and your choices:
- Approx cost: ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 for 2 people
This includes travel, stay, food, sightseeing, and some adventure activities.
🎉 Final Tips
I hope this guide helps you plan your perfect Manali trip.