Arrive in Manali and check in to your hotel or cozy guesthouse in Old Manali, then take a gentle walk along the Beas River to stretch and acclimatize to the altitude. Stop at the quaint Café 1947 or Johnson’s Café for a warm breakfast and hot tea while soaking in views of snow-dusted hills and apple orchards.
Spend the afternoon exploring Manu Temple and the nearby Mall Road for a relaxed introduction to local life and handicrafts; browse shawls, hand-knitted woolens and Himachali souvenirs. If you prefer fresh air, head up to the picturesque Vashisht Village to visit the hot sulphur springs and the ancient Vashisht Temple for a soothing soak and light local lunch.
As evening falls, enjoy a leisurely stroll along Mall Road, watch the sunset over the valley from the riverbank, and savor a Himachali dinner at a traditional restaurant such as Il Forno or Drifter’s Café. Return to your accommodation early to rest and hydrate—preparing for the early start and higher altitude of tomorrow’s Rohtang Pass excursion.
Rise early in Manali and board the pre-arranged vehicle (permit and snow chains ready) for the scenic drive to Rohtang Pass; stop briefly at Marhi for tea and to admire panoramic valley views as you gain altitude. On arrival at Rohtang, breathe in the crisp mountain air and spend the morning playing in the snow — try sledging and snowman-building, take iconic photos by the signboard, and sample piping-hot pakoras from a local stall to warm up.
Descend toward Solang Valley for an adrenaline-filled afternoon: take a gondola ride up the ridge for sweeping Himalayan vistas, try beginner-friendly snowboarding or a guided snowmobile run (season permitting), and enjoy a relaxed lunch at a hillside café such as Solang Viewpoint Café overlooking the valley. Wander through nearby trails or hire a local guide for short walks to frozen streams, meeting shepherds and learning about seasonal grazing traditions on the way back.
Return to Manali in the early evening, stopping at the Rahalla Falls viewpoint if time allows, and relax with a hot shower back at your hotel in Old Manali. Finish the day with a cozy dinner at Café 1947 or Drifter’s Café, swapping photos from the day and sipping hot apple cider while planning a slower morning before departure.