Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Hadimba Devi Temple in Dhungri, ideally around 8:30–9:00 a.m., when the cedar forest is quieter. The temple is generally open from early morning until evening; entry is free, though timings can vary. Allow about an hour to wander the grounds and admire the pagoda-style shrine. From central Manali, it’s roughly a 10–15-minute taxi ride; walking takes around 25–35 minutes uphill. Then continue by taxi or on foot to Manu Temple in Old Manali. The final approach is steep, so wear shoes with good grip; give yourself about 45 minutes for the visit.
After Manu Temple, stroll downhill through Old Manali for an hour, browsing its narrow lanes and small shops. The paths are uneven, and walking between the temple and the village takes around 15–25 minutes. Settle in for lunch at Cafe 1947, beside the Manalsu River; budget roughly ₹400–800 per person. It’s a popular spot, so allow extra time if you’re waiting for a table. Live music is occasional rather than guaranteed, and riverside seating depends on availability.
Take a taxi from Old Manali to Mall Road—usually about 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic—or walk down in around 30–40 minutes. Leave roughly 1.5 hours to browse the central market, pick up local snacks, and enjoy an easy wander. Shops typically open through the day and into the evening, but individual hours vary; traffic and parking can be busy near the centre, so a short walk from a drop-off point is often easier than trying to park nearby.
Leave Manali around 8:00 a.m. by taxi for Naggar; the drive is roughly 22 km and usually takes 45–60 minutes, though traffic or roadwork can add time. A round-trip taxi is the easiest option for this out-and-back day; agree on the fare and a pickup time before setting off. Begin at Naggar Castle, where stone walls, carved timber balconies and broad valley views reward a slow look around. Allow about 1½ hours. Opening times and entry charges can change, so check locally before you go.
Walk or take a short local ride to the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, the painter’s former home, and leave about an hour for the Himalayan-inspired works and gardens. The gallery’s opening days and hours may vary, so confirm before making the trip; a small admission fee may apply. Continue on foot to Tripura Sundari Temple, a peaceful pagoda-roofed shrine near the castle, and spend around 30 minutes there. For lunch, settle in at Naggar Castle Restaurant for valley views and a relaxed meal; budget roughly ₹300–700 per person.
Take an easy hour to wander the Naggar village lanes—look out for old timber-and-stone houses, small shrines and glimpses of the valley between buildings. Keep the walk unhurried and ask before photographing residents or entering private courtyards. Head back to Manali by taxi in the afternoon; allow another 45–60 minutes, and a little extra if the road is busy.
No packing list attached yet.