Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Fly from Mumbai to Delhi; allow roughly 5–7 hours door to door for getting to the airport, check-in and security, the flight, and your transfer to the hotel. For eight people, arrange a group-sized airport pickup in advance and choose a flight that leaves you time to check in and freshen up before heading out. Delhi traffic can be slow, so keep the evening plan flexible rather than counting on a precise arrival time.
Start with an easy stroll around India Gate and its lawns, allowing about an hour. The memorial grounds are free to visit; evenings are a pleasant time to walk, though the central area can be busy. From there, take a cab or auto toward Agrasen ki Baoli—allow around 45 minutes to explore its dramatic tiers and stone arches. It’s generally open during daylight hours, but check current timings before setting out, especially if your flight arrives late.
Continue to Connaught Place for dinner and an unhurried wander around the colonnaded inner circle. Pick a well-reviewed restaurant that suits the group rather than rushing to fit in another stop; budget roughly ₹500–1,000 per person for dinner. Keep an eye on the time and traffic on the way back to your hotel, and call it an early night if the travel day has caught up with you.
Allow 5–7 hours door to door for the station transfer, train and onward ride to your accommodation. Book all eight seats ahead through IRCTC and check the current timetable; an early departure is important if you want time for the afternoon. Drop your bags at your stay, then take a cab or auto to the Rock Garden of Chandigarh in Sector 1. Give Nek Chand’s winding paths, mosaics and playful sculptures around 1.5–2 hours. It generally opens daily, but hours can vary by season—check before setting out; allow roughly ₹30–₹50 per adult for entry.
From the garden, a short cab ride brings you to Sukhna Lake. Spend about an hour strolling the promenade and taking in the lake against the Shivalik foothills; late afternoon is especially pleasant, though weekends can be busy. Finish at Sector 17 Plaza, reached by cab or auto, for an easy wander through the central shopping district and dinner nearby. Set aside ₹400–₹800 per person for dinner, and choose a well-reviewed restaurant on the spot rather than rushing to book while you’re still settling in. For eight, confirm the restaurant can seat your group, especially on a busy evening.
After the long transfer, check in, freshen up and confirm your vehicle’s drop-off point with your accommodation—Manali’s roads can be busy, and the final stretch may require a short local taxi ride or walk. Keep the first outing gentle: head to Mall Road for about an hour to get your bearings and pick up any essentials. It’s mostly a pedestrian stroll, but expect crowds and traffic around the approaches; ask your hotel about the easiest access point.
Have an early dinner at Himachali Rasoi on Mall Road, where you can look for sidu and dham-style dishes. Budget around ₹300–600 per person; regional items can sell out, so ask what’s available when you arrive. Restaurant hours can vary by season, so check locally rather than relying on a late dinner.
Finish with around 45 minutes at Manu Market, close to Mall Road, for a low-key browse through the small shops. It’s an easy walk between the two, but shops may begin closing in the evening—if you arrive late, keep this stop flexible and enjoy a relaxed stroll instead.
Start at Hadimba Devi Temple in Dhungri, ideally soon after it opens—commonly around 8 a.m., though check locally for current hours. Give the cedar-forest setting and carved wooden temple about an hour; the walk among the trees is part of the visit. Then stop at nearby Ghatotkacha Tree Temple, a small shrine under a tree, for a quieter look. Allow around 20 minutes. Both are easy to reach by local taxi, or on foot if you’re staying nearby; confirm any current entry charge at the gate.
From Dhungri, walk downhill toward Old Manali—allow roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on your pace and where you join the lanes. Spend about 1.5 hours wandering at an unhurried pace: the narrow streets, shopfronts and riverside paths are best enjoyed without trying to cover every turn. Wear shoes with grip; the lanes can be uneven, and the descent back toward the river is steeper in places.
Finish at Cafe 1947 in Old Manali for a riverside meal and a proper rest. Budget around ₹500–1,000 per person; with eight people, call ahead if possible, especially in a busy season, and check that it’s open before setting out, as hours can vary. Settle in rather than rushing—the riverside tables make a good spot to linger after a full morning.
Set out for Solang Valley early, ideally around 8 a.m., with a pre-arranged local taxi or your group vehicle; the drive from central Manali typically takes 30–45 minutes, but allow longer if traffic or weather slows the road. Spend 3–4 hours taking in the valley views and walking around rather than trying to cram in every activity. Paragliding, ropeways and other rides operate according to season, weather and local conditions, so check what’s running before you go and agree on prices with the operator before starting. Carry a warm layer, even on a sunny day.
If the road is open and your vehicle is permitted, continue north to Atal Tunnel for a scenic drive through the mountain route; allow roughly 2–3 hours for the out-and-back leg, including the approach and any brief stops. Check current road conditions and access rules locally before leaving Solang Valley—tunnel access does not mean you can continue to Rohtang Pass, which has separate restrictions. Keep the group together and follow traffic and stopping instructions; don’t stop in the tunnel itself.
Head back to Johnson’s Cafe on Circuit House Road for an early dinner and a comfortable wind-down after the mountain outing. Budget about ₹700–1,200 per person, and check the day’s hours and menu before setting off. On the way back to your stay, browse Manu Market for 30–45 minutes: it’s handy for snacks and small souvenirs, and a little bargaining is normal. Keep this stop casual—mountain-road timing can shift with weather and traffic, so leave room to get back without rushing.
Hire one Manali taxi or group vehicle for the day; Naggar is about 20–22 km away, usually a 45–60-minute drive depending on traffic. Leave around 9 a.m. so there’s time for the sights without rushing. Start at Naggar Castle and allow 1–1.5 hours for its timber-and-stone architecture and broad Kullu Valley views. Check the current opening hours and entry fee locally; keep some cash handy, and expect narrow approach roads and limited parking near the castle.
Walk or take a short ride to the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery, set in the painter’s former home. Give it about an hour, but confirm visitor access and hours before setting out, as these can change. Then pause at Roerich House Cafe for a light lunch in a peaceful, leafy setting; budget roughly ₹300–700 per person. The cafe is a relaxed stop, so leave a little flex in the schedule rather than trying to time every visit to the minute.
Continue south to Jagatsukh, allowing about 45 minutes to wander and take in the village’s traditional Himachali architecture and quieter surroundings. Ask your driver to drop you near the village lanes and agree on a clear pickup point; roads and parking can be tight, so a short walk may be easier than driving right through. From here, return to Manali with your driver, allowing roughly 30–45 minutes, longer if traffic is heavy.
Take a local taxi from central Manali up to Vashisht village—usually around 15–25 minutes, though narrow roads and traffic can add time. Start at Vashisht Temple, allowing about 45 minutes to see the traditional stonework and temple complex. Dress modestly and check locally for current visiting hours or any areas closed for worship.
Continue to Vashisht Hot Water Springs for a restorative pause. Facilities, access arrangements and any charges can change, so ask locally before entering; bring a small towel and follow posted rules. From the village, set out for Jogini Falls. Allow roughly 2–3 hours for the hike there and back, wear grippy shoes, and carry water. The trail can be steep or slippery, so turn back if weather or conditions feel unsafe rather than pushing on.
After the hike, settle in at Renaissance Manali in Vashisht for a relaxed late meal and valley views. Budget about ₹500–1,000 per person, and check current hours and availability before heading over. A taxi back to central Manali is the easiest option; agree on the pickup point, as village lanes can be awkward for vehicles.
Start in central Manali at the Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple, a peaceful stop just off Mall Road. Allow about 45 minutes for the prayer hall and courtyard; keep voices low and follow any signs about photography. Entry is generally free, though a small donation is welcome. From here, walk to Van Vihar National Park, close to Mall Road, for an easy hour beneath the deodar trees. There’s usually a modest entry fee, with boating sometimes available separately; carry a little cash and check conditions locally.
Have a relaxed lunch around Mall Road, then take a local taxi toward the Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art, near Hadimba Temple. Allow about an hour to browse its displays of regional clothing, crafts and household objects. Opening arrangements can change, so confirm locally before making the trip; if it’s closed, use the time for a café break nearby rather than rushing. Keep this afternoon unhurried—Manali’s lanes are best explored at a stroll.
Head back to Mall Road for dinner at Chopsticks, a popular, lively choice for a group of eight, with Tibetan, Chinese and Indian dishes. Budget roughly ₹400–800 per person; arrive a little before peak dinner time or expect a wait, and ask about sharing dishes if you want to try more of the menu. Afterwards, take a gentle walk along Mall Road and pick up any snacks for tomorrow before calling it a night.
Keep this final morning unhurried: head to Manali Nature Park near the Beas for an easy riverside walk of about an hour. It’s a lovely stretch to slow down and enjoy the trees and mountain air before the long ride back. Entry, if charged, is usually a modest amount—carry a little cash and check locally for current hours.
Take a short taxi ride toward the outskirts for the Beas River viewpoint; allow about 30 minutes for photos, and stay well back from the water, especially if the current is strong. Then continue to Cafe Amigos in Old Manali for an early lunch. Set aside roughly ₹400–800 per person, and allow time to eat without rushing. Keep your bags together and agree on a pickup point with the driver, as lanes here can be narrow and busy.
Leave a generous window to collect luggage and reach your pre-booked Manali–Delhi overnight bus boarding point; confirm the exact stop, luggage allowance and Delhi drop-off directly with the operator. Volvo services typically take 12–14 hours and cost around ₹1,000–₹2,500 per person. For eight travelers, book together through HRTC or a reputable operator on redBus, and choose a service scheduled to reach Delhi well ahead of your Day 10 flight—the mountain road and traffic can cause delays.
After the overnight bus, leave plenty of slack for delays and the transfer from the drop-off point to Delhi airport—don’t assume the bus arrives at the airport. If your flight is later and your bags are safely stored, head to Paharganj, near New Delhi Railway Station, for breakfast at a well-reviewed café. Allow roughly ₹200–500 per person, and keep the stop optional: with eight travelers and luggage, going straight to the airport may be the less stressful choice.
If you have several hours to spare after accounting for the airport journey, check-in, security and a generous delay buffer, take a taxi to Lodhi Garden on Lodhi Road for an easy hour among the lawns and historic tombs. Otherwise, skip it without hesitation; it’s not worth risking the flight. Keep bags with you or use only a secure, confirmed luggage-storage option—don’t leave them unattended while exploring.
Take a nonstop Delhi–Mumbai flight, allowing about 5–7 hours door to door for airport formalities, the 2–2.5-hour flight and onward travel from Mumbai airport. For this group, book a later flight with ideally 6–8 hours or more between the bus’s scheduled Delhi arrival and takeoff; mountain-road delays can eat into that margin. Check the bus drop-off and airport terminal in advance, and arrange a group-sized onward ride in Mumbai.
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