7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Manali

  • Day 1: Visit Hadimba Temple
    15-minute drive (5.5 km) from Manali

    The Hadimba Devi Temple, also known as the Hadimba Temple, is a unique temple dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhima from Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by beautiful cedar trees and is known for its unique architectural style.

  • Day 2: Explore the Solang Valley
    30-minute drive (14 km) from Manali

    Solang Valley is a beautiful valley located between Solang village and Beas Kund. This place offers various adventure activities like skiing, paragliding, and zorbing, making it a popular tourist spot in Manali.

  • Day 3: Visit the Manali Nature Park
    10-minute drive (3.5 km) from Manali

    The Manali Nature Park is a great place to unwind and spend a day with your family. This park offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and has several picnic spots, walking trails, and a small pond with ducks.

  • Day 4: Visit the Manali Sanctuary
    45-minute drive (22 km) from Manali

    The Manali Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary that is home to various species of animals like leopards, musk deer, and snow leopards. The sanctuary offers nature trails and is a paradise for birdwatchers too.

  • Day 5: Take a Scenic Drive to Rohtang Pass
    2-hour drive (51 km) from Manali

    The Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass that connects Manali to Lahaul and Spiti. The drive to Rohtang Pass offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountain peaks and glaciers.

  • Day 6: Visit the Vashisht Temple and Hot Springs
    15-minute drive (4 km) from Manali

    The Vashisht Temple is dedicated to Sage Vashisht, who is said to have meditated at this spot. The temple also has hot springs that are believed to have healing properties and are popular among tourists.

  • Day 7: Visit the Naggar Castle and Museum
    1-hour drive (23 km) from Manali

    The Naggar Castle and Museum is a 15th-century castle that has now been converted into a museum. This museum displays traditional Himachali artifacts, including stone sculptures, embroidery, and paintings.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Hadimba Temple (1 hour, Free)
  • Solang Valley (3-4 hours, INR 500 per person for activities)
  • Manali Nature Park (2-3 hours, INR 50 per person)
  • Manali Sanctuary (3-4 hours, INR 100 per person entry)
  • Rohtang Pass Scenic Drive (6-8 hours, INR 500 vehicle entry fee)
  • Vashisht Temple and Hot Springs (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Naggar Castle and Museum (2-3 hours, INR 30 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 730 per adult

Transportation

Manali is best explored on foot or by private car. Renting a car with a driver for a week costs around INR 15,000 to INR 20,000. It's important to note that the drive to Rohtang Pass may be closed due to weather conditions, so it's best to check before planning your visit.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can plan a day trip to Kullu, which is around 40 minutes away from Manali and is known for its temples and handicrafts. You can also plan a visit to the Beas River and enjoy some river rafting. If you have less time, you can skip the Manali Sanctuary and Naggar Castle and Museum.

Airports

The nearest airport to Manali is the Bhuntar Airport (KUU), which is around 50 km away from Manali. There are regular flights from major cities in India to this airport. Taxis are easily available from the airport to Manali, and the drive takes around 2 hours.

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