7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Manali in December 2023

1. Day 1: Hadimba Temple
   10 minutes (3.7 km) from Manali

   Marvel at the beautiful wooden architecture of Hadimba Temple in the morning. Take a stroll through the Van Vihar National Park in the afternoon. Enjoy a hot cup of tea with snacks at local tea stalls in the evening.

2. Day 2: Solang Valley
   30 minutes (11.8 km) from Manali

   Head to Solang Valley in the morning for skiing, snowboarding and other snow activities. Take a break to have lunch and then head to Nehru Kund in the afternoon to enjoy scenic views of the snow-capped mountains. Sip on hot beverages in the evening at the cafes near Nehru Kund.

3. Day 3: Manu Temple
   20 minutes (6.1 km) from Manali

   Start the day by visiting Manu Temple. Take a walk to the Old Manali market for breakfast and shopping. Visit the Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art in the afternoon, and then head to the Tibetan Monastery for meditation and peaceful surroundings in the evening.

4. Day 4: Jana Falls
   1 hour 20 minutes (31.2 km) from Manali

   Head to Jana Falls in the morning to enjoy the beautiful waterfalls and greenery. Have lunch at the local dhabas, and then visit the Naggar Castle in the afternoon. Take a short walk around the town before heading back to Manali in the evening.

5. Day 5: Manikaran
   2 hours 30 minutes (78.1 km) from Manali

   Take a day trip to Manikaran for its hot springs and religious importance. Visit the Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara and then take a dip in the hot springs. Have lunch at the local langar and then visit the Kulant Pith in the afternoon. Head back to Manali in the evening.

6. Day 6: Vashisht Temple
   15 minutes (5.7 km) from Manali

   Visit the Vashisht Temple in the morning and take a dip in the hot springs. Have breakfast at the cafes near the temple and then head to the Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa in the afternoon. Enjoy a sunset view from the Manali viewpoint in the evening.

7. Day 7: Rohtang Pass
   2 hours 15 minutes (51.1 km) from Manali

   Take a day trip to Rohtang Pass for its scenic beauty and adventure sports. Have lunch at the local dhabas and then head to the Gulaba viewpoint in the afternoon. Enjoy a cup of hot tea while watching the sunset before heading back to Manali.

Recommendations

Don't forget to try the local delicacies of Manali like Dham, Trout Fish, and Siddu. For side trips, you can visit the Great Himalayan National Park or take a trek to Hampta Pass. To maximize your fun, try adventure activities like paragliding, river rafting, and zorbing.

For hotel and flight bookings, check out https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo