5-Day Manali Itinerary — The Perfect Mountain Escape

# 5-Day Manali Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Old Manali

Arrive in Manali and head straight to Old Manali — the charming original village above the tourist town. Walk through narrow lanes flanked by traditional Himachali houses with carved wooden balconies. Visit the Hadimba Temple, a 4-storey wooden pagoda built in 1553 in a clearing of ancient deodars — the carving on the door shows scenes from the Mahabharata. Evening at a riverside café in Old Manali, where the Manalsu Nala rushes past your table.

Day 2: Solang Valley & Snow

Drive to Solang Valley (13 km) for a day of mountain adventure. In summer: paragliding, zorbing, and rope courses. In winter: skiing, snow tubing, and snowball fights. The gondola ride to the ridge offers striking views of Himalayan peaks. Afternoon trek to Anjani Mahadev — a cave temple where a natural Shiva lingam forms from frozen water. Return to Manali for market shopping and a Himachali thali dinner.

Day 3: Atal Tunnel & Lahaul

Drive through the 9.02 km Atal Tunnel to Lahaul — emerging from green Kullu into the stark brown beauty of the trans-Himalayan desert. Visit Sissu waterfall and lake, explore the tiny town of Keylong. The landscape change is dramatic — in 30 minutes you travel from pine forests to a moonscape. Return through the tunnel for evening in Manali.

Day 4: Naggar & Kullu Valley

Drive to Naggar (21 km), the ancient capital of Kullu. Visit Naggar Castle (now a hotel museum), the Nicholas Roerich Gallery (paintings by the Russian master who settled here), and the Jana waterfall. Continue to Kullu for the Raghunath Temple and the famous shawl market. Return via the scenic Beas River road.

Day 5: Vashisht & Departure

Morning walk to Vashisht village for a dip in the natural hot springs fed by sulphur-rich water from deep underground. Visit the ancient stone temple complex dedicated to Sage Vashisht. Last shopping for Kullu shawls, Himalayan honey, and apple products. Depart from Manali with the mountains in your heart.