Manali and the Leh Highway

Why does a Kashmir guide cover Manali?

Himachal Pradesh, not Kashmir, is where Manali lies. It appears in our guides because the Leh highway ties the two regions together. A traveller who drives from Srinagar through Kargil and Leh can keep going over the high passes and finish in Manali, rather than retracing the road back to the valley. After days of bare rock and cold camps, pine forest, orchards and rushing water feel like a different planet.

We do not list a fixed Manali package. A one-way route from Srinagar is built to order, so ask for a free custom quote. To compare, look at the ten-day Kashmir Ladakh Tour, which stays inside Kashmir and Ladakh, and read our Ladakh guide for the stops in between.

How do you get to Manali?

No direct Srinagar to Manali transfer exists. The sensible connection goes through Ladakh, so we treat it as a single long trip: Srinagar, then Kargil, Leh, the lakes and a high camp, and finally Manali. Snow and clearance work decide which passes are open. Ask the driver about the road each morning, because the plan may have to change.

What is worth doing around Manali?

• Old Manali: the lanes and cafes of the village on the far bank of the river.
• Hadimba Devi temple: a timber shrine in a cedar grove just outside the centre.
• Vashisht: a hillside village above the Beas with a temple and natural hot water.
• The Mall Road bazaar and the Tibetan market, for woollens, shawls and caps; compare prices before you buy.
• Solang Valley: a broad grassy slope for snow games in winter and adventure sports once it warms up.
• Rohtang Pass: vehicle entry is controlled and the rules shift, so ask us first. The highway now runs beneath it through the Atal Tunnel, which means a road trip does not need the pass.

Which part of town suits you?

Give us your budget and dates, and a planner suggests a few hotels in the area you prefer; ask for the choice to be confirmed before you pay. Our hotel booking desk can fold the Kashmir part of the trip into the same quote.

When is Manali at its best?

How long should you stay?

After a long road trip a single night lets you rest before travelling home. If Manali itself is the goal, give it two or three. A comfortable day could go as follows.

1. 1Early: visit the temple in the cedars while the forest is hushed, then eat breakfast in Old Manali.
2. 2Late morning: browse the shops along the Mall Road and the Tibetan stalls.
3. 3Afternoon: head up to Solang Valley, or drive to Naggar, an old riverside village with a castle and a small art gallery.
4. 4Next morning: transfer to the bus stand or the airport for your journey home.

What should you plan for onward travel and safety?

• Buy onward tickets in Manali, not in Srinagar: long-distance buses leave from the bus stand, and Bhuntar is the nearest airport.
• Paragliding, rafting and similar activities run seasonally and are not covered by a package price. Choose licensed operators and obey their guides.
• Heavy rain or snow can shut mountain roads, so keep a free day before a flight or train.
• Keep your original photo ID with you. The road towards Ladakh has its own steps: Wikipedia says tourists register at the police check posts at Darcha and Sarchu, and that visiting some places beyond Leh needs special permission obtained in Leh.

Send your dates and group size on the contact page, and ask the quote to list the roads, the stays and the permits or fees that apply. For shorter options, see the Ladakh tour packages page.