Manali is where the Kullu valley narrows, the Beas turns into a white-water torrent and the snow peaks close in on three sides. It is the most popular hill destination in north India, a base for Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel and the Rohtang Pass, and the starting point for journeys into Lahaul, Spiti and Ladakh. Almost everyone reaches Manali by road, and with the new tunnels and four-lane sections on the Chandigarh-Manali highway, the drive is better than it has ever been, though it is still a long one. This guide covers the route from Chandigarh and Delhi, the RutzIndia.com fares for 2026, the permit rules for Rohtang, the local taxi system in Manali, what to see, the seasons, and a five-day plan.
How to reach Manali by road, and what a taxi costs
Manali is about 310 km from Chandigarh, typically 8 hours via Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu, and about 540 km (12 hours) from Delhi. A one-way sedan costs Rs 11,160 Pay Now to Reserve from Chandigarh and Rs 19,440 Pay Now to Reserve from Delhi; an Innova Crysta costs Rs 17,670 Pay Now to Reserve and Rs 30,780 Pay Now to Reserve. Fares exclude 5% GST, tolls and state entry tax.
Per-kilometre rates are the same in the hills as on the plains: Rs 36 for a sedan, Rs 57.6 for an Innova, Rs 84 for a Fortuner, Rs 78 for a Tempo Traveller and Rs 102 for a Force Urbania. Round trips bill on the higher of actual distance or 250 km per calendar day. A three-day Chandigarh-Manali-Chandigarh trip therefore bills at 750 km (Rs 27,000 Pay Now to Reserve in a sedan, Rs 42,750 Pay Now to Reserve in an Innova), and a five-day round trip from Delhi at 1,250 km (Rs 45,000 Pay Now to Reserve in a sedan, Rs 71,250 Pay Now to Reserve in an Innova). Toll plazas on the highway, Himachal's entry tax for vehicles registered outside the state, parking, and any Rohtang permit fee are billed at actual cost. See the dedicated Chandigarh to Manali taxi and Delhi to Manali taxi pages for point-to-point bookings.
Why Manali: what to see and do
Old Manali and the Hadimba temple
The Hadimba Devi temple, a sixteenth-century wooden shrine in a grove of giant deodars, is Manali's best-known sight. Its multi-tiered roof and carved doorway are classic Himalayan temple architecture. Nearby, Old Manali's lanes are full of cafes, guesthouses and apple orchards, with the Manu temple at the top of the village.
Vashisht and the Mall
Across the Beas, the village of Vashisht has natural hot springs and old stone temples. Back in town, the Mall Road is the busy centre for shopping, momos and Tibetan handicrafts.
Solang Valley
About 14 km north of Manali, Solang is the valley's adventure hub: paragliding and zorbing in summer, a ropeway, and skiing and snow play in winter. It is also on the approach to the Atal Tunnel's south portal.
The Atal Tunnel and Sissu
The Atal Tunnel, a little over 9 km long and opened in 2020, runs beneath the Rohtang Pass and connects Manali with the Lahaul valley in minutes instead of hours. On the far side, Sissu has a waterfall, a lake and wide views of the Chandra valley. The Atal Tunnel article on Wikipedia explains its engineering. Our Sissu by road guide covers the Lahaul side in more detail.
Rohtang Pass
At about 3,978 metres, Rohtang offers snowfields well into summer and views of glaciers and peaks. Because of its fragile environment, vehicle numbers are capped and a permit is required for vehicles going to the pass; it is usually open from late spring to autumn and closed in winter.
Naggar and Kullu
Naggar Castle, a medieval stone-and-timber building above the Beas, and the Roerich Art Gallery nearby are about 20 km south of Manali. Kullu town, known for its shawls and its Dussehra festival, is on the way in.
The road from Chandigarh and Delhi
Chandigarh to Manali (about 310 km). Leave via Kharar and Ropar to Kiratpur Sahib. From here the four-lane Kiratpur-Nerchowk section, with several long tunnels and viaducts, bypasses the old winding road through Bilaspur and cuts significant time. Beyond Nerchowk the highway reaches Mandi, then follows the Beas upstream past the Pandoh dam and through the Aut tunnel into the Kullu valley. From Kullu it is about 40 km to Manali along the river. Allow 8 hours with a meal stop; Mandi and the dhabas near Sundernagar are common breaks.
Delhi to Manali (about 540 km). NH-44 north through Panipat and Ambala to Chandigarh, then the same route. It is a very long day, typically 12 hours or more. We strongly recommend an overnight in Chandigarh, or an overnight bus for the plains and our car from Chandigarh onwards if budgets are tight.
Road conditions. The Mandi-Kullu stretch runs close to the Beas and has suffered serious damage in extreme monsoon floods in recent years. Landslides can close it for hours or longer. Our chauffeurs check road status each morning in the rains, avoid night driving in the hills and carry chains in winter. The Kullu district administration posts advisories when roads are closed.
Hill-driving comfort. The route has long winding stretches after Mandi. Travellers prone to motion sickness should sit in the front, eat lightly and take breaks.
Permits, local taxis and practical rules in Manali
- Rohtang permits. Vehicles going to Rohtang need an online permit issued in limited numbers each day, with a fee, and the pass typically closes one day a week for road maintenance. Rules and fees are set by the authorities and change, so we confirm before your trip and bill the fee at actual cost.
- Atal Tunnel and Lahaul. Driving through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu has generally not required the Rohtang permit, but police may restrict access after snowfall. Check on the day.
- Local taxi union rules. In Manali, local sightseeing runs to Solang, Rohtang and the tunnel are often reserved for taxis registered with the local operators. Where these rules apply, we arrange a locally registered car for those excursions and your main chauffeur rests; tell us your plans when booking so the costs are clear upfront. Our Manali taxi service handles local packages, starting at Rs 7,560 Pay Now to Reserve for an 8 hr/80 km sedan.
- Altitude. Manali sits at about 2,050 metres and Rohtang near 4,000 metres. Spend no more than an hour or two at the pass, keep hydrated and descend if anyone feels unwell.
When to go
- March to June. Pleasant days, snow still visible on the peaks, Rohtang usually opening in late spring. May and June are the busiest months with long queues at Solang and the tunnel.
- July to August. Monsoon; lush but risky, with landslides on the highway. Only travel with flexible dates.
- September to November. Clear skies, autumn colours and apple harvest. Kullu Dussehra, a week-long festival starting on Vijayadashami, brings deities from across the valley to Kullu's Dhalpur ground.
- December to February. Snow season. Manali often gets snow; Solang is the centre of snow play, and the Winter Carnival is held in January. Roads beyond Solang may close. 4x4 vehicles or chains are necessary after snowfall.
The Himachal Pradesh tourism department publishes official festival dates and destination information.
Chauffeured services from RutzIndia.com for Manali
- One-way drop from Chandigarh, Delhi or Kullu (Bhuntar) airport to Manali.
- Round trips and multi-day tours with the chauffeur staying through your trip, combining Manali with Kasol, Shimla or Dharamshala; see our Himachal taxi service.
- Airport and bus-stand pickups: Bhuntar airport is about 50 km from Manali and billed per km; flights are tracked, the chauffeur waits with a name board, and there are 60 minutes of free waiting after international arrivals and 30 minutes after domestic.
- SUVs for snow season: a Fortuner on rent handles snowy roads and Lahaul drives with more confidence.
- Groups in a Tempo Traveller or a Force Urbania on rent for families, corporate offsites and college trips.
| Vehicle | Chandigarh to Manali one way (310 km) | Delhi to Manali one way (540 km) | Three-day round trip from Chandigarh (750 km billed) | Five-day round trip from Delhi (1,250 km billed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dzire-class sedan | Rs 11,160 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 19,440 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 27,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 45,000 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Innova Crysta | Rs 17,670 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 30,780 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 42,750 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 71,250 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Toyota Fortuner | Rs 26,040 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 45,360 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 63,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 1,05,000 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Tempo Traveller | Rs 24,180 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 42,120 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 58,500 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 97,500 Pay Now to Reserve |
All fares are before 5% GST. Tolls, Himachal entry tax, parking and Rohtang permit fees are charged at actual cost. The chauffeur's night allowance of Rs 1,500 per night is added on multi-day trips. Our cars are within four model years and are serviced before hill trips. Payment is by card or UPI in the booker, and GST invoices are issued for company travel.
Our cancellation policy: free cancellation more than 72 hours before pickup; 10% within 72 hours; 50% within 48 hours; 100% within 24 hours or on a no-show. Given monsoon uncertainty, many travellers book early and adjust dates well ahead of the 72-hour mark.
Book a Chandigarh to Manali cab
A five-day Manali itinerary from Delhi
Day 1: Delhi to Chandigarh (about 250 km). Afternoon departure, night in Chandigarh.
Day 2: Chandigarh to Manali (about 310 km). Leave at 6 am, breakfast near Kiratpur, lunch in Mandi, reach Manali by late afternoon. Evening walk on the Mall.
Day 3: Manali sightseeing (about 40 km). Hadimba temple, Old Manali, Vashisht hot springs, and Naggar Castle in the afternoon.
Day 4: Solang, Atal Tunnel and Sissu (about 90 km). Early start to beat queues at the tunnel; Sissu waterfall and lake; Solang Valley on the way back. If you hold a Rohtang permit and the pass is open, visit it this day instead.
Day 5: Manali to Delhi (about 540 km). A very long day; many prefer to break it again in Chandigarh and add a day.
This plan covers about 1,230 km and is billed at the five-day minimum of 1,250 km: Rs 45,000 Pay Now to Reserve in a sedan or Rs 71,250 Pay Now to Reserve in an Innova, plus four night allowances, tolls, entry tax, parking, local-taxi charges where applicable, and GST. For a Parvati valley detour, see our Kasol by road guide.
Packing and safety tips
- Clothing. Layers year-round; heavy woollens, gloves and waterproof boots from November to March.
- Cash. ATMs are available in Manali, but carry cash for remote stops and permits.
- Medicines. Motion-sickness tablets for the highway, and basic altitude medication after consulting your doctor if you plan Rohtang or Lahaul.
- Timing. Start days early; afternoon traffic at Solang and the tunnel can be very heavy in peak season.
- Respect local customs at temples and in villages, and carry your litter back.
