Traveling from Shimla to Manali is one of the most popular routes for a country trip. Manali, the Himalayan town, is not simply a popular hilltop travel destination, but a crowd shakes. Add picturesque views of the mountain and you will find the perfect place to rest in the lap of nature for a few days.
Either who you are, or a quiet, solo, spiritual, romantic, or fun-loving family, Manali has something for everyone. Regardless of who you are, whatever you are. As part of your mountain vacation in Simla-Kullu-Manali, visit Manali as an exclusive destination. Shimla is the closest town and makes it easier to travel from the capital of the state and also an interesting trip.
You can customize your journey by time, tour itinerary, and travel preferences if you book a cab with Savaari. After all, a road trip should be experiential and you can make an exciting journey with us.
Traveling from Shimla to Manali by car
From the local mountain to the other, the best way to travel is by car to Manali from Shimla and makes the experience fantastic. It’s also a popular road trip route in the state.
When you book Shimla and Manali Savaari travel packages, the serpentine roads, flanked by pine forests, hilly slopes and picturesque views of the great Himalayas are definitely an excellent time. And so your trip to Manali from Shimla will be a great experience.
Best time to drive on the road
Manali also enjoys alpine climate, like any other Himalayan region in India, and makes it cool and frosty during the wint in the summer. It is not recommended to travel in this region during the rainy season.
Therefore, you can visit and experience their snow views (when it snows) and New Year holidays in the colder months, according to the season’s preferences.
But if you want to experience the place fully flourishing and greener, it is time for visits in the summer months. This is the time when the countryside is at its best. The warmer months are great too, if you want to go down from Shimla without the windscreen.
Route 1: Distance and Time took via NH205 & NH3
It takes about 8 hours to cover the distance between Shimla and Manali, about 250 Km away. This is the shortest, fastest and the only route to Manali from Shimla.
This route will also be used by regular travellers, since the traffic from Shimla to Manali is light, but during the summer tourist season (March-December) high traffic will be expected.
You should also check live traffic updates before you travel or use real-time map to obtain a real evaluation of the conditions in Shimla-Manali.
Route Mapper
Popular places along the way:
- The route from Shimla to Manali is as beautiful as possible. You can therefore stop and experience what every pit stop has to offer in any of these places.
- Gobind Sagar Lake, Bilaspur – From the Bilaspur junction you have to take a detour to get to the water. The lake is also the area that best shows from the other side of Nangal’s Bhakra Nangal dam. You can spend some time on the quiet lakefront and have a cool air combined with natural beauty.
- Aut – The lesser-known town of Aut is a cosy hamlet on the bank of the Beas River. Enjoy your time on the roads, take a cup of tea, or just enjoy the views on the road.
- Lake Prashar, Mandi – A few kilometres off the Mandi road, you’re going to land atop 9,000 feet in a crystal clear lake. It is also a popular base for long walks to the Himalayan highlands. Do not forget to take awe-inspiring views of the lakeside mountains of Dhauladhar, Pir Pinjal and Kinnaur.
- Great Himalayan National Park, Tirthan Valley – one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries of Himachal is known for its rich biodiversity with the exotic Himalayan flora and fauna. You have to take the road to Shoja from Mandi in order to get there. In the forests, there is also the possession of stopping overnight, camping or a day trek to plan the itinerary.
- Pandoh Dam, Mandi – You’ll find that beautiful dam a little away from Mandi town. However, a short walk up a small hill is necessary to get a full view of the dam and the surrounding scenery.
- Chandrakhani Pass, Kullu – A lush enclave of mountain forests and gurgling streams must be one of the best attractions of Kullu District.
- Castle Naggar, Naggar — This old castle is a must see along the route from Shimla to Manali. The 15th-century castle is composed of stones and solid wood. Although it is now a heritage hotel, visitors can explore the main castle intact;
Locations to eat on the way:
- Music player Dhaba, the local Himachali food restaurant Shalaghat is a great place to stay for breakfast, tea and meals.
- Madana Café, Sundernagar – casual local dining room serving every meal, all day long and good for large groups and children.
- Bahadur / Bhadure Ka Dhaba, Bilaspur – local restaurant popular with local cuisine and fast dances.
- Chawla’s, Mandi – one of the oldest restaurants of this Punjabi motorway and surely popular with tourists.
Another way by train to Manali from Shimla.
There is no Shimla-Manali direct train. The only way to and from Shimla, namely Kalka, is by train. To get to Kalka, you can take a train, but you have to take a bus to reach Manali from there.
These trains are however less common and take longer than the road. Therefore, you should check the trains from Shimla to Manali through Kalka with Indian Railways for updated timelines.
By Flight
Manali doesn’t have an airport, unfortunately. Kullu – Manali Airport (KUU), Kullu, is therefore the nearest airport. These are not very regular flights, however, and you should check for updated schedules on travel portals or airline websites.
Depending on the airline and air route, the average Shimla to Manali flight time may differ from one to five hours. The average cost of the Shimla to Manali airport depending on the season, airline, etc. is between INR 2000 and INR 10000. Visit online travel portals to get the best deals with your flight reservations from Shimla to Manali.
Like a local, explore Manali: a mobile guide!
Manali has evolved into the former quiet little hamlet of the Himalayas, a hub of outdoor adventures, parties, and all that defines fun, thrill, and even more excitement. In this busiest tourist town of Himachal, you will find everything here from the mystical mountain atmosphere to the lively tourist trappings.
Similarly, Manali is a treasure trove of incredible experiences with its natural beauty, unique night-life, non-stop parties, artistic yellows, religious legacy, and the state’s most eclectic community. You can make your trip to Manali a memorable one with our tips and suggestions.
Attractions for Sightseeing
- Manali houses some of Himachal Pradesh’s most remarkable natural hotspots and human-made wonders. Visit the famous Buddhist monasteries of India, including the Manali Gompa, Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, and the Nyingamapa Gompa of the Himalayas.
- The Van Vihar national park is also a stroll or a boat ride with pine woods and a deer park as well as some migratory birds on occasion.
- Spend a day in Vashisht Temple, a sacred and therapeutic thermal spring just outside the old town, and explore the nature trails surrounding it. The Hadimba Temple, hidden deep within the pine and cedar forests, can also be visited.
- Take the Solang Valley, just a few kilometers from the main town, for outdoor activities in the nature lap. The wild waters and rolling valleys offer an endless possibility for paragliding, zorbing, zipline or skiing.
- Finally, finally, walk through the busy Tibetan bazaars in the streets of Mall Road.
The most famous place to eat in Manali, Savaari recommends
As a multi-cultural town, Manali can not offer any distinctive cuisine. The community offers all types of food to cater to the high population of international travelers and the international residents of the city influence every food.
But if you had to choose the most frequent and widely available Tibetan cuisine in the city, as well as a number of recipes of river trout, also a seasonal specialty.