My first trip to Manali cost ₹38,000. It was 2019, I booked everything through a travel agent, stayed at a resort that looked better in photos than in person, and spent most of the trip in a vehicle being taken from one “tourist spot” to the next on a schedule that left no room for actually being in Manali.
My second trip cost ₹13,500 for five days including the overnight bus from Delhi. I planned everything myself, stayed in guesthouses recommended by people who had actually been there, and ate where locals ate.
The second trip was three times better in every way. Here is exactly how I did it.
Getting There — The Overnight Bus from Delhi
The most practical way to reach Manali from Delhi is the overnight Volvo bus from Kashmere Gate ISBT. It departs around 5–6 PM and arrives in Manali the next morning around 10–11 AM depending on road conditions.
Cost: ₹700–₹1,400 depending on operator and season. I booked through RedBus two weeks in advance and got a window seat on the upper deck for ₹950.
The journey is approximately 14 hours. The road from Mandi onward is winding mountain road — if you are prone to motion sickness take a tablet before boarding. The views from Kullu onward in the morning light make every uncomfortable hour worth it.
Flying to Bhuntar airport near Kullu is faster but expensive — ₹4,000–₹8,000 one way from Delhi depending on dates. For a budget trip the bus is the obvious choice.
Where to Stay — Skip the Resorts
Manali has two distinct areas: Mall Road which is the main tourist strip and Old Manali which is a 20-minute walk uphill from Mall Road.
Stay in Old Manali. Every time.
Old Manali has guesthouses run by local Himachali families that charge ₹600–₹1,200 per night for a clean room with mountain views. The area has cafes, small restaurants, and a pace of life that feels like a hill town rather than a tourist trap.
I stayed at a family-run guesthouse where the owner’s mother made paranthas every morning included in the room price. The room had a wooden balcony with a direct view of the Beas river and the mountains beyond. It cost ₹800 per night.
The same view from a Mall Road resort would cost ₹4,000 per night and feel less authentic.
What to Actually Do in Manali
Day 1 — Arrive and recover The bus journey is tiring. Walk around Old Manali, find your guesthouse, eat something warm. The market near Old Manali temple has good momos — ₹80 for a plate of steamed veg momos that will be the best momos you have eaten.
Day 2 — Solang Valley Take a shared taxi from Mall Road to Solang Valley — ₹150 per person each way. In summer it is green and the views are extraordinary. In winter there is snow. The activities at Solang — zorbing, rope courses, horse riding — cost extra and are optional. Just being there and walking is enough.
Day 3 — Rohtang Pass (if open) or Naggar Castle Rohtang Pass at 3,978 metres requires a permit (₹500, booked online at rohtangpermits.nic.in) and is only open May to October. The views are extraordinary but the road is crowded in peak season. Go early — before 7 AM if possible.
If Rohtang is closed or you prefer crowds, Naggar Castle in the Kullu Valley is a 45-minute drive from Manali, costs ₹100 entry, and has the best mountain views of any heritage site in Himachal Pradesh.
Day 4 — Hadimba Temple and Old Manali walk Hadimba Devi Temple is a 15-minute walk from Old Manali. Built in 1553 in the middle of a cedar forest, it is one of the most genuinely atmospheric temple complexes in North India. Go early morning before the tourist rush — before 8 AM the forest around the temple is quiet and the deodar trees are extraordinary.
Day 5 — Leave The Volvo back to Delhi departs around 5–6 PM. Spend the day walking, eating, buying Himachali woolens from the market if you want. The woolen socks sold near the temple for ₹80–₹100 are genuine and warm and make good gifts.
The Actual Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Delhi to Manali bus (return) | ₹1,900 |
| Accommodation 4 nights × ₹800 | ₹3,200 |
| Food 5 days × ₹400/day | ₹2,000 |
| Solang Valley taxi + activities | ₹800 |
| Rohtang permit + taxi | ₹1,200 |
| Hadimba temple + local walks | ₹200 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹500 |
| Total | ₹9,800 |
I spent ₹13,500 total because I bought two Himachali shawls as gifts and ate at a slightly nicer restaurant one evening. The core trip is genuinely doable under ₹10,000 from Delhi.
One Honest Warning
Manali in May-June and in October is extremely crowded. The roads into town can jam for hours. If your dates are flexible, go in late September or early July — the crowds are smaller, the prices are lower, and the mountains look exactly the same.