How much does a 5-day Manali trip cost from India?

A budget 5-day Manali trip from Delhi costs ₹8,000-₹12,000 per person for groups, including transport (Volvo bus ₹1,600-₹2,400 return), accommodation in hostels/shared rooms (₹2,400-₹4,000 for 4 nights), food at local eateries (₹2,000-₹3,000), local transport in shared taxis (₹1,200-₹2,000), and activities like paragliding and Rohtang Pass visits (₹2,000-₹3,000). Costs reduce significantly when traveling in groups of 8-10 by splitting taxi and accommodation expenses. From Mumbai or Bangalore, add flight costs (₹4,000-₹8,000 to Delhi) making the total ₹12,000-₹20,000 per person.

Is 5 days enough for Manali?

Yes, 5 days is ideal for Manali if you plan efficiently. This duration allows 1 day for travel from Delhi, 1 day for Solang Valley adventure sports and local sightseeing (Hadimba Temple, Old Manali), 1 full day for Rohtang Pass or Atal Tunnel excursion, 1 day for a Kasol-Manikaran side trip, and the final day for shopping and return journey. You can cover all major attractions, experience adventure activities, explore nearby valleys, and still have time to relax in cafes. For a more relaxed pace or to include trekking (Beas Kund, Hampta Pass), consider 6-7 days.

What is the best area to stay in Manali?

For budget group travelers, Old Manali is the best area—it offers affordable hostels like Zostel and Moustache (₹600-₹900 per bed), riverside cafes, live music venues, and a backpacker vibe perfect for socializing. It's 2 km from Mall Road, easily walkable or ₹50 by local bus. Vashisht village (3 km from Manali) is another budget-friendly option with guesthouses at ₹800-₹1,200 per room and access to natural hot springs. Avoid staying on Mall Road itself—it's noisy, expensive (₹2,500-₹5,000 per night), and touristy. For families or larger groups wanting cottages, HPTDC properties and guesthouses near Hadimba Temple (₹2,000-₹3,000 per cottage) offer good value with parking facilities.

Do I need travel insurance for India domestic trips?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for Indian passport holders traveling domestically to Manali, but it's highly recommended for group trips involving adventure activities. Budget travel insurance plans cost ₹150-₹400 per person for 5 days and cover medical emergencies (important at high altitudes like Rohtang Pass where altitude sickness is common), trip cancellations due to bad weather or landslides (frequent in monsoon), and adventure sports accidents (paragliding, skiing injuries). Companies like ICICI Lombard, Digit, and Bajaj Allianz offer domestic travel insurance. If your group is doing activities like paragliding (₹1,000-₹2,500) or visiting Rohtang Pass (3,978 m altitude), the ₹300 insurance cost is negligible compared to potential medical expenses (₹5,000-₹20,000) in private Manali hospitals.

What is the best way to get from Delhi to Manali?

For budget group travelers, the best way is overnight Volvo AC buses from Delhi's Kashmere Gate ISBT to Manali (₹800-₹1,200 per person, 12-14 hours). Buses depart between 5 PM-10 PM and reach Manali by 6-10 AM, saving a night's accommodation cost. Book online via RedBus or HRTC website 1-2 weeks in advance for window seats and discounts. For groups of 10-12, hiring a tempo traveller (₹10,000-₹14,000 for 5 days) works out to ₹1,000-₹1,400 per person and offers flexibility for sightseeing stops at Chandigarh Rose Garden, Pandoh Dam, and Kullu. The fastest but costliest option is flying Delhi-Bhuntar (₹3,500-₹6,500, 1.5 hours) with Alliance Air or SpiceJet, then taking a taxi to Manali (₹800-₹1,200, 1.5 hours)—total 4-5 hours but ₹4,500-₹7,500 per person, only worth it if time is extremely limited.

5 Days in Manali: Complete Budget Itinerary from Delhi 2025

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