They say that the heart stays happy in the hills.

I’ll be honest, Manali was never on my travel radar. The idea of crowded streets, touristy cafés, and cookie-cutter itineraries just didn’t appeal to me. As a traveller who seeks out offbeat, soul-soothing experiences, the mainstream vibe of Manali felt too overwhelming.

But Old Manali? That’s a completely different story.

Tucked away just a few kilometres uphill from the main town, Old Manali feels like a world of its own. It’s quieter, greener, and wrapped in an air of peaceful seclusion that’s hard to find in popular hill destinations. With quaint cafés nestled among apple orchards, the gentle sound of the Manalsu river flowing by, and locals who greet you with warm smiles, it’s the kind of place that grows on you the moment you arrive.

If you enjoy walking through forest trails, sipping coffee while journaling in wooden cottages, or connecting with fellow travellers over bonfires, Old Manali offers all that and more. And for someone who thought they’d never fall for Manali, I left Old Manali with a piece of my heart still tucked away in those hills.

Places to Visit in Old Manali

Old Manali will surprise you in wonderful ways. From serene waterfalls to sacred temples and snow-draped valleys (if you’re lucky to visit during winter), the area has something for every kind of traveller. Let me break down my itinerary for you, along with everything you can do in Old Manali:

Vashisht Temple & Hot Spring

Vashisht Temple is a sacred spot, named after Rishi Vashisht, one of the revered sages in Hindu mythology. Legend has it that when his children were killed by Rishi Vishwamitra, he tried to end his life by jumping into the river. The river, however, is said to have refused to take his life, gently carrying him to safety instead. It was here that he chose to start anew, and the village of Vashisht was born. 

The temple is believed to be more than 4,000 years old and has a hot spring, which is the main attraction here. The hot spring is believed to have medicinal properties. There are separate bathing areas for men and women, and a dip here is said to be very therapeutic. 

Timings: 

Vashist Temple: 7 AM to 9 PM 

Bath: 7 AM to 1 PM, and 2 PM to 9 PM (daily)

Jogni Falls

Jogni Falls is one of the most beautiful sites to see in Old Manali, and feels straight out of a dream. Just half an hour of a trek away from Vashisht village, the cascading falls reward you with a magnificent view after a trek through pine trees and hamlets. 

I would also suggest you go underneath the waterfalls, instead of just admiring them from afar. 

Locals consider Jogni Falls a sacred place, and it’s believed that spiritual beings dwell in the area. So, out of respect, it’s best to keep voices low and soak in the quiet, sacred energy around you.

Solang Valley

Solang Valley is 14 KMs from Manali, on the way to Rohtang Pass. You can enjoy several activities like cable car rides, paragliding, skating and zorbing here. Offering lush green meadows in summer, it is a popular tourist spot during the winters, especially as Rohtang Pass shuts down at that time. The entire valley is surrounded by snow, and the landscape becomes extremely mesmerising.

Sethan Valley

Sethan is the new hotspot of Himachal, also known as the ‘igloo village’ of India. Just 14 kms away from Manali, it offers a much less crowded alternative to the touristy Manali. A charming Buddhist village with sun-kissed peaks and tall pine trees, Sethan offers Instagram-worthy offbeat spots for a perfect weekend getaway, if you are looking to spend some time away from the chaos of bustling cities. 

The best time to visit Sethan depends on your personal choice, but I would suggest summer, from the months of March to May. In winter, however, you can go skiing or snowboarding or even stay at an Igloo. Also, Sethan is the only place in India where one can find Igloos. 

Naggar Castle

Naggar Castle lies at an altitude of 2,047 meters and served as the official seat of kings for centuries, with stunning Himalayan views. According to a legend, Raja Sidh Singh built the castle 500 years ago, and a human chain of workers was formed across the Beas River to pass stones uphill for the construction manually. 

Despite a massive earthquake in 1905, which destroyed most of the habitats in the area, the castle stood strong, exemplifying its brilliant craftsmanship. 

In 1978, the castle was converted into a rest house and subsequently a heritage hotel run by HPTDC.

Manalsu River & Wooden Bridge

The best way to experience Old Manali is along the charming shores of the Manalsu River at the cosy cafes and guesthouses. A small wooden bridge connects the old village to the newer part and forms an ideal place for your gram-worthy pictures. 

You’ll often find musicians strumming a guitar or travellers lost in a book nearby.

Things to do in Old Manali

Paragliding

If you have ever wanted to soar in the sky like a free bird, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Solang Valley, just 14 kms away from Manali, is the place where you can try paragliding. Solang offers two paragliding spots to choose from. 

• One is a lower hop station, which is perfect for beginners and is a shorter flight.
• The next one is the upper hop station, which you can reach through a gondola ride and offers a higher and longer flight. 

Although, do remember that during monsoons (July to early September) paragliding remains closed. The cloud and fog are not safe for paragliding; hence, plan your trip accordingly.

Temple Walks

In Old Manali, you would find temples on every street. These ancient temples have their own rituals,  each with a unique backstory and aura. One of the prominent temples is the Hadimba Temple, a 16th-century temple surrounded by deodar trees and with a dark wood structure. You can also explore other temples such as the Krishna Temple at Thava, Gauri Shankar Temple, Jamula Temple, etc.

These temples are not exactly religious sites but are a living embodiment of the history and culture of the Himalayas.

Old Manali Market

Old Manali’s market is the perfect place to wander through the cobblestoned pathways of the quaint village. You can explore the shopping area in the evening with colourful and quirky outlets. Feel free to browse through and get yourself winter clothes, small clothes like gloves, mufflers, caps, CDs, junk jewellery, etc. You can also buy fruit jams, jellies and pickles. It is the perfect place to stroll around and be lost in the comfort and colours.

Trekking

If you have extra days and love trekking, Manali is a hub of such trails. You can opt for many treks depending on the difficulty level and the number of days you have in mind.

Bhrigu Trek

Bhrigu trek is one of the most famous winter treks. The lake is surrounded by snow during this time, making the lake really serene. Moreover, you will cross lush, green meadows, which is a real treat for trekkers.

Duration: 2–4 days

Level: Moderate

Hampta Pass

Hampta Pass is the most famous pass with meadows and green valleys. Visit the Chandratal Lake, which is the most famous lake here, and the cold desert of Spiti. 

Duration: 4–6 days

Level: Moderate to challenging

Beas Kund Trek

A moderate trek that takes 3-5 days, and one of the most famous treks in Manali. The trek starts at Solang Valley, where you cross several river streams as well as a dead glacier. After reaching Beas Kund, you are treated to a great view of the surrounding peaks like Hanuman Tibba.

Duration: 3–5 days

Level: Moderate

Itinerary

Day 0: Delhi to Old Manali

Regular buses depart from Delhi to Manali. You can get on an overnight bus from ISBT Kashmiri Gate with your options ranging from HRTC Volvo to private operators. The details of bus timings along with the cost can be easily found online. I would suggest that you book tickets online in advance to avoid any unwanted surprises.

It usually takes 12 – 13 hours to reach Manali. Once you do, take an auto or a shared cab to Old Manali.

Day 1: Vashisht Temple, Jogini Falls

Once you settle into your accommodation in Old Manali, head out to Vashisht Village, which is closer. Spend an hour here, dipping in hot springs and later, move to Jogni Waterfalls, which is about 30-45 minutes away. 

Although once you reach the falls, you would not want to return. The experience here is really blissful.

There’s a halfway point with flat rocks where people often lounge or take a quick dip. But try going all the way to the top as the final view and sound of the falls are incredibly rewarding.

Once you are back, you can cafe hop and have dinner in Old Manali’s café lane. Each cafe has some or the other speciality and the entire cafe street has really good vibes.

Day 2: Solang Valley and Naggar Castle

The next day, depending on your preference, take a bus or a cab to Solang Valley. Known for its paragliding, skiing (in winter), and scenic views, Solang is a must-visit.

You can get buses from the Manali bus stand which depart quite frequently. I would suggest you leave early in the morning, being layered, to have sufficient time to enjoy the activities of Solang.

From Solang, take a bus back to Manali bus stand and later, hop on to a bus that leaves for Naggar Castle.

Day 3: Temple Visits and Old Market

The next day, visit all the temples, especially the Hadimba temple. From here, you can move to the market in Old Manali, where you can enjoy several activities and the lively vibes of the streets. The streets are often alive with local music, art stalls, and the hum of the café.

Key Point

All these places can be covered by bus or private taxi as stated above. However, you can also rent out scooters/bikes here, which would be really comfortable and would help in travelling independently.

The Route Map I Followed in Old Manali

Below is a route map of all the places I covered in Old Manali.

Accommodation

When I reached Old Manali, it was raining and freezing cold. Fingers and toes were numb, so being welcomed by a warm bed made my day. The best part of the hotel was that on one side of my room, there were snow-capped mountains, and on the other, a rugged road with a stream gushing nearby.

Travelling has two sides to the coin. At times, you take back bad memories. In this post, instead of talking about the comfort of the hotel, I would very much like to share the hospitality of the hotel.

As my brother and I were exploring Vashisht, we got into an argument with a local as we unknowingly stepped onto the temple floor with our shoes on. For this, he abused us and got into a physical fight. As a result, my phone was left broken. When Treebo Hotels got to know about the incident, the manager of Treebo Celebriti got really concerned. We received several calls just to check if we were okay. We even got a call from the head of Treebo Hotels in Old Manali. When we left Manali the very next day, they again made sure we were safe and doing well, and told us that if we ever decided to visit Manali again, they would plan everything for us.

Well, staying in a beautiful hotel is one thing, but when you have amazing people to take care of you, you know you’ll keep coming back to them again and again.

Food

I didn’t find Old Manali perfect just because of its serenity and the lack of hustle and bustle, but also because of how much it has to offer when it comes to food and exotic cafés. Some of the best cafés in Manali can only be found in Old Manali, and you can even go on a café crawl, thanks to a charming street lined with a variety of unique cafés.

These cafés are incredibly delightful, offering lip-smacking food and cosy vibes where you can easily lose track of time in long, meaningful conversations.

Some of my favourite cafes are –

1. Cafe 1947

2. The Lazy Dog

3. Johnson’s Cafe

4. Born Free Café

A few other cafes you may want to not miss out on would be:

• Drifters’ Café
• The Sunshine Café
• Randes-vous Café
• Café Meraki

Typical Cost

Accommodation

If you are planning to stay at Treebo, the room costs INR 900 per night. The rooms are clean, cosy, and come with warm running water. While you can always find cheaper hotels or homestays in Old Manali, considering the amenities and the breathtaking view, Treebo is absolutely worth the money.

For budget travellers, hostels or guesthouses are readily available from INR 300 onwards. 

Paragliding and Other Activities

Paragliding costs INR 2,500/- for a 10-15 minute flight. While it’s on the pricier side, it’s one of the top experiences you can have here.

Other adventure activities that are more budget-friendly include:

1. Cable Car Ropeway – INR 450

2. Amateur Skiing – INR 300

3. Snow Scooter – INR 500

4. Zorbing – INR 350

However, do keep in mind that these prices can vary according to the season and vendor. 

Bus Charges

Delhi to Manali buses cost about INR 1,200 to INR 1,500. If you opt for an ordinary HRTC bus journey, it would cost you about INR 600, but the bus would not be as comfortable as a Volvo for an overnight journey. 

Food

For meals, local dhabas or small eateries offer great food and won’t cost you more than INR 150–200 per meal. If you’re eating at cafés, which are a must-try in Old Manali, the cost can go up to INR 400–500 per person, depending on what you order.

Old Manali will send you back to the 80s with its vintage aura. If you are visiting Manali anyway, I would recommend you stay in Old Manali for a more tranquil vibe. It is less crowded as compared to Manali and more beautiful.