What a Manali package from Delhi usually covers
In short: A Manali package from Delhi usually bundles a hotel, local sightseeing and the road leg, about 550 km each way. Meals, the Rohtang trip and who pays for the road leg vary. Ask for those lines in writing.
Look at three Manali listings and you’ll find “2 nights 3 days” on each, and three prices you can’t compare. One includes the overnight Volvo from Delhi. One starts when you step off it. One doesn’t say.
That’s not you misreading. The listings are vague, and the gaps are where the extra bills come from. If you want the hotel, transfers and sightseeing sorted in one place, VeeTrips lists a Delhi-departure Manali package with the inclusions spelled out.
The rest of this page is how to judge any package, ours or anyone else’s.
What to ask about, line by line
| Line | Ask this | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi to Manali leg | Bus, cab or self-drive, and is it in the price? | It eats a full night or day |
| Meals | Breakfast only, or dinner too? | Cafés in town add up |
| Local cab | Fixed sightseeing, or by the day? | A day cab is a real cost |
| Rohtang | Included, or “subject to permit”? | See below |
| Hotel area | Town, Old Manali or Solang? | Decides your daily drive |
Do the sum yourself. Say two packages for 2 people sit 10,000 apart. Check which one carries the bus and which one carries dinners before you celebrate. The cheaper one is often just the one with fewer lines filled in.
The road leg is most of day one
Manali is about 550 km from Delhi by road. Wikivoyage says 570 km and about 14 hours, and notes the Volvo buses leave around 5PM and arrive at 9 or 10 the next morning. Sources differ a little; the honest answer is “overnight”.
So a 2 nights 3 days package is really one night on the road, one night in a Manali hotel and part of a third day. If you want two full days in the hills, ask for 3 nights. Our guide on how many days Manali needs goes deeper.
Where you board in Delhi and get off in Manali
There’s no single “Manali station” to name. Most people go by the overnight bus, and the stops depend on who runs it. One bus-booking guide lists ISBT Kashmiri Gate (the main terminus, used by the state buses and most private operators), Majnu Ka Tila for north and central Delhi, AIIMS or Dhaula Kuan for south Delhi, and Akshardham or Anand Vihar for the east.
The same guide says to check the ticket before you leave home, because the exact point is on your e-ticket and operators differ. Be there at least 20 minutes early. Delhi evening traffic is not kind.
Timings run about the same everywhere. Buses usually leave between 5 PM and 9 PM and reach Manali between 7 AM and 11 AM, with one or two dhaba stops of 20 to 30 minutes on the way, usually near Chandigarh or Bilaspur. Wikivoyage mentions a main bus stand on the Mall Road side of town, with the market just opposite. Private operators can drop you elsewhere, so ask your seller where, and ask whether the hotel pick-up is in the package or you’re on your own with luggage at 8 AM.
Booking a package with a cab from Delhi changes this. You’re picked up from an address you give, and the question becomes whether the pick-up is from your door or a meeting point. Ask.
Rohtang, Solang and what’s optional
Rohtang Pass is about 51 km from Manali at 3,979 m. Ask the seller whether your date needs a vehicle permit, because the rules change and I can’t give you today’s. It’s shut in winter. Wikivoyage also mentions a weekly Tuesday closure of the road at Manali bridge, from 9AM to 6PM, though that page may be out of date. I couldn’t find a current fee or quota from an official page, so I won’t quote one. Ask who applies, and what happens if the pass is shut that day.
The easier trip is the Atal Tunnel, 9.02 km long. It cuts the route towards Lahaul to 71 km from 116 km, about 2 hours instead of 5 to 6. Solang Valley, around 14 km north of Manali, is the usual snow-or-adventure stop.
When to go
Snow usually falls from December to the beginning of March, and rain peaks in July and August, according to Wikipedia. In July 2025, rain closed the Chandigarh to Manali highway for nearly 40 hours. So I won’t promise snow on a given week, or a dry road in a given month. Nobody can.
What clothes to carry, by season
Manali’s weather isn’t stable, and Wikivoyage warns that Rohtang can be cold even on a summer day. So pack layers whatever the month. Seasons below are usual patterns, not promises.
- Winter, roughly November to February: thermals, sweaters, a warm jacket, gloves, a woolen cap and thick socks. Waterproof boots with a good grip for snow and ice. Sunscreen too, because snow-covered slopes intensify the sun. Some hotels may not heat rooms well, so ask.
- Summer, roughly March to June: light shirts and t-shirts for the day, plus a light jacket for evenings. Sunglasses and a sunhat. Shoes with grip if you plan to walk or trek. Mornings can still be cold: one guide says around 8°C to 14°C in June.
- Monsoon, July to September: a compact umbrella or waterproof raincoat, quick-dry clothes, a waterproof pouch for your phone and power bank, and shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
Don’t overpack on the bus. Put your main bag in the hold and keep a fleece or light jacket in the bag you carry on, because the bus is cold at night and Manali mornings are colder. If you forget something warm, Manali Market sells sweaters, pullovers, shawls and blankets, though I’d rather you arrived with it.
What else people need on the trip
Clothes are half of it. Here is the rest of the bag, in the order you’ll reach for it.
- Photo ID for every traveller, and your booking confirmation and hotel voucher saved on your phone as well as printed.
- Your e-ticket, if you’re on a bus, with the boarding point checked.
- Regular medicines, plus basics for headache, upset stomach and motion sickness. The road is long and winding, and Manali sits at 2,050 m, so go slow on day one.
- Some cash. Not every small shop, taxi or café up the valley will take a card or have signal.
- A power bank and a charger. Evenings in the hills often mean a long wait for a socket.
- Water bottle, snacks and wet wipes for the bus. Eat a proper meal before boarding, since the dhaba stops may not fall at meal times.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm, in every season.
- A small day bag for Solang or any sightseeing day, so you’re not hauling your suitcase.
One more thing to settle before you leave: your first night. Sort the hotel before you travel, especially in peak season, and check what time you can actually walk in after a 7 AM arrival.
Before you pay
- Get flights, bus, meals, transfers and entry fees in writing.
- Ask what the Rohtang line really means.
- Ask what happens if your dates move.
- Check the price is per person, and for how many nights.
We’re a single-owner agency in Dwarka, so if plans change the week before, you can call the office and speak to the person who booked it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Manali package from Delhi include the bus or flight?
Some do, some don’t. Delhi to Manali is mostly an overnight road trip. Ask whether the Volvo or cab is in the price, and get it in writing.
How many days do I need for Manali?
Three nights is comfortable. Two nights 3 days works, but one of those nights is spent travelling.
Is Rohtang Pass always open?
No. It’s usually closed by snow in winter and can shut for weather or repairs. Check the day before you go.
Where do I board the Delhi to Manali bus?
It depends on the operator. Common points are ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Majnu Ka Tila, AIIMS or Dhaula Kuan, and Anand Vihar. Your e-ticket shows the exact one, so check it before you leave home.
What should I pack for Manali?
Layers, whatever the month. Thermals, a warm jacket and gloves in winter, light clothes and a jacket for evenings in summer, rain gear from July to September. Keep a fleece in your hand luggage for the bus.
Is a package cheaper than booking myself?
Not always. A package earns its place when one person answers for the hotel, transfers and sightseeing. If you’re happy stitching it together, compare both totals line by line.
