Best Time to Visit Manali: Weather, Snow and Crowds

Quick answer

Visit Manali between March and June for pleasant 15–25°C days and open roads to Solang and Sissu, or from late September to November for clear skies and fewer crowds. December to February brings snow but also road closures. Avoid July and August, when monsoon landslides regularly cut the highway from Mandi to Manali.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan9°Fair
Feb10°Fair
Mar14°Good
Apr19°Good
May23°Best
Jun26°Best
Jul25°Avoid
Aug25°Avoid
Sep23°Good
Oct20°Best
Nov16°Good
Dec12°Good

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Manali weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryFair	9° / -1°	110 mm	medium	Snow likely; road closures beyond Solang
FebruaryFair	10° / 0°	130 mm	low	Cold, snowy, cheap hotels
MarchGood	14° / 3°	160 mm	medium	Snow at Solang; roads reopening
AprilGood	19° / 6°	110 mm	medium	Blossom season; rafting starts
MayBest	23° / 9°	80 mm	high	Peak family season; Rohtang may open
JuneBest	26° / 12°	80 mm	high	Busiest month; long traffic jams
JulyAvoid	25° / 15°	200 mm	low	Monsoon; landslides on the highway
AugustAvoid	25° / 15°	190 mm	low	Heavy rain, slides, rafting closed
SeptemberGood	23° / 11°	110 mm	medium	Rain eases from mid-month
OctoberBest	20° / 6°	40 mm	medium	Clear skies, apples, Kullu Dussehra
NovemberGood	16° / 2°	25 mm	low	Crisp, quiet, off-season rates
DecemberGood	12° / 0°	45 mm	high	First snow; Christmas–New Year crowds

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Manali

First week of January
Manali Winter Carnival
Parades, folk dance and local food stalls on the Mall.
Mid-May
Hadimba Devi Mela
Three-day fair at the Hadimba temple in Dhungri.
October, starting on Vijayadashami
Kullu Dussehra
Week-long gathering of village deities at Dhalpur, Kullu, about 40 km from Manali.
24 December to 1 January
Christmas and New Year
Snow-seeking crowds; hotel rates close to June levels.

What is the best time to visit Manali?

Manali (about 2,050 m) works in three windows. Spring and early summer (March to June) is the classic family season. Autumn (late September to November) is the quietest good weather of the year. Winter (December to February) is for snow, if you accept that plans change with the weather.

March to June

Snow lingers at Solang into March, and the road through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu opens fully once clearing finishes. May and June are peak: hotels run full, and the 14 km from Manali to Solang can take more than an hour on weekends. Rohtang Pass (3,978 m) usually opens to tourists from late May or June with an online permit of about ₹550 per vehicle and a daily cap.

July and August

This is when Himachal gets most of its rain. In July 2023 the swollen Beas washed away sections of the highway, and slides between Mandi and Aut close the road most years. If you must travel, keep a buffer day, avoid night drives and check Himachal Police road updates before setting off.

September to November

Rain tapers off by mid-to-late September. October is excellent: crisp mornings, apple harvest in the valley and Kullu Dussehra. November is cold, with lows near 2°C, and very quiet, with off-season hotel rates.

December to February

Expect snow in Manali town a few times each winter, more at Solang and Sissu. Heavy snow can close the approach to the Atal Tunnel, and police often stop traffic beyond Solang Nala. Christmas–New Year is as crowded and expensive as June.

Driving up for snow in a city car is a bad idea. Use a local taxi fitted with chains; Manali's taxi unions also restrict outside cabs from sightseeing runs to Solang and beyond, so plan for the switch.

Where next?

See things to do in Manali for what is open in each season, Manali trip cost for budgets, and where to stay in Manali to choose between Old Manali and the Mall. Planning to cross Kunzum Pass? Check the best time to visit Spiti Valley first.

Frequently asked questions

When does it snow in Manali?

Manali town usually gets its first snow between mid-December and early January, with further spells until February. Solang Valley and Sissu, higher up, hold snow longer, often into March. Snowfall varies a lot year to year, so if snow is the main goal, plan for late December to February and watch forecasts a week before travel.

When is Rohtang Pass open for tourists?

Rohtang Pass typically opens to tourist vehicles from late May or June and closes again by November, depending on snow. You need an online permit, about ₹550 per vehicle, booked through the Himachal government portal, and daily numbers are capped. The Atal Tunnel to Sissu does not need a Rohtang permit and stays open for most of the year.

Is it safe to visit Manali during the monsoon?

July and August are the riskiest months. Heavy rain triggers landslides and flash floods along the Beas, and the highway from Mandi can close for days. The town itself is usually fine, but getting in and out is the problem. If you must go, fly to Bhuntar, keep buffer days and check road status daily.

Which month is best for a Manali honeymoon?

October and early November suit most couples: clear views, quiet roads, cosy evenings and fair hotel rates. For snow, choose mid-January to mid-February, after the New Year crowds leave. Avoid late May to June if you dislike crowds, and avoid July and August entirely, when rain and slides can ruin a short trip.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.