Manali Group Trip from Bangalore

About this activity

Published: October 2025 | Last Updated: March 2026

A Manali group trip from Bangalore takes 5 days: fly to New Delhi, board an overnight Volvo AC sleeper bus (12–14 hrs), and spend 3 full days in Manali covering Solang Valley, Atal Tunnel, Kullu river rafting (included), Hidimba Temple, and Old Manali. Packages start at ₹7,000 per person from Delhi, inclusive of hotel (3 nights, twin sharing), breakfast and dinner on activity days, and a travel coordinator. Departure point: Kashmere Gate ISBT, New Delhi.

• 4 Nights · 5 Days
  Starts: New Delhi
• From ₹7,000/person
• River Rafting Included

 5-Day Manali Group Trip Itinerary from Bangalore

Day 01: Bangalore to Delhi → Board Overnight Bus to Manali

Assemble at the departure point by 6:30 PM. The bus departs around 7:00–7:30 PM. We use Volvo AC sleeper buses (or Mini Bus / Traveller for smaller batches) — the kind with proper reclining seats, not the bone-rattling state buses.

• • Board at the designated Delhi pickup point (shared on booking confirmation)
  • Estimated journey time: 12–14 hours depending on Mandi highway traffic
  • Dinner stop en route — typically near Murthal or Chandigarh (own expense)
  • Pack a light layer — temperatures drop significantly after Kullu even in the bus

Meals: Not included (dinner on own)

Pro tip: If you’re flying in from Bangalore, book an early morning Delhi flight. IGI to Kashmere Gate ISBT takes 45–60 minutes by metro — plenty of time before the 6:30 PM assembly.

Day 02: Arrive Manali — Hidimba Temple, Old Manali, Mall Road

• • Hidimba Devi Temple — 11th-century cedar wood temple set in a deodar forest. Go before 10 AM to avoid coach tourists.
  • Tibetan Monastery (Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa) — Active monastery near Mall Road. Worth 30–40 minutes for the prayer hall.
  • Old Manali — The café-lined lane above the new town. Best espresso you’ll find north of Delhi, local apple wine, and the kind of vibe that makes you extend your trip.
  • Van Vihar — Riverside deodar grove. Good for an evening walk before dinner.
  • Mall Road — Stock up on woolens, Kullu shawls, and dry fruits before prices creep up at tourist shops.You’ll roll into Manali between 7:00–9:00 AM. Check in, sleep for 3–4 hours, and let your body adjust to the altitude (2,050m). Pushing straight into adventure activities without rest is the most common mistake first-time Manali visitors make.

Meals: Dinner included

Pro tip: Hidimba temple charges a small photography fee. The forest behind the temple (towards Dhungri Van Vihar) is often empty and stunning — take the path less trodden.

Day 3: Solang Valley, Atal Tunnel & Snow Activities

The most packed day of the trip — and the one people come back talking about. Start early (breakfast by 7:30 AM) because the Solang Valley road gets congested by mid-morning, especially during October half-term.

• Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel) — At 9.2 km, it’s the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000 ft. The north portal opens into Sissu valley — a completely different landscape, greener and quieter. Allow 30–40 minutes here.
• Sissu / Koksar — The Lahaul side of the tunnel. Snow patches visible even in early October. Much less crowded than Rohtang. Great photography spot.
• Snow Point / Solang Valley — Snow activities include skiing (seasonal), zorbing, tube rides, snowmobile. Note: These are at additional cost (₹300–₹1,200 per activity) and depend on snow availability in October.
• Solang Valley adventure activities (optional, own expense): Ziplining (approx ₹500), giant swing, ATV rides, yak rides, bungee rocket. Book directly on-site.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 04: Kullu River Rafting + Departure to Delhi

• • Kullu River Rafting — Grade II/III rapids on the Beas. Safety equipment and guide provided. Duration: approximately 1.5–2 hours on water.
  • Paragliding at Dobhi — Optional, own expense (approx ₹2,500–₹3,500). Book on-site. October wind conditions are generally reliable.
  • Vaishno Devi Temple, Kullu — Quick spiritual stop on the way to Bhuntar.
  • Bhuntar Shawl Factory — Government-certified Kullu shawl factory. Better prices than Mall Road, and you can watch the weaving process.
  • Evening drop at Bhuntar Volvo Stand — board overnight bus to Delhi.Check out after breakfast and head south towards Kullu. The Beas river rafting stretch between Pirdi and Jhiri (approx 14 km) is included in your package — this is the highlight most travellers from Bangalore remember most vividly. Class II–III rapids, suitable for first-timers and experienced rafters alike.

Meals: Breakfast only

Pro tip: Don’t wear your best clothes for rafting — you will get wet. Carry a dry change of clothes in a small bag. The rafting operators have lockers for valuables.

Day 05: Return Arrival in Delhi / Fly Back to Bangalore

• The overnight bus from Bhuntar reaches Delhi around 8:00–9:00 AM. Your Manali group trip concludes here. If you’re connecting back to Bangalore, book a late morning or afternoon flight — don’t cut it too close given Delhi traffic.

Why This Manali Group Trip Works

Manali in October hits a sweet spot that most travellers miss. The monsoon crowds have cleared, temperatures have dropped to a crisp 5–15°C in the valley, and the snowline on Rohtang is visible even from town. It’s not peak tourist chaos — it’s the version of Manali that locals actually love.

This group trip is built specifically for people doing the Bangalore → Delhi → Manali route: you fly into Delhi (or take an overnight train), join the group bus to Manali, and return to Delhi by Day 5 — clean, affordable, and zero planning overhead. We’ve run this route across seasons, and October is consistently one of the most rewarding windows for adventure activities before the higher passes close for winter.

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What’s In — and What’s Not

Included	Not Included
Volvo / Mini Bus / Traveller (Delhi–Manali–Delhi)	Flights / trains to/from Delhi
Hotel accommodation (3 nights, twin/triple sharing)	Snow activities at Solang (zorbing, skiing, etc.)
Meals as per itinerary (Breakfasts + Dinners)	Paragliding at Kullu
Kullu river rafting (Day 4)	Adventure activities at Solang (zipline, ATV, etc.)
All sightseeing transfers as per schedule	Personal expenses & tips
Travel coordinator on-ground	Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
	Rohtang Pass permit (opens after May 15)

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Key Terms Every Manali Traveller Should Know

Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel)

• A 9.2 km highway tunnel connecting Manali (Kullu district) to Sissu (Lahaul district) at ~10,171 ft. Operational year-round, unlike Rohtang Pass which closes in winter.

Solang Valley

• A side valley 14 km northwest of Manali, known for snow sports in winter and adventure activities year-round. Altitude: ~2,480m. Popular base for skiing during December–March.

Beas River Rafting

• White-water rafting on the Beas river in Kullu valley. The Pirdi–Jhiri stretch (14 km) offers Class II–III rapids. Best conditions: July–September (monsoon) and October–November.

Rohtang Pass

• A high mountain pass at 3,978m on the Kullu-Lahaul-Spiti border. Open May 15 to mid-November subject to permit (₹500). Requires NGT-approved vehicles only.

Volvo (Overnight Bus)

• In Indian travel parlance, “Volvo” refers to an air-conditioned semi-sleeper/sleeper coach. Delhi–Manali Volvo buses are the standard mode for budget group travel on this route.

Acclimatisation

• Manali sits at 2,050m. Mild altitude symptoms (headache, fatigue) are common on Day 1. The itinerary builds in a 3–4 hour rest on Day 2 specifically for this reason. Stay hydrated; avoid alcohol on Day 1.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to go on a Manali group trip from Bangalore?

Fly or take an overnight train to Delhi. The group assembles at the Delhi departure point (Kashmere Gate ISBT or a nearby landmark — confirmed on booking). If you’re travelling from Bangalore, we recommend a morning flight to Delhi to comfortably reach the 6:30 PM assembly time. We have travellers joining from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune on almost every batch.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

This trip is currently listed as non-refundable. We recommend purchasing travel insurance before booking, which can cover cancellation due to illness, flight delays, or emergencies. If you’d like to transfer your booking to a different batch date, contact us at least 10 days prior to departure — date changes are considered on a case-by-case basis subject to availability.

Is there snow in Manali in October?

It depends on the year. Early October often has residual snow at higher elevations (Atal Tunnel north side, Sissu). Solang Valley itself may or may not have snowfall by October 11. Snow activities like zorbing and skiing are available only when there’s sufficient snow coverage — we’ll update the batch group WhatsApp with snow conditions closer to departure. Regardless, Solang Valley remains a stunning destination for trekking and other adventure activities even without snow.

Is river rafting safe for non-swimmers or first-timers?

Yes. The Kullu Beas rafting stretch (Grade II–III) is considered beginner-friendly. All participants are provided with a life jacket and helmet, and are guided by certified rafting instructors. Non-swimmers are welcome — the safety briefing covers everything you need to know. In over five years of running this route, we have not had a serious incident on the rafting section.

What type of accommodation is provided?

We use clean, centrally-located hotels in Manali town (typically near Mall Road or Old Manali) on a twin/triple sharing basis. Rooms include attached bathroom, hot water, and WiFi. Specific hotel names are shared with confirmed bookings. We do not use dormitories or guest houses for this trip.

Can I do this trip as a solo traveller from Bangalore?

Absolutely — and it’s one of the best formats for solo travellers. You’ll be placed in a group of 15–25 people with similar ages and travel interests. The overnight bus journey, shared meals, and group activities naturally break the ice. Many solo travellers on our Manali group trips end up extending friendships beyond the trip itself.

What to pack for Manali trip in October from Bangalore?

October temperatures in Manali range from 5°C (night) to 15°C (day). Pack: 2 warm layers (fleece/down jacket), thermal inner wear, waterproof shoes or trekking shoes, rain jacket/poncho, sunscreen (UV is intense at altitude), sunglasses, lip balm, and a small daypack. You can rent heavier gear in Manali if needed. Don’t over-pack — you’ll be carrying your bag on and off the bus.

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