Overview
Mandi to Manali is roughly 105–110 km, usually 3 to 3½ hours by taxi up the Beas valley through Pandoh, the Aut tunnel, Bhuntar and Kullu. It's the second half of the classic Chandigarh–Manali drive, and many travellers split the trip here: a night in Mandi's temple town, then a relaxed morning drive into the Kullu valley. The road follows the river the whole way, through the gorge above Pandoh dam, then opens out into orchards and riverside towns. We pick you up from your Mandi hotel, the bus stand, Sundernagar or IIT Mandi, and drop you at your hotel in Manali, Old Manali or Vashisht.
Usual route: Up the Beas via Pandoh, the Aut tunnel, Bhuntar and Kullu
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Mandi
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Mandi to Manali
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
756 m
Mandi
Total climb
+1,294 m
over ~108 km
Finish
2,050 m
Manali
- Mandi
- Pandoh dam
- Aut
- Bhuntar
- Kullu
- Patlikuhal or Naggar
- Manali
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Mandi to Manali taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~108 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹4,950
starting · one way
₹6,250
starting · one way
₹6,900
starting · one way
₹11,250
starting · one way
Your quote
Mandi → Manali
Sedan · one way · ~108 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in MandiIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹4,950
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1The Pandoh–Aut gorge has been under widening for years; most of it is now two-lane or four-lane, but expect slow patches and occasional stops for work.
- 2Leave Mandi by 9 am to reach Manali before the afternoon traffic in Kullu and on the Manali left-bank road.
- 3During Kullu Dussehra (October), the Kullu stretch slows sharply; allow an extra hour.
- 4Monsoon slides in the gorge can close the road for hours; travel early in the day in July–August.
- 5Stopping at Kullu, the Bajaura temple or a rafting point is easy to add.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Mandi
Pickup
Pandoh dam
Reservoir on the Beas, about 15 km from Mandi.
Aut
Just past the long tunnel; turn-off for Jibhi and Tirthan.
Bhuntar
Airport town and turn-off for the Parvati valley.
Kullu
The valley's main town, about 40 km before Manali.
Patlikuhal or Naggar
Orchards and the old Naggar castle, on the final stretch.
Manali
Drop at your hotel
Why split the drive at Mandi
The full Chandigarh–Manali trip takes seven to nine hours, and the last third, through the gorge and the Kullu valley, is the slowest and most tiring. Stopping a night in Mandi breaks it neatly in two: an easy half-day on the four-lane from Chandigarh, then a morning drive of about three hours to Manali. You arrive fresh, in daylight, with the afternoon free.
Mandi is worth the stop on its own. Bhutnath and Panchvaktra temples are in the old town, and Rewalsar lake, about 25 km away, makes an easy evening outing.
Breaking the journey on the way up
There's plenty to see between Mandi and Manali. Kullu is the obvious stop, for its shawl weavers and the Raghunath temple. The Bajaura temple, an old stone Shiva shrine near the highway, is a short stop before Bhuntar. On the final stretch, the left-bank road through Naggar takes in the old castle and the Roerich art gallery, and is a quieter alternative to the main highway. Tell us which stops you'd like and we'll plan the timing.
- Bajaura temple near Bhuntar
- Kullu town and shawl weaving
- Naggar castle and Roerich gallery
- Riverside cafés near Manali
Coming from IIT Mandi or Sundernagar
Students and staff at IIT Mandi's Kamand campus often head to Manali for weekends. From Kamand, the route goes back down to Mandi town or along the Kataula road towards Kullu, depending on the driver's judgement of the road that day; allow about an extra hour compared with starting in Mandi. From Sundernagar, add roughly 30–45 minutes.
Arriving in Manali
Manali has several distinct areas. The Mall Road and Model Town are central, with the most hotels. Old Manali, across the Manalsu stream, has cafés and guesthouses on narrow lanes, and Vashisht, on the other bank of the Beas, has hot springs and homestays. Some stays in Old Manali and Vashisht are a short walk from where cars can stop, so share your hotel name when you book.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Manali
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Mandi town hotels (Indira Market, Seri Manch, Bhutnath area)
- • Mandi bus stand
- • Nerchowk, Sundernagar and IIT Mandi (Kamand)
Other ways to travel
HRTC and private buses run often between Mandi and Manali. There's no railway in the Kullu valley; Bhuntar airport is on the way.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Mandi to Manali cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are Sedan ₹4,950, SUV ₹6,250, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹6,900, Tempo Traveller ₹11,250, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Manali from Mandi?+
Roughly 105–110 km, usually 3 to 3½ hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
Can we stop in Kullu on the way?+
Yes. Kullu is about two-thirds of the way, and easy to stop in for an hour or two.
Is the Mandi–Kullu road safe?+
Yes, it's the main highway into the valley. The gorge section can be slow, and slides are possible in the monsoon.
Can you pick us up from IIT Mandi?+
Yes, from the Kamand campus. Allow about an extra hour.
Do we need a Rohtang permit for this trip?+
No. Permits are only needed for Rohtang Pass beyond Manali; book that separately from Manali.
Which car is best?+
A sedan for two to four in summer; an SUV in winter or for snow trips from Manali.
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