Deodar forests climbing toward snow lines, the Beas River cutting through the valley floor, and roads that keep going up until they run out of road. Twenty-eight photographs from Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
Manali sits at the point where the Kullu Valley narrows and the mountains start to take over. Below the town, the valley floor is given over to apple orchards and the Beas River, fed by glaciers higher up the range. Above it, dense deodar cedar forest climbs the slopes until the trees thin out and the bare, snow-streaked rock of the Pir Panjal range takes over — a transition you can watch happen in real time on the drive up from Kullu.
The town itself splits into two distinct moods. The newer centre is busy with shops, hotels, and the practical business of a tourist town that sees visitors year-round. Old Manali, a short walk across the river, is quieter — narrow lanes, wooden houses, cafés, and a slower pace that has made it a long-standing favourite for travellers staying longer than a weekend.
Beyond the town, the roads keep going — toward Solang Valley for snow activities, and further still toward Rohtang Pass at nearly 4,000 metres, the gateway to the high-altitude desert landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti. These 28 photographs cover the valley, the forests, the river, the town, and the mountain roads that lead out of it.
Travel tip: Rohtang Pass is typically open from late May to November depending on snowfall, and private vehicles may need a permit during peak season due to traffic restrictions on the narrow mountain road.
Manali is a hill town in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, northern India, at approximately 2,050 metres (6,725 feet). It sits at the northern end of the Kullu Valley on the Beas River, about 270 km from Shimla and roughly 540 km from Delhi by road.
Manali is known for its snow-capped Himalayan scenery, deodar cedar forests, the Beas River, and adventure activities including paragliding, skiing, and river rafting. It's also the gateway to Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, and the Lahaul-Spiti region. Old Manali, with its cafés and relaxed pace, is a popular area separate from the main town centre.
March to June offers pleasant weather and blooming valleys, good for sightseeing. October to February brings snowfall at higher elevations, popular for snow activities at Solang and Rohtang. The monsoon (July–September) brings heavy rain and occasional landslides, making mountain roads less predictable.
Rohtang Pass sits at approximately 3,978 metres (13,058 feet), about 51 km from Manali, connecting the Kullu Valley to Lahaul and Spiti. Typically open late May to November depending on snowfall, it offers snow activities and Himalayan panoramas. Private vehicles may need a permit during peak season due to traffic restrictions on the narrow road.
The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali Airport), about 50 km away, with limited flights from Delhi and Chandigarh. The nearest broad-gauge railway stations are Chandigarh or Pathankot, followed by a road journey. Most visitors travel by road from Delhi (~540 km, 10–12 hours) or Chandigarh (~310 km).
All 28 photographs were taken by Prashant Dhingra during a visit to Manali, Himachal Pradesh. More India travel photography is at prashant.dhingra.website/travel/india, including galleries for Udaipur and Vaishno Devi.