Most trips to Manali follow the same loop: Mall Road, Hadimba, Solang and Rohtang or the tunnel. That loop is fine, but the valley has a quieter side a few kilometres from the crowds.
These five places are not secrets. They are simply less visited. Each works as a half-day or full day from Manali or Naggar.
The five places
A small Buddhist village about 10 km from Manali on the Hamta side. Winters bring snow trails and summers bring open meadows. It is also where the Hamta Pass trek begins and where our seasonal igloo stays run in winter.
A road through deodar forest, a village and a short walk to a 30-foot fall. Read our Jana guide.
Apple orchards and old wooden houses above Naggar. See Chachogi.
A quiet village of traditional wooden houses above Naggar, and the starting point of the Chandrakhani Pass trek. You can walk between Rumsu and Chachogi in an afternoon.
A temple above the Kullu valley with a legend of lightning and butter. See Bijli Mahadev.
A three-day loop
- Day 1. Naggar castle in the morning, then Chachogi and Rumsu on foot.
- Day 2. A drive to Jana for the waterfall walk and a village lunch.
- Day 3. Sethan for a morning walk, or a trip to Bijli Mahadev.
How to visit quietly
These are real villages. Keep to paths, ask before taking photos of people, buy from local shops and carry out your waste. If you stay longer, choose small family-run places.
Travel tips
Public transport to these villages is limited. A hired taxi, a driver for the day or a self-drive scooter gives you more freedom. See our rental checklist before you hire, and ask us about share cabs from Manali.
Want a custom Kullu itinerary?
Tell us how many days you have and we will plan a loop with a driver.