An ideal destination for adventure seekers and travellers, Manali is perfect for those who want to spend quality time with their family members or friends. If you are thinking about visiting Manali then you should consider visiting it during April as it is one of the best months to visit Manali, as it is not too hot or cold. The weather is pleasant during this time and the sky remains clear most of the day. However, if you are planning to stay in Manali during April then you should be aware that it may rain at times or there might be foggy conditions during early morning hours.  Here’s a complete guide to planning a trip to Manali in April. 

Manali Weather in April

April is the month of spring. In this month, the temperature starts to rise and it becomes hot. The weather remains pleasant and cool in the mornings and evenings. The evenings are very pleasant with a cool breeze blowing through the mountains. But even then you need to carry a jacket or a shawl with you as the temperature can go down by 10 degrees at night.  In April, there are chances of rain during late evening hours or early mornings which adds to the beauty of this place. So if you want to enjoy Manali weather in April, then you must visit it when the season is just about to end so that you have enough time to enjoy all its beauty without any hassles related to weather or traffic jams etc. 

Manali Temperature in April

The weather in Manali remains pleasant during this month with warm sunny days. The average maximum Manali temperature in April is 15 degrees Celsius and the average minimum temperature is 5 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature recorded in Manali during this month was 19 degrees Celsius while the lowest was -1 degrees Celsius.

How to Reach Manali in April

  • By Public Transport – 
    • By Train – The nearest railway station to Manali is Kalka, which connects it with other cities in India. From Kalka, it takes about 2 hours to reach Manali by train. The best way to reach Kalka from Delhi is by taking the Shatabdi Express from the New Delhi railway station. Many trains connect Kalka with other major cities such as Chandigarh, Shimla and Ambala.
    • By Bus- Buses from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Amritsar, Dalhousie, Dharamshala and other major cities connect Manali with other parts of the country. The bus stand is located opposite the Old Bus Stand at around 1 km distance from Mall Road. Private buses are available for many destinations like Delhi, Chandigarh etc.
  • By Flight – The most convenient way to reach Manali is by air. The nearest airport is Chandigarh which is about 145 km away from the town. You can hire a taxi from there to visit Manali.
  • By Private Taxi – Many cab operators in Manali offer services on a shared basis or private basis. The best way to reach Manali is to hire a taxi.
  • By Bike –  If you are up for riding your bike to Manali then nothing can compare to the experience of a road trip. However, you need to be careful while riding through hilly terrain because it can be dangerous if not taken care of properly. 

Best Places to Visit Manali in April

  • Narkanda – 

Narkanda is a small village located at an altitude of 2200 meters above sea level. It is situated on the Chandigarh-Manali Highway. This place has many tourist attractions like the Kullu Valley National Park and Narkanda Devi Temple among others. The best time to visit this place would be between March and May because during these months there are fewer tourists here compared to other months.

  • Solang Valley – 

Solang Valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Manali in April. It is located at a height of 3,450 meters above sea level, which makes it one of the highest ski resorts in India. Solang Valley offers spectacular views of snow-covered peaks and lush green forests. The valley is surrounded by tall pine trees and dense oak forests, which provide an ideal setting for picnics and trekking activities during any time of the year.

  • Moon Point – 

Moon Point is one of the most popular places in Manali. It provides an amazing view of Kullu Valley and Rohtang Pass (the highest mountain pass in India). It also has a restaurant where you can enjoy your meal while watching the sunset or sunrise on Rohtang Pass. The Kullu Manali temperature in April is very pleasant to plan your trip. 

  • Manu Temple –

 This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated at a height of 3,000 feet above sea level. The temple was built with wood and mud by the Pandavas during their exile period. A visit to this temple will give you a complete view of the town from a distance.

  • Rohtang Pass – 

Rohtang Pass is one of the best places to visit in Manali in April.  Rohtang Pass offers spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows and clear blue skies. The pass is covered with snow for the most part of the year except during summers when it remains open for traffic. 

  • Jagatsukh –

Jagatsukh is a small town in the upper reaches of Manali. It is situated at an altitude of 7500 feet above sea level. The town is surrounded by beautiful mountains and offers a picturesque view of the surroundings. It is a perfect place to visit during summer as it has plenty of waterfalls, lush green forests, water bodies and snow-covered peaks. The best time to visit this town is in April-May.

  • Gulaba –

Gulaba is another beautiful Manali place to visit in April located near Jagatsukh which can be reached through a narrow road. The best time to visit this place is in March-April when the temperature becomes pleasant enough for trekking and hiking. You can also enjoy boating in the lake or just relax by swimming in its clear waters during this period.

  • Arjun Gufa – 

This place is located on the top of a hill and can be reached by taking a walkway from the Kothi area. You will get to see amazing views of the Himalayan ranges from here. The best part about this place is that it is not crowded like other tourist spots in Manali. You can enjoy your holidays without being disturbed by anyone else’s presence here at Arjun Gufa.

  • Kothi – 

This small village lies on the way from Old Manali to Hadimba Temple and offers some great views of the mountains around it. You can also find some local shops selling things like clothes and food here in Kothi village which makes it an ideal place for shopping as well as sightseeing during your trips to Manali during the April months of every year.

How to Plan a Trip to Manali in April?

  • Book your flight tickets early so that you get cheap tickets as they sell out quickly during this period.  
  • Book hotels in advance as well since they are fully booked during these months and booking rooms at the last minute might not be possible nor would you get good deals on hotels.
  • Make sure you check the Manali weather in April 2023 beforehand so that you don’t end up freezing or roasting!
  • Check out the local festivals happening during this time of the year and plan accordingly.
  • Pack light clothes with neutral colours so that they can be worn with other outfits as well.
  • Do not forget your medicines while packing your bags because there are many chances of getting ill during your stay in Manali due to extreme weather conditions as well as pollution levels in this area.

Things to do in Manali in April

  • Bird Watching 

 If you love watching birds then there is no better place than Manali for bird watching because it has so many lakes and streams which makes it a perfect habitat for birds like ducks and swans as well as peacocks! You can also visit Rohtang Pass which has become famous due to its large population of leopards and cheetahs!

  • Go for a Hiking Trip- 

Hiking is another popular thing to do in Manali in April. You can go for hiking trips both short and long depending on your preferences and fitness levels while staying here in Manali during April. Some of the popular destinations include Pin Parvati Pass, Vashishth Lake, Rohtang Pass etc., which offer stunning views of snow-clad mountains as well as lush green valleys around them.

  • Enjoy a Camping Trip – 

Camping is one of the most popular activities that people enjoy during their trip to Manali. It allows you to enjoy nature at its best and also provides an opportunity for bonding with your friends or family. The best part about camping is that you don’t need any special skills or equipment to enjoy it. All you need is an adventurous spirit and an open mind on your Manali visit in April. 

  • Enjoy a relaxing bath in a hot spring 

Get away from the cold, harsh winter and relax by taking a dip in one of the many hot springs located here. There are many resorts which offer this as an added attraction. You can also take a trip to nearby Vashisht where there are two famous waterfalls  Vishnu Temple (Vishnu Kund) and Naina Devi Temple (Naina Devi Falls). These waterfalls are located on the banks of the Beas River and are quite popular among tourists. 

  • Go on a Snow Leopard Safari – 

Manali is home to some of the world’s rarest species like leopards and snow leopards, who live in its high altitude forests. The best time to spot these animals is during winter when they come down from higher altitudes because of a lack of food supply. You can go on safari tours arranged by local tour operators which will help you get closer to these beautiful creatures. Do not forget to add this activity to the list of must-try activities in Manali in April. 

  • Trekking – 

Trekking is one of the best things to do in Manali in April. Many trekking trails start from Manali and take you to different places in Himachal Pradesh like Kullu Valley and Spiti Valley. If you want to explore this place on foot then you should plan your trip for April because it is the best time to trek here due to favourable weather conditions which will make your journey more enjoyable and comfortable. You can also choose between short and long treks depending on your physical strength and stamina level.

Clothing for Manali in April –

Clothing for Manali in April is very important because of the extreme weather conditions. The temperature can be as low as 0 degrees and as high as 30 degrees. So you need to pack your clothes accordingly. Here are some tips that will help you make your packing easier on your trip to Manali in April.

  •  Pack light – You should only carry the essentials with you. The weather might be unpredictable so if you overpack, it could be difficult to carry all that luggage around town or even on a trek. So it is advisable to go for only those things which are necessary and leave the rest behind at home.
  • Wear layers – If the temperature drops suddenly, wearing layers will come in handy because it will take little time to put on another layer when required instead of putting on all your clothes at once which can be cumbersome while walking around town or during treks. 
  •  Carry a cap/scarf – If you are going during summer then carry a cap or scarf which can protect you from the sun’s rays and keep your head cool.
  • A good pair of shoes – You need to wear comfortable shoes while walking on the rocky paths of Manali. You should also take care of your feet as they will get easily hurt due to all the walking that you do during your stay in this place.  
  • A raincoat– This is an essential item for any traveller because the climate in Manali in April is unpredictable and it may rain anytime. 
  •  A warm jacket– A warm jacket will keep you warm even if it rains during your trip to Manali or gets cold due to sudden changes in temperature, etc.
  • Warm pants/jeans–  Warm pants are necessary if you are visiting this place during winter because they keep your body warm from the inside out, thereby preventing any kind of cold-related diseases like chills, fever, etc., which would otherwise be common due to low temperatures prevailing.

Conclusion – Manali in April is a great time to plan a trip. While it isn’t quite as warm as other parts of India, it still manages to have a productive time. The weather is pleasant, trees are budding and flowers blooming, and it isn’t too crowded so you can get some quality time in without harsh noise. Since Manali is surrounded by a couple of different mountain ranges and valleys, there are always things to see and partake in even if the weather isn’t on your side.