Manali, India
Orchard lodge above the valley
A small timber and stone lodge of six to twelve rooms set in orchards, ten minutes above the town.
The orchards above Old Manali are where the good small properties are: timber and stone buildings with a dozen rooms at most, log fires, and a view down the valley that the town itself does not have.
The trade is that you need a car for dinner, or a willingness to walk back up a steep lane in the dark. Most lodges of this type serve food, and in winter you will be glad of it.
What stands out
- A valley view the town itself does not have.
- Small enough to feel like a house rather than a hotel.
- Log fires and proper food, which in January is most of the point.
Room types
| Room | Sleeps | Beds | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley room | 2 | One double | Around 24 sq m | Heated by a wall unit; ask for an extra blanket in January. |
| Orchard room | 2 | One double or twin | Around 26 sq m | — |
| Family room | 4 | One double and two singles | Around 36 sq m | Usually on the upper floor, up stairs. |
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Breakfast available
- Restaurant
- Parking
- Pets by arrangement
Getting your bearings
- Old Manali and the cafes — 10 to 15 minutes on foot, downhill
- Manali bazaar — About 10 minutes by car
- Bhuntar Airport — About 50 km, roughly 90 minutes
More about Manali
Manali sits at the head of the Kullu valley, and the approach is the thing to plan around: it is a long road journey from the plains however you do it, and the last stretch is slow. Flying to Bhuntar shortens it considerably when the weather permits, which is not always.
Old Manali and the orchards above the town are pleasant and quiet. The main bazaar is neither. Properties a few kilometres out of town are usually the better arrangement, provided you are content to need a car for dinner.
Tell us where you want to go
Send the destination and the dates. We will come back with what is available, what it costs and what the terms are — before anything is charged.