Seasons of Solang Valley: A Travel Guide for 2024

The gateway to Solang Valley, Manali is a fascinating resort town in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh. This Himalayan hill station is loved for its bohemian charm, natural bounties of apples, pears, apricots, plums, and cherries, to name a few, and absolutely stunning places around like Hidimba Temple, Vashishtha, Naggar Village, and Rohtang-Pass. The most gorgeous part of Manali is called Solang Valley, which is just a half-hour drive, 13 Km north of Manali in the higher reaches of Himachal. Also known as Solang Nala, it is a lush valley that offers eye-pleasing meadows and snow-covered peaks, with many adventure activities for adrenaline junkies.

The route to Solang Valley is through Manali, which is 500 Km away from the capital – New Delhi, and well-connected with roads, rails, and air routes. However, if you are looking to book a Manali tour package from Mumbai, Chennai, or any other city from down west or south of India, and want to avoid the New Delhi route, then taking a flight to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, will be a viable option. Many bus and cab services are available from Chandigarh to Manali, which is around 270 Km away.

Best Time To Visit Solang Valley

This guide to Solang Valley brings you: -

• Solang Valley in Summers
• Solang Valley in Monsoons
• Solang Valley in the Fall
• Solang Valley in Winters
• Solang Valley Timings
• Stay Options in Solang Valley

Solang Valley is like changing watercolours of landscapes as months flip through the year. Let’s look at how Solang Valley welcomes you in different seasons.

Summers at Solang Valley

Summers paint the Solang Valley a vibrant, emerald green, and the air spreads the fragrance of pine trees all around. The valley is surrounded by the Beas River, which keeps flowing merrily in summer, murmuring its happiness.

Summers are an ideal time for mountain activities in Solang Valley. This time is also best for learning mountaineering. The famous Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Solang Valley offer many courses to learn skiing, water sports, and basic and advanced mountaineering courses. You can witness people heading for a trek, paragliding, mountain biking, zorbing, rappelling, or simply enjoying the vibrant meadows. At this time of the year, the chill in the air is soothing, and the temperature ranges from 10°C to 25°C. Summers last for almost four months – from March to June – and give way to monsoons next.

Monsoons in Solang Valley

As the monsoon arrives after a dry spell, the scent of petrichor excites Beas River, which will gush throughout the valley in the coming days, singing the songs of passion, cascading screaming waterfalls and making the entire region drenched in freshness.

Despite fewer adventure activities in this wet spell, the valley seems surreal and vivid. The crowd remains less while nature’s exhibition of beauty and bounty takes a jump. The chirping of birds and vibrant colours of wildflowers bring the valley alive. Monsoons majorly stay from July to August, and the temperature hovers between 10°C and 17°C.

Solang Valley in Autumn

As the autumn descends, which carpets the valley a fiery crimson and deep auburn, fallen leaves tell the story of past wet celebrations and the upcoming dry quietness of the autumn. The sky becomes a canvas of colours, pleasing your eyes with the hues of orange, pink and purple. And the crisp air whispers the slowness of changing leaves.

The autumnal beauty of Solang Valley is no less than a spectacle that reminds you of the changing ways of nature. The footfall rises in the Fall. With clear skies and crisp air, people plan picnics around the Beas River, go for a hike or take up horse riding. The minimum temperature sees a dip, drops to 5°C and the maximum up to 20°C, marking the advent of winter.

Solang Valley in Winters

Solang Valley transforms into a magical snow-laden wonderland at the peak of winter in December. The heaps of ice drape the peaks, landscape, and meadows and create snow scenery. The powdery slopes of Solang Nalla become the playground of skiers, ice skaters and snowboarders, while the silent alleys of the valley wake up with every crunch of footsteps on the frosty snow.

The 4-months of winter – from November to February – can be harsh and chilling. It is accompanied by biting cold winds that blow day and night. The weather demands thermal innerwear, woollen headcover, earmuffs, moisturisers, sunscreen, and boots. The temperature can drop to a freezing -5°C to the minimum.

Each season of the year brings a unique and thrilling experience to Solang Valley. All it takes is to pack your bags, choose a season, and book your Manali tour package.

Timings to Visit Solang Valley

There are no such fixed timings to visit Solang Valley. However, all the adventure activities happen between 10 AM and 5 PM, and as per the weather conditions. It is best to check the conditions before heading to Solang Valley for snow, air and water sports. Although winter remains the most preferred time to explore this paradise and indulge in ice activities like skiing, snowboarding, etc.

Accommodation Options in Solang Valley

There is no shortage of choices to stay in Solang Valley. The valley has diverse stay options catering to all budgets and preferences. Let’s look at some of the best ones:

Resorts in Solang Valley

Resort stay is most preferred for visitors seeking comfort, luxury and family-friendly amenities. If you are travelling to Solang Valley with your group of buddies or kids and family, consider this:

Solang Valley Resorts

It is one of the dreamy places to stay in Solang Valley. Nestled in the Beas Valley and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the expansive and luxurious property offers gorgeous vistas. It opens up to a lawn full of lush, colourful flowers that soothe your eyes while the gurgling melody of Beas River running nearby will keep your senses stress-free. Choose your abode amongst 70 clean and organised rooms categorised in three blocks – River, Valley, and Glacier – to choose from.

The property boasts 5 different restaurants, including an Italian restaurant, Gazebo, specialising in wood-fired oven pizzas and trout. If you are looking for a romantic dinner under the starry night sky, choose their Riverside Restaurant. For the spirit lovers, there is a well-stocked bar, Malana Bar.

When it comes to adventure activities, the Solang Valley Resorts offer a plethora of them. You can indulge in paragliding, mountain biking, pony rides, and rappelling – all in the house. The property is easily accessible and only a 20-minute drive from the infamous Atal Rohtang Tunnel. If you wish to visit Solang Valley for a day but want to stay in Manali, you can consider these best resorts in Manali.

Camping in Solang Valley

A stay in camps is ideal for nature lovers, budget travellers, and adventure enthusiasts looking for a unique experience. If you are a couple or a group of friends looking for the best camp stay in Solang Valley, consider this:

Monal Adventure – Solang Camping

Himalayan Monal Adventure is a well-received camp planner operating in the heart of Solang Valley. Their camps are set up amid a breathtaking backdrop and near the Beas River. These sturdy tents are located strategically overlooking the lush valley. Choose from large, comfortable camps with clean sheets, quilts, and basic amenities, or go for luxury glamping tents that offer better amenities and privacy.

From staying in camps in the wild to having meals together with fellow groups and making memories under the magical glow of the bonfire, staying in camps will give you lifelong memories and keep your adventure spirit burning.

The Monal Adventure offers an experience beyond hotel and resort stay. They can also arrange adventure activities in Solang Valley like river rafting, paragliding, and snow scooter in Solang Valley for solo travellers, families as well as groups.

Hotels and Cottages

Besides resorts and camps, hotels, cottages, and homestays are also available year-round in Solang Valley. These diverse accommodations are easy on the pocket and offer all the basic amenities in-house. You can choose from the below-cherry-picked list of best stay options in these categories:

Manali Dairies (Solang) – 3.4 Km away from Solang Valley, this is a top-rated, boutique villa offering well-designed cottages amidst the banks of river Beas. If you are a couple visiting Solang Valley, do consider your stay at Manali Dairies while booking your Manali tour package for couples.

Hotel New Iceland – It is a 28-room, award-winning hotel, set up in Solang Nala offering a multi-cuisine restaurant, open-air café, super deluxe and premium rooms with electric heaters and a balcony.

Solang Cottage and Café by Snow City Farm – 4.2 Km before Solang Valley, it is a highly preferred 3-star property, having a 24-hour front desk and offering rooms with mountain views.

Visiting Solang Valley can be an unforgettable experience. The valley is touted as the most beautiful part of Manali – the Queen of Himachal Pradesh. So, pack your bags and get going – Solang awaits your arrival.

Where adventures bloom alongside wildflowers and snow-kissed peaks hold the sun hostage, starry nights hum lullabies, and meadows offer a playground for spirited and free souls.