Hot Springs in Himachal: Vashisht, Manikaran, Tattapani
Steaming springs for cold Himachal days
Five hot springs you can actually visit in 2026 — from Vashisht’s temple baths 3 km from Manali to Tattapani on the Sutlej. We fit them into your Manali, Kasol or Shimla trip with hotel and cab.
- Springs 5
- Vashisht 3 km from Manali
- Manikaran ~4 km from Kasol
- Tattapani ~52 km from Shimla
- Best Dec – Feb
- Price Get Quote
Hot springs in Himachal at a glance
Himachal’s best-known hot springs are Vashisht near Manali, Manikaran in the Parvati valley, Tattapani on the Sutlej near Shimla, Kalath on the Beas and the hot pool at Kheerganga. Vashisht has temple baths with separate tanks for men and women; Manikaran’s springs feed the gurdwara and temple baths. Tattapani’s original riverbed springs went under the Kol Dam lake in 2015; bathing now happens at pools beside the reservoir.
The five hot springs worth your time
Pick by base town: Vashisht and Kalath from Manali, Manikaran and Kheerganga from Kasol, Tattapani from Shimla.
EasiestVashisht
Pilgrim + springManikaran
Near ShimlaTattapani
Quiet stopKalath
Trek rewardKheerganga (Parvati Kund)
How a hot-spring day fits your trip
-
Tell us your base
Manali, Kasol or Shimla, plus your dates — on WhatsApp or the quote form.
-
Manali
Vashisht in the early morning, Kalath on the way to Kullu or Kasol.
-
Kasol
Manikaran in the morning, back for lunch. Kheerganga only as a separate day trek (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct).
-
Shimla
Tattapani day trip by cab (about 52 km) with a stop on the Kol Dam lake; mid-January for the Sankranti fair.
5 springs, 3 bases
- From Manali: Vashisht ~3 km · Kalath ~6 km
- From Kasol: Manikaran ~4 km · Kheerganga 12–13 km trek from Barshaini
- From Shimla: Tattapani ~52 km
- Pack: towel, change of clothes, slippers. Women’s tanks exist at Vashisht.
We add the hotel nights and the cab around the springs.
Best months for Himachal’s hot springs
| Months | Experience | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | Best: freezing air, steaming water | Snow can slow Manali–Kasol roads; Tattapani is mild |
| Mid-Jan | Lohri–Makar Sankranti dip and fair at Tattapani | Busy — book the cab early |
| Mar – Jun | Pleasant; Kheerganga trek season opens | Vashisht is crowded in May–Jun |
| Jul – Sep | Monsoon: landslide and river risk | Parvati and Sutlej roads may shut |
| Oct – Nov | Clear, quiet, cool evenings | Good shoulder season |
Hot water, simple rules
Suzu Travels is an HP Tourism registered travel agent (Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022). We plan your day around these rules:
- Scalding sourceManikaran water is close to boiling at source — keep children away from vents and channels; bathe only in the mixing tanks
- Short soaks10–15 minutes at a time and drink water; heart or BP patients and pregnant women should ask a doctor first
- Temple & gurdwara rulesHead covered at Manikaran gurdwara, no shoes, follow the separate tanks where marked
- KheergangaForest Department rule since July 2024: no camping at the top, reach by 10 am, leave by 2 pm
- TattapaniDo not enter the reservoir to bathe; water sports only with registered operators on the Kol Dam stretch
- MonsoonJul–Sep the Parvati and Sutlej roads can close — we re-route your day
Get a quote in minutes
-
Tell us your dates
WhatsApp or the quote form — base town, dates, people.
-
We check the route
Road and weather for Manali, Kasol or Shimla, festival dates and add-ons.
-
You get one quote
Hotel nights, cab and any add-ons — Kheerganga guide, Kol Dam water sports, rafting.
-
Confirm and go
We send the day plan and stay in touch on WhatsApp.
Your quote depends on the base town and hotel nights, cab type and route, season and festival dates (Christmas–New Year, mid-January), add-ons and group size.
Get your Himachal hot springs quote
Tell us your base, travel date and group size. We reply with today’s rate for your date — with hotel and cab included if you want.
Pair the springs with a Himachal plan
Manali–Kasol, 5 nights in winter: Vashisht and the Jogini Waterfall walk on one morning, snow activities in Manali, then Manikaran Sahib and a night at a Kasol camp. Check Kasol weather before you go.
Shimla, 3 nights: a Tattapani day with rafting and Kol Dam lake rides, plus adventure activities in Shimla. Travelling in winter? Read Himachal in December, or ask for a custom plan.
Hot springs in Himachal — questions
Is the Tattapani hot spring still there after Kol Dam?
The original riverbed springs were submerged by the Kol Dam lake in 2015. Hot water is still used for bathing at pools beside the reservoir, and pilgrims still take the Makar Sankranti dip there in mid-January.
How hot is the water at Manikaran?
Close to boiling at the source (quoted figures run from 64°C to over 90°C) — hot enough to cook rice and dal. Bathe only in the cooled bathing tanks, never at the vents.
Can women bathe at Vashisht?
Yes. Vashisht has separate bathing tanks for men and women below the temple.
Can we camp at the Kheerganga hot spring?
No. Since July 2024 the Forest Department allows only day visits: reach by 10 am and start down by 2 pm. Stay the night in Kasol, Tosh, Kalga or Nakthan.
Which hot spring is closest to Manali?
Vashisht, about 3 km across the Beas. Kalath is about 6 km away on the Kullu side.
How far is Tattapani from Shimla?
About 52 km — an easy day trip by cab, often paired with rafting or lake rides on the Kol Dam stretch.
What is the best time to visit Himachal’s hot springs?
December to February, when the air is cold and the water feels best. Mid-January for Tattapani’s Lohri–Makar Sankranti dip and fair.
Do I need to pay to bathe?
Temple tanks are usually open to all. Private bath houses and hotel pools charge — ask us on WhatsApp and we include it in your plan. Price: Get Quote.
