Manali in March 2027: Snow, Weather, Rohtang and What to Expect

Short answer: Manali in March is the changeover month. Snow is still likely in the first half of March at Solang and the Atal Tunnel, and spells can bring fresh snow into town. By late March the town is mostly clear and mild. IMD normals give about 17°C by day and 3°C at night, with March the wettest month of the late winter. Rohtang Pass stays closed until May.

Is there snow in Manali in March?

Usually yes, but not everywhere and not every week. Manali town sits at about 2,050 m. Its snow season runs mainly from December to the beginning of March, so a March trip is a bet on the first fortnight. Higher up the picture changes. Solang Valley, roughly 13 km above town, normally still has a snow cover in early March. Sissu, on the Lahaul side of the 9 km Atal Tunnel and about 40 km from Manali, usually has the most snow of anything you can reach by road in March.

March snow arrives with western disturbances, short spells of two or three days. Two recent Marches show both sides of it. On 2 March 2024, heavy snow in Manali and Lahaul blocked the Manali–Leh highway between Manali and Keylong through the Atal Tunnel, and an avalanche near Nehru Kund damaged five parked vehicles (The Tribune, 3 March 2024). At the end of that month, on 30 March 2024, fresh snow fell at both portals of the Atal Tunnel; police stopped traffic beyond Solang towards Keylong, while tourists could still drive up to Solang for snow activities (The Tribune, 31 March 2024).

So the honest rule: in early March, plan for snow at Solang and Sissu and treat snow in town as a bonus. In late March, expect snow on the peaks around you and patches in shaded spots, and go to Sissu if you want to stand in it. If seeing fresh snowfall is the whole point of the trip, January and February are safer months; see our Manali in February guide.

How cold is Manali in March?

Cool days and cold nights. March days are about 5°C warmer than February, but nights still drop close to freezing, and a snow spell can push them below zero. The record March low at the IMD station is −6.0°C. March is also the wettest month of late winter, which matters: a wet day in town often means fresh snow at Solang and Sissu.

Source: India Meteorological Department climate normals 1991–2020 for Manali (extremes 1968–2020), as tabulated on Wikipedia. Solang and Sissu are several degrees colder than town.

Early March or late March: which half should you pick?

The month splits neatly in two, and on our packages the price splits too. Off-season rates run until 14 March; from 15 March the summer peak band starts, priced 25% above off-season. That makes the first half both the snowier and the cheaper half. If you can push the trip later, our Manali in April guide covers the warmer, greener month that follows.

Holi in 2027 falls on Monday 22 March (Holika Dahan on Sunday 21 March, per Drik Panchang via Hindutone). That gives a three-day weekend from Saturday 20 March, and the Delhi–Chandigarh–Manali road fills up. If you are coming that weekend, book hotels and the cab early.

What is open in Manali in March: Solang, Atal Tunnel and Rohtang?

• Manali town, Old Manali, Vashisht and Hadimba Devi temple: open all month.
• Solang Valley: open. The ropeway runs year-round in fair weather, and snow activities run while the cover lasts. See our Solang Valley activities guide for what runs in which month.
• Atal Tunnel and Sissu: open on most days, closed for a day or two after heavy snow while the BRO clears the road. No permit is needed to drive through to Sissu. Plan it as a half-day with a local driver; our Atal Tunnel and Sissu snow trip page explains the timings.
• Rohtang Pass: closed to tourists in March. It usually reopens in May after the BRO clears the snow; check our Rohtang permit and road status page before you plan around it.
• Manali–Leh highway beyond Lahaul and the Kunzum road to Spiti: closed for winter.

One practical point: after fresh snow, the stretch from Solang towards the tunnel often opens first to 4×4 vehicles only. Ordinary sedans may have to stop at Solang. This is why we recommend an SUV for early-March Manali trips.

What can you do in Manali in March?

• Snow day at Solang or Sissu. Early March is the last reliable window for snow play, tubing and beginners’ skiing near Manali. Snow suits and boots can be hired on the way up.
• Paragliding. The Manali flying season opens again in spring; March to June is one of the two best windows. Read the paragliding in Manali guide for sites and age limits.
• Old Manali and Vashisht. Walk the old village, the cedar forest around Hadimba temple, and Vashisht’s hot-spring baths, which feel best on a cold March evening.
• Naggar Castle and the Roerich Art Gallery. A quiet half-day on the left bank of the Beas, with views of snow-covered peaks.
• Kullu and Kasol. Late March is pleasant lower down the valley; Kasol and the Parvati valley are about three hours away by road.

How much does a Manali trip cost in March?

These are the live starting prices on our package pages, checked on 30 October 2026, per person on twin sharing:

• Shimla Manali tour from Chandigarh, 5N/6D: from ₹12,499 (Deluxe, off-season rate, so valid for travel until 14 March; peak band is 25% higher).
• Shimla Manali tour package from Delhi, 5N/6D: from ₹14,999 (4-star ₹18,699), plus 5% GST.
• Beautiful Shimla Manali tour from Delhi, 5N/6D: from ₹14,499.

Prices include hotels and a private cab; activities such as skiing, tubing, paragliding and snow-suit hire are paid locally. If you only need the car, see our Delhi to Manali taxi page (about 540 km, 11–13 hours).

A 5-day Manali plan for March

The spare day is the important part. In March, a snow spell can close Solang–Sissu for a day; a flexible plan lets you swap days rather than miss the snow.

What should you pack for Manali in March?

• A warm down or padded jacket, a fleece and thermal inners: nights near 3°C, colder at Solang.
• Waterproof shoes with grip. Melting snow makes paths slushy, especially in Old Manali.
• Gloves, a woollen cap and sunglasses; the sun on snow is strong.
• A light rain shell, since March is the wettest month of late winter.
• Sunscreen and lip balm. Snow suits and gumboots can be rented locally for the snow day.

Manali in March: FAQ

Is March a good time to visit Manali?

Yes, if you want snow without January’s cold and crowds, or a quiet trip before the summer rush. Early March still has snow at Solang and Sissu and off-season prices until 14 March. Late March is milder and greener, but snow then is mostly on the peaks and at Sissu, and package rates move to the peak band from 15 March.

Will I see snowfall in Manali in March 2027?

Nobody can promise it. March snow comes in short spells with western disturbances; in 2024, snow fell on both 2 March and 30 March. Seeing snow lying at Solang or Sissu in early March is likely; actually watching it fall in town is a matter of luck. Check the IMD Shimla forecast a week before you travel.

Is Rohtang Pass open in March?

No. Rohtang Pass is closed to tourists through March and normally reopens in May once the Border Roads Organisation has cleared the snow. In March, the snow point people mean when they say “Rohtang” is usually Sissu, reached through the Atal Tunnel without a permit, or Solang Valley.

Is the Atal Tunnel open in March?

On most days, yes. The tunnel stays open through winter, but the approach road can be closed for a day or two after heavy snow, and police sometimes stop traffic beyond Solang, as they did on 30 March 2024. After snow, the road often opens to 4×4 vehicles first, so an SUV is the safer choice early in the month.

How cold is Manali at night in March?

IMD normals put the average March night at 3.3°C in Manali town, with a record low of −6.0°C. Solang and Sissu are several degrees colder, so pack thermals and a proper jacket. Most hotels on our packages provide room heaters in the winter months.

Is Manali crowded during Holi in March?

The Holi weekend is busy. In 2027 Holi is on Monday 22 March, making 20–22 March a long weekend, and many travellers from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana head to Manali. Hotels fill and the Mandi–Manali road slows. Outside that weekend, March is relatively quiet, as board exams keep many families at home.