A trip to Amritsar and Manali can be an enjoyable experience. Both destinations are different; however, together they provide a good amount of culture, history, spirituality, and nature. 

Amritsar has the Golden Temple, Punjabi food, and history, while Manali has the Himalayas, snow, and adventure.

But many travellers wonder, how many days are enough? If it’s not enough days, you may miss experiences. If it’s too many days, you may spend unnecessary money for things to do? 

In this article, we will explain “How many days are enough for Amritsar and Manali,” “What to do each day,” and “The best way to travel between Amritsar and Manali.”

What is the Duration of Stay in Amritsar? 

Amritsar is a 2-day trip.

Though it is not a large city, it is rich in culture and history. You should be able to cover the main attractions in Amritsar comfortably in 2 days.

Day 1: Arrival and Evening 

• You should plan to visit the Golden Temple in the evening. The temple in the evening and at night with the lights surrounding it can be magical! 
• In the meantime, you can walk around the local markets and try local street fare like Amritsari kulcha, chole, and lassi. 

Day 2: Full Day in Amritsar

• Plan to visit the Golden Temple again in the morning for darshan. The morning prayers do create a very spiritual experience. 
• Visit Jallianwala Bagh, and learn about some of the history of India. 
• If you are interested in stories around the partition of India and Pakistan, you could also visit the Partition Museum.  
• You can finish your day with the ceremony at the Wagah Border. The parade and flag ceremony at the India–Pakistan border is something everyone should see. 

This will give you a glimpse into the spiritual, cultural, and historical aspects of Amritsar in two full days. 

How Many Days is Ideal for Manali?

3 to 4 days is ideal for Manali.

Manali being larger than Amritsar in terms of attractions, there are more things to indulge in here. The cool weather, adventure activities, and lovely mountains make it worthwhile to stay for at least 3-4 days.

Day 1: Local sightseeing

• Hadimba Temple and Manu Temple should both be in the itinerary.
• You can spend time relaxing at Old Manali cafés where the vibe is chill.
• Mall Road will provide shopping and nice evening strolls.

Day 2: Solang Valley

• You can go to Solang Valley, where you can paraglide, take a cable car, and zorbing (weather permitting).
• In the winter, this area normally has some snow, so you can engage in snow games as well.

Day 3: Rohtang Pass / Atal Tunnel

• Take a day trip to the Rohtang Pass (weather permitting) or go through the Atal Tunnel, while visiting Sissu and the other valleys surrounding.
• You will discover snow-covered peaks, while enjoying the surrounding ecology.

Day 4 (Possible Bonus Day)

• You can simply relax in Manali, or take day trips to Naggar Castle, Jana Waterfall, and surrounding areas.
• This can also be a great day to rest and enjoy the mountain view from your hotel.

In short, if you are short on days, 3 days is sufficient. However, if you are looking for a relaxed trip, then go for 4 days.

Duration for Travel Between Amritsar and Manali

By Road: 9-10 hours (approx. 450 km).

The distance is considerable; however, at least it is pretty to look at. 

By Train/Flight: There are no direct train or flight services. You could only fly to Chandigarh from Amritsar and then drive to Manali. 

Best Option: Most people will book a private cab or an overnight Volvo bus. If one goes with an overnight option, there would be a day saved on travel time. 

Combining Amritsar and Manali

Option 1 – Short + Active (5 Days)

Day 1: Arrive in Amritsar and visit the Golden Temple at night. 

Day 2: Sightseeing around Amritsar + move on to the Wagah Border → Travel to Manali overnight by bus/cab. 

Day 3: Arriving in Manali and sightseeing. 

Day 4: Trip to Solang Valley/ Rohtang. 

Day 5: Relax in Manali or do a little local touring → Depart.

Option 2 – Balanced and Relaxed (6 Days)

Day 1: Arrival in Amritsar, visit the Golden Temple in the evening.

Day 2: Visit Jallianwala Bagh and Partition Museum, go in the evening to Wagah Border.

Day 3: Travel from Amritsar to Manali.

Day 4: Sightseeing in Manali.

Day 5: Excursion to the Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel.

Day 6: A leisure day in Manali to either relax or add on activities → Departure.

Final Verdict – How Many Days Do You Need?

Amritsar: 2 days is sufficient to experience culture, food and history.
Manali: 3–4 days are needed to enjoy touring and adventure.
Total: 5–6 days is the perfect amount of time to conduct the Amritsar–Manali tour.

If you are short on time, then 5 days is the appropriate amount of time. If you want to see both places and do it in a less hurried manner, then 6–7 days is the way to go.

Are you planning an Amritsar & Manali trip?

Contact Manali Tour Planner for customized itineraries, safe ground service transportation, and carefully handpicked hotels.

📞 Call / Whats app Us: +91 70185 37498

Also read: Is Manali Safe in October 2025? Weather, Road Conditions & Travel Tips