Kullu

2 daysBest: Apr–JunAdventure#rafting#temple#market

Rafting stretch and valley of gods

Why this weekend?

Beas river raftingRaghunath templeKullu Dussehra

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The valley town
- Temple visit
- Bazaar walk
- River bank
- Valley views
Day 2 · The river
- Rafting run
- Palace stop
- Apple lanes
- Return

Geography & terrain

Kullu lies in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh at about 1,220 m, 40 km from Manali and 100 km from Mandi — the valley town of the region, its Beas river, the Raghunath temple and the markets set on the Kullu valley's wide floor.

History & culture

The town's story runs with the valley's kingdom and the trade — the seat of the old Kullu raj and the shawl trade of the valley, with the town's modern role as the rafting and the market base of the Manali–Kullu circuit and the home of the Dussehra festival; the town's history of the Raghunath temple and the valley's apple orchards, gives Kullu its valley-town character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Raghunath temple
Beas river
Shawl bazaar
Old palace
Valley views

Eat & drink

Dham thali
Madra (chickpea curry)
Chha gosht
Siddu buns
Kaanji

Getting there

Fly: Kullu–Bhuntar (KUU) / Gaggal (DHM) / Shimla (SLV)
Train: Kalka–Shimla toy train (heritage); narrow-gauge to Joginder Nagar
Road from Delhi: 300–550 km depending on valley
Getting around: Taxis and HRTC buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹8,500–15,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹2,000–2,400

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi / Pahari dialects (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Apr–Jun
Connectivity: Patchy in deep valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The rafting asks the post-monsoon (Apr–Jun) water
The bazaar asks the bargaining hours
Pairs with Manali for the valley circuit

Frequently asked questions

What is Kullu?

The valley town of the Beas river.

What is there to do?

The temple, the rafting and the markets.

How long is the visit?

Two days.