India’s Kullu-Manali Circuit Faces Winter Surge As Snow, Road Repairs And New Packages Ignite Hope For Tourism Recovery

Published on December 1, 2025

Kullu-Manali is gearing up for a strong winter season as fresh snowfall and improved road conditions are fueling optimism among tourism stakeholders. After months of disruption due to severe monsoon rains, which caused road blockages and significant drops in visitor numbers, the region is witnessing a steady recovery. With winter activities like skiing and snowboarding now accessible, and local businesses offering attractive packages, there’s renewed confidence that the area will bounce back, attracting tourists looking for a winter getaway in India’s picturesque mountains.

Months of road blockages, landslides, and travel disruptions left the Kullu-Manali region grappling with one of its weakest tourist seasons in years. However, with the arrival of snow and improved connectivity, the region is experiencing a hopeful recovery as winter approaches.

The aftermath of one of the most severe monsoon seasons in recent memory left roads battered and visitor numbers dwindling across Kullu and Mandi. As a result, tourism stakeholders in the Kullu-Manali circuit are now looking toward a cautious but optimistic revival for the winter season.

According to tourism statistics for 2025, the region welcomed a total of 20,48,584 domestic tourists and 7,923 international visitors in the first nine months of the year. The winter months began with a steady stream of tourists, with January drawing 2,85,266 domestic visitors and 689 foreigners, followed by February with 2,37,272 domestic arrivals and 773 international tourists, and March with 2,65,388 domestic and 831 foreign visitors. These figures indicated a healthy start to the year, showing early signs of recovery.

Tourism activity peaked in the spring months, with April and May bringing in 3,17,840 and 3,37,181 Indian visitors respectively. These numbers signaled a strong pre-summer trend that pointed to the potential for continued growth. June saw the highest number of visitors, with 4,92,533 domestic arrivals, marking the traditional pre-monsoon rush. However, once the monsoon rains began, the momentum quickly halted.

In July, domestic tourism dropped significantly to just 72,670 visitors, and the situation worsened in August, with only 28,196 tourists entering the region. September brought even more disappointing figures, with only 12,238 Indian tourists visiting Kullu-Manali, the lowest of the year. According to local operators, the sharp decline in tourism was primarily due to extensive road damage, continuous rainfall, and concerns over safety, which kept many visitors away.

As winter sets in, however, there are clear signs of a revival. Fresh snowfall has begun to blanket the higher reaches of the region, and the improved conditions of the Chandigarh-Manali highway are helping restore confidence among travelers. Hoteliers in Manali report that weekend occupancy has already surpassed 50%, a promising early indicator of recovery as visitors begin to return.

Adventure tour operators are also preparing for the upcoming season by getting ski slopes, snow trails, and cold-weather activity circuits ready for the Christmas and New Year rush. This period is particularly important, as it plays a key role in determining the financial success of the season.

Local business leaders, including hoteliers and taxi operators, are gearing up for increased demand by offering special winter packages, discounts, and a variety of winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding. The region’s tourism leaders, such as the president of the Kullu-Manali Paryatan Vikas Mandal, have emphasized that the improved road conditions have been instrumental in restoring travelers’ confidence, with the area’s infrastructure now better equipped to handle the influx of tourists.

In addition to the restoration of road access, recent stable weather has been crucial in helping tourists overcome the mental barriers caused by images of damaged roads during the monsoon. With stable conditions holding steady, stakeholders believe that the region will be able to recover at least some of the losses experienced during the summer months.

Tourism experts note that the next few weeks will be critical, with two key factors determining the extent of the winter revival: the continued stability of road connectivity and favorable weather conditions. If these factors remain reliable, Kullu-Manali could experience a surge in winter tourism that will help make up for the sharp downturn caused by the monsoon.

For a region where tourism is the backbone of the local economy, this winter season is seen as vital not only for attracting tourists but also for restoring livelihoods that were strained during the summer months of disruption. The region’s economy, which heavily relies on seasonal tourism, faces a fragile recovery, and local businesses hope that this winter will provide the much-needed boost to weather the tough months ahead.