Himachal Pradesh is among the most visited top mountain tourist places in North India, the Himalayas region. It gifts you with memories that last for a lifetime. Its landscape has a lot to do with it: valleys, mountains, ancient monasteries, historical sites, lakes, mountain passes! A Himachal Pradesh tour satisfies the wanderlust in you, whatever it is you may be looking for. Pick up any Himachal travel guide, chances are you will be hooked on to it within a few minutes. The state has so much to offer, no wonder it’s a top tourist attraction in North India!
Himachal Pradesh is a northern Indian state in the Himalayas. It’s home to scenic mountain towns and resorts such as Dalhousie. Host to the Dalai Lama, Himachal Pradesh has a strong Tibetan presence. This is reflected in its Buddhist temples and monasteries, as well as its vibrant Tibetan New Year celebrations. The region is also well known for its trekking, climbing and skiing areas.
Other top tourist places in Himachal are its national parks. These are home to rare and endangered animals. The most famous of these is Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can spot high altitude Himalayan animals like Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Brown Bear, blue sheep and snow leopard. Other national parks where you can spot the exotic Himalayan wildlife are Pin Valley & Inderkilla.
Himachal Pradesh is known as the state of apples all over India. It is also known for scenic landscapes, culture, adventure sports and a variety of fairs, festivals and celebrations throughout the year. McLeod Ganj, the abode of the 14th Dalai Lama is worth visiting. Himachal Pradesh also has plenty of forts, palaces, and monasteries that are of utmost cultural and historical importance. Himachal Pradesh is located in the north of India bordering Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttaranchal and Punjab and a boundary with Tibet.
Himachal Pradesh Cities include Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kufri, Kasol
Shimla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is a very popular holidays retreat during the summer months and is well known for its Victorian architecture, which is reflected in certain areas of the mall and The Ridge. It an also a famous holidays spot for a honeymoon.
Himachal Pradesh is all about larger than life sceneries, glorious mountains and comfort food. It is a tryst with the hills as the clouds bow down to greet you. February to June (Spring and Summer) is the best time to visit Himachal. Pleasant and most popular time to visit is the winters, i.e., between October and February when it’s the snowfall season. Dotted with hill stations that have been visited by tourists and travelers from all over the world, Himachal still has some hidden gems and undiscovered valleys just waiting to be explored. Be it the summer, monsoon or winter season, Himachal changes its colors as each season unfolds.
If apples, lush mountains and thrilling adventure are your things, you have to pay a visit to Himachal Pradesh. To get the best out of the region, in terms of comfortable climate and terrains, the months from February to June are the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh.
Listed for you are also the things you must keep in mind before and while you are on your trip.
Take a look!
Peak Season – March to June
Shoulder Season – November to February
Low Season – July to September
Travel Seasons Min/Max Temperature Season
March-June 22-37 °C Sunny days and pleasant nights
July-September 15-25°C Occasional thunderstorms
December-February 0-15C Cold and dry
Temperature: The air temperature during the season of summer fluctuates between 22°C and 37°C
Weather: As the rays of the sun reveal the light of day, magical vistas of nature come into sight. Himachal in summer seems like a warm embrace with cold winds still kissing your face as night falls. The cold no longer sends shivers down your spine as you wrap your fingers around a steaming hot cup of tea. This season makes you feel like you are snuggled up inside your blanket as the air conditioner runs right at the perfect temperature. Neither too hot nor cold. This is the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh if you wish to venture outdoors and explore this quaint hamlet and the many marvels that it is home to.
Why you should visit now: The season of summer welcomes you with its arms wide open. Himachal loves her tourists and is buzzing with activity at this time of the year. If you wish to explore and trek along the lush green valleys, verdant landscapes and glorious mountains of the Himalayas, this is the best time to visit Himachal. This is the most suitable time to camp in the wild as you gape at a rich spread of twinkling stars holding the moon in the night sky. Summer is also home to a number of festivals and events that will keep you entertained. If you are feeling a little adventurous, head to the less frequented Himachal trekking trails such as the unexplored Jubbal region located 90 km from Shimla.
Things to know before the visit: Make sure you have enough cash in hand if you plan to travel to remote places in Himachal since they may not be having ATMs in close proximity. Pack at least one pair of trekking shoes in case you decide to venture outdoors.
Tips: Since this is the peak season, ensure that your tickets are booked well in advance. Plan your activities and itinerary according to the weather. While you pack, make sure you include both warm and cool clothes as well as a sunscreen and some glasses.
Temperature: The air temperature during the season of monsoon ranges between 15°C and 25°C.
Weather: Himachal in monsoon is all about petrichor with this hamlet clad in dewy droplets giving it a fresh look. This time of the year is characterized with freshly bathed streets as the rains knock at your door like an eager friend urging you to come out and play. Be it sitting amidst the mist in the hills at a quaint café and sipping on a cup of tea or going out there and experiencing the magic of the rains, Himachal in monsoon is a breath of fresh air.
Weather: As the rays of the sun reveal the light of day, magical vistas of nature come into sight. Himachal in summer seems like a warm embrace with cold winds still kissing your face as night falls. The cold no longer sends shivers down your spine as you wrap your fingers around a steaming hot cup of tea. This season makes you feel like you are snuggled up inside your blanket as the air conditioner runs right on the perfect temperature. Neither too hot nor cold. This is the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh if you wish to venture outdoors and explore this quaint hamlet and the many marvels that it is home to.
Why you should visit now: The season of summer welcomes you with its arms wide open. Himachal loves her tourists and is buzzing with activity at this time of the year. If you wish to explore and trek along the lush green valleys, verdant landscapes and glorious mountains of the Himalayas, this is the best time to visit Himachal. This is the most suitable time to camp in the wild as you gape at a rich spread of twinkling stars holding the moon in the night sky. Summer is also home to a number of festivals and events that will keep you entertained. If you are feeling a little adventurous, head to the less frequented Himachal trekking trails such as the unexplored Jubbal region located 90 km from Shimla.
Things to know before the visit: Make sure you have enough cash in hand if you plan to travel to remote places in Himachal since they may not be having ATMs in close proximity. Pack at least one pair of trekking shoes in case you decide to venture outdoors.
Tips: Since this is the peak season, ensure that your tickets are booked well in advance. Plan your activities and itinerary according to the weather. While you pack, make sure you include both warm and cool clothes as well as a sunscreen and some glasses.
Temperature: The air temperature during the season of winter fluctuates between 0°C and 15°C.
Weather: Himachal in winter is a snowy heaven. Be it indulging in some light-hearted snowball fights with your family or cascading through sheets of white as you engage in winter sports; this season is indeed a gift for every traveler out there. With snowclad mountains and frozen lakes, this hamlet is engulfed in all kinds of white. Witness the breath-taking Khajjar Lake at this time of the year as you trudge along the crystalline ponds.
Why you should visit now: If you would rather go for the road less travelled by, this is the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh. The nature remains untouched by the rush of the tourists at this time of the year as you and your family remain undisturbed. There are also a number of treks such as the Bijli Mahadev Trek and the Triund Trek, if you are up for a challenge.
Things to know before the visit: Do check for discounts that may be available at this time of the year since this is the off season. Plan your activities and itinerary keeping the weather in mind. Beware of frostbites and altitude sickness while travelling or trekking. Be wear of the fact that some places and routes may be blocked due to heavy snowfall.
Tips: Carry woollens, thermals, sunglasses and a sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Keep sipping on a cup of tea or some water to keep yourself hydrated at all times.
There are 3 main airports in Himachal Pradesh – Gaggal, Bhuntar, and Jubbarhatti.
Location: Bhuntar airport is located in the small town of Bhuntar situated in the district of Kullu and Manali and serves as an important point to the hill stations of Manali and Manikaran. The airport is located on the bank of the river Beas and lies at a distance of 10 km from Kullu and a distance of 50 km from Manali.
Gaggal Airport, also known as Kangra Airport and is located in Gaggal near the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The airport is very well connected and lies at a distance of 14 kilometres to the South-West of Dharamshala, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. This airport is located at a distance of 13 km from Dharamsala and a distance of 8 km from Kangra. Very frequent flights are observed from the Gaggal airport which can be taken from Delhi to Pathankot city.
The Jubbarhatti Airport near Shimla was made out by cutting the top of the mountain and levelling a single runway. If anyone plans a trip to Shimla, this airport plays a significant role because Shimla lies at a distance of 23 km from Jubbarhatti airport.
English and Hindi are the dominant languages spoken in Shimla. A sizeable minority does speak Punjabi In addition to these several native dialects of pahari language are also spoken by the residents of the area.
Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful state is a popular tourist destination for Indians, especially among the newlyweds and youngsters. This is the land of Gods that have been bestowed with snow capped mountains, fast flowing streams, and valleys, which has a tendency to sink on the ground. Along with the beautiful landscape and scenic beauty, the state also synonymous with adventure sports. Tourists flock in the state each year to enjoy the diversity of adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh.
Let us look at some of the popular adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh that take the state by storm.
- Trekking,
- River Rafting,
- Rock Climbing,
- Camping,
- Rappelling,
- Anglin,
- Ice Skiing,
- Heli-Skiing,
- Paragliding,
- Zorbing, Hiking,
- Jeep Safari,
- Mountain Biking,
- Ice Skating,
- Mountaineering
Shopping in Himachal Pradesh is a heaven for everyone. Be it handicrafts, shawls, pullovers, local tweeds, Tibetan carpets and handicrafts, wood, metalwork, wooden articles, toys, Kulu shawls, caps, pickles and jams and squashes, basketry, beads or trendy artificial jewelry.
Carpets with brilliant hues and patterns of dragons, birds, trees, flowers, and swastikas for luck woven in traditional ways are available in almost every big city. While shopping in Himachal Pradesh you can pick up.
Souvenirs that you can pick up include brightly printed cotton head scarves srings made of horsehair and pretty dolls in traditional clothes. Shop for Chamba and Kangra paintings with minutely detailed depictions of royal scenes and romantic tales from Hindu mythology colored with organic pigments or you can pick up woodcraft from walnut, chestnut and wild mulberry trees in the shape of fruit bowls, beer mugs, jewelery and rosaries. Back-slung baskets to collect fruits or harvested crops and egg- baskets made of cane, lamp stands and tea-pots made of silver are also hot selling items in Himachal Pradesh.
Enjoy a holiday in Himachal Pradesh and go to the various famous shopping destinations that offer great shopping delight.
One of the most popular hill stations in Himachal, Manali offers the most magnificent views of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges covered with snow for most parts of the year
With the Covid-19 pandemic going on, Manali has evolved to be a place loved by young people looking for longer stays for workation. With ambient cafes, good wifi availability, small eateries and convenient shops, Old Manali is among the favorite neighbourhood for such people. There are many homestays and hostels offering dorm beds for cheap for longer durations.
Manali has many trekking options around it, making it a great base for exploring this side of Himalayas. River Beas provides great rafting options in the nearby town of Kullu. Adjoining Parvati river, lies the Parvati Valley with Kasol, Manikaran, Tosh and small villages attracting travelers for longer stays. Atal Tunnel now allows travelers to reach Sissu within a few hours making Spiti way more accessible.
It snows the most in the months of January & February followed by December and March. If you’re very lucky, you might find some snow in April.
Tourists flock to Rohtang Pass & Solang valley for various adventure activities including skiing, paragliding, horse-riding & zorbing. Rohtang Pass is almost always covered with snow and can often get overcrowded and see traffic jams.
Places to visit – Rohtang Pass, Hadimba Devi Temple, Solang Valley, Himalayan National Park, Bhrigu Lake, Pandoh Dam, Beas Kund Trek, Parvati Valley, Jogni Waterfalls, Tibetan Monasteries, Naggar Castle, Old Manali, Paragliding in Manali
The top activities in Manali are Riverside Camping, Rafting and Paragliding in Manali, Paragliding In Kullu Manali, Camping, Rafting and Adventure Activities at Manali, Patalsu Peak Trek, 2019, Adventure Camp in Manali With Rafting, Camping in Sethan, Manali
Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh in India and a popular hill station among Indian families and honeymooners. Situated at the height of 2200m, Shimla was the summer capital of British India. Shimla still retains its old-world charm with beautiful colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road and the ridge lined up with multiple shops, cafes and restaurants.
The weather is pleasant for most of the months with tourists flocking especially during the summer months. The winters are cold with some days of snow from mid-December till February end.
Shimla is well connected with many cities and is just 4 hours from the nearby city of Chandigarh. The city has an airport as well; however, there aren’t many daily flights from here. The railway station connects Shimla with the plans and is famous for the Kalka-Shimla train route; a UNESCO listed World Heritage site.
Shimla is often covered with nearby towns of Kufri, a hill-station almost always covered by snow and Chail, famous for a huge palace and the highest cricket ground in the world. Tourists also visit the famous Jakhu Temple and engage in sightseeing at various viewpoints during their trip to Shimla state
Places of visit – Mall Road, Scandal Point, The Ridge, Christ Church, Shimla State Museum, Jakhu Temple, Tara Devi Temple, Green Valley, Summer Hill, Kufri, Kalka Shimla toy train, Narkanda
The top activities in Shimla are Stay in Urban Getaway in Shimla, Forest Camping in Shimla’s Junga, Camping in Shimla with Trekking, Cottage Stay in The Woods Of Shimla, Camping at Mashobra in Shimla, Offbeat Camping Experience in Shimla, Horse riding
Dharamshala or Dharamsala city is located in Kangra district at a distance of 18 km from Kangra city. Dharamsala is separated as upper and lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is the Dharamsala town itself. whereas, the upper-division is located 3km away and popularly known as Mcleodganj. Dharamsala is prominently visited for the bus connections and the bustling market.
Dharamsala is the home to Dalai Lama, the Buddhist leader who runs his government in exile from Dharamsala. Now, what better place on earth than this little town set on the foothills of Dhauladhar ranges to experience the rich and regal Tibetan culture. In the year 1959, Dalai Lama came to India with his followers and settled, rather beautified the town of Dharamsala, transforming it into the little Lhasa. Dharamsala, for many years, has been a centre of meditation and peace, with thousands of people from around the world coming here to seek Nirvana.
Places of visit
War Memorial, Mc Leod Ganj, Bhagsu Waterfall, Masroor Rock Cut Temple, Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, also known as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA)HPCA Stadium, Dalai Lama Temple, Triund Hill, Namgyal Monastery, Kangra Fort , Dal Lake .
Dalhousie, a popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh is situated at a height of 1,970 metres above sea level. Boasting views of the snow-capped peaks of Dhauladhar ranges, Dalhousie is famous for its meadows, dense jungles and waterfalls. Established in 1854, it was named after Lord Dalhousie and this hill station was one of the favourite summer destinations of the Britishers during the colonial era.
Dalhousie offers an old-world charm, mesmerizing natural landscapes, pine-clad valleys, flower-bedecked meadows, fast-flowing rivers, and magnificent misty mountains. The Scottish and Victorian architecture reminds you of its colonial heritage while the wispy air continues to hone British aromas.
Places of visit
Rang Mahal, Satdhara Falls, Ganji Pahari trek, Chamera Lake, St Johan Church, Kalatop Wildlife Reserve, Panchpula , Dainkund Peak, Khajjiar, Chamunda Devi temple
Top activities are Paragliding, River crossing & River Rafting, Rock climbing,
Kufri, located at a distance of 16km from the main city of Shimla, is a popular tourist destination known for snow-laden peaks, skiing and Kufri Zoo.The main tourist part of Kufri is located on Mahasu peak at a height of 2,720 metres above sea level and travelers have to either hike or take a pony from the parking lot to reach Kufri.
Mahasu Peak and Fagu Valley are the main attractions in Kufri but are accessible via pony ride. Once you reach the top after a pony ride, you would want to enjoy your time playing with snow or clicking photographs. There are a few photo points and the view makes up for the climb. You can also enjoy go-karting at the Kufri Fun World, which has the highest Go-Karting track in the world.
Mahasu Peak and Fagu Valley are the main attractions in Kufri but are accessible via pony ride. Once you reach the top after a pony ride, you would want to enjoy your time playing with snow or clicking photographs. There are a few photo points and the view makes up for the climb. You can also enjoy go-karting at the Kufri Fun World, which has the highest Go-Karting track in the world.
Places of visit – Kurfi Fun World, Skiing in Kurfi, Horse Ride to the Mahasu Peak, Himalayan Nature Park, Mahasu, Indira Tourist Park, Yak Rides, Tobogganing.
Kasol is a quaint little village in Himachal situated along the banks of the river Parvati. Commonly known as the ‘Amsterdam of India’, Kasol is a tourist attraction that is rapidly gaining fame as a popular hub for trekkers, backpackers, and nature lovers. Kasol is situated 23 kms from Bhuntar and next to the religious town of Manikaran and is one of the best places in the country just to sit back and chill in the panorama of snow-clad mountains, pine trees and gurgling river.
Kasol is famous for its trekking trails, which include treks to Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass. To get a real feel of the culture in this region, go on a visit to the village of Malana. Located a few kilometres away from Kasol, Malana is a tiny hamlet inhabited by people living in self-imposed isolation The village has plenty of scenic sights, though, and is often called ‘Little Greece’.
Kasol is inhabited by a huge number of people from Israel, which is discernible from the plenteously available Israeli food, and the street signposts inscribed in Hebrew.Kasol has quite a few street side cafes which serve delicious food, and the experience of sitting and enjoyin g a meal amidst the dark green forests and the awe-inspiring mountains make the meal even more enjoyable.
Kasol has a flea market that sells a variety of items, so you can pick up trinkets, souvenirs, pendants, and even semi-precious stones to take back home for family and friends.
Places Of visit – Pulga Village, Rashol Pass , Bhuntar Town, Kullu, Malana Village, Tosh Village, Parvati River, Trail to Kheerganga, Sar Pass Trek, Evergreen Café, Manikaran Gurudwara