Himachal Pradesh ranks among the finest travel destinations in India. The Himalayan Mountain ranges pass through Himachal Pradesh.
These mountain ranges have many hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Each of these hill stations is our scenic destination. You will find gurgling river streams and
high snow-capped mountain summits. The deodar forests are home to various Himalayan creatures. You can visit ancient temples and pilgrimage sites in Himachal Pradesh.
Our Himachal Pradesh Family Tour Packages are the best
way that you can have a relaxing and exciting holiday in Himachal Pradesh.
The number of hill stations in Himachal Pradesh will amaze you. These hill stations are the favorite honeymoon destinations for couples.
There are a whole lot of adventure things to do in these hill stations. Himachal Pradesh is the best place for trekking, camping, and river rafting. But tourists
also enjoy pony rides, skiing, paragliding, and other things. Himachal is a place to shop for Himachali Handicraft items like shawls, woolen caps, sweaters, wooden
toys, etc. This Himachal Travel Guide will also give you a list of the famous hill stations in Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh known as "Dev Bhumi" (Land of Gods), is a popular
travel destination in northern India, offering
diverse landscapes and activities for tourists. From the hill stations of Shimla and Manali to the serene valleys of Dharamshala and Dalhousie, the state caters to
those seeking adventure, relaxation, or a blend of both.
Tourists also experience the unique culture of Himachal Pradesh. The cultural experiences make the holidays even more enjoyable.
There are ancient temples and pilgrimage sites where you will feel the divine bliss. The Hindu temples are very high-altitude temples and are huge tourist attractions.
Our Himachal Pradesh Tourism Plan includes visits to these temples. You can also customize your
Family Package for Himachal with our expert help. This will
enable us to know more about your travel preferences and budget.
You can plan your tour of Himachal Pradesh with this Himachal Pradesh travel guide. You will get many practical travel tips that will
act as a tour guide. You can choose from so many of Our Full Himachal Pradesh Tour Packages. All the tour itineraries are designed with our expert travel
guides. You can add your preferred place so we can set the theme of the tour and plan it according to your budget limits and duration.
The beauty of Himachal Pradesh lies in its tourist places. These tourist places are the hill stations, valleys, temples, waterfalls, national parks, etc. You
can make travel plans to visit these hill stations with our Travel guide to Himachal Pradesh. Some of the tourist places are popular in the whole of India. Some
are remote and located in the off-beat routes. But even these far-flung places are blessed with scenic beauty and surreal landscapes. We have shown below some
of the most popular tourist places of Himachal Pradesh below.
This is one of the most famous hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. The British originally developed Shimla as their summer stay. It has a pleasant climate and is
famous for its British architecture. The apple orchards in Shimla are well-known places to taste fresh apples. Shimla is famous for so many attractive tourist
landmarks. It is a favorite hill station for honeymoon couples. Mall Road, Jakhoo Temple, Kufri, Christ Church, and Viceregal Lodge are the most famous tourist
landmarks in Shimla. People also visit Kufri, which is a small hamlet close to Shimla. Kufri is a hot tourist spot in the December season. See our Shimla Tour Packages:
The hill station of Manali is another famous place in Himachal Pradesh. It is the best place to experience snowfall
in the December season. Manali is hugely famous in India and even international tourists visit this hill station to participate in adventure activities. People
generally visit Kullu on the same tour of Manali. Kullu is the twin hill station to Manali. It is famous for its River Rafting and Himachali Handicraft Factories.Kullu Manali is located very close to Rohtang Pass, which is the main mountain pass connecting Manali to Lahaul Spiti Valley. See our Kullu Manali Tour Packages:
If you want to experience Tibetan culture, then you must visit Dharamshala and McLeodganj.
These places are located very close to each other. The spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lama lives in Dharamshala.
The Tibetan monasteries are the best places to visit here. You will be amazed to view the beautiful Tibetan architecture of these temples. The views of the
Dhauladhar Mountains in Dharamshala are a sight to behold. Other places you must visit in Dharamshala are Triund Hill,
Bhagsunag Waterfall, and Kangra Valley. Dharamshala is also famous for its Tea Gardens.
See our Dharamshala-McLeodganj Tour Packages:
This hill station known as Dalhousie is another place to visit British colonial buildings. Dalhousie is
blessed with immense natural beauty. You can take nature walks in the deodar forests and have a relaxing time. Khajjiar, which is a meadow
near Dalhousie is called the ‘Mini Switzerland of India’. Usually, tourists visit Khajjiar as a day trip from Dalhousie and
return the same evening. Dainkund Peak is a trekking place in Dalhousie. Chamera Lake and Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
are other places to visit in Dalhousie.
See our Dalhousie & Khajjiar Tour Packages:
Though Kasol is a little of an off-beat destination, it is gaining immense popularity. Kasol
is in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is a trekking destination and several treks start from Kasol.
Some popular ones are Kheerganga Trek and
Parvati Valley ,
Malana Village,
Tirthan Valley & Jibbi Kasol is a paradise for backpackers
and trekkers. You can explore our
Trekking Packages in Himachal to learn more about these treks.
See our Kasol Tour Packages:
The hill station of Kasauli is not so well known but still has its very own charm. Kasauli has a landscape of rolling hills
with lofty Himalayan mountains in the background. Like other hill stations in Himachal, Kasauli has colonial architecture in many of its buildings. Christ
Church is one such building that belongs to the British era. There are many scenic viewpoints in Kasauli from where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
You can take walks on nature trails and come close to the wilderness of the forests.
See our Kasauli Rajgarh Tour Packages:
Lahul & Spiti Valley is celebrated
as an alternative to Leh Ladakh. It is true to some extent,
but Lahaul Spiti has got its charm. Both these places are regions of high-altitude Himalayas. There are glaciers, river valleys, barren mountains, and a cold
desert type of environment. Buddhist monasteries perched on high rocky cliffs dot the landscape of Lahaul Spiti. It is a landscape that is
best for trekking and mountain biking. You can do river rafting also in the surging rivers. Kaza, Pin Valley, and Chandratal Lake are very famous
places to visit in Spiti Valley.
See our Lahaul & Spiti Valley Tour Packages:
Kufri is a small hamlet near Shimla, called Kufri. You can visit Kufri on a day trip or excursion from Shimla. Kufri is more popular as a
winter destination due to the snow-covered mountain slopes. There are luxury resorts in Kufri where you can stay for a couple of days and enjoy
the snow activities. Himalayan Nature Park is one of the best attractions in Kufri. You can spot rare Himalayan creatures in this national park.
Kufri Fun Campus is a sort of theme amusement park in Kufri, where children can go on rides.
here is a small hill station called Chail, located near Shimla. The Maharaja of Patiala developed Chail into a hill
station. Chail is famous for its magnificent views of the valleys and mountains. Kufri and Chail are close to each other, and they can be visited in
your Shimla tour package. Chail Palace is a top tourist spot in Chail. It is now converted into a heritage hotel. Another place to visit in Chail is
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary. You can do trekking, camping, and nature walks in Chail. The river Sandhupul offers many camping grounds in Chail.
Jibhi is like an off-beat place and a hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh. It is located in Tirthan Valley. You can view a
landscape full of greenery in Jibhi during summer. Lush green forests, gurgling river streams, and lofty mountains will surround you. You will find hotels
and cottages in Jibhi for luxury stays. Adventure lovers can do rock climbing, river crossing, and other activities in Jibhi.
Another hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh is a village called Tosh. This village is on the river banks of the Parvati River.
Tosh is another alternative to Kasol, which is more expensive. The natural beauty of Tosh will completely amaze you. You will find apple orchards, meadows,
and valleys in Tosh. It is a good place for a tranquil holiday, far-flung from touristy places like Shimla or Manali. Tosh is perfect for bird watching and
nature walks. You can book a cottage stay in Tosh for a few days. The simple village life in Tosh will charm you with its simplicity. You can go for waterfall
viewing and treks from Tosh.
There is a little town called Narkanda, which is 60 km away from Shimla. It is famous for its apple orchards and skiing
resorts. Narkanda is the base to go or day treks to Kotgarh, Thanedar, Kumarsain, and Tanni Jubbar Lake. Narkanda looks beautiful in summer and also in
winter. You can view many wildflowers in Narkanda in the summer. The coniferous forests and flowering plants lend greenery to the landscape of Narkanda.
You can opt for homestays, and cottage stays in Narkanda. The slopes are covered in a thick blanket of snow during the winter season. Resorts offer skiing
activities on these snow-covered slopes.
Most people do not know but Naldehra has the oldest golf course in India. This small town is just 23 km from Shimla.
There are a couple of things you can do here like visiting the Kogi Mata Temple and taking nature walks in the forest. You can do a little easy trek
to Shaily Peak and visit the temple on the peak. Naldehra is situated close to another little gem, called Mashobra. You can include Naldehra as a day
trip from Shimla
Another hidden place near Shimla is a village called Fagu. This place is ideal to visit in the winter season, because of
its snowfall. You can include Fagu in the Shimla trip itinerary and come here during wintertime. In summer you can visit Fagu and taste the apples. You
will find potato cultivation here. You can do trekking and explore Fagu.
The village of Jispa is located in the Lahaul Spiti region. Jispa is located on the Bhaga River. It is easy to reach Jispa
as it is on the Keylong-Leh road. There are Buddhist stupas in Jispa. You can stay for the night in Jispa and experience the village life in Lahaul Spiti.
Jispa offers magnificent views of the mountains and valleys. You can go for adventure activities like bike rides, mountaineering, and motorcycle rides in
the surrounding region of Jispa.
You can visit Kangra on a day trip from Dharamshala. Or you can even make a separate tour plan for Kangra. This is a
city and has existed since the Mahabharat times. Kangra was the place of many battles, but eventually, the Nepal Gorkha rulers conquered it. Kangra
Fort is a famous historic fort in Kangra. You will also find the Masroor Rock Cut Temple in Kangra. The temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas.
Kangra has several Devi temples Chamunda Devi, Jwala Ji, and Chintapurni Devi being the famous ones.
The Himalayas are the reason why Himachal Pradesh has so many temples. Rishis and saints used to meditate in the high
Himalayan Mountains. They sought peace and tranquillity in this state of meditation. Naturally, the Himalayas are a place where you will not find the
traffic or the noise of the city. The temples here are devoted to many Hindu gods and goddesses.
Shiva Temples
The Shiva temple at Baijnath and Bijli Mahadev are very famous places of worship. Other Shiva temples in
Himachal Pradesh are Kinnaur Kailash Temple (Kinnaur), Shrikhand Mahadev Temple (Kullu), and Manimahesh Temple (Chamba). These temples are
situated in high and rugged terrain. Therefore, these temples can only be reached by a trek. You can explore any of the Himachal Holiday
Packages and include these temples.
Devi Temples
These temples are so famous that there is a separate Devi Darshan Yatra package (put link here to package).
The Nav Devi temples in Himachal (put link here to temples list) are a famous tourist circuit for devotees.
Buddhist Monasteries
The Buddhist monasteries in Himachal Pradesh (put link here) are the most interesting places to visit. You will find
these monasteries in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, and Lahaul Spiti. Dharamshala McLeodganj are two of the best places to visit these Buddhist temples.
The famous Dalai Lama Temple is a monastery with Tibetan décor and architecture. The Dalai Lama stays here in the temple complex called Tsuglagkhang
Complex. Lahaul Spiti has several such monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. These are perched atop rugged cliffs and high hilltops.
British-Era Churches
Christ Church in Shimla is an old British-era church. The British people initially developed Shimla into a hill station.
So you will find many such old churches in Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie and other places. McLeodganj is one such place where you will find an old church
called Church of St. John in the Wilderness. These old churches still are some of the top tourist attractions for the tourists.
The national parks in Himachal Pradesh (put link here) are teeming with wildlife. You will find rare Himalayan wildlife
in the deodar jungles and high-altitude mountain areas of Lahaul Spiti. Fortunately, some of these places are close to Shimla, Manali, and other important
tourist centers. So you can visit them easily on your Shimla-Manali tours. Great Himalayan National Park is a very famous place near Kullu. The wildlife
sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh also includes Pin Valley National Park. You can view rare animals like Blue Sheep, Himalayan Brown Bear, and other creatures
here. If you are lucky, you can spot the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Ibex, Snow Partridge, and others.
You can try many types of adventure activities in Himachal Pradesh (put link here). The rocky mountain terrain and
snow-covered slopes are ideal for such adventure sports. You can try these adventure activities in hill stations. There are activities like trekking
which run for a couple of days. But there are more easy things to do also. list of Adventure sports are Paragliding, Trekking, Camping, Skiing, River rafting,
Yoga and meditation, Zorbing, Nature treks, Ice skating, Ziplining, Hot air balloon, Yak ride, ATV ride, Ropeway ride, Bungee jumping, Bike tour, Angling,
Rock climbing, Rappelling, Heli-skiing, Jeep safari
You can plan your Himachal visit at the time of fairs and festivals. The local tribes and folk people celebrate these
festivals. Kullu Dussehra is a popular festival which is celebrated in the Kullu region. The winter season is also a time for festivals. The Winter
Carnival is one such fair that is widely celebrated in Manali. Most of these fairs are based on seasons when there is good harvest and crops. However,
the religious types of fairs like Maha Shivratri are based on religious occasions. Losar Festival is usually celebrated in reputed monasteries in
Dharamshala, McLeodganj, and Lahaul Spiti region. Monks wear masks and dance to drum beats. Rituals take place and it is a good time to experience
the culture of Himachal Pradesh.
Usually, the flight takes the shortest time to reach Himachal Pradesh. But there are other ways to reach hill stations.
Railways: Pathankot is the railway station in Punjab. But it is located close to the Himachal Pradesh border.
Dalhousie, Chamba, and Dharamshala are very close locations to Pathankot. You can board an express train to Pathankot and then take local transport
to these places.
Chandigarh is the next important railway station. It is the highly preferred place to reach Shimla, Manali, and other places. As most of Himachal Pradesh is a
rocky mountain area, these two places are very popular places to reach the hill stations in Himachal Pradesh by train.
Shimla Kalka Railway is a toy train that runs from Kalka to Shimla. It is a UNESCO world heritage site of Himachal Pradesh. You will have to book tickets
in advance if you want to travel by this toy train.
By Road: One major advantage of traveling by road in Himachal Pradesh is that you will get to see the views
and enjoy the scenery on the route. The national highways connect Himachal to other states. So traveling by road is a cheaper alternative. You can hire a
cab from Delhi and then reach Himachal Pradesh. It is always advisable to travel by day, as the roads in Himachal are tricky to manoeuvre by yourself. Also,
you should drive yourself if you know how to drive on mountainous roads in Himachal Pradesh.
By Air: Airlines are usually on the costlier side, so you can choose this option only if you have a high budget.
A major advantage of choosing a flight is that it is a very short travel time. Shimla and Kullu have airports so you can board a flight to these places.
If you are traveling to Manali, then also, you can reach Shimla Manali by air and then take local transport. For Dharamshala, the airports in Pathankot
and Kangra, are located at very close distances. You will have to keep updated on the weather changes because flights can get delayed and canceled due to
bad weather.
Perhaps Himachal Pradesh is such a place that it will be highly impacted by the weather changes. It is for this reason,
that tourists plan their visit to Himachal Pradesh, only after considering the weather conditions. It is a known fact that winter is the best time to
visit Himachal Pradesh. This is due to the snowfall and snow activities. December to February is the peak winter season in Himachal Pradesh.
Summer season in Himachal Pradesh (May to June): The onset of the summer season in Himachal Pradesh
is a welcome sight. The snow that was accumulated in the winter season starts to melt and the greenery returns to the valleys. This is the best season
for trekking in Himachal Pradesh. Many famous treks in Himachal Pradesh start during this season. Summer season is also a peak tourist season, as tourists
from all over India visit the hill stations here. The summer is not a very hot and humid season in Himachal. Days are cool and night temperatures can be
very pleasant.
Spring season in Himachal Pradesh (March to April): This is the best season if you want to view the
colors of nature. The valleys and hills are covered with a carpet of blue, green, and many other colors. You can eat apples, apricots, plums, and peaches
during this time. Sightseeing will not be a problem in the spring season as daytime temperatures are cool and pleasant.
Himachal Pradesh in winter (November to January): Winter season is the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh.
November to the end of January is best to experience the snowfall. People from all over India visit Shimla, Manali, and Kufri just to witness the snowfall.
Some treks are closed though. But do not make plans to visit Lahaul Spiti and other areas that are located in high altitudes. Mountain passes can be closed
as bad weather sets in. Excessive snow can block roads leading to the hill stations. It may get difficult to reach Rohtang Pass, Kunzum Pass, and Pangi Valley.
You may have to cancel a few plans due to rough weather. But you can do relaxing things in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, and other hill stations, which are
located in lower altitudes.
Bus is the main mode of transport in Himachal Pradesh. The state-owned Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has
many buses which reach far-flung places like Pangi Valley, Myar Valley etc. Some routes have shared road transport also. If you are driving your car
then you can note down the national highway routes and petrol pump stations. Please check the road conditions if you are on a bike. The roads can be
blocked due to landslides and snowfall. It is highly recommended that you should have great experience in driving on mountainous roads if you are
driving in Himachal Pradesh.
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