With magnificent Himalayan peaks, lush valleys, gushing water streams and score of adventure activities, Himachal Pradesh is one of the best destination to visit in India for trekking, adventure, honeymoon and family holidays.

The best time to visit when winter is waning, and summer is yet to hit with its full fury. The months from February to end of April are considered to the best for travellers.

Some of the typical dishes that you cannot miss when in Himachal Pradesh include the dhaam, chana madra, kaale channe ka khatta, tudkiya bhath, bhey or spicy lotus stems, siddu, babru, aktori, chha gosht, kullu trout fish and of course the Tibetan dishes. End your splendid meal with mittha, a preparation of sweetened rice and dry fruits.

Almost every city in Himachal has markets lined with shops selling all kinds of souvenirs like handwoven wall hangings, woollen shawls, jewellery, wind chimes, sculptures, antique objects, prayer flags and pretty much anything that you will want.

In Himachal Pradesh, Hindi is the most commonly spoken language and is the state’s official language. Besides Hindi, you can also find people speaking Pahari – or the language of the mountains and Punjabi.

1. GREAT HIMALAYAS

Rising from the Shivalik ranges and moving higher into the mid-Himalayas, Greater Himalayas and beyond, into the trans-Himalayan vast expanse of western Tibet, Himachal Pradesh is a land of grand diversity.

2. WILDLIFE

Kalatop-Khajjiar Sanctuary, Daranghati Sanctuary, Pin Valley National Park, Chail Sanctuary, Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Shri Nainadevi Sanctuary

3. ART AND CULTURE

Himachal has developed its own distinct style of handicrafts and that can be spotted across the state. Pick up some amazing piece of this beautiful land. Leather craft, Embroidery, Paintings, Carpets, Shawls, Metal work, Stone work, Rugs, Wood crafts, Traditional Jewellery

4. KALKA-SHIMLA TOY TRAIN runs through 806 bridges, 103 tunnels and 18 stations, along its 96 kms journey. The track is a narrow gauge, two and a half feet wide, swirls through the blind curves of the hilly terrain of Shimla hills; the sharpest curve is at 46 degrees.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES – (AS OF JANUARY 2023)

• Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, Kullu
• Kalka Shimla Railway Line

1. MANALI

Manali offers the stunning beauty of lush green meadows and tall coniferous trees. Adventure sports like paragliding, skiing, trekking and mountain biking are common among the snow- capped slopes and mountains.

Places to visit in Manali: Solang Valley, Hadimba temple, Rohtang pass, Vashisht Temple, Manu temple

2. ROHTANG PASS

Rohtang Pass is the famous road that joins the ruggedly beautiful Leh-Ladakh to the rest of the country. It is a 51 km stretch from Manali to Leh, with many travellers coming here for a peaceful getaway. Each year the pass is only open between the months of June and October.

3. KULLU

Kullu, a popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh is located on the banks of the Beas River. Kullu is known for its Dusshera Festival, ancient temples, and rafting.  Kullu is generally coupled with its sister town Manali which is at a much higher altitude and provides more scenic views of snow-capped mountains.

Kullu is also home to Bhuntar airport and bus junction and is used as the base town to reach Manikaran, Kasol, Malana, Naggar. Kullu also has few important temples like the Raghunath Temple and Jagannath Devi Temple. There are many treks that also originate from this area include the Bijli Mahadev Temple Trek, Parvati Valley Trek, etc.

Places to visit in Kullu: Raghunath Temple, Naggar, Great Himalayan National Park, Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery

4. KASOL

Kasol is a quaint little village in Himachal situated along the banks of the river Parvati. 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 people of Malana claim themselves to be Aryan descendants, as a result of which they avoid interaction with outsiders. The village has plenty of scenic sights, though, and is often called ‘Little Greece’.

5. MANIKARAN SAHIB

Located at a distance of 4 km from Kasol along the banks of river Parvati in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, Manikaran is known as a famous pilgrimage destination for both Sikhs and Hindus. A good number of temples, Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib and hot springs attract pilgrims and tourists alike.

There are three hot springs where one can take a bath, one being inside the Gurudwara itself and the other two being privatised by the guesthouses. Different sections for men and women are made at the bathing place. The water in these springs contains sulphur which is capable of curing diseases. The water is hot enough to prepare food by directly placing the vessels and is served as langar.

6. TOSH

Located at the far end of Parvati Valley, Tosh is untouched by modernisation and fast-paced life. With its gradual terrain and the waters of river Parvati flowing through its bosom, the Tosh Kasol trek is the go-to expedition for all adrenaline junkies. The hippie culture and otherworldly vibe of this village will surely transport you to another world. Tosh is most famous for the trek route here, Kheerganga being the most popular. With every step you take into this quaint village called Tosh, you feel more in love with Himalayan Town!

7. KHEERGANGA TREK

Kheer Ganga (3050 meters) lies at the extreme end of Parvati valley and the last inhibited village while trekking to pin valley via Pin-Parvati pass. Kheerganga’s panoramic skies and vast greenery are a much-needed delight to the trekker’s eyes and especially the tired legs. It is a holy place with a hot water spring, a small temple of Lord Shiva and a bathing tank. It makes a rare combination for any trekker to bath in hot spring water when everything is covered by snow.

8. TIRTHAN VALLEY

Tirthan Valley in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh is perched at an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level. Deriving its name from Tirthan River flowing through it, Tirthan Valley lies around 3 km from the entrance of Great Himalayan National Park. This place is abundant in adventurous activities and a paradise for nature lovers.

The magnificent Himalayas with snow-covered tops looking over the Tirthan River, this valley is best known for its trout fishing, trekking, and adventure activities and beautiful guesthouses set in nature.

Places to visit in Tirthan Valley: Serloskar Lake, Jalori Pass, Jibhi, Chhoie Waterfall, The Great Himalayan National Park

9. SHIMLA

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh 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.

Places to visit in Shimla: Mall Road, The Ridge, Jakhoo Temple, Kufri, Green Valley, The Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Christ Church, Narkanda, Naldehra, Himalayan Bird Park

10. KUFRI

Kufri is a small little hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It is located 18 km away from the massively popular Shimla. Situated at an altitude of 9000 feet, Kufri can be safely called the most popular tourist destination for a get-away from Shimla. It is very famous for skiing, hiking, wonderful scenery and weather.

Places to visit in Kufri: Kufri Fun World, The Himalayan National Park, Mahasu Peak, Nagsons Amusement Park

11. DALHOUSIE

A hill station of the Dhauladhar Range, nestled against the banks of the Ravi River, Dalhousie offers adventure enthusiasts the thrill of some great treks and white waters for rafting. The prime attraction here is the Jandhri Ghat, a palace shrouded by tall pine trees. Dalhousie is famous for its meadows, dense jungles, and waterfalls. It is especially famous amongst honeymooners and family vacationers.

Places to visit in Dalhousie: Khajjiar, Panch Pulla, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Satdhara Falls, Chamera Lake

12. CHAMBA

Chamba is a Himalayan town located in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Known for the ancient temples, the caves, and the edifices that speak highly of Indian history, Chamba is famous for mesmerising views of the Pir Panjal, Zanskar and Dhauladhar ranges in the backdrop of this picture-postcard town. This Himalayan town is located at an elevation of 996 meters on the banks of river Ravi, flanked by Jammu and Kashmir, Lahaul and Kangra. Chamba is popular for its traditional handicrafts and art along with the miniature Pahari paintings – a form of Indian painting that originated from the Himalayan hill kingdoms of North India during the 17th to 19th centuries.

Places to visit in Chamba: Chamera Lake, Manimahesh Lake, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Himachal Emporium, Chaugan

13. MCLEODGANJ

Mcleodganj is a district of Dharamshala. It is a spiritual place, mostly Buddhist in nature. The biggest draws for McLeodGanj are its Tibetan culture and crafts, study of Buddhism, and meditation. The town is also known for its Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, garments, and of course the Monks who have come to symbolize the ethos of this little town. The towns of Dharamsala, Mcleodganj, Bhagsu Nag and Kangra are situated very close to each other and tourists must cover all these destinations while travelling here. Few of the most eminent and religiously significant monasteries in India are located here, including the Namgyal Monastery and Tsuglagkhang, where the spiritual leader Dalai Lama resides. Tourists must also visit the scenic Dal Lake and Triund, which are apt for quiet picnics.

Places to visit in Mcleodganj: Bhagsunag Waterfall, Namgyal Monastery, Bhagsunag Temple, Triund, Tibetan Museum, Church of St. Johns in the wilderness, Naddi View Point, Dharamkot, Dalai Lama Temple

14. DHARAMSHALA

Dharamshala or Dharamsala city is located in Kangra district at 18 km from Kangra city in Himachal Pradesh. The state’s winter capital, Dharamshala is separated as upper and lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is the Dharamsala town itself, whereas the upper division is located 3 km away and is popularly known as Mcleodganj.

Places to visit in Dharamshala: War Memorial, Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Tibetan gardens, Namgyal Monastery

15. KANGRA

With mighty Beas River flowing through the Valley, Kangra is also known for the backdrop of Dhauladar range, ancient temples and endless tea plantations. Repeated mention of the Valley in the holy Hindu texts, present Kangra as ‘Devbhumi’ or Land of the Gods. Kangra is a district which encompasses Dharamshala and McleodGanj within its boundaries. The beautiful tea plantations are located in Palampur and areas around which lies 36 km away from Kangra city.  Jwala Devi temple, most famous of them all is known for its eternal flame, which is burning continuously for years without any known source of fuel. The temple has put the theories of science in question. Masroor cut rock temple, which is a rock temple from the monolithic age and has been mentioned in the holy book of Mahabharat.

Places to visit in Kangra: Kangra Fort, Baijnath Temple, Brajeshwari Temple, Kareri Lake, Jwala Devi Temple, Indrahar Pass, Chamunda Devi Temple, Masrur, Kangra Art Museum, Bir & Billing

16. SPITI VALLEY

A moon-scaped valley that is said to be the most sparsely inhabited place in India, Spiti has come up on the travellers’ radar very recently. With its cold white deserts and tall mountains surrounding the settlement, Spiti has become the go-to place on lists of adventurers as well as dervish-wanderers and back-packers. From river rafting to yak rides and camping under the stars, Spiti offers too much to miss. Scantily populated, Spiti is an adventure lover’s paradise, with a number of trekking trails that tourists can choose from. All of these treks start from Kaza (Spiti’s capital from where you make your base camp) to various peaks from where you can get panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. An easy 1.5-kilometre trek along the Spiti River from Dhankar Monastery to Dhankar Lake promises gorgeous views of the villages below. The Dhankar Lake itself is a place where you can sit back and relax amidst the cool mountain air.

Places to visit in Spiti Valley: Chandratal Lake, Ki Monastery, Pin Valley National Park, Suraj Tal, Dhankar Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Dhankar Lake, Kibber Village

17. KALPA

Kalpa, the main village of Kinnaur, in the Sutlej River Valley is a place to remember and cherish. Known for its many beautiful temples and monasteries, this town is also famed for its apple orchards. The majestic Kinnaur-Kailash range peeking from across the Sutlej River makes for a blissful break.

Places to visit in Kalpa: Kinner Kailash, Suicide Point, Roghi Village, Sapni Fort, Kamru Fort, Narayan-Nagini temple

18. SANGLA

One of the most charming valleys in the whole Kinnaur District, Sangla Valley is a perfect getaway from the hustle bustle of the swarming cities. It is named after a beautiful village by the same name. Bounded by strapping mountain slopes, sprawling evergreen forests and snow covered peaks, the valley is set apart from others by its red apples orchard and luscious cherry trees.

Places to visit in Sangla: Bering Nag temple, Chitkul, Sangla Meadow, Baspa River, Rakcham Village, Batseri Village

19. SARAHAN

Sarahan is a beautiful hamlet situated near Kinnaur in the state of Himachal Pradesh. At the very heart of the place is the fabulous two-towered temple of the local version of Devi Kali, the Bhimakali temple. It is built in traditional Kinnauri manner with a touch of unique Tibetan architecture. It is also called the gateway to Kinnaur as it acts as a base for many trekking expeditions in the surrounding areas. Sarahan is also famous as the summertime capital of the rulers of Bushahr, who were believed to be settled in Kinnaur. In the present time, the village is secluded and has a very sparse population, making it tranquil and peaceful.

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