In the alpine land shadowed by towering fir, walnuts, chestnuts, birches and pines; where clouds descend to meet the spiky tree tops, where the convoluted topography unleashes before your eyes a feast. A feast of natural beauty, stretching all expanses of your imaginations, a land where you can see the brown howling mountains being lulled to sleep by the flawless snow, where the hills and valleys are always covered in verdant exotic flora, where little petals of variant hues congregate to form a carpet of natural shades; you can see it all in just one panoramic view. Trekking, mountain climbing, rafting, skiing, canyoning, hiking, kayaking and numerous other sports spin it into an adventurous paradise. From the natural beauty to the holiness of His Graciousness the 14th Dalai Lama, a glance into the serene Tibetan culture to the beautiful neo gothic Christ Church and all the sporty adventures that lay ahead, plan a trip to Himachal, you’ll be back satiated with a baggage of unforgettable traveling memoirs. There are lots of places to visit, places that hold thrilling historic backgrounds of scandals and love, wars and deaths.
Best time to visit Himachal
During summers, the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is from March to June, the temperature is considerably lower than the plains at 22-37 degrees Celsius.
During monsoon, July to September is the best with rich flora and fauna, the temperature lowers down from 15-28 degree Celsius.
Winters, October to February show the beautiful phases from all lush vegetation to pristine snow covered places. The temperature ranges from 0 to 15 degree Celsius.
Although summer is the most preferable season, explorers and adventure seekers long for winters and the joy snow brings.
How to Reach Himachal (Shimla, Manali or Dharmashala)
As you plan on a trip to the stunning state of Himachal, don’t be perplexed, we have a route mapped out for you to reach the famous cities.
Shimla:
Train- Reach the New Delhi railway station pay the fare and hop on a train to Kalka. From Kalka, you can hire a taxi or take a bus ride to Shimla. With the distance of 85 kms, it won’t take you more than 1 hour and 15 mins.
Flight- Reach IGI airport in Delhi, and fly off to Jubarhati. Once in Jubarhati, hire a taxi to Shimla just 23 kms away.
Bus – you can always opt for the Himachal Road transportation services or other private bus services which are connected to major cities in North India. Reach ISBT Kashmiri gate in Delhi, and hop on to a bus to Shimla which goes early in the morning or late in the night. For better private bus services you can check online for Volvo buses.
Car drive- get behind the wheel and drive off to the outer ring road and head towards the GT Karnal road, then turn to right and take NH 1 which will take you to Ambala. Once in Ambala, take NH 22 which will take you to Kalka. From Kalka, reach Solan, and move ahead to Shimla. This journey is of approx 50 kms, which won’t take more than 7-8 hours.
Manali:
Train- reach the New Delhi railway station and catch a train to Jogindernagar. Once in Jogindernagar, hop on to a bus or book a taxi to Manali which is just 163 kms away, it won’t take more than 5 hours.
Flight – Once in IGI catch a plane to Bhuntar. Flying cuts off a lot of travel time, providing with more to enjoy. Once in Bhuntar take a cab or ask the hotel in Manali to arrange for a ride. Bhuntar is 48 kms away from Manali which won’t take more than 2 hours.
Bus- a lot of Himachal Road Transportation buses go to Manali, it will be better if you opt for a private bus service. Reach ISBT Kashmiri gate in Delhi, and hop on to a bus to Manali which goes early in the morning or late in the night. For better private bus services you can check online for Volvo buses.
Car drive- Drive from Delhi to Murthal. Once in Murthal, drive straight to Karnal and then to Ambala. Once in Ambala rest for a day and then head off to Ludhiana, take NH1 from Ludhiana and drive straight to Ropar and then Anandpur Sahib. Take right to Swarghat then Bilaspur and Sundernagar. Reach Mandi after that and drive to Bhuntar which will lead you to Kullu Bypass and finally Manali. This drive is of 538 kms which won’t take less than 11 hours.
Dharamashala:
Train- reach the New Delhi railway station, catch a train to Pathankot. From Pathankot drive to Dharamashala which might take not more than 3 hours to reach.
Flight- take a flight to Gaggal from IGI in Delhi, once in Gaggal reach Dharamashala either by a taxi or by bus which is almost 13 kms away.
Bus- a lot of Himachal Road Transportation buses go to Dharamashala, it will be better if you opt for a private bus service. Reach ISBT Kashmiri gate in Delhi, and hop on to a bus to Dharamashala which goes early in the morning or late in the night, this is a 13 hour ride. For better private bus services you can check online for Volvo buses.
Car drive- drive to Pathankot from Delhi via NH44, Pathankot is at a distance of 479.8 kms which won’t take you more than 8 hours to reach. From Pathankot, drive off to Dharamashala which won’t take more than 3 hours to reach.
Places to Visit in Himachal
You’ll be surprised at the ethereal beauty Himachal is, once you step into the divergently beautiful land of Himachal Pradesh, you’ll find yourself amazed at all the breathtaking places to visit.
Top Stations
Kullu Manali:
if the nature lover in you wants to gaze at the snow reigning on the mountains and the thriving green hills with delicate flora, Kullu Manali is the best place. 4-5 days are enough for this refreshing trip and May- July are recommended months to visit in summer, while in winter when snow greets everyone November to January are said to be the best.
There’s a list of things to do- visiting the old temples with rich mythical tales, Manali bird sanctuary show a great deal of the fauna. Trekking, river crafting and camping in Kullu are also one of the best things to do. Adventure sports in Solang valley are also quite thrilling.
Shimla:
Delving deep into the history of modern India? Shimla not only gives glimpses of it, breathe the air of Shimla for once, you’ll feel that you belong to this hill station. From the past of Indian glory to the sophistication of the British life, from the beautiful natural painted scenes to the gothic architecture, Shimla is bound to show you all. May- July are recommended months to visit in summer, while in winter when snow greets everyone November to January are said to be the best.
There’s a list of things to do- visit the Gaiety theatre and appreciate the art, not only of the plays if you happen to see one but also the beautiful Gothic structure with Victorian history. Trek to Jakhu hill and don’t forget to say your prayers at Lord Hanuman’s temple. A visit to the viceregal lodge will out you in a haze, the architecture is crafted to entice you. Shop at the mall road and don’t forget to see the Christ Church and the Scandal point from where the Maharaja of Patiala eloped with the daughter of the then viceroy of India in 1892. Once in the Ridge, give a Shot to your Polo skills at Annandale.
Dharmashala:
This place will leave you in awe and wonder, not only at the shades of green and brown it offers, but at the peace and harmony in which the Indians live with the Tibetans, forming a multicultural red and yellow Indian Tibetan community. May- July are recommended months to visit in summer, while in winter when snow greets everyone November to January are said to be the best.
There’s a list of things to do- pay your homage at the Bhagsunath Temple and be blessed by the Lord Shiva. Don’t forget a peak at the Bhagsu falls. A boat ride to the Dal Lake will lift your spirits up and take a tour at the royal Kangra Fort. Visit the Kangra art museum and the magnificence the Kangra valley upholds with all the tea plantations and the Dalai Lama Temple Complex. There are a lot of monasteries if your interest towards the Tibetans happens to kindle up.
Kasauli:
This city, well connected to three states offers solace from the hustle bustle of life. March to November are the best months to visit, if you want to walk in snow December and January are the best months.
There’s a list of things to do- visit the Anglican Christ Church, and walk to the Gilbert Trail, and don’t forget to experience the beautiful crimson hues the sunrise and sunset points bring. Trek to the lower mall which leads to the monkey point which is said to be the shape of Lord Hanuman’s foot.
Bir Billing:
If the adventurous and thrill loving blood flows in you, Bir Billing is your paradise. You can indulge in some leisurely brave sports. May to July are the best months to visit.
There’s a list of things to do- Bhattu, Choggan and Chauntra Bhattu are some beautiful monasteries to visit in the center of the forest. Vaidyanath from the 13th century devoted to Lord Shiva is set to leave you in wonder. Pamper your adrenaline with speedy rush, paragliding and trekking are some of the few sport activities to feel your blood gushing down. Palampur tea cooperative offers more than a view; they take you on the tea making process tour.
Malana:
Situated near Kullu Valley, Malana is a beautiful digital detox also called the Greece of India. It provides with the breathtaking views of the Deo Tiba and Chanderkhani crests. The best time to visit is in August.
There’s a list of things to do- trekking through the alpine pastures and forests with spellbinding views, visit the Chanderkhani pass and be ensnared by the mesmerizing beauty of Kheer Ganga and the panorama the snow laden Himalayas show. Soothe your soul in the hot water spring of Manikaran and the regional festivals in the village.
Dalhousie:
The towering Pir Panjals and the lush will make your heart skip a beat at the panoramic vista. The serene and calm of the nature is set to soothe and de-stress you in its tranquility. The best time to visit is from April to July.
There’s a list of things to do- St. John’s, the oldest Anglican Church in the town has a deep profound connections with Indian history. Panchpula, Chamera, Satdhara are the cascading waterfalls which gush down the hill, this is one of the best places to visit in Dalhousie. Trek in this exciting topography and reach Dainkund Walk, Bakrota Walk or Ganji Pahadi Walk. You can also visit Khajjiar, also known as the Switzerland of India.
