Overview

Varying from cold and snowy Alpine mountains to lush green sub-tropic valleys, the state of Himachal Pradesh has invited many to settle on its lands since as early as the Indus Valley Civilization. Tourism here is flourishing as Himachal is home to many picturesque hill stations. You can feast your eyes on enchanting colonial style architecture that crafts the landscape of Shimla, experience a heightened sense of spirituality at Dharamsala or go skiing and trekking in Kullu and Manali. With such a diverse landscape you can expect pleasant surprises to come your way at every turn in Himachal. Here is a travel guide to Himachal Pradesh and everything you will need to know to plan a trip to this Himalayan Paradise.

Things To Do

Depending on where you are, there are many exciting activities for you in Himachal.

Shimla: Perhaps the most popular destination, Shimla has many enchanting places to see. Victorian-era buildings like the Viceroy’s lodge and Christ church are some of the stunning relics one will find in Shimla. The terrain in Shimla creates a perfect destination for treks, skating, cycling and so on. Shimla is in fact home to the largest ice-skating rink in Asia.

Dharamsala: This hill-top town is popularly known as the seat of His holiness, the Dalai Lama. The many prayer flags and monasteries will make you realize the spiritual paradise that Dharamsala is. The ancient Namgyal Monastery and the Library of Tibetan Archives are important Buddhist centers that are rich in traditional art-work and architecture.

Dalhousie: You may have heard of the famous waters of Karelanu for its healing powers, what you haven’t heard is that everything about this place has a capacity for healing. The magnificent Chamera Lake, the Daikund peak, and the Sach pass are wonderful examples of this.

Manali: Did you hear adventure? Of course, you did. Manali is the queen of skiing, rafting, paragliding, mountaineering, etc. Its beautiful snow-laden mountainside and glaciers are a sight to behold. The Solang valley is the seat of all adventure in Manali.

Spiti: No list is complete without the mention of this magical land. Spiti’s barren and rocky landscape is something of a sight. A homestay here is a spectacular way to understand the unique culture and lifestyle of the people who live here. The best time to visit is during the festivals when the whole mountain takes on a surreal appearance.