Explore Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Paradise on Earth
Paradise on Earth
Nestled in the lap of the lower Himalayas Range, Himachal Pradesh is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. Himachal Pradesh is an amalgamation of Tibetan culture and its own unique ethnicity. It's home to snow-capped mountains, serene monasteries and temples, shimmering rivers and dense forests which collectively make Himachal Pradesh inexplicably valuable. The state is extremely famous for its trekking, skiing and climbing areas. Experience the grandeur of nature and spirituality in the monasteries as Himachal Pradesh is a precious oasis of serenity.
Popular Cities/Towns
Manali
Shimla
Dharamshala
Dalhousie
Climate
The climate of Himachal Pradesh varies with the altitude. It ranges from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern low tracts to cool and temperate in the eastern and northern elevated mountain ranges. To have a favourable climate for your tour, February to June is the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh. Also, if you love snowfall, visit the state between October and February.
- January — Cold
- February — Cold
- March — Cool
- April — Cool
- May — Warm
- June — Warm
- July — Wet
- August — Wet
- September — Wet
- October — Cool
- November — Cold
- December — Cold
Things to do
City/Town Life
The picturesque views of mountain ranges and abundant forests of Himachal Pradesh can bewitch your mind and soul. Some of the most famous holiday destinations in this state are Manali, Shimla, Dalhousie, and Dharamshala among others. Make your trip adventurous by paragliding, trekking, camping and river rafting in Manali. Backpackers especially love to visit Solang valley and Rohtang Pass to get a sheer adrenaline rush. Besides snow, Shimla is laden with mystic dense forests of Deodar, Oak and Pine. You can spend your evening enjoying some unique cultural activities on the Ridge or shopping from the Mall road. There are campsites where you can enjoy camping in the tranquil woods under a magical starlit sky. The quaint city Dharamshala with the backdrop of extravagant Dhauladhar ranges is one of the most serene destinations you'll find in North India. Its upper division known as Mcleod Ganj or the 'Indian Mini Tibet' has many Buddhist monasteries, the most famous being Namgyal Monastery. To explore spirituality in real sense visit the Tsughlakhang Dalai Lama Temple in the morning to take part in meditation along with the monks.
Valleys
Himachal Pradesh is home to some of the most beautiful valleys you'll ever see. One of the most famous ones is Kangra Valley. Surrounded by mountains and lush greenery this valley is also home to Masroor rock cut temple which dates back to the 8th century. Among the ranges, the Dhauladhar range is the tallest peak in the valley. Solang is another stunning valley that is a treat to the eyes. Nestled between Rohtang and Manali, this valley is an ideal destination for adventure seekers. Other scenic valleys in Himachal Pradesh include Spiti Valley, Kulu Valley, Sangla Valley, Habban Valley, and many others.
Rivers
The rivers in Himachal Pradesh are a delight for nature lovers and solitude seekers. These rivers can be found in different hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. Beas River is believed to have a mythological significance which makes it quite famous among the locals in Manali. It is also home to a few dolphins. Baspa river originating from the Indo-Tibetan border is a sight to behold in the Sangla Valley. It is truly a unique embellishment of Sangla Valley. Parvati river offers scenic views of Himachal Pradesh and is one of the most beautiful rivers of the state.
Lakes
Himachal Pradesh is home to some of the most pristine lakes in North India. Surrounded by cedar trees, the Khajjiar Lake offers scenic views of Mount Kailash. The lake provides numerous adventure options such as paragliding or horseback riding. The floating island is the prime attraction of this lake. Chandra Lake is an ideal place for peace seekers. The serene and quiet ambience of this lake and the beauty of the vast meadows on its bank makes the lake perfect for camping. Bhrigu Lake, Renuka Lake, Chamera Lake, Dhankar Lake are some of the other beautiful lakes you must visit.
Adventure
Himachal Pradesh is blessed with a plethora of fascinating treks. Hiking the tallest and youngest mountain ranges will ignite a new spirit in you. The different mountain ranges call for beginners to professional trekkers and for people of all age groups. Triund Trek, Hampta Pass Trek, Bhrigu Lake Trek offer easy to moderate treks while Chanderkhani Pass Trek, Indrahar Pass Trek, Pin Parvati Trek offer moderate to difficult treks that give you countless moments of joy and sheer excitement. Tranquil streams, shimmering rivers and dense forests surrounding the terrains offer priceless views. When it comes to skiing, the elevated mountains of Himachal Pradesh are some of the best places to go. Narkanda, Kufri, Solang Nala in Manali, Mahasu ridge, Hanuman Tibba, and Rohtang valley will give you a euphoric skiing experience. Also, skiing in winters on the beautiful slopes is amazingly refreshing. You can even try kayaking and canoeing in Dalhousie or whitewater rafting and wildlife spotting in Spiti valley.
Wildlife
Himachal Pradesh has a wide variety of flora and fauna and as many as 26 wildlife sanctuaries. The Great Himalayan National Park, one the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is home to a variety of wildlife species of Western Himalayas such as snow leopard, brown bear, kolkas, musk deer and many others. Other famous wildlife sanctuaries include Bandli, Kalatop, Kanwar, haranghati, Khokan, Chail, among others.
Temples/Places of Worship
Nestled in the blissful state are quaint temples and monasteries which help you escape your hectic life. Nestled in the snow-capped mountains of Manali, the Hidimba Temple is a unique shrine built on a rock popular in the state. Its cone-shaped roof, wooden doorways and roofs makes this temple one of a kind. One of the oldest and biggest monasteries in Spiti is the Key Monastery. It is home to an exquisite collection of ancient books and murals. Some other beautiful monasteries of architectural excellence include Chokling Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Nako Monastery, among others. Hanuman temple in Shimla, Shri Chamunda Devi temple near Palampur, Shri Bajreshwari Mata temple, Baijnath Temple and Baglamukhi temple in Kangra; monasteries in Bhattu, Choggan, Bir, Lahaul valley; St. John's Church in Dalhousie, Christ Church in Shimla, Baptist Church in Kasauli are some of the places of worship in Himachal Pradesh worth visiting.
How to spend time / how long will it take?
Major chunk of Himachal Pradesh can be covered in 7 to 12 days. You can spend 2 days in Manali exploring the town and trying different adventure activities besides sightseeing. From here you can go to Shimla and spend a day or two exploring the snow-capped mountains, temples and market alleys. Skiing in Kufri is also a must try if you are in Shimla. Dalhousie can be your final stop and you can easily explore McLeodGanj and Kangra Valley while you are here.
Cuisine
- Every traditional dish you'll have in Himachal Pradesh resembles the state's authenticity and strong foundation of its culture. Dham, Madra, Babru, Kullu Trout Fish, Kaale Channe ka Khatta served with rice, Chha Gosht, and Siddu are some of the most famous traditional foods of Himachal Pradesh. If you are a sweet-toothed person then you must try Aktori and Mittha (Sweetened rice). Himachal cuisine also includes Tibetan culture inspired dishes like the scrumptious Thukpa, momos, LuchiPoti, Tingmo and Thentuk.
Costs
- While the meal prices can vary, still you can expect to have a hearty meal at an average cost of 300 INR per person.
- The cost of a sim card differs according to the recharge package you opt for but the starting price is 50 INR.
Visa
- Indian Passport and OCI Card holders do not require a Visa
- Other need to apply for an Indian visa
Season to Visit
- February
- March
- April
- May
- October
- November
- December
- January
Typical Duration to Visit
- 7 - 12 days
Known For
- Mountains
- Trekking
- Rivers
- Monasteries
- Wild Life
- Snow
- Temples
Copyright 2020 Darwin Tech Pvt. Ltd. All Right Reserved