Located in North India, the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh is famous for its plains and mountains. The mesmerising scenic beauty blended with Buddhist culture and architecture makes it a great destination for explorers and travellers. It is a paragon of Apples and tea gardens along with a bounty of animal species, deep gorges, rivers, hot springs, jungles, beautiful green landscapes, and many temples. Adventurers, hikers, and animal lovers all flock there in large numbers.
Do you want to be one of them and experience the lush and majestic glory of Himachal? Pack up your bags we have a list of places you can visit in Himachal Pradesh.
Top places you can visit in Himachal Pradesh
1. Shimla
Himachal Pradesh’s capital, Shimla, is a well-liked hill resort for everyone from around the country. With its old-world elegance, this 2200m location served as British India’s summer capital. It is well-connected to Chandigarh. It also features a UNESCO-listed railway station. The hill station has managed to retain its old-world appeal with its lovely colonial architecture, beautiful Mall Road, and a ridge dotted with cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.
Best time to visit– May to June and December to January
Ideal duration-2-3 days
What to explore– Skiing in Kufri, Jakhoo ropeway, Ice skating, Kalki Shimla toy train, Mall road, Green Valley and Kufri.
2. Manali
A magical hill station in Himachal Pradesh- Manali is renowned for its stunning valleys, snowcapped mountains, and lush forests. It is a popular destination for honeymooners and young people seeking extended stays, with Old Manali being a favourite neighbourhood. Manali is also a popular base for trekkers, offering rafting options in nearby Kullu and the Parvati Valley. The Atal Tunnel makes Spiti more accessible. Tourists also enjoy adventure activities in Rohtang Pass & Solang Valley, including skiing, paragliding, horse-riding, and zorbing. The region experiences the most snow in January & February, followed by December and March.
Best time to visit- All year long except Monsoon
Ideal duration- 3-4 days
What to explore- Solang Valley, Hidimba temple, rafting, paragliding, vashisht temple, skiing, Rohtang pass.
3. Mcleodganj
Himachal Pradesh’s Mcleodganj is a well-liked vacation spot because of its Tibetan culture, hiking trails, verdant surroundings, historic temples, monasteries, and British influence. The Little Lhasa, which is home to Tibet’s exiled government, is situated in the Kangra region and is the residence of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibet. The village is a well-liked trekking destination because of the surrounding beautiful hills and abundant foliage.
Best time to visit- March to June and September to November
Ideal duration- 3 days
What to explore- Dharamsala, Dharamkot, Bhagsu Nag temple, The Namgyal Monastery, Bhagsu falls, Tibetan museum, dal Lake, triund, Dharamkot
4. Kasol
Kasol, a charming village in Himachal, is known as the ‘Amsterdam of India’ and is a popular tourist destination for trekkers, backpackers, and nature lovers. Located 23 km from Bhuntar and near the religious town of Manikaran, Kasol offers stunning views of snow-clad mountains, pine trees, and the serene river.
Best time to visit- March to June
Ideal duration- 3-4 days
What to explore- Trekking trails, including Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, Pin Parbati Pass, the hamlet of Malana, Nature Park Kasol, Manikaran Sahib and Tosh.
5. Spiti Valley
Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley is a frigid desert and snow-capped mountain range that receives 250 days of sunshine annually and is situated at an elevation of 12,500 feet. Numerous monasteries, notably the 2,000-year-old Key Monastery, can be found in the valley. With trekking paths and mountain passes like Kunzum La, which provides a 360-degree panorama of the Bara-Shigri Glacier, Spiti is an adventurer’s dream come true. The 1.5-kilometre walk beside the Spiti River provides breathtaking views of the mystic Chandratal Lake and surrounding settlements. Because of the heavy snowfall in the Himalayas, Spiti can only be reached by road in the summer.
Best time to visit- March to June
Ideal duration- 7 days
What to explore- Kunzum Pass, Chandratal Lake, Pin Valley National Park, Key Monastery, Sarchu, Tabo Monastery.
6. Kasauli
Kasauli is a little hilly heaven in the Solan district. The town is attracts tourists for hiking trails and beautiful woody forests, including pines, herbs, and cedar trees. This hill station is also a major attraction for devotees as it is known as the home of the deity Hanuman.
Best time to visit- throughout the year
Ideal duration- 2-3 days
What to explore- Timber Trail, Mall Road, Gilbert Trail, Sunset Point, Monkey Point, Toy Train, Christ Church
7. Dalhousie
Dalhousie is one of the most famous hill stations in Himachal Pradesh because of its meadows, forests, and waterfalls. It attracts lots of honeymooners and families that love to spend time among lush greenery and breathtaking scenic beauty. The town is well-known for its knitted Himachali shawls, Tibetan handicrafts, Chamba handkerchiefs, and architecture from the Victorian and Scottish eras.
Best time to visit- Throughout the year
Ideal duration- 2-3 days
What to explore- Panchpula, Khajjiar, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Satdhara Falls, Ganji pahari trek, chamera lake
8. Khajjiar
Khajjiar, also known as the mini-Switzerland of India’ is a picturesque town near Dalhousie. It is very famous for its mesmerising grassy meadows and the Khajjiar Lake. The town is also a popular destination with many homestays offering stunning views of the Kailash Parbat. Along with hypnotic views of nature the Khajji Nag temple, built in the 12th century, has also been attracting devotees since its construction.
Best time to visit- April to June
Ideal duration- 2-3 days
What to explore- Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Khajjiar Lake, camping, homestay, panch pandav, Kailash Parbat.
9. Kullu
Kullu is a serene Himachal valley just a few kilometres away from Manali. This place known as the ‘Valley of Gods’. It is famous for its deodar trees, snow-clad mountains, and apple orchards. It’s a popular tourist destination, especially for honeymooners and devotees. Kullu is a popular spot for adventure sports.
Best time to visit- October to June
Ideal duration- 1-2 days
What to explore- adventure activities like paragliding, river rafting, hiking, and trekking. You can also visit the Bijli Mahadev, Raghunath, Hanogi Mata, Jagannath Devi, and Gauri Shankar temples, Manikaran, Kasol, Malana, Naggar
If you had a long week or month working hard and planning to take a break, then there is nothing better than resting among quaint green towns that exhibit culture and nature in one pot. Himachal Pradesh exudes the same aura. The trip to the state will lead you to tranquil and a refreshing experience. What are you waiting for? Plan your next trip to Himachal today.
FAQs
What is the average travel cost of Himachal Pradesh?
The cost of travel in Himachal Pradesh depends person to person. On an average budget, travellers could spend 20000 to 25000 while mid-range travellers can spend 30000 to 40000. Since there are all types of companies, travel guides and accommodation in the state, the cost of a luxurious trip can also be more than 50000 a week.
Which month is best to visit Himachal Pradesh?
There are many areas and hill stations in himachal pradesh that one can visit anytime throughout the year. If you wish to know the exact time when you can enjoy pleasant weather then the best time is from March to June and September to November. The state is not safe to visit during monsoon and heavy snowfall.
