Himachal Tour Packages by the people who know it best

Shimla is a town best seen on foot. Cars cannot enter the Mall Road and the Ridge, so you can walk slowly past old stone buildings, the Gaiety Theatre and busy little shops without traffic noise. Climb up to Jakhu Temple, the highest point in town, but keep your glasses and snacks safe from the monkeys. Lakkar Bazaar is the place for wooden toys and souvenirs. Just outside the town, Mashobra and Naldehra offer quiet pine forests and wide views, and they make an easy half-day drive. Shimla has hotels for every budget and good roads from Chandigarh, so it works well for families, older parents and first-time visitors to the hills. Evenings are cool even in May and June, so carry a light jacket. Two nights are enough to enjoy the town at a relaxed pace, with one more if you want Kufri too.

Manali lies at the northern end of the Kullu Valley, with the Beas River running through it and snowy peaks on every side. The town has two different moods. Mall Road is lively, with shops, food stalls and most of the hotels, while Old Manali is calmer, with wooden houses, apple trees and small cafés. Visit the Hadimba Devi Temple in its tall cedar forest, then relax in the hot water baths at Vashisht village. Manali is also the base for the big mountain days: Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, and Rohtang Pass when it is open and you have a permit. Honeymoon couples, groups of friends and adventure lovers all find something here. Winter brings snow, while spring and autumn are mild and less crowded. Plan at least three nights so you are not rushing between places, and book early for peak holidays.

Dharamshala sits below the Dhauladhar range and is really two towns in one. Lower Dharamshala is the working town, with the main market, offices and the HPCA cricket stadium set against the mountains. Upper Dharamshala, better known as McLeod Ganj, is where the Dalai Lama lives, and its Tibetan residents fill the lanes with monasteries, prayer wheels and steaming plates of momos. The Dharamshala Skyway cable car connects the two in a few minutes and saves you a steep drive. From here you can walk to Bhagsu waterfall, spend a slow afternoon in the Kangra tea gardens, or hike to Triund and camp under the stars. Culture, nature and easy treks in one place make it a good choice for families, students and solo travellers. Two or three nights work well, and a fourth lets you add Palampur or Bir.

Dalhousie is a small, green hill town in Chamba district, spread across a few gentle hills with deodar and pine all around. It moves at a slow pace, and that is its charm. The two main squares, Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk, are joined by a flat walking road, so you can explore the town on foot. Old churches, such as St. John's near Gandhi Chowk and St. Francis' near Subhash Chowk, add to the colonial feel. The most loved outing is Khajjiar, a wide meadow with a small lake in the middle and tall trees all around. On the way, stop at the Kalatop forest for a quiet walk, and on a clear day climb Dainkund Peak for views across the valleys. Dalhousie sees fewer crowds than the bigger hill stations, so couples and families who want peace will enjoy it. Autumn is the best season here.

Solang Valley is a wide mountain slope about 14 km from Manali, on the road towards the Atal Tunnel. Adventure is the main reason people come here. In summer you can try paragliding, zorbing, quad bike rides, or take the ropeway up the slope for a better view. In winter the whole valley turns white, and skiing, sledging and snow play take over. Most travellers visit Solang as a day trip from Manali, so it fits easily into any Manali plan. All activities are paid on the spot, so ask the price first and choose operators who show their licence. Go early in the morning, when there are fewer people and the sky is usually clearer. Even in summer the wind can be cold, so bring a warm layer. Families with kids and groups of friends love it here, and it makes for great photos in every season.

Kufri is a small hill station on the Shimla–Narkanda road, and for many people it is their first taste of snow. From December to February the slopes turn white, and it gets busy with families from the plains. Horse rides go up to Mahasu Peak, at the top of the Kufri hills, where a small Nag Devta temple faces the Himalayan range on a clear day. The Himalayan Nature Park is a good stop for children, with local animals and birds such as the monal pheasant. There is also a small fun park with go-karts and rides. In summer the snow is gone, but the cool air and pine forests still make a pleasant half day out. Most people visit Kufri on a day trip from Shimla, often with Chail or Fagu. Settle the horse ride price before you start, and wear shoes with a good grip.