Himachal Pradesh

Overview
Snow-peaked mountains, serene atmosphere and lots of adventurous activities among avid green surroundings briefly define Himachal Pradesh for any tourist. The state is a fascinating affair for any foreigner packed with several things to your delight. Himachal beautifully encompasses the forever there Himalayan range, untouched valleys, rolling foothills, delightful towns and high-altitude secluded piece of heaven with Lahaul and Spiti.

A heavenly abode for those who love mountains, Himachal is an ancient state that even finds mentions in the Vedas, number of folklores as well as the mythological legend, Mahabharata. The state was ruled by many rulers before and was popular among British during their reign in India for the respite it offered from the harsh summers. Shimla, the present Capital of the state also happened to be the British Capital during their rule.

While the state comes as a best pick for any family vacation with its colorful apple orchards, scenic visuals, delightful rivers and streams and cozy stay options; it’s a paradise for adventure enthusiasts as well. Trekking, water-skiing, mountain cycling, paragliding, white water rafting, mountaineering and wildlife safari are just few of the variety in adventure sports Himachal offers. The enchanting towns like McLeodganj-Dharamshala, Parbati Valley, Kasol etc. offer the perfect traveler vibe with hippie culture enthusiasm to your vacation.

The people here are simple and very friendly. Their love to celebrate every simple occasion results in various cultural festivals celebrated around the year. Dharamshala also happens to be the abode of reverent Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan refugees who settle here every year to avoid the violent conflicts back in Tibet. This has given the local culture a unique Tibetan flavor and only adds to its charm.

Himachal also happens to have the most advanced and popular adventure spot for paragliding across India. The place, Bir, is not only a popular centre for Tibetan settlements, Stupas and meditation & spiritual studies, but it also enjoys international popularity due to its paragliding base which attracts several international and local tourists during its flying season, September to November.
The weather is mostly on the colder side, with some high altitude regions only accessible for half the year.

Some of the popular destinations are:

Shimla
A quintessential hill station in India that is a huge favourite among local people as well as foreign tourists. Perfect for adventure sports!

Kullu & Manali
The hill stations perfectly combine the old world colonial charm and new age commercialisation with Old Manali and New Manali respectively.

Kasol
An amazing town to unwind, enjoy scenic views, banks of River Beas and sheer joy of being in the Mother Nature’s lap.

Mcleodganj & Dharamshala
Not only is this place abode of Holy Dalai Lama, the place offers a potpourri of Tibetan culture and local folklore all intertwined into one!

Chamba
Great option for adventure sports, trekking and enjoying local festivals!

Tourist Attractions

• Shimla
• Kullu-Manali
• Dalhousie
• Rohtang Pass
• Kangra
• Chamba
• Kasauli
• Lahaul & Spiti

Shopping Attractions

• Tibetan handicrafts
• Himachal Emporium
• Shawls
• Wooden artifacts
• Tibetan Handloom Shop
• Jewelry

Known for

• Trekking routes
• Apples, Pickles, Jams
• Postcards with Buddhist & Hindu motifs
• Hippie culture townships
• Adventure sports

For Emergency
Police: 100
Fire: 101
Ambulance: 102

Best time to visit
February to June

How to reach
Air: Himachal Pradesh has 3 airports near Kullu Manali, Shimla and Dharamshala.
Rail: The state has railway stations in all the major cities.
Road: The state has a well developed network of roads; many national highways connect to the state of Himachal.