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.
Till the 19th century, Tourism in Himachal Pradesh was restricted only to a limited movement of pilgrims to a few spiritual destinations around the hills. Only when the British established their chain of hill stations did tourism receive recognition in the State.
Tourism activity received a shot in the arm when the British declared Shimla “The Summer Capital of India” in 1864. Post-independence, more investment in the infrastructure sector led to the opening up of Tourism in the State. However, the biggest boost to tourism occurred in the mid-80s and 90s.
Himachal Pradesh Tourism And Travel Guide 2020
Fast forward and Himachal Pradesh is now known as a ‘Destination for all seasons and all reasons’ and with so many incredible places to visit within the region, we have narrowed down our Top listed place to help fuel your wanderlust!
KANGRA
Kangra is the most populous district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Dharamshala is the administrative headquarters of the district. Kangra district has the highest number of 3,869 villages among the 12 districts of the state.
Kangra (formerly Nagarkot) is one of the most picturesque valleys of the lower Himalayas and is an area famous for arts and crafts. Guesthouses in the Kangra Valley provide breathtaking views of the mountains and many provide extra facilities like Ayurveda massages, fitness centers, horse riding, and swimming pools.
Top Things To Do In Kangra:
- Kangra Fort – Archaeological remains, a museum & tours
- Bajreshwari Mata Temple, Kangra – Hindu temple with a drum house
- Nagarkot Fort Museum – Museum adjoining the Kangra Fortress
- Raja Sansar Chandra Museum & Cafe – Museum
- जैन मंदिर – Jain temple
- Gupt Ganga Temple – Hindu temple
- Kangra Museum – Art
- Ambica Devi Temple – Hindu temple
- Baan Ganga Mandir – Hindu Temple
Must-See Places:
List of the Must See Places in Kangra
- Agahar
- Chambi, Himachal Pradesh
- Dhanotu
- Kangra Valley
- Kangra Valley Railway
- Kangra Fort
- Kangra Painting
- List of India cave temples
- List of Caves in India
- List of rock-cut temples in India
SANGLA :
Sangla is a town in the Baspa Valley, also referred to as the Sangla valley, in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh, India, close to the Tibetan border. Sangla is the major town in the valley with a petrol pump, Bank ATMs, Post Office, Restaurants, Bar, mid-range hotels and shops.
Top Thing To Do Sangla :
List of the Must See Places in Single.
- Badrinath Temple, Kamru
- Bering Nag Temple, Sangla
- Batseri
- Chitkul Mathi Temple
- Piri Nages Temple, Sapni
- Trek Routes
- Rupin Valley Trek
- Sangla Kande Trek
- Charang Chitkul Trek
SHIMLA
Shimla, also known as Simla, is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared as the summer capital of British India, succeeding Murree, northeast of Rawalpindi. After independence, the city became the capital of Punjab and was later made the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is the principal commercial, cultural and educational centre of the state.
Top Thing To Do Shimla :
List of the Must-See Places in Shimla.
- Mall Road
- The Ridge
- Institute of Advanced Studies (pictured above)
- Jakhoo Temple
- Christ Church (the second oldest church in North India)
- Toy Train to Kalka
- Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla
- Chharabra: 13 km from Shimla on route to Kufri.
DALHOUSIE
Dalhousie is a hill station in Chamba district, in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on 5 hills and has an elevation of 1,970 meters above sea level. Dalhousie has a humid subtropical climate. Late summer and early spring see torrential rainfall due to monsoonal influence. The city sees over 90 frost days per year and 45-50 snow days.
Top Thing To Do Dalhousie :
- List of Top sights Based on traveler visits and local insights in Dalhousie.
- St. John’s Church – British Protestant church built in 1863
- Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary – Forested park with hiking trails
- Garam Sadak – Route
- Subhash Chowk Road – Shopping
- St. Francis’ Church – Long-standing brick
- Catholic church Dainkund Peak – Mountain peak reached by a scenic hike
- Dalhousie Khajjiar Road – Honeymoon
- Chamera Dam – Destination for a range of water sports
- Khajjiar Lake – Tree-ringed lake in pastoral environs
KULLU
Kullu or Kulu is the capital town of the Kullu district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) north of the airport at Bhuntar.
Kullu Valley is a broad open valley formed by the Beas River between Manali and Largi. This valley is known for its temples and its hills covered with pine and deodar forest and sprawling apple orchards. The course of the Beas river presents a succession of magnificent, clad with forests of deodar, towering above trees of pine on the lower rocky ridges. Kullu valley is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan Ranges.
Top Thing To Do Kullu :
List of Top sights Based on traveler visits and local insights in Kullu.
- Raghunath Temple;
- The Great Himalayan National Park;
- Rafting;
- Fishing;
- Trekking;
- Hanogi Mata Temple; and
- Friendship Peak
- Fungani Mata Temple
- Raison
- Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaur
MANALI
Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh state. It has a reputation as a backpacking center and honeymoon destination. Set on the Beas River, it’s a gateway for skiing in the Solang Valley and trekking in Parvati Valley. It’s also a jumping-off point for paragliding, rafting, and mountaineering in the Pir Panjal mountains, home to 4,000m-high Rohtang Pass. Check the Manali Travel Guide.
Top Thing To Do Kullu :
List of Top sights Based on traveler visits and local insights in Kullu.
- Solang Valley
- Rohtang Pass (covered in snow all year round)
- Hadimba Temple
- White Water Rafting
- Trekking
- Horse Riding
- Zorbing
- Vashisht Baths (temple with natural hot springs)
- Chandrakhani Pass
- Gayathri Temple
KASOL
A small village in Himachal situated along the banks of the river Parvati, Kasol is a tourist attraction that is rapidly gaining fame as a very popular hub for trekkers, backpackers, and nature lovers. Commonly known as the Amsterdam of India, this quaint little village is resplendent in natural scenic beauty, and is one of the few places in the country that is yet to be ruined by urbanization and commercialization. Situated between the towns of Bhuntar and Manikaran, Kasol might seem like a plain, nondescript village from the outside, but it is one of the best places in the country to just sit back and chill in the lap of nature.
Top Thing To Do Kasol :
List of Top sights Based on traveler visits and local insights in Kasol.
- Parvati River – perfect for lazing, white water rafting and trout fishing!;
- Tosh (a village with treacherous roads, hippie culture and some stunning scenery);
- Malana (small, traditional village)
- Trekking and Climbing.
DHARAMSALA
Dharamshala is the district headquarters of the Kangra district in India. Kangra District was part of the British province of Punjab. The administrative headquarters of the district were initially at Kangra but were moved to Dharamshala in 1855. Dharamshala is 18 km (11 mi) from Kangra.
Dharamshala has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM flagship Smart Cities Mission. On 19 January 2017, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh declared Dharamshala as the second capital of Himachal Pradesh state, making Himachal Pradesh the third state of India with two capitals after Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra.
Top Thing To Do Dharamsala :
List of Top sights Based on traveler visits and local insights in Dharamsala.
- Dharamsala Cricket Ground
- St John in the Wilderness Church
- War Memorial
- Gyuoto Monastery
- Tea Gardens
- Tsuglagkhang, Mcleodganj (where the Dalai Lama resides)
- Bhagsu Falls
- Tibetan Museum
- Kangra Art Museum.
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