Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a breathtaking state with lush greenery, splendid views of mighty mountains and valleys, a rich culture, delicious food, adventure sports, and a colonial past. An absolute treat for adventure seekers, families, honeymooners and solo travellers.

The most commonly visited city is Manali which experiences snowfall during the winters and attracts several crowds. Tourists crowded Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass since they are renowned for trekking, Paragliding, skiing, horse riding and other adventure sports.
For Buddhist culture: Mcleodganj is the perfect place as it is the holy Dalai Lama’s residence, beautiful houses, Tibetan temples and institutes. Dalhousie, another hill station with a colonial past, is a paradise for nature lovers with cascading waterfalls, sprawling pastures, heavy forests, misty mountains and more.
Himachal Pradesh is a state rich in culture and traditions, whether in terms of art, cuisine or festivals.

Best time to visit :
·  February to June:  Summers are the perfect time for trekking, Paragliding, camping and water sports.
·  October and February: The state goes through a pleasing transformation during the winters when it’s snowfall. It is the best time for skiing and ice skating.
· July to September: recommended avoiding certain areas during the Monsoon season.

FAMOUS & LOCAL FOOD:

The state of Himachal Pradesh has dishes similar to the other North- Indian states with similar elements, styles, food habits, and ingredients. The food obtained is influenced by Punjabi and Tibetan cuisine, providing the visitors with a unique blend to enjoy. A primary meal in the state contains Dal, rice, broth, roti and sabzi. Especially red meat is a favourite cuisine, prepared with gravy and local aromatic herbs and spices. Sidu (a preparation of wheat), Patande (a local pancake), Chutney of ‘Til,’ Khatta, Aloo palda, Auriya Kadoo (a practice of pumpkin), and Spicy lotus stems are the highlights of the state cuisines. You can also find Momos and Noodles. It is also known for its fresh varieties of fruits.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT:

1. MANALI

It is one of the most popular hill stations in Himachal. Manali offers marvellous views of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges covered with snow. 

 Manali has evolved to be a place loved by young people looking for stays for workation, with clime cafes/restaurants,  wifi availability and convenient shops. Old Manali is among the preferred neighbourhood for such people as many homestays and hostels are cheap for extended stays.
Manali has many trekking options making it great for analyzing this side of Himalayas. Parvati river adjoins  Kasol, Manikaran Sahib, Tosh and small villages.
In January & February, it snows the most, followed by December and March. If you’re fortunate, you might find some in April also. 
Travellers go to Rohtang Pass & Solang valley for different adventure activities, including skiing, Paragliding and Horse-riding. Rohtang Pass is always covered with snow and often gets overcrowded.

THINGS TO DO – Rafting, Skiing and Paragliding.

2. SHIMLA

It is the capital of Himachal and a famous hill station among families and honeymooners. It still holds its old-world charm with charming colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road and the ridge lined up with various shops and restaurants.

It is linked with many cities and is just 4 hours from Chandigarh. The railway station connects Shimla and is famous for the Kalka-Shimla train route, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site.

The weather is enjoyable for most months, with tourists crowding, especially during summer. The winters are cold, with snow days from mid-December till February.
Nearby towns of Kufri often covered Shimla, a hill station always covered by snow, and Chail, famous for its vast palace and the highest cricket ground in the world. Travellers also visit the famous Jakhu Temple and capture sightseeing at various viewpoints during their trip.

Things To Do: Skiing in Kufri, JakhooRopeway, Kalka Shimla toy train and Ice skating.

3. McLEODGANJ

Dalhousie is a popular hill station with a spectacular vision of the snow-covered mountains of the Dhauladhar ranges. Dalhousie is famous for its grassland and waterfalls, especially among honeymooners and family vacationers. 

It is named after Lord Dalhousie and established in 1854, one of the favourite stations of the Britishers during the colonial Era. Dalhousie gives an old-world charm, spellbinding natural landscapes and splendid misty mountains.
It is also known for its woollen Himachali shawls, Tibetan handicrafts and Chamba handkerchiefs. You can buy it from The Mall Road, the town’s primary market. 
When planning a Dalhousie trip, include Khajjiar in your journey, the Switzerland of India. It is 21km away, and this little hill town is famous for its spellbinding vistas of mountains loaded with white snow and lush green pastures of land.

Places To Visit:
· Panchpula
·  Khajjiar
· Kalatop wildlife sanctuary
· Satdhara Falls
·  Chamera Lake and
·  Ganji Pahari Trek.

Best time to visit:
· The best time to visit: is in March-June. The snow begins to melt in March and April, and its brilliance saw when the sun’s rays hit the snow-covered mountains. The weather remains pleasant during this period. 
· The temperature begins to increase in June. Monsoons are also quite pleasant as the moderate rainfall does not cause any problems to your plans. In winter, Dalhousie is the perfect place for outdoor activities.

5. SPITI VALLEY

Rambling roads and valleys offer an unforgettable glance of cold desert and snow-covered mountains. Embarked on all sides by the Himalayas, Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, has an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level and gets just around 250 days of daylight in the year, which makes it one of the most incredible spots in the country.

Spiti means ‘The Middle Land,’ as it separates India from Tibet. It is an adventure lover’s paradise, with several trekking trails. All these treks start from Kaza to various peaks from where you can get panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains. A leisurely 1.5-kilometre tour along the Spiti River from Dhankar Monastery to Dhankar Lake promises gorgeous views of the villages. Dhankar Lake is a place where you can sit back and relax amidst the cool mountain air.

Places To Visit
Chandratal Lake, Key Monastery, Kunzum Pass, Pin Valley National Park
 
Best Time To Visit:
·  March to June – is the best time to visit. The ones who are into a relaxing vacation should visit Spiti during this season when the temperature ranges from 0 – 15 degrees Celcius.

6. KASOL

Kasol is a quaint village in Himachal situated along the banks of the Parvati River, commonly known as the ‘Amsterdam of India,’ Kasol is a tourist attraction rapidly gaining fame as a popular trekking hub for backpackers and nature lovers. Kasol is 23 km from Bhuntar and next to the religious town of Manikaran and is one of the best places in the country to sit back and chill in the panorama of snow-clad mountains, pine trees and a gurgling river.

It is famous for trekking trails, which include treks to Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass. To get a natural feel of the culture, visit the village of Malana. Located a few kilometres from Kasol, Malana is a tiny hamlet inhabited by people living in self-imposed isolation. The people of Malana claim themselves to be Aryan descendants, resulting in avoiding interaction with outsiders. The village has plenty of scenic sights and is often called ‘Little Greece.’
Kasol is inhabited by numerous people from Israel, which is discernible from the plenteously available Israeli food. It has quite a few streetside cafes which provide delicious food, and the experience of sitting and enjoying a meal amidst the dark green forests and the awe-inspiring mountains make the meal even more enjoyable.
It has a discount market sells various items, including trinkets, souvenirs, pendants, and even semi-precious stones.

Best Time To Visit:
·  October to June–  The best time to visit as the weather remains pleasant.
·  March to May– is the ideal time to go trekking. The weather is enjoyable at this time of the year, with temperatures ranging from 15 – 22 degrees Celsius.
However, suppose you are fond of strolling on chilly nights, calm evening winds, and winters, i.e. from October to February. In that case, the temperature during the season usually varies from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius.
 
Places To Visit:
· Manikaran Sahib Gurdwara,
·Malana,
· Parvati River,
· Chalal