Himachal Pradesh

Why visit

Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie sit close enough along one hill road that a week covers four distinct hill stations — cedar forest, snow line, a Tibetan settlement town and a colonial cantonment — without doubling back on any stretch of it.

• Kufri and the Mall Road at Shimla
• Solang Valley cable car and the Atal Tunnel at Manali
• The Dalai Lama temple complex at McLeod Ganj
• Khajjiar meadow and Chamera Lake near Dalhousie

Places covered

ShimlaManaliDharamshalaDalhousie

Suggested itinerary

1. Day1

   Arrive Shimla

   Transfer from Chandigarh; evening walk on the Mall Road and Ridge.

2. Day2

   Shimla

   Kufri in the morning, Jakhu Temple and the Ridge in the afternoon.

3. Day3

   Shimla to Manali

   Drive via Kullu, visiting the Vaishno Devi cave temple on the way.

4. Day4

   Manali

   Solang Valley cable car and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, weather permitting.

5. Day5

   Manali to Dharamshala

   Drive via the Kangra valley; evening at leisure in McLeod Ganj.

6. Day6

   Dharamshala

   The Dalai Lama temple complex, Bhagsu Falls and the Norbulingka Institute.

7. Day7

   Dharamshala to Dalhousie

   Drive to Dalhousie; Khajjiar meadow and Chamera Lake in the afternoon.

8. Day8

   Depart

   Mall Road and St. Francis Church, then transfer to Pathankot for onward travel.