Raging rivers, lush green forests, enchanting valleys, rich history and cultural heritage… Himachal Pradesh in India has a diverse offering for all kinds of travellers.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, was also the summer capital of India during the British Rule. Shimla is situated in the Shivalik Hills of the Himalayan range.
The history of Shimla dates back to the early 19th century when Britishers had moved to Shimla after defeating the Gurkhas. The first phase of the Hindustan-Tibet road comprised the road from Kalka to Shimla and was put into operation in 1860. The Kalka Shimla rail line was finished in 1903. These two arterial connections were the major milestones in the development of the city. After independence, Shimla was initially the capital of Punjab and after the formation of Himachal Pradesh, it became the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla is surrounded by green hills and on a clear day, snow capped peaks can be seen far off into the distance. The city is made up of the following seven hills
- Prospect Hill in western Shimla, with the Kamna Devi temple on top.
- Summer Hill in western Shimla, where the campus of Himachal Pradesh University is located.
- Observatory Hill in western Shimla, where the Viceregal Lodge housing the Indian Institute of Advanced Study is situated.
- Inverarm in western Shimla, where the State Museum is located.
- Bantony in central Shimla, housing the Grand Hotel.
- Jakhoo in central Shimla, which is crowned by the temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
- Elysium in north-western Shimla, which holds Auckland House, Longwood and reaches out towards the Bharari spur.
Kullu is one of the most beautiful districts of Himachal Pradesh. It is surrounded by the Pir Panjal, the Lower Himalayan and the Great Himalayan ranges. Nestled in the lap of these glorious mountain ranges, it offers beautiful landscapes, varied flora and fauna, and rich cultural heritage. The two main towns of the district are Kullu (1220 m) and Manali (1980 m).
The district consists of many valleys, out of which Kullu/Beas valley, Parvati valley and Tirthan valley are a must visit for anyone travelling to Kullu. While the rivers Beas and Parvati flow through their respective valleys meeting at Bhuntar, the Tirthan River winds its way through the Tirthan valley joining Beas near Larji. There are many high mountain passes and high peaks in the region with a few national parks as well, including The Great Himalayan National Park, where the elusive Himalayan brown bear and snow leopard can also be spotted.
The history of the district dates back to the time when it is believed that Manu (the originator of the world as per Hindu mythology) had rested his ark and made Manali his home. This is evident from the Manu temple in old Manali. The name Manali is said to have originated from the word Manu-alaya (meaning house of Manu). The references of Kullu can be found in both of the main epics of Hindu mythology, namely Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Dharamshala is the headquarter of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. In January 2017, it was declared as the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh state. It is located on the foothills of Dhauladhar mountains and before the British Raj, it was under the rule of the Katoch dynasty of Kangra. Dharamshala has the highest rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and the only international cricket stadium of Himachal Pradesh is situated in Dharamshala.
The main attraction near Dharamshala is McLeod Ganj, which was named after Sir Donald Friell McLeod, a Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. While the weather in Dharamshala is quite hot in summers, it is pretty pleasant in McLeod Ganj since is it located higher up in the Dhauladhar range. Since 1960, McLeod Ganj is the headquarter of the Tibetan Government in Exile. His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama also resides here and due to this reason, McLeod Ganj has gained a lot of international popularity and it is a famous destination for people from all around the world.
Dalhousie is a hill station in Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh, named after Lord Dalhousie, who was the British Governor-General in India. It was established in 1854 by the British Empire’s government in India as a summer retreat for its troops and officials.
It is built on and around five hills – Kathalagh, Potreyn, Terah, Bakrota and Bhangora. Scottish and Victorian architecture are prevalent in the bungalows and churches in the town. One of the main attractions of this region is Khajjiar, which is one of the 160 places in the world that bears topographical resemblance with Switzerland.
Sangla or Baspa Valley is one the most enchanting valleys of district Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. With lush ever green forests and very high snow clad mountains in its vicinity, this is one valley which once visited, can never be forgotten. The name ‘Baspa’ translates to ‘Ash’ in the local dialect and is named so because of the ash gray colour of the river water, which adds a turbulent and constant roar in the valley. According to legend, the land on which Sangla village (3200 m) now lies, was once submerged under a lake formed on this mighty river with the village Kamru (famous for the Kamru fort) located on its banks. The presiding deity of the Sangla village along with the help of the deity of the Kamru village made the waters recede by taking avatars of a mouse and a cat respectively and there after taking down the dam holding the water.
The valley lies south of the Kinner Kailash range and north-east of the great Himalayan range. The last village in the valley is Chitkul (3450 m) and it is one of the remotest villages in India bordering Tibet, that lies across the high mountains overlooking the village from the north-eastern direction. The village is famous for its potatoes. A unique blend of Buddhism and Hinduism is visible in all the villages in the valley. Nothing can be more refreshing than the drive from Sangla to Chitkul.
Shimla 3 day Itinerary:
- Local Shimla attractions viz. The Ridge Maidan, The Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park, State Museum and Annadale Army Museum.
- Places around Shimla like Kufri, Chail, Naldehra and Tatapani.
- This itinerary can be customised to accommodate a day-hike to Shaali Tibba.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Manali 3 day Itinerary:
- Local Manali attractions viz. Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Nature Park (Van Vihar), Vashisht (Hot Water Spring), Jogini Waterfall, The Mall Road and Old Manali
- Places around Manali viz. Rohtang Pass (upto accessible snow point) and Solang Nallah.
- This itinerary can be customised to accommodate a day-trip to Naggar (Roerich Art Gallery and Naggar Castle) and rafting.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Shimla – Narkanda – Shimla 5 day Itinerary:
- Local Shimla attractions viz. The Ridge Maidan, The Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park, State Museum and Annadale Army Museum.
- Drive to Narkanda via Kufri.
- Visit Hatu Temple and explore village life near Narkanda.
- Camping experience available at Narkanda.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Shimla – Manali 5 day Itinerary:
- Local Shimla attractions viz. The Ridge Maidan, The Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park, State Museum and Annadale Army Museum.
- Places around Shimla viz. Kufri and Chail.
- Local Manali attractions viz. Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Nature Park (Van Vihar), Vashisht (Hot Water Spring), Jogini Waterfall, The Mall Road and Old Manali.
- Places around Manali viz. Rohtang Pass (upto accessible snow point) and Solang Nallah.
- This itinerary can be customised to accommodate a day-trip to Naggar (Roerich Art Gallery and Naggar Castle) and rafting.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Kullu Manali 5 day Itinerary:
- Local Manali attractions viz. Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Nature Park (Van Vihar), Vashisht (Hot Water Spring), Jogini Waterfall, The Mall Road and Old Manali.
- Places around Manali viz. Rohtang Pass (upto accessible snow point), Solang Nallah, Naggar (Roerich Art Gallery and Naggar Castle) and rafting.
- Apple orchard, bonfire and barbeque in Kullu.
- This itinerary can be customised to cover a three day angling program in Tirthan valley along with parts of the Manali tour.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Shimla – Manali – Kullu 7 day Itinerary:
- Local Shimla attractions viz. The Ridge Maidan, The Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park, State Museum and Annadale Army Museum.
- Places around Shimla viz. Kufri and Chail.
- Local Manali attractions viz. Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Nature Park (Van Vihar), Vashisht (Hot Water Spring), Jogini Waterfall, The Mall Road and Old Manali.
- Places around Manali viz. Rohtang Pass (upto accessible snow point), Solang Nallah, Naggar (Roerich Art Gallery and Naggar Castle) and rafting.
- Apple orchard, bonfire and barbeque in Kullu.
- This itinerary can be customised to cover a three day angling program in Tirthan valley along with parts of the Manali tour.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Shimla – Manali – Dharamshala 9 day Itinerary:
- Local Shimla attractions viz. The Ridge Maidan, The Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park, State Museum, Annadale Army Museum and Bhalku Railway Museum.
- Places around Shimla viz. Kufri and Chail.
- Local Manali attractions viz. Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Nature Park (Van Vihar), Vashisht (Hot Water Spring), Jogini Waterfall, The Mall Road and Old Manali.
- Places around Manali viz. Rohtang Pass (upto accessible snow point), Solang Nallah, Naggar (Roerich Art Gallery and Naggar Castle) and rafting.
- Drive to Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj
- Visit Tibetan monastery and museum, Dal Lake, St. John’s Church and Bhagsunath Temple and waterfall.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Shimla – Manali – Dharamshala – Dalhousie 11 day Itinerary:
- Local Shimla attractions viz. The Ridge Maidan, The Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park, State Museum, Annadale Army Museum and Bhalku Railway Museum.
- Places around Shimla viz. Kufri and Chail.
- Local Manali attractions viz. Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Nature Park (Van Vihar), Vashisht (Hot Water Spring), Jogini Waterfall, The Mall Road and Old Manali.
- Places around Manali viz. Rohtang Pass (upto accessible snow point), Solang Nallah, Naggar (Roerich Art Gallery and Naggar Castle) and rafting.
- Drive to Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj
- Visit Tibetan monastery and museum, Dal Lake, St. John’s Church and Bhagsunath Temple and waterfall.
- Drive to Dalhousie and visit Khajjiar, Mall Road, Kala Top and local churches.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977
Shimla – Sangla – Narkanda – Shimla 7 day Itinerary:
- Local Shimla attractions viz. The Ridge Maidan, The Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, Himalayan Bird Park, State Museum and Annadale Army Museum.
- Drive to Sangla and visit Kamru Fort, Chitkul (last village on the Indo-Tibet border) and Baspa valley villages.
- Return drive from Sangla to Narkanda
- Visit Hatu Temple and explore village life near Narkanda.
- Camping experience available at Narkanda.
- Drive from Narkanda to Shimla via Kufri.
Email: sales@themountainwalker.com
Call: +91-8446779977