10 days in Himachal Pradesh Itinerary

Cover Stories Apr-12-2019 by bhavya

Way to TravellingHimachalPradesh

Himachal Pradesh is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and the countless number of breathe taking views. The lush green landscape, snow-capped mountains, rushing waterfalls, dense deodar, and thick pine forest. So many things to cover when we talk about Himachal. Himachal has the highest production of apples so it is also known as the State of apples. Himachal has so many places to visit. The most important destinations for the tourists include like Kullu, Manali, Chamba, and Shimla. The natural beauty of Himachal along with the hills and valleys add peace to your holiday while the pilgrimages make it serene and divine. The ancient temples and innocent people and their hospitality will give you a lifetime experience. Himachal is popular for its eco-tourism. Along with the picturesque view, it also offers trekking and adventure sports activities. Himachal is crowded with tourists almost round the year. Himachal is a much-loved destination both for tourists and pilgrims. So with this article, I will help you with short 10 days Himachal Pradesh itinerary and it will be like a guide for you to have the perfect planning of vacation at Himachal Pradesh.

So this itinerary will take Chandigarh as a starting point.

Day 1- Chandigarh -Shimla

Once you reach Chandigarh by any means of transportation. You can opt for another convenient way to reach Shimla. You can take a taxi which will take 2 hours 23 minutes to reach Shimla. A traveler can also take the State Transport Bus from Chandigarh, it takes 3 hours 90 minutes but it is the cheapest mode of transport between Chandigarh to Shimla. Once you arrive Shimla, check into the hotel. Shimla is a capital town of Himachal Pradesh. In colonial time, Shimla was the summer capital of British India. Shimla offers a variety of adventure sports, shopping places, and entertainment activities too. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 2-Excursion around Shimla-Kufri Visit

The second day, after having breakfast check out the hotel, visit popular attractions of Shimla. The top attractions in Shimla will include the mosques built-in (1830), Vice regal Lodge built in (1885), Christ Church built in (1844), the Gaiety Theatre- the first beauty contest of world was supposed to start (1887), the Grindlays Bank (1912)- the worldwide bank started by Robert Melville Grindlay. Also, visit the Scandal Point and the famous Shopping Plaza at the North Mall. A traveler can go to Kufri, nearby Shimla. Kufri is only 30 minutes drive from Shimla. The distance between Shimla and Kufri is only 21 km and the cheapest mode of transport is taxi only as there is no direct buses or trains between Shimla and Kufri. Kufi is located at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. It offers lots of snow adventure activities during winters and in summer adventure sports activities are available. Kufri is surrounded by dense forest and snow-capped mountains. Kufri is blessed with rich flora and fauna where you can relax and feel refreshing. Kufri offers a mind-blowing paranomic view of the surrounding Himalayan ranges. In Kufri, you can enjoy Pony and Yak rides. Stay overnight in a hotel at Kufri.

Day-3-Kufri-Manali

The distance between Kufri to Manali is 249 km. So check out from the hotel in the morning. Head towards Manali. It will take 7 hours 54 minutes to reach Manali from Kufri. No direct flights or trains or buses are available between Kufri to Manali. The fastest way to reach Manali from Kufri is to take a taxi from Kufri to Darlaghat then take State Transport Bus from Darlaghat to Manali. Manali is a high altitude resort town of Himachal Pradesh. More than 25 lakhs visitors visit Manali. It is nestled between Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges and the most popular hill station in India and abroad too. Solang valley is must visit the place of Manali. Solang Valley is not only having breathed taking views but is also a popular skiing destination. Rohtang Pass is famous among nature lovers, photographers and adventure seekers alike. Nagar Castle in Manali will give you stunning historical edifice. Clean roads, swaying eucalyptus trees will just make you fall in love with this place in Himachal. Overnight stay at Manali

Day-4-Manali

After breakfast in the morning, plan sightseeing of the nearby places in Manali. The sightseeing will include Hadimba temple, Manu temple, Vashisht Bath, Van Vihar and in the evening, enjoy shopping at the local market. The Tibetan market of Manali is very famous. Honeymooners can enjoy lovemaking in the Manali. It is often referred to as the Honeymoon Capital of India. Stay overnight at the hotel in Manali.

Day-5-Manali-Adventure activities

The fifth day of this itinerary is dedicated to the adventure activities in Manali. After having your breakfast in the morning, you can head towards the snow point in Rohtang Pass. Rohtang Pass is situated at an altitude of 3979 meters above sea level and 51 km outside Manali. Due to the higher altitude, one can get the bird's eye view of the Manali from this place. At the top of the Rohtang Pass, you can see the glittering snow as the sunlight falls on the snow-capped mountains. The fresh air will give you a refreshing vibe. You can spend a perfect evening while engaging in leisure activities in Manali. Stay overnight at hotel in Manali.

Day-6-Manali to Dharamshala

Dharmasala is located at a distance of 260 km from Manali. It will take 8 hours by taxi to reach Dharamsala. You can opt for the cheapest mode, that is State transport bus services. Dharamsala is the beautiful and peaceful city of Himachal. On the way to Dharamsala from Manali, you can stopover a Shiv Temple known as Baijnath, and seek divine blessings. You can enjoy the view of magnificent snow-covered dhauladhar ranges. These ranges are spread at a different level. Proceed to mcleodganj to visit the world-famous Dalai Lama temple, shopping in the Tibetan market it is the Buddhist capital of the Tibetan government in exile. The prime attractions will include Dal lake, Triund, Kareri Lake and Indrahar Pass. Stay overnight in a hotel at Dharmasala.

Day-7-Dharamshala Dalhousie

After breakfast, you can check out the hotel and head towards Dalhousie. The distance between Dharmasala and Dalhousie is 150 km and it takes almost 4 hours to reach there. Dalhousie is known for its scenic beauty, a number of mountains and waterfalls. Marvelous forest trails overlook vistas of wooded hills, waterfalls, springs, and rivulets. In the distance, River Ravi meandering its course adds to the panorama. Local People can write and read in English and Hindi both. The prime attraction for tourists will include the temple of Chatterati, Dainkund Hill Top; it is the highest mountain among the hills around Dalhousie. This point is located at the height of 2275 meters above the sea level, the view will be a visual delight for all. Overnight in the hotel in Dalhousie.

Day-8-Dalhousie Khajjiar

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, you can proceed towards the sightseeing of Khajjiar. Khajjiar is also known as Mini Switzerland. It is known for its green meadow surrounded by pine forest and cedar forest. Often compared with Swiss mountain meadows, Khajjiar is a wide grassy clearing around a pond with a thick cedar forest. A few meters from the pond is the temple of Khajji Nag that dates back to the 12th century AD. This scenic spot is 24 km from Chamba and 22 km from Dalhousie. More than a road journey, an easy and comfortable trek to Khajjiar from Chamba brings you up close with nature to make it a memorable experience. After returning to Dalhousie's visit to sat dhara, panji pulla, and shubhash baoli. Stay overnight in a hotel at Dalhousie.

Day 09: Dalhousie Chandigarh

After breakfast, check out from the hotel in the morning and drive back to Chandigarh. The distance between Dalhousie and Chandigarh is 310 km and it will take 9 hours to reach over there. The name of the city Chandigarh has derived its name from Chandi Mandir. It is located in the vicinity of the site selected for the city. Arrive at Chandigarh, check in to the hotel. In the evening explore the sights in Chandigarh. You can visit Rock Garden, Rose Garden and Sukhna Lake (Depending upon the time). Overnight stay at a hotel in Chandigarh

Day-10-Departure from Chandigarh

Breakfast & check out from the hotel. Later transfer to the airport/station to catch the flight back to your destination. There can be other options via different routes to reach Himachal and explore its scenic beauty but the one thing will be common, holidays at Himachal is incredible round the year.

Read more:-Neelkanth Mahadev Trek