Apple orchards and Himalayan passes — Himachal moves between ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture, hippie valleys and some of the world's most beautiful mountain landscapes.
About Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state of extraordinary landscapes and equally extraordinary contradictions — apple orchards and Tibetan monasteries, ski slopes and subtropical river gorges, the faded colonial elegance of Shimla and the raw high-altitude wilderness of Spiti.
The Kullu Valley, running north from Mandi to Manali, is the green heartland — terraced apple orchards, deodar cedar forests, and the Beas River cutting between forested ridges. Above Manali, the Rohtang Pass (3,978 metres) marks the transition from green valley world into the high trans-Himalayan landscape — beyond lies Lahaul, and beyond that, Spiti.
Spiti Valley is perhaps the most dramatic landscape in India that isn't technically in Ladakh — a cold desert carved by glaciers at 3,800 metres, its villages clinging to cliff faces above the Spiti River, its ancient monasteries (Ki, Tabo, Dhankar) containing some of the finest medieval Buddhist art in the world. The Key Monastery at 4,166 metres, silhouetted against bare rock spires and snow peaks, is one of the iconic images of the Indian Himalaya.
Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj — the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile since 1960 — occupy a unique place in India's cultural landscape. The fusion of Tibetan and Himachali culture here has created a remarkable small town: Buddhist temples alongside Hindu shrines, Tibetan momos alongside Himachali dham, and a constant flow of seekers, pilgrims, trekkers and travellers.
Destinations in Himachal Pradesh
← All of IndiaPractical Tips
For the valleys and towns (Manali, Shimla, Dharamsala): March–June and September–November. For Spiti: June–October only (passes close with winter snow). Kasol and Parvati Valley are best in May–June and September–October. Avoid Rohtang Pass and Spiti entirely Nov–May unless prepared for extreme conditions.
Shimla is 5 hours from Delhi by train (the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla railway is a UNESCO World Heritage route — take it). Manali is 14 hours by bus/car from Delhi via Chandigarh (or 1 hour by flight to Bhuntar near Kullu). For Dharamsala, fly to Gaggal Airport (55km away) or take the overnight Rajdhani to Pathankot and taxi up.
Spiti is accessible by two routes: the Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti route (350km, partly unpaved, stunning) or over Rohtang Pass via Manali-Kaza (195km, fully unpaved for most of Lahaul and Spiti). Both require permit for Inner Line areas (near the Tibetan/Chinese border) — obtainable at Rekong Peo or Kaza police stations.
McLeod Ganj operates on Tibetan time — things start late and the pace is genuinely different from the rest of India. Book in advance for the Tushita Meditation Centre's 10-day Introduction to Buddhism courses (among the best introductory Buddhist teaching programmes in the world). Audience with the Dalai Lama is possible on select public teaching days — check the official Dalai Lama website for dates.
Himachali cuisine is distinct and underappreciated — dham (a ceremonial feast of rice, dal, rajma, boor ki kadi and meetha bhat) is the state's defining meal, served at festivals and by specialist dhamis. In McLeod Ganj, the Tibetan food (momos, thukpa, tsampa porridge) is as authentic as anything outside Tibet. In Kasol, Israeli-influenced cafes are now a genuine Parvati Valley institution.
Planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh?
We've travelled here and love sharing honest, first-hand advice. Get in touch and we'll help you plan something extraordinary.
Ask Us Anything →