The name Himachal literally means a shawl of snow which is a perfectly apt description of this incredible state. The Himalayas pass through this northern state giving it a number of excellent peaks and exquisite valleys. A trip to Himachal Pradesh is going to reward you with some of the most incredible natural views that you have ever seen.
Himachal Pradesh is the playground for adventure lovers with its awesome landscape. Trekking, climbing, paragliding, rafting and skiing are just some of the exciting activities offered by the state. Yet, an adrenaline rush is not the only thing Himachal Pradesh is capable of. The culture of the state is just as fascinating as the landscape. The traditional culture of Himachal still flourishes amidst picturesque mountains. Villages perched on precariously on steep slopes enthrall you with the intricate architectures made from wood and stones.
Himachal Pradesh is the land of the hills stations with Shimla, Kullu and Manali vying for your attention. These amazing places charm you with their allure of the British era. Beautiful trails dot the landscape encouraging backpackers to get lost and find themselves in the magnificence of the Himalayan Mountains. The Tibetan influence is so strong that you may feel sometimes, you are in Tibet instead of India. Rich in Buddhist arts, many cities bear a remarkable similarity to Tibetan towns.
These varied aspects are the charm of the amazing state that is Himachal Pradesh. Stray away from the common path and you will discover something new at every corner.
Shimla opens up before as an interesting blend of a holiday resort and a hill town. Tourists throng the Mall while the bazaars are rife with local color. The beauty of the town has been preserved considerably thanks to the ban on cars in the central area. Walking around the town offers a unique charm as you enjoy the local views while doing so. Located in the foothills of the majestic Himalayas, Shimla certainly possesses a magnificent skyline. While walking down the Ridge, you can easily spot the glorious snowcapped peaks in the far distance if the sky is clear. You can even enjoy some quiet walks in the forested areas of Shimla. Numerous sights are present in and around Shimla for you to enjoy.
The Mall
The Ridge
Jakhoo Temple
Naldhera
Chail
Mashobra
Kufri
Hatkoti
Sankat Mochan
Narkanda
Fagu
Kaali Bari Temple
Tattapani
Cradled in the valley of the Ravi River, Chamba stands out as a princely district. The landscape of this wondrous town is dominated by the many palaces. These palaces are a reminder of the royal maharajas that once called the area their home. When visiting Chamba you should be ready to become fascinated with the multiple attractions the valley has to offer. Pristine streams, completive meadows, peaceful temples, fascinating paintings, quirky rumals and stunning lakes are some of the allures in Chamba. The snow covered peaks offers more than a beautiful background to marvel at. It is an invaluable barrier that had protected the monuments of the region from destruction at the hands of invaders. This has allowed the native arts to flourish in the region.
Pangi Valley
Khajjiar
Bhuri Singh Museum
Laxmi Narayan Temple Complex
In the lap of some muscular mountain slopes, a deep cleft is carved. This is the Sangla valley. The evergreen forests rise up to greet the alpine meadows while snow crowns the summits. The quaint villages in the Sangla valley offer some great opportunities to get lost within the natural beauty of the region. The Kinnauri style of architecture is quite common here. You can enjoy a couple of trekking spots which will reward you with some picturesque spots. Those aspiring to explore new places can start with the Kamru Fort. The Sangla uddhist Monastery offers a peaceful atmosphere for some quiet meditation ion the mountains.
Lahaul
Manali beckons from afar with the possibility of a scenic adventure in the midst of the glorious mountains. Manali commands some breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges. Mountains will call you from all directions while in the town.Manali is an incredible place with something to offer for everybody. While backpackers love the quaint villages surrounding the main city, adventure enthusiasts can partake of the numerous exciting activities. The romantic setting of the mountain city makes it a heaven for couples on their honeymoon. Vistas abound in Manali and you can take your pick from the many beautiful and enjoyable places here.
Hadimba Temple
Rohtang Pass
Solang Valley
Manu Temple
The Mountaineering Institute
Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temples
Keylong
Jagat Sukh
Dalhousie is one of those beautiful hill stations for which the British were responsible. It commands some excellent views of the distant mountain ranges. Close by, the deep valleys covered in pines will clamor for your attention. Dalhousie is a melting pot of different architectures. You will find modern hotels in the midst of the colonial era mansions. The crisp mountain air will beckon you to take a long walk in the pleasurable view of the hills. A trek through the enchanting forests of deodar, pine and oak is one of the activities that you must indulge in while staying at Dalhousie. The valleys of Beas, Chenab and Ravi are nearby and offer some spectacular sights to mesmerize your senses.
Subhash Baoli
Kalatop
Panjpulla
Satdhara
The valley of Spiti is separated from the Lahaul valley by the Kunzum Pass. Stepping into Spiti, you will feel that somebody has uprooted a chuck of Tibet and has placed it in India. The dreary landscape of the Spiti valley contains far flung villages. As you travel, these villages will appear like a dreamy mirage rising with their whitewashed homes in a spot of green fields. Monasteries perch on craggy outcrops. The rugged landscape is perfect for a grand adventure on a motorcycle. In spite of the harshness of the landscape, the Spiti valley is blessed with numerous species of animals including the illusive snow leopard. The ibex roam in the valley with the Musk deer for company. You also have the rare Himalayan Blue Sheep here along with the ferocious Himalayan Brown Bear.
The small size of the hill station of Kullu gives the lie to the adventures that you can indulge in. It is certainly scenic. However, unlike the serenity of Manali that lies close by, Kullu is a fairly boisterous city. The main source of this bustle lies in the thriving bazaar. You can get nearly everything at the bazaar. Kullu is often called the valley of the gods and it is easy to see why. It is a highly delightful place with all sorts of enjoyable activities to enjoy. You can start with the amazing valley of Kullu through which the River Beas flows. The sight of the river flowing rapidly as the beautiful valley stretches its arms on both sides is charming and entrancing at the same time. The vistas offered by Kullu are great and breathtaking.
Raghunathji Temple
The Great Himalayan National Park
Kaishdhar
Naggar
Manikaran
Katrain
Bajeshwar Mahadev Temple
In the extreme northwest region of Himachal Pradesh lies Kinnaur. Tibet surrounds it from the east. You may believe that there can be heaven on earth if you visit Kinnaur. Three mountain ranges and a number of river valleys create the enthralling place called Kinnaur. The three mountain ranges of the Greater Himalayas, Dhauladhar and Zanskar are gigantic and hang over Kinnaur like a magnificent backdrop of a painting. The rivers, Baspa, Spiti and Sutlej along with their tributaries combine to create some strikingly spectacular valleys. Thick woods cover the rolling slopes of Kinnaur along with some nice orchards and picture perfect hamlets. The beauty of Kinnaur has given rise to a rich heritage and culture in the area. The people have strong connections with their traditions and customs. Many of the serene monasteries of the area are thousands of years old. The landscape of the region has also made Kinnaur a great place to indulge in some exciting adventure sports.
Kothi
Kunzam Pass
The serenity of Dharamshala makes it the perfect location for the Dalai Lama to have his home. The exiled Tibetan government has made its home in Upper Dharamshala. Walking towards Upper Dharamshala, you can actually see and feel the change in the atmosphere as you seemingly walk into a different country. Spirituality covers Dharamshala like a blanket and it is easy to get lost in the Tibetan landscape. You may even stop feeling that you are in India thanks to the huge influx of Tibetan immigrants in the area.
McLeodGanj
St. John’s Church
Baijnath Shiv Temple
Kunal Pathri
Kalpa is a like a little gem in the midst of the vast mountainous landscape. As you travel towards it by the winding road, the stunning views of the majestic mountains will take your breath away. The small village has some serious connections with Hindu mythology. None other than Lord Shiva had his winter home in Kalpa. This has certainly given rise to some beautiful temples in the place. Additionally, you will an exquisitely colorful gompa called the Samdrup Choeling Gompa. Among the temples, the Narayan-Nagini temple complex is worth a visit. This temple complex has been styled according to the Kinnauri fashion and features some remarkable ornate carvings
