The northern Indian state Himachal Pradesh is synonymous to scenic beauty, adventure sports in the snow clad mountains and serene landscape. The state also acts as host to the Buddhist Spiritual leader Dalai Lama, so Buddhist and Tibetans from all over the world flock to this place to seek spiritual guidance. The Himachal Pradesh Package is exciting for the nature lovers as well as for those who want to embark on a religious tourism. The state is situated on the Western Himalayan Range. There are many scenic places in this state like Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Khajjiar, etc.
How to reach Himachal Pradesh
Since Himachal Pradesh has a hilly terrain, the rail and air transport facilities are not well developed in this state. But the road link is quite developed.
• By Road
The beautiful hilly state Himachal Pradesh is well connected by road from all the major cities in the country. The national capital New Delhi is well 343 km away from Shimla via the NH5 and NH44. State and private coaches regularly ply from the Anand Vihar and Maharana Pratap Interstate bus terminal of Delhi. Beside this, Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab is only 113km away from Shimla. You can book a private car to reach here from Chandigarh.
• By Rail
The nearest rail terminus is Kalka, which is 90km from Shimla. Kalka is connected to Ambala by a narrow gauge line.
• By Air
For the tourist who wishes to visit Shimla from abroad, the nearest International Airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi. The tourist from all over India can avail the Chandigarh Airport to reach Shimla. There is also a Jubbarhatti Airport, just 22 km from Shimla.
Best Time to Visit Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh can be visited in both the summer as well as winter. The summers are very pleasant in this state. The temperature hovers between 22° Celsius to 37° Celsius. The summer months are from March to June. You can escape the scorching heat of the plains by visiting this place during summer. The adventure sports like trekking, hot air balloons, and the water sports can be availed during the summer months.
The winter months are from November to February. During this time the temperature ranges between 0° Celsius to 15° Celsius. During this time the snow clad mountains, trees, and the streets offer a romantic view to the tourists. Though there may be some road blockages during this time due to heavy snowfall.
Important Places to Visit
There are many scenic places in Himachal Pradesh which offers a breathtaking view of the Western Himalayas. The snow clad mountains, the early morning sunshine through the hills, the flora and the fauna of the places give rise to a unique romanticism in every man’s mind. Here are a few places in Himachal Pradesh which are worth visiting.
Shimla
Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the most scenic and romantic way to visit this place is by availing the toy-train ride. The nearest railway station is Kalka. You can also take a road trip from Delhi to reach Shimla. The place is also known as the Queen of Hills. Here you can visit the Town Hall, Gaiety Theatre, Viceregal Lodge, Christ Church, etc. The place showcases some of the best colonial-era architecture of the country. You can also trek along the Jakhu hills to visit the famous Lord Hanuman temple. Do not miss out the ample shopping experience from the local bazaar of Shimla. They are famous for local handicrafts and woollen wears. The best time to visit Shimla is between May- July, and November to January.
Kullu-Manali
Kullu-Manali is also a very beautiful and serene place in Himachal Pradesh. It is second only to Shimla in terms of popularity. The place can be accessed by road from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla. Manali is situated at an altitude of 2050m and is famous for the lush pine trees, snow-covered mountains, ancient temples and Tibetan monasteries and the scenic meadows. If you like snowfall then November to January is the best time to visit this beautiful place otherwise you can take a break from the summer heat in May-July. Kullu-Manali is famous for adventure sports in the Solang valley and the Manali bird sanctuary.
Kasauli
Kasauli is one of the most popular and scenic places in Himachal Pradesh. The town is situated at an elevation of 1900m and the undulated air, serene and peaceful vibes of this place makes it a must-see place in Himachal Pradesh. You can visit the Baptist Church, Nahri temple, Monkey Point, Kasauli Brewery and Kasauli Club here. The best time to visit this place is from November to March and it is just a 70km drive from Chandigarh.
Dharamshala
Dharamshala is the cultural melting point which is nestled in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. It is surrounded by the snow-clad Dhauladhar Mountains and thick deodar forest and lush pine trees. The nearest railway station is Pathankot, which is 85 kilometers away. The place is famous for extensive multicultural Indian and Tibetan communities. Here you can visit the Lama Temple, Kangra Fort, Bhagsu falls, Bhagsunath Temple or take a boat ride in Dal Lake. May to July is the ideal time to visit Dharamshala.
So, these were, in brief, a few important places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Pradesh Package would definitely be a lifetime experience for the nature lovers and the adventure lovers. So, take your next beak in Himachal Pradesh.
