Himachal Pradesh

Location
Himachal Pradesh, its name means the land covered with snow, extends from the
latitudes 30°22'40" North to 33°12'40" North and longitudes 75°45' 55" East to 79°04'
20" East.
Himachal Pradesh is bordered by Punjab to the west, Uttar Pradesh to the southeast,
China to the east, Haryana to the southeast, and Jammu and Kashmir to the North.

Climate
The climate of Himachal Pradesh, depending on the altitude, varies at different places
from semi tropical to semi arctic. Winters (October to February) are very severe and
heavy snowfall is recorded during this season. April to June is delightful and comfortable
at the higher altitudes. July to September is the time for rainfall and the entire region
becomes green and fresh with streams swelling and springs replenished.

Best Time to Visit

Summer - April to June - is the best time to visit. The weather is mild and days are long,
ideal for mountaineering or enjoying an idyllic nature walk.

Important places to Visit

Kalka Shimla Train Route: Kalka and Shimla are located just north of Chandigarh, in
India's mountainous northern state of Himachal Pradesh. The captivating train route
connects both places. It runs for 96 kilometers (60 miles) though 20 railway stations,
102 tunnels, 800 bridges, and an incredible 900 curves. The longest tunnel, which
stretches for more than a kilometer, is near the main railway station at Barog. The
train's speed is greatly restricted by the steep gradient that it has to climb, but this
allows for plenty of fascinating sightseeing along the way.
241 Shivalik Deluxe Express -- is timed to connect with the Howrah-Kalka Mail train,
which comes from Kolkata via Delhi. It departs Kalka at 5.30 am and arrives in Shimla at
10.15 am It's recommended to book tickets as early as possible (up to 90 days in
advance), especially during the summer months from April to June. Fare 280 rupees one
way.
Rail Motor Car -- departs Kalka at 5.10 am and arrives Shimla at 9.35 am. Fare 247
rupees one way.

Shimla: the capital of Himachal Pradesh and one of India's most famous hill stations,
derives its name from Goddess Shyamala, an incarnation of Goddess Kali, the deity of
power and wrath. However, unlike its name, Shimla is a perfect heaven for those in
search of tranquillity. Nature has blessed this capital city with innumerable gifts and man
has used them to make Shimla one of India's best destinations.

• Kamna Devi Temple

• The Glen
• Anadale
• Chail
• Chindi (2010 m)
• Tattapani (680 m)
• Naldhera (2044 m)
• Craignano (2149 m)
• Mahsobra (2148 m)
• Hatkoti (1400 m)
• Kharapathhar (2673 m)
• Sarahan (1950 m)
• Rampur ( 924 m)
• Kotgarh (1830 m)
 • Narkanda (2708 m)
• Fagu (2450 m)
• Tara Devi (1851 m)
• Sankat Mochan (1975 m)
• Chadwick Falls (1586 m)
• Summer hill (1983 m)
• Prospect hill
• Indian Institute of Advanced Study - Viceregal Lodge
• State museum
• Jakhoo Temple
• Kaali Bari temple
• The Mall
• The Ridge

Dharamshala: Set against the magnificent backdrop of the towering Dhauladhar

ranges, which rise up to more than 4,000 meters, Dharamshala, which literally means
'the Holy Refuge', lies perched up on the high slopes in the upper reaches of the Kangra
valley. Founded in 1855, it is one of the 80 hill resorts developed in the seventeenth
century by the British to beat the heat and dust of the sweltering plains. Today, it is
famous as the abode of the Dalai Lama and is known throughout the world as the Little
Lhasa, because of the large number of Tibetans and their 'Government in Exile', which is
headquartered here.

• Pragpur
• Taragarh Palace Hotel
• Bir and Billing
• Chamunda Devi temple
• Andreta
• Palampur
• Baijnath Shiv Temple
• War memorial
• Masroor rock cut temples
• Nurpur
• Trilokpur
• Dehra gopipur
• Kareri
• Jawalamukhi temple
• Kunal pathri
• Triund (2975 m)
• Dharamkot
• Dal lake
• St. John's church
• Bhagsunag falls
• Mcleod Ganj
• Maharana Pratap Sagar
• Kangra Fort
• Kangra town
• Baijnath temple
• Bajreshwari Devi temple

Kangra: The small town of Kangra was the capital of the erstwhile rulers of the Chand
dynasty. It is set amongst the picturesque settings of the Kangra valley at the foothills of
the majestic Dhauladhar range. The area around Kangra is known for its ancient temples
and picturesque surroundings, which attract tourists.
Kullu: "Surely the Gods live here; this is no place for men", wrote Rudyard Kipling of
Kullu, India's valley of the gods. Located in the charming Kullu valley in Himachal
Pradesh and set amongst the lower reaches of the mighty Himalayas, the small town of
Kullu is famous for its temples, apple orchards, and the annual Dussehra festival, all of
which attract hordes of tourists. Kullu is also known for its handicrafts. Beyond the
town's perimeter loom the magnificent greater Himalayas and the silver valley bisected
by the Beas River.

Manali: One of the most beautiful hill stations of the country, Manali is basically a small
town in the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh. Termed sometimes as the cradle between
the lesser Himalayas, Manali is extremely popular with tourists for its lavish display of
unspoilt natural beauty. Rich in its scenic splendour, Manali draws a good number of
tourists from within the country and abroad every year.

• Arjun Gufa
• Jagat sukh
• Rahala water falls
• Rohtang pass
• Kothi
• Nehru kund
• Solang valley
• Vashist hot water springs and temples
• Mountaineering Institute, Manali
• Tibetan monasteries
• Club house
• Manu temple
• Hidimba temple
• Great Himalayan National Park
• Manali sanctury

Manali to Spiti -- the distance from Manali to Spiti is a little over 200 kilometres (125
miles). It can be covered in 8-12 hours. It's best to leave Manali as early in the
morning as possible, to avoid traffic congestion and delays at Rohtang Pass.

Rohtang Pass: A few kilometres away from Manali, this is a site where one can view
the most drastic of landscape variances. On one side, the lush green head of the Kullu
Valley; to the other, an awesome vista of bare, brown mountains, hanging glaciers and
snowfields that dazzle in the crisp daylight. It is in the district of Lahaul and Spiti -a
place untouched by time. The tough terrain means that not too many tourists venture
into this region, thus helping the virginal landscapes and simple people retain their
lifestyle with its native charm. Rohtang Pass is the gateway to the Lahaul Valley from
Manali and the Kullu Valley.

Lahaul and Spiti: These are two remote Himalayan Valleys of H.P. lying on the Indo-
Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are unsurpassed in mountain
scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendour of their snow
covered peaks. Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and
massive glaciers. The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga which rise on either side of the
Baralacha La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of
fascinating Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories
of ancient murals, thankas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava. The
valley lies at a height of 2745 metres above sea level. Keylong is 115 kms from Manali
and is the District Headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti District.

• Udaipur
 • Triloknath temple
• Shansha
• Sarchoo
• Baralacha La
• Darcha
• Gemur
• Jispa
• Koksar (3140 m)
• Sissu (3120 m)
• Tayul Gompa (3900 m)
• Shahshur monastery
• Kardang Monaestry (3500 m)
• Keylong
• Guru Ghantal Monastery
• Tandi
• Gondla (3160 m)

Spiti: ‘A world within a world' as described by Rudyard Kipling (of ‘Kim' fame) - is a
relatively unknown world, tucked away in the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh.
Reaching for the skies at average (valley floor) altitudes of 3600 mts, this peculiar geo-
climatic cold desert region borders Tibet in the east and Ladakh in the north. Its
immediate neighbours are Ladakh, Tibet, Kinnaur & Kullu. Spanning an area of
approximately 8000 sq km Spiti is home to a purely homogenous Buddhist Society of
just over 10,000, who bear stark cultural similarities with their neighbours in Tibet &
Ladakh. Kunzam Pass, at 4,551 meters (14,931 feet) above sea level, is the gateway to
the Spiti Valley from the Lahaul Valley.

• Chander tal
• Kibber
• Komic
• Kaza
• Losar
• Kunzum pass
• Dhankar monastery
• Kungri Gompa
• Thang Yug Gompa

Kinnaur: Lulled by the sweet folk songs of the Kinnauri women, the valley of Kinnaur
provides a calm sojourn to all tourists, young and old. While the youthful and the daring
try to conquer the hilltops with their trekking expeditions, the more laid-back traveller
can savour the delights of the tranquil mountains amidst the bounties of nature. Kinnaur,
with its colourful and hospitable population, can be an absolute delight for the ones who
admire the highlands. This land of fairytales and fantasies has a breathtaking terrain of
lush green valleys, orchards, vineyards, snow-clad peaks and cold desert mountains.

• Kinner Kailash
• Sumdo Kaurik
• Nako (3662 m)
• Morang (2591 m)
• Chango (3058 m)
• Lippa (2438 m)
• Leo
• Ribba (2745 m)
• Rakchham (2900 m)
 • Puh
• Kothi
• Nichar (2150 m)
• Chitkul (3450 m)
• Sangla valley
• Kalpa (2759 m)
• Recong Peo (2670 m)

Chamba: The small town of Chamba is located in a picturesque valley, amidst the
Shivalik ranges and is famous for its medieval temples. The architecture of the temples
of Chamba reflects the glory of its erstwhile rulers. It is also known for its local festivals.

Dalhousie: Compared to other hill stations, Dalhousie, 80 winding kilometers from

Pathankot, is markedly different and as yet unexplored. Spread over five hills, Dalhousie
has a serenity of its own. Attractive cottages and villas cling to the deodar and pine
mantled hills of Dalhousie, while pink and red rhododendrons bloom and trees stand tall
in different shades of green.

• Khajjiar

• Kalatop
• Manimahesh

Khajjiar: A small grassy meadow located in the picturesque Chamba valley. It is a

popular picnic spot whose quiet environs beckon the tourists traveling between
Dalhousie and Chamba. The stopover at Khajjiar is a welcome break for the weary
tourists.

Kufri: A tiny hill station located near Shimla. It is famous for its trekking and hiking
trails. Adventure-seeking travellers throng Kufri in winters to enjoy skiing and
tobogganing along its snow-covered slopes. Kufri is also famous for its nature parks and
picnic spots. Kufri's proximity to the hill station of Shimla makes it an important place on
the tourist circuit of the state.

Mandi: This district comprises of two princely states of Mandi and Suket. The district
takes its name from the principal town Mandi in keeping with the general pattern of the
hill states. Situated on the left bank of the river Beas, Mandi town is almost in the centre
of Himachal Pradesh in the foothills of the Shivalik ranges. At one time the former state
of Mandi had an imposing array of forts, 360 in all. However, time has taken its toll and
now only about 10 are left.

Chail: This is a place where time stands still. Nature is at her exuberant best and words
like pollution and deforestation have never entered the dictionary of a person living in
Chail. It is place worth a visit if one wants to enjoy fresh, crisp dawns and soft, quiet
dusks in the lap of nature.