Sightseeing in Himachal

Chamba : - Chamba, the land of antiquity, art and scenic beauty, is a wonder in itself for every visitor. Situated at the height of 996 m. above sea level on the south bank of the Ravi River, the ancient Pahari capital was founded in 920 A.D. by Raja Sahil Verma, who named it after his favourite daughter Champavati

Chail : - Located at a height of 2250 metres Chail is one of the smallest Himalayan hill resorts. When Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, was expelled from Shimla, he decided to create his own summer capital, which was Chail.

Dalhousie - is a quiet town, with a sense of enchantment. This hill station spreads over five low-level hills at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range, just east of the Ravi River. The picturesque town is interspersed with the colonial-era buildings,


Dharamsala : - Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Dhauladhar mountains, Dharamsala is perched on the high slopes in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. The town is divided into two distinct and widely separated sections, Upper and Lower Dharamsala, which differ almost a thousand metres in height


Kasauli - is a quaint little town that seems to exist in a time wrap of an era that reminds one of the 19th century. Its colonial ambience is reinforced by cobbled paths, quaint shops, gabled houses with charming facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards. Mixed forests of chir-pine, Himalayan oak and huge horse chestnuts surround Kasauli. Its narrow road slither up and down the hillsides and offer some magnificent vistas.

Kinnaur - is situated on the Indo Tibetan border. It is bordered by Tibet to the East and Garhwal, Himalyas to the South. This stunning place is at a distance of 200km from Shimla. It houses the river Satluj that flows through the high mountains. The river rises on the southern slopes of Kailash Mountain, near Mansarovar in Tibet and passes through the Kinnaur valley

Kullu - Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled 'Silver Valley'. The town of Kullu has long been a centre of faith. In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh installed here an idol of Lord Raghunathji, which he brought from Ayodhya. As a mark of his penance, he placed the idol on his throne and it became the presiding deity of the valley


Manali :- The Kullu valley has an ancient town in its lap called Manali. Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.


Mandi : -Built along the Beas river is the historic town of Mandi, the gateway to the Kullu valley . Literally meaning market, Mandi was on the salt route to Tibet. This place offers better option to break journey to the Kullu valley . A district headquarter, Mandi is also renowned for its 81 old stone temples with exquisite carvings, thereby earning it the title of 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town also has some remains of old palaces and notable


Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India. Set on the rising slopes of Kangra Valley before they merge with the Dhauladhar ranges. But tea is just one aspect that makes Palampur a special resort. Abundance of water and proximity to the mountains has endowed it with mild climate. The town has derived its name from the local word "pulum', meaning lots of water.

Parwanoo : - Along the National Highway No.22, as one cross the state border of Haryana into Himachal, there comes the town of Parwanoo. A couple of decades ago, this was a sleepy little village but today, it is a pulsating industrial town.


Solan : - Blessed with a pleasant climate all the year round, Solan is the district headquarters of Mashru, another city established by the British, is named after the Goddess, Soloni Devi, whose temple is located in the southern end of the town. Solan also remained capital of east, while Bhagat State for many years.


Shimla : The British empire may have ceased to exit, but its echoes linger on in Shimla (2205). As the 'summer capital' of the British in India, this was the country's focus for the better part of every year and now, it is state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Today, it has well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of India's most popular hill resort. Placed in the lower ranges of the Himalaya mountains, it is surrounded by pine deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Towards the north lie the snow-covered high-ranges, while the valleys breathe whispering streams and swaying fields.

Important Trek routes: Rohru - Chanshal - Dodrakwar - Rupin - Sangla; Sangla - Badrinath; Jalori pass; Chandrakhani - Pass (Kullu Manali - Chandratal Manali - Parvati valley Dharamsala - Triuns - Chamba Bharmour - Manimahesh Chamba - Kullar over Sach pass; Bharmour - Baijnath; Bharmour - Lahaul; Chandratal; Barashigri glacier; Kinner - Kailash Bhaba - Pin Valley.

Skiing and Ice Skating: (January to March) Solang Nalla (Manali) Narkanda and Rohtang Pass. Ice Skating Shimla, Heli-skiing Manali.

River Rafting: In Sutlej, Beas and Chenab rivers, Shamshi (Kullu), Tattapani, Rampur and Jispa. (Lahaul)

Para-gliding & Hang-gliding: Bir, Manali, Bilaspur and Rohru

Lake sports: Gobindsagar (Bilaspur) Pongdam (Kangra)

Fishing: Rohru, Sangla, Sainj, Katrain, Barot for trout fishing

Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries: Great Himalayan National Park Parvati Valley, Kullu. High altitude Pin valley National park, Spiti. Renuka Sanctuary, Pongdam Sanctuary, Sarahan Phasentry, Kufri and Gopalpur zoo.

Lakes and Rivers: Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, Yamuna, Pabbar, Giri, Parvati, Baspa

Lakes: Prashar, Khajjiar, Renuka, Gobindsagar, Dal, Pongdam, Pandoh, Manimahesh, Brighu, Chandratal.

Temples: Jwalamukhi, Chamunda, Brajeshwari, Chintpurni, Baijnath, Laxminarayan, Chaurasi, Chhatrari, Taranadevi, Rewalsar, Raghunath, Bijlimahadev, Dhungri, Bhimakali, Hatkoti Jakhoo, Sankatmochan, Kalibari, Nainadevi and Baba balak nath, Deothsidh.

Buddhist Monasteries: Dharamsala Tashizong, Rewalsar, Manali, Kardang, Sashur, Key, Dhankar, Tabo, Nako, Pooh, Kanam, Jangi, Murang, Ribba, Reckongpeo.

Sikh Pilgrimage Centres: Paonta Sahib, Rewalsar and Manikaran.

Churches: Christ Church Kasauli, Christ Church Shimla, St. Johns Church, Mecleodgang, St. Francis Dalhousie.

Fairs: Winter Carnival Manali, (Feb.) Mandi, Shivratri (March), Ladarcha fair, Spiti, (July) Minjar fair, Chamba, Manimahesh fair, Bharmour and Tribal Festival, Keylong (August) Phulech (festival of flowers), Kinnaur (Sept.) Kullu Dushera (October), Lavi fair, Rampur (Nov.), Renuka fair, (Nov.) Ice Skating Carnival, (Dec.).

Heritage Monuments: Kangra fort, Taragarh, Rampur, Nalagarh, Arki and Jubbal palaces, Bhimakali Temple, Naggar Castle, Kamru fort, Gondla fort (Lahaul Vice regal lodge, Christ Church, Chapslee, Wood villa palace, Chail Palace.