The Queen of Hills, Himachal Pradesh, is a northern Indian state in the beautiful Himalayas, with Shimla being its capital and Dharamshala being its winter capital. This astonishing destination is a haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Be it the picturesque places, adventure sports, winter sports, festivities or scrumptious food, Himachal has something stored for every kind of traveller. Each season has something different lined up for the visitors, so one can plan a vacation here accordingly. If you are planning to spend your next vacation in this wonderful destination, then you can either reach here by air, rail or even by road easily as per your convenience.
The Manali-Leh National Highway is renowned for being the highest motorable road in the world. Motorcycle enthusiasts flood the National Highway during summer for its surreal landscapes. A destination for all seasons and all reasons, Himachal boasts a marvellous mountain town, traditional hill stations, honeymoon-worthy resorts and a plethora of outdoor adventures, majestic forts, palaces, and monasteries, which holds immense historical importance. So why not head towards this destination on your next vacation? So just pack your bags and explore this place that exudes an old-world charm.
A sneak peek into the rich culture of Himachal
The beauty of the culture of Himachal lies in its simplicity. This state is a place where different religions are followed and yes the different languages are spoken. Himachal Pradesh is a multi-regional, multicultural, multilingual state, like most of the other Indian states. Known for their colourful dresses and distinguished physical features, the Himachalis exhibit a very warm and friendly nature. The majority of the people of Himachal are Hindu, and other inhabitants include Buddhists. Most of the population is dependent on agriculture for survival. Keeping their age-old customs and traditions, the Himachalis are proud of their rich cultural heritage.
The grand fairs and festivals here have their unique charm and proudly showcase the rich cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. During the festive season, the Himachalis wear colourful dresses and elegant jewellery too. No celebration is complete without the traditional dance and music. Different regions have their folk dance, but folk music is popular among all the Himachalis. Rakshasa dance, the Kayang dance, the Bakayang dance, Rasa dance and the Jhoor dance are the popular dance forms of Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful Himachal Pradesh is also known for the pretty handicraft items like Pashmina shawls. Be it carpets, leather works, shawls, paintings, metalware, and woodwork, all are evocative of the rich culture of Himachal. So, a trip to Himachal Pradesh will let you discover a complete blend of its modern and rich culture.
Exotic destinations that will leave you speechless
Himachal has always been a paradise for backpackers who have a strong fondness for hills and wilderness. The state’s snow-capped mountains not only mesmerise backpackers and solo travellers but also attract honeymooners and families to explore the awe-inspiring Himalayan ranges. So, just indulge in the tranquillity of the captivating landscapes and add some of the interesting places to your Himachal tour itinerary for an unforgettable vacation. Shimla- the summer capital of the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh, is truly one of the exotic destinations in Himachal. Visit this serene place to capture some enchanting views of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges, the pristine lakes and the rich greenery around. The Ridge, Jakhoo Hill, Mall Road, Arki fort, Daranghati sanctuary, and Summer Hill are some amazing places to explore in the beautiful Shimla. Kullu- make sure to head towards one of the most frequented tourist destinations, the Valley of the Gods, Kullu. It is situated on the banks of the river Beas. Add some amazing places here to your tour itinerary- Basheshwar Mahadev temple, Sultanpur Palace, Parvati valley, the Great Himalayan National Park, Bijli Mahadev Temple, Bhrigu Lake, and Manikaran for an amazing experience. Manali- plan a trip to Manali and get ready to capture some of the astonishing views of the snow-capped mountains and explore some of the superb places located here- Rohtang Pass, Solang valley, Hadimba Devi temple, Vashisht Hot water springs, Tibetan monasteries, Manu temple and Beas river. Dharamshala- labelled as the Scotland of India, Dharamshala is one of the perfect places for a vacation. The snow-clad mountains on three sides and the valley on one side make this place the most picturesque one. Visit some of the top attractions here- Tsuglagkhang complex, Namgyal monastery, Masrur, Kereri lake, Gyuto Monastery, Kangra Museum, Kangra Fort, and Dal Lake.
Some Premier adventure activities to make your vacation a memorable one
Along with the pretty landscapes and picturesque beauty, Himachal Pradesh also offers some thrilling adventure sports. Tourists flock here every year to enjoy the diversity of adventure sports. Here are some of the interesting activities one can indulge in: Trekking- one of the best and most interesting things to do is trekking. The state is blessed with marvellous mountains. Head towards the serene Spiti valley for trekking. Numerous paths are travelling through thick forests that are surrounded by snow-clad mountains and rivulets. The tranquil, picturesque landscape is sure to offer you a fantastic trekking experience. River Rafting is one of the most thrilling and perfect adventures for adventure enthusiasts. Rafting through rough rapids surrounded by tall pine forests, snow-capped peaks and blooming rhododendrons is a memorable experience in itself. Satluj River, Chenab River and Beas River are fantastic rivers for river rafting. Another exotic thing to do is Camping. It is a very popular outdoor activity where the campers spend some time in the lap of nature. Just fix your tent, stay among the peaceful surroundings,and experience the charm of nature. Enjoy some camping activities too, like water activities, aqua zorbing, and some other interesting activities too. Lahaul, Kinnaur, Spiti, Dalhousie, Manali and Kullu are some amazing places for camping. Ice Skiing- skiing in the beautiful Himachal is yet another amazing adventure activity to enjoy. The slopes of the Himalayas, including- PirPanjal, and Shivalik, are ideal for ice skiing. Head towards these locations from mid-December to February when there is snowfall.
Get drenched in the serenity and tranquillity of the revered temples in Himachal
Himachal Pradesh is rightly labelled as the Land of God as it has a very rich mythological past and thus is home to several elegant temples that flaunt magnificent architecture. The state witnesses several devotees from all corners of the world, paying a visit to the revered temples. The sacred shrines here narrate many interesting tales that undoubtedly attract tourists to pay a visit to these temples. Here are some of the most famous temples in Himachal that one can add to their tour itinerary: Tara Devi temple- This is a 250-year-old temple located in the beautiful Shimla and is devoted to the goddess Tara. Her idol is made of Ashtadhatu- a blend of eight elements. This is one of the historical temples in Himachal Pradesh. Make sure to visit at the time of Navratri and Ahtami when the processions are held. Jakhoo Temple- Jakhoo Temple is one of the major tourist attractions and is a mythological wonder. This temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman and is located at a height of 2455m above sea level. As per the legends, Lord Hanuman rested here when he flew to collect the Sanjeevani Booti for Lakshman. This temple has the largest statue of Lord Hanuman. One can witness numerous monkeys here, as it is home to monkeys. Hadimba Temple is situated between the snow-covered mountain peaks of Manali and is a rendition of the goddess Hadimba. This temple is built entirely out of wood and wooden carvings. Make sure to pay a visit during the Dhungri festival and enjoy the local festivities and Kullu Natto dance and processions. Vashisht temple is one of the most popular temples among the pilgrims and is known for having a natural hot spring. This temple is around 4000 years old and is devoted to the sage Vashisht, who once came here and meditated. The temple has a separate bathing zone for both men and women. Himachal is also home to many fantastic monasteries and Gompas. Key Monastery in Lahaul and Spiti, Tabo monastery of Spiti valley, and Bon Monastery located in Solan district are some of the most popular monasteries in Himachal. A great spiritual centre with clear fresh air, peace and calmness makes Himachal an ideal place to seek the blessings of the divine.
Get ready for a thrilling wildlife tour at some amazing sanctuaries in Himachal
The national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal are a paradise for wildlife lovers. The national parks are home to endangered wildlife species and offer fantastic, captivating views of the snow-capped mountains. One can spot animals like- Musk Deer, black bear, brown bear, leopards and Sambhars and other animals too. The dense forests and lush green environments give a delightful experience to the tourists. So, plan a trip to the beautiful Himachal Pradesh to explore some of the exotic wildlife sanctuaries. Great Himalayan National Park- it is one of the most unique and very famous national parks and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, located in Kullu. Witness a wide variety of wildlife species of Western Himalayas like- musk deer, goral, leopard/snow leopard, Bharal, brown bear, Kolkas, snow cock and some other wildlife species too. Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary- a very beautiful wildlife sanctuary located in the beautiful Kangra. Spot some of the finest wildlife species like- Himalayan Ibex, flying fox, Indian hare, Leopard, striped hyena and some other species too. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary- a very famous wildlife sanctuary situated between Dalhousie and Khajjiar. Spot some wildlife species here like- Himalayan serow, deer, leopard, Jackal, Black bear, Langur, Himalayan black marten and several other species too. Head towards the Himalayan wildlife zoo at Kufri in Shimla to witness the snow leopard, snow bear, Tibetan snow-cock, Himalayan snow-cock, blue magpie and Himalayan vulture. Pin Valley National Park- this amazing national park is situated in the cold desert biosphere reserve, in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. This national park is home to the rare species of famous Himalayan snow leopards, Ibex and some other wildlife species too. Inderkilla National Park- This national park is considered to be one of the least explored national parks in India. This park has a narrow trail passing through the heart of it, which one can cover to spot animals and plants in their natural habitat. The national park is home to several species of domestic and foreign flora and fauna and boasts of flourishing rich wildlife. Visit some other wildlife sanctuaries like Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary and Manali Sanctuary to experience the rich wildlife of Himachal Pradesh.
A shopper’s paradise- Himachal
Known for its thrilling adventure activities, scenic places, and amazing landscapes, Himachal Pradesh is truly a shopper’s paradise. Just stroll in the marketplaces of Himachal and grab some beautiful items that will remind you of the serenity of Himachal Pradesh. Be it pretty paintings, Himachali caps, artistic woollen shawls, carpets, Handicrafts, Tibetan carpets, handicrafts, metalworks, woodworks, beautiful, elegant jewellery or bangles or the handkerchief of Chamba or the beautiful shawls of Chamba, this state has something or the other stored for the shopaholics. One fond of Tibetan jewellery can buy from the shops of Manali, Shimla, and Dharmshala, that has a variety of anklets, neckpieces, amulets, rings and many more items too. Also visit the Tibetan market in Dalhousie for some Kashmiri handicrafts, and a good variety of copper and silver Diyas. Some of the amazing markets to explore are- Lakkar Bazar- Shimla, Kotwali Bazaar- Dharamshala, the Mall Road-Manali, and Himachal Emporium- Chamba.
The Lip-smacking and Savoury food of Himachal
Himachal Pradesh is one such state that is not only renowned for its snow-capped mountains, rich green valleys, scenic places, sacred temples and monasteries, but it is also popular among tourists for its lip-smacking cuisine. The food culture here is defined by an amalgamation of different kinds of cuisines from across India. Himachali or Pahari cuisine has a unique aroma. The Himachali dishes have a lot of influence from Punjabi as well as Tibetan style of food. Several restaurants in Himachal serve authentic Pahari food that one can relish. So on your trip to Himachal, do not miss trying some amazing food that will surely be going to make your day. Babru, Kullu trout fish, KalleChanne ka Khatta, Dham, Madra, Chha Gosht and Tibetan dishes are some famous foods one can try during their vacation in Himachal.