Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is totally a mountain state and a delight for the visitors, particularly during the summer season when people flock to this tiny hill station to escape the scorching heat of the plains. It came into being in its present form with the partition of the Punjab into Punjab and Haryana in 1966. High points of Himachal are as follows. The winding roads and high passes link its high mountains and valleys. While the picturesque valleys of Kullu and Kangra are a blend of colors. In marked contrast the stark and barren terrain of Lahaul and Spiti have a stunning lunar and scape like beauty.

Shimla

In the days before independence, Shimla was the most important British hill station, and in the summer season became the summer capital. The British in 1819A.D first discovered Shimla, but it was not until 1822 A.D that the first permanent house was erected and not until many years later that Shimla became the summer capital. The name Shimla is derived from the Himalayan Goddess Shamla a synonym of Kali.

Area: 18 sq. km.
Altitude: 2,213 meters
Climate: (deg C)--Summer- Max.27, Min.14.5, Winter- Max.16.5, Min.5.2
Clothing: Summer - Light woollens, winter - Heavy woolens
Best Season: April to Mid-July, Mid-September to Mid-November
Languages spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English.

Places Of Interest:
Jakhoo Hill, Glen, Summer Hill, Chadwick Falls, Zoo, Navbahar, Sanket Mochen, Tara Devi Temple, Institute of Advance Studies, Aviary at Old Raj Bhavan, Tibetan Monastery, Dhengu Mata Temple.

Excursions:
Naldhera- 23 kms, Tattapani- 43 kms, Wildflower Hall-13 kms, Mashobra- 13 kms, Craignano-16 kms, Fruit Research Station- 08 kms, Kufri- 16 kms, Indira Holiday Home- 18 kms, Chail- 43 kms, Barog- 55 kms, Kasauli– 77 kms, Kiarighat - 23 kms, Solan- 48 kms, Bon Monastery Uohghat- 61 kms, Fagu - 22 kms, Narkanda- 64 kms, Kotgarh- 82 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Kullu- 23 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Kalka- 90 kms.
By Road: Chandigarh- 117 kms, Kullu- 220 kms, Manali- 260 kms, Delhi- 343 kms, Pathankot- 380 kms, Ambala- 151 kms, Chail- 43 kms, Dehradun- 240 kms etc.

Dalhousie

Dalhousie is named after the British Governor – General of the 19th century Lord Dalhousie. The town’s height varies between 1525m and 2378m and is surrounded by varied vegetation. Dalhousie has charming colonial architecture, including some beautiful churches. The spectacular snow-covered Dhauladhar Mountains are also visible from this enchanting town.

Area: 13 sq. km.
Altitude: 2036 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer - Max 23.5, Min 15.5, Winter - Max 10, Min 1
Clothing: Summer - Light woollens, Winter - Heavy woolens
Best season: April to November
Languages spoken: Pahari, Hindi, English.

Places Of Interest:
Panjpulla, Subhash Baoli & Jandri Ghat, The Round, Dainkund, Khajjiar, Kalatop Wild Life Sanctuary.

Excursions:
Kugti Wild Life Sanctuary- 35 kms, Tundah Wild Life Sanctuary- 45 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Amritsar- 118 kms & Jammu- 188 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Pathankot- 80 kms.
By Road: Amritsar- 188 kms, Jalandhar- 192 kms, Pathankot- 80 kms, Chamba- 56 kms, Manali- 402 kms, Delhi- 563 kms, Chandigarh- 352 kms, Dharamshala- 143 kms, Khajjiar- 27 kms, Jammu-188 kms.

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.

Chamba valley is noted for the magnificence of it's scenery-touching the fringe of the Shivaliks and having three well-defined snowy ranges, the

Dauladhar, constituting the outer Himalayas, the Pir Panjal or the mid Himalayas, and the Zanskar range or the inner Himalayas.

Area: 2.4 sq. km.
Altitude: 926 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max. 39, Min. 8, Winter- Max. 10, Min. 1.1
Clothing: Summer- Light woollens, Winter- Heavy woollens
Best Season: April to Mid July and Mid September to December
Languages Spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English.

Places Of Interest:
Lakshman Narayan Temple, Chamunda Temple, Katasan Devi Temple, Bhuj Sing Museum, Chaugan.

Excursions:
Chirmaya Topovan- 10 kms, Dal Lake- 11 kms, Dharamkot- 11 kms, Triund -17 kms, Kareri- 22 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Jwalamukhi- 56 kms, Nadaun- 10 kms, Chintpurni- 80 kms, Masroor- 40 kms, Trilokpur- 41 kms, Nurpur- 66 kms, Sujanpur Tira- 80 kms, Chamunda Devi Temple- 15 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Pong Wild life Sanctuary.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Amritsar -200 kms.
By Rail: Pathankot -90 kms is connected to major cities in India.
By Road: Chandigarh- 239 kms, Delhi- 514 kms, Dalhousie- 143 kms, Jammu-197 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Kullu- 214 kms, Manali -253 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Shimla- 322 kms.

Dharamshala

Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Dhauladhar Mountains, Dharamshala is perched on the high slopes in upper reaches of Kangra Valley. It is charming town with elegant bungalows nestling in thick coniferous forests. Dharamshala is also the home of Dalai Lama, spiritual head of Buddhists. Little Lhasa is an enchanting world where spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony.

Area: 28.81 sq. km.
Altitude: Between 1250 meters and 1982 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer - Max.33, Min.22, Winter - Max.15, Min. 0
Clothing: Summer - Light woollens, Winter - Heavy woolens
Best Season: April to June and September to November
Languages Spoken: Pahari ,Hindi.

Places Of Interest:
MC leodganj , Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute, Bhagsunath, St. John's Church , Kunal Pathri, War Memorial.

Excursions:
Chirmaya Topovan- 10 kms, Dal Lake- 11 kms, Dharamkot- 11 kms, Triund -17 kms, Kareri- 22 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Jwalamukhi- 56 kms, Nadaun- 10 kms, Chintpurni- 80 kms, Masroor- 40 kms, Trilokpur- 41 kms, Nurpur- 66 kms, Sujanpur Tira- 80 kms, Chamunda Devi Temple- 15 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Pong Wild life Sanctuary.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Amritsar -200 kms.
By Rail: Pathankot -90 kms is connected to major cities in India.
By Road: Chandigarh- 239 kms, Delhi- 514 kms, Dalhousie- 143 kms, Jammu-197 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Kullu- 214 kms, Manali -253 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Shimla- 322 kms.

Kullu Valley

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 'Silver Valley' has nature's treasures that lie carelessly scattered as flowers on the high meadows.

The Valley of Gods, as the Kullu Valley has come to be known, if perhaps the most delightful region in the Western Himalayas. Situated on the banks of the river Beas, Kullu, the headquarters of the district, serves as a nerve centre of the valley and is the starting place for a number of treks.

Area: 6.68 sq. km.
Altitude: 1,219 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max. 30.8, Min. 18.8, Winter- Max. 16.4, Min. 5.2
Rainfall: 102 cms, Clothing: Summer- Light woollens, Winter- Heavy woolens
Best Season: Mid-March to Mid-November.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Bhuntar -50 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Chandigarh -272 kms.
By Road: Ambala -606 kms, Chandigarh -556 kms, Delhi -798 kms, Pathankot -278 kms, Shimla -240 kms, Manali -40 kms, Palampur -164 kms, Rohtang Pass -91 kms, Dharamshala -213 kms, Dalhousie -334 kms, Jogindarnagar -166 kms.

Manali

Manali is the Northern end of the Kullu Valley and is the main resort in the area. It is beautifully situated and there are many pleasant walks around the town. Surrounded by towering peaks at arm length, Manali’s major asset is its proximity to the snowline, never more than few hours drive from the town nestling at comfortable 2050meters. It is the center of the flourishing orchard industry a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks.

Area: 5.12 sq. km.
Altitude: 1,926 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max. 25, Min. 12. Winter- Max. 14.5, Min. 2
Clothing: Summer- Light woollens for both the places, Winter- Heavy woollens for both the places
Best Season: April to Mid-July and Sep. to Nov. for both the places
Languages Spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English.

Places of Interest:
Raghunathji Temple, Vaishno Devi Temple, Jagannath Temple Bijli Mahadev Shrine, Vashisht Bath , Hadimba Devi Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Arjun Gumpha, Nehru Kund, Jagatsukh.

Excursions:
Raison- 16 kms, Katrain- 20 kms, Naggar- 28 kms, Bajaura- 15 kms, Kasol - 42 kms, Manikaran- 45 kms, Banjar- 58 kms, Larji- 34 kms, Malana, Pulga & Khirganga- 16 kms & 26 kms, Danawar Wildlife Sanctuary (near Manikaran), Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary- 20 kms from Bhuntar, Khaiv Sanctuary- 15 kms, Tirthan Sanctuary -10 kms from Bunder Gushanini, Kothi- 12 kms & Rahla Falls- 14 kms, Solang Valley- 13 km, Rohtang Pass- 51 kms, Keylong Pass- 117 kms, Manali Wildlife Sanctuary.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Bhuntar - 50 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Chandigarh- 397 kms.
By Road: Jogindarnagar– 166kms, Shimla– 240kms, Delhi– 611kms.

Kinnaur, Spiti, Lahaul

Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are incomparable in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks.

Kinnaur is one of the most scenic but less known districts of Pradesh Located on the Indo-Tibetan border, it is surrounded by Tibet to the east, Garhwal Himalayas to the south, Spiti valley to the north and Kullu to the west. The Satluj River, which rises on the southern slopes of Kailash Parbat near Mansarovar in Tibet, flows through the Kinnaur valley.

Places of Interest & Excursions:

At Kinnaur:
Bhabha Nagar, Nichar , Sangla Valley, Poari, Recong, Kalpa, Kothi, Ribba, Moorang, Pooh, Nako, Tashigang Gompa, Tilasangh Monastery.

At Spiti:
As Kullu is the valley of Gods we can say Spiti is the valley of Monasteries. Monasteries like Tabo, Gulling, Dhankar and Kee are located in this valley. Sumdo, Schichiling, Attergu, Kaza, Losar, Kunzam Pass.

At Lahaul:
Batal, Bara Singri Glacier, Koksar, Gondhla, Tandi, Bara Lacha Pass, Udaipur, Trilokinath Temple, Suraj Tal, Sarchu, Lake Chandra Tal, and some Monasteries viz. Kardang, Shashur, Tayl, Guru Ghantal.

Reach -

Kinnaur
By Air: Nearest airport is Shimla is- 224 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Kalka- 314 kms.
By Road: Shimla- 224 kms, Rampur- 108 kms, Pooh- 94 kms, Wangtu- 34 kms, Narkanda- 160 kms, Chakrata- 248 kms, Kufri- 210 kms, Sarahan- 77 kms, Tashigang- 116 kms, Shipki La- 126 kms.

Lahaul & Spiti
By Air: Kullu and Shimla are the nearest two airports.
By Rail: Shimla and Pathankot are nearest railheads.
By Road: Kullu-158 kms, Manali-118 kms, Pathankot-436 kms, Jogindarnagar- 284 kms, Rahla-102 kms, Rohtang- 67 kms, Khoksar- 46 kms, Gondhla-18 kms, Udaipur- 48 kms.

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