Welcome to an amazing adventure! Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful place in North India with big mountains, green valleys, and pretty hill towns. Imagine walking around the old-fashioned charm of Shimla, known as the ‘Queen of Hills,’ or looking at the amazing views of Manali from 2,050 meters high. Imagine being in quiet Dalhousie, embraced by pine-filled valleys and those ancient colonial buildings. We have designed a well-designed Himachal Travel guide for an adventurous road trip in Himachal that will allow you to ride into the untouched beauty of Himachal Pradesh.
This journey will lead you into Kullu and Manali, twin resorts tucked away in the stunning Himalayan mountains. As well as “Valley of Gods”, Kullu Valley, which isolates natural beauty and adventure and makes it a great escape in times of summer heat. Are you excited to visit these hill towns and understand their rich culture? Get ready for fun adventures, tasty food, and amazing views of snowy mountains.
Did you know that close to 16 million tourists visited Himachal Pradesh last year to see its stunning landscapes and lively culture? With our guide, you can plan a road trip that you will not forget soon. Book tempo traveller on rent for a family and embark on unforgettable vacation. Discover why Himachal Pradesh is a top choice for road trip enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Himachal Pradesh in Summer
The time period between April and June is considered as the suitable time for a road trip in Himachal Pradesh. There you will face pleasant weather since the temperatures vary between 15° C to 30° C. That makes it best for viewing the beauty of the scenery without freezing like winter or interrupted road due to rain and landslides in monsoon.
Essential Tips for Road Trips in Himachal
Check Vehicle and Permits: First thing is to check your armor that is your vehicle and gears. Check its brakes, tires, and oil levels. For passing some route you need special permits like Rohtang Pass, but you can easily obtain it online or at designated offices.
Packing: While packing you must remember to keep your important documents such as your driving license and vehicle documents. Along with it you should keep warm clothes, rain gears, a first-aid kit, snacks, water, and necessary medications.
Safety: When you are in the mountains you need to be extra attentive while driving. Always honk at curves and check road conditions before journey to skip landslides or roadblocks. Keep your fuel tank full as fuel stations can be hard to find in the himalayan region especially in remote areas.
Shimla to Manali Road Trip
Shimla to Manali Distance: 250 km
Route: Shimla > Narkanda > Kullu > Manali
Highlights: Set out from the state capital, Shimla, and traverse this route through magnificent green valleys, scenic towns and peaceful rivers crossing it.
Shimla: Start at the famous Ridge and Mall Road then go to Jakhu Temple followed by Kufri. The Ridge has magnificent views of snow-covered mountains. Stop at Mall roads to do some shopping and to have some local cuisine. You can hire Delhi to Shimla tempo traveller to explore in and around destinations Shimla.
Narkanda: When it comes to seeing apple orchids, you can easily find them in Narkanda. It is home to Hatu peak as well, which offers a beautiful 360-degree view of the surroundings and has a small temple at the summit.
Kullu: If you are seeking adventure such as river rafting on Beas River or shopping at nearby towns, Kullu cannot disappoint you. The artistic side of Kullu is showcased every year through Kullu Dussehra festival that is incomplete without local crafts among other things.
Manali: In the city of Manali, there are various attractions such as Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley, and Rohtang Pass. Among the cedar woods there is Hadimba Temple, which is among the most prominent temples in Manali that draws tourists both for spiritual reasons and its architectural appeal. Meanwhile, if you are adventure lover like paragliding and zorbing activities visit Solang Valley. For visiting Rohtang Pass you need a permit, acquire the pass and witness breathtaking snowy peaks there. Plan a road trip with friends, book Delhi to Manali tempo traveller for an adventure-filled escapade.
Explore More: Less Explored Places to visit in Himachal
Manali to Leh- Road Trip in Himachal (via Keylong)
Manali to Leh Distance: 480 km
Route: Manali > Solang Valley > Keylong > Sarchu > Leh
Highlights: This route of adventure starts in the green valleys of Manali to the high-altitude desert of Leh.
Solang Valley: Some adventure games like paragliding, cable cars as well as zorbing are offered in this place with the additional opportunity of viewing the beautiful landscape around.
Keylong: In Keylong visit the Kardang Monastery, which is the administrative center of Lahaul and Spiti, there you can experience peace and get to know more about the culture and traditions of the buddhism.
Sarchu: It is one of the most famous camping locations in between Himachal and Leh for all the tourists due to its ideal conditions for sleeping under the stars. Its nights are topped up with twinkling stars all around and a clear hi-res image of our milky way galaxy up there.
Leh: In this last destination there are many interesting places to be found such as attractive scenery, monasteries and unique traditions. In your itinerary include a tour of Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and the local bazaars to get a taste of Ladakhi way of life.
Dharamshala to Dalhousie Road Trip
Dharamshala to Dalhousie Distance: 120 km
Route: Dharamshala > Kangra > Palampur > Dalhousie
Highlights: Experience the serene and spiritual side of Himachal on this route.
Dharamshala: When you come to Dharamshala, you should make sure you see The Dalai Lama Temple and Bhagsu Waterfall. All of the vibrant markets in McLeod Ganj also seem like a good idea. While there make a visit to Tsuglagkhang Complex at least once, as it is a home to the Dalai Lama, which will give you an understanding on how Tibetans live according to their religious beliefs as well as culture.
Kangra: In Kangra, there’s this famous Kangra Fort that every tourist would want to check out along with the beautiful tea garden located thereabouts. That fort is considered among India’s oldest ones whereby it also offers you an amazing view across the valley.
Palampur: It is popular for its tea gardens and Neugal Café, which offer a lovely view. When you visit Palampur, don’t forget to visit its tea firm that provides guided tours as well as tea-tasting sessions.
Dalhousie: Dalhousie is a comfortably located hilltop paradise known for its colonial-style buildings set in splendid surroundings of green valleys lying next to Khajjiar, also called ‘Mini Switzerland of India’ and do not leave Dalhousie without seeing the St. John’s Church and beautiful Panchpula Waterfalls.
Spiti Valley Road Trip
Manali to Kaza Distance: 200 km
Route: Manali > Rohtang Pass > Kunzum Pass > Kaza
Highlights: Spiti Valley is a must visit place if you are looking for an adventurous journey.
Rohtang Pass: It is famous for its snow covered peaks and thrilling drive. But make sure to get your necessary pass and other documents in advance.
Kunzum Pass: It will give you a goose pimple view of the Spiti Valley. Once you reach there you must pay a visit to Kunzum Mata Temple.
Kaza: There are old monasteries in Kaza such as the Key Monastery, it is located at the hilltop and is the largest monastery in Spiti, from this point, you can have a panoramic view of the valley. You can also visit attractive and old villages like Kibber and Langza in Kaza.
Kinnaur Road Trip
Distance: 250 km (from Shimla to Kalpa)
Route: Shimla > Narkanda > Rampur > Sangla > Kalpa
Highlights: Kinnaur is famous for apple orchards and farm houses.
Rampur: It is a historical town located at the bank of Sutlej River and also a home for one of the biggest trade fairs in North India, known as the Lavi Fair. If you want to see Himachali style architecture visit the Padam Palace.
Sangla Valley: This place is famous for its stunning views and the beautiful Baspa River. It is suitable for you if you like to do camping, trekking, and exploring local villages like Batseri along with it you can showcase your photography skills.
Kamru Fort: This fort is located in the Sangla valley, well known for its panoramic view of the valley and an ancient idol of Kamakhya Devi, which is believed to be brought from Assam.
Kalpa: Finally, you arrive at Kalpa, which consist of apple orchards and provide you a majestic view of the Kinner Kailash and a spectacular view of sunrise and sunset. This place is filled with traditional wooden houses and Buddhist monasteries.
Shimla to Kufri and Chail
Distance: 50 km
Route: Shimla > Kufri > Chail
Highlights: This is a short road trip, which is ideal for a quick escape from the city.
Kufri: Kufri is known for its amusement park and panoramic views. It has one of the world’s highest amusement parks which is Kufri Fun World with thrilling rides and activities.
Chail: It is home to the highest cricket ground in the world and the beautiful palace of Chail. Also, it is worth visiting the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary if you are a nature lover.
Manali to Solang Valley and Gulaba
Distance: 30 km
Route: Manali > Solang Valley > Gulaba
Highlights: Visit to Solang Valley is very short road trip filled with snow activities but full of adventure thrills.
Gulaba: Gulaba is not only famous for Rohtang Pass base camp but also for scenic beauty. Its peaceful surroundings and picturesque meadows are good for picnicking.
Concluding Thoughts
Himachal Pradesh is packed with picturesque scenery, thrills and spills, as well as rich traditions. The diversity of terrains and lively atmosphere in Himachal will give you a lifetime memory irrespective of whether you are just planning an outing or taking a long road trip with so many places that are indeed a sight to behold. So, get set by preparing your luggage, maintaining your vehicle in good condition and take advantage of this Himachal Road Trip guide for a summer vacation that you will never forget.
