Things to Do in Himachal Pradesh: Experiences Worth Planning Around

The experiences most worth planning around in Himachal Pradesh are the Kalka–Shimla toy train, Manali's Old Town and Solang valley, the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, McLeod Ganj's Tibetan culture, paragliding at Bir and the tea gardens of Palampur. With a week, choose either the Shimla–Manali route or the Kangra valley.

Himachal's valleys are best explored one region at a time. This guide groups 17 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Himachal itinerary and Himachal cost guide.

At a glance

Shimla and Kasauli

1. The Kalka–Shimla toy train. A UNESCO-listed narrow-gauge railway through tunnels and bridges.

2. The Mall and the Ridge. Colonial-era buildings and evening walks.

3. Jakhoo Temple. A hilltop Hanuman temple with views; watch for monkeys.

4. Kasauli. A quiet cantonment town with pine walks.

Manali and Lahaul

5. Old Manali and the Hadimba Temple. A wooden temple in cedar forest and cafés in the old village.

6. Solang valley. Snow play in winter, paragliding and ropeway in other seasons.

7. The Atal Tunnel and Sissu. A long tunnel to the stark landscapes of Lahaul.

8. Rohtang Pass. High-altitude snow by permit, in season.

9. Naggar Castle and the Roerich gallery. Art and history in the Kullu valley.

The Kangra valley

10. McLeod Ganj. The Tsuglagkhang complex, Tibetan museum and cafés.

11. Triund trek. A popular day hike with Dhauladhar views.

12. Bir paragliding. Tandem flights from Billing to Bir.

13. Palampur tea gardens. Tea estates and factory visits.

14. Kangra Fort and Masroor temples. A historic fort and rock-cut temples.

Remote valleys

15. Spiti. High-altitude monasteries such as Key and Tabo, and villages such as Langza.

16. Tirthan valley. Riverside stays near the Great Himalayan National Park.

17. Dalhousie and Khajjiar. Colonial hill town and a meadow ringed by pines.

Food experiences

A Himachali dham feast, siddu, trout in Manali and Tibetan momos and thukpa in McLeod Ganj are highlights. Vegetarian food is easy. Food lovers can follow our Flavours of Himachal.

Adventure activities

Paragliding at Bir and Solang, river rafting on the Beas near Kullu, skiing at Solang and treks in the Parvati and Kangra valleys are popular. Use licensed operators.

Monasteries and temples

Tibetan monasteries in McLeod Ganj, Bir and Spiti, and Hindu temples such as Hadimba and Baijnath, are open to respectful visitors.

When to go

March to June and September to November are best. Winter brings snow; the monsoon brings landslides.

In winter

Snow at Solang, Kufri and Narkanda, and skiing for beginners, attract families. Some high roads close.

What you can safely skip

You do not need both Shimla and Dalhousie on one trip. Choose a region.

Getting between experiences

A car with an experienced hill driver is essential; overnight buses link Delhi with Manali and Dharamshala.

Free and low-cost experiences

Village walks, monasteries, riverside paths and viewpoints cost little.

Best views

The Dhauladhar from McLeod Ganj, Sissu's waterfalls and Spiti's monasteries are classic photographs.

Etiquette

Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, dress modestly and ask before photographing monks.

Avoiding crowds

Shimla and Manali are busy on weekends and holidays; travel midweek where possible.

The Tirthan valley

The Tirthan valley, near the Great Himalayan National Park, offers riverside homestays, trout streams and forest walks, far from the crowds of Manali. Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake are popular day hikes in summer. It suits couples and families who want a quieter mountain stay.

Dalhousie and Chamba

Dalhousie retains a colonial air with churches and pine walks, and Khajjiar's meadow and lake are nearby. Chamba, further on, has temples and a museum of miniature paintings. They suit travellers combining Himachal with Amritsar or Jammu.

The Kullu valley

Between Mandi and Manali, the Kullu valley has river rafting on the Beas, shawl weaving and the Dussehra festival in autumn, when deities are carried from villages. Manikaran's hot springs and gurudwara are in the nearby Parvati valley. It suits travellers who want a slower drive with stops.

Treks for every level

Himachal has treks for every level: Triund and the Jogini Falls walk for beginners, Bhrigu Lake and Hampta Pass for fitter walkers, and longer routes in the Pin Parvati and Spiti regions. Hire registered guides, check weather and permits, and carry warm layers even in summer.

More of Shimla

Shimla's colonial past shows in the Viceregal Lodge, now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Christ Church on the Ridge and the Gaiety Theatre. Kufri and Chail make easy day trips, and Narkanda has apple orchards and winter snow. Shimla's Mall is pedestrian and best in the evening, when the town lights up across the hills.

More of Manali

Manali offers far more than snow. Vashisht's hot springs and temple, the Manu Temple in Old Manali, riverside cafés and the Van Vihar forest are easy outings. Naggar, about 45 minutes away, has a castle and the Roerich art gallery. Kasol and the Parvati valley, a few hours south, attract younger travellers and trekkers.

More of the Kangra valley

The Kangra valley is calmer than Shimla and Manali. Beyond McLeod Ganj, the Norbulingka Institute preserves Tibetan arts, the Gyuto monastery sits beneath the mountains, and the Baijnath temple dates back centuries. Bir has monasteries and cafés besides paragliding. Palampur's tea gardens and Andretta artists' village suit slower days.

Planning Spiti

Spiti is a high-altitude cold desert with ancient monasteries at Key, Tabo and Dhankar, fossil villages such as Langza and the Chandratal lake. Roads are rough and the altitude is high, so allow buffer days and acclimatise gradually. The route via Kinnaur is open for much of the year; the Manali side opens only in summer.

How to choose

Our Himalayan Tranquillity covers the Kangra valley.

For families and parents

Children enjoy snow and cable cars; parents may prefer fewer hotel changes and shorter drives.

For couples

Couples often favour Old Manali cafés, a cottage in the Tirthan valley and Palampur's tea gardens.

Practical tips

Carry warm layers, motion-sickness tablets and cash. Read our Himachal planning guide for more.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Himachal?

For many first-time visitors, the drive through the Atal Tunnel to the snows of Lahaul, or a morning in McLeod Ganj among Tibetan monasteries, depending on the region you choose.

Which Himachal experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy the toy train, snow at Solang or Sissu, cable cars, river walks and the Himalayan zoo in Kufri.

Is paragliding at Bir safe?

Bir Billing is one of India's best-known paragliding sites. Fly tandem with licensed operators, check equipment and avoid poor weather.

How many days do I need?

A week covers Shimla and Manali, or the Kangra valley with Dharamshala and Bir. Spiti needs eight to ten days.