Himachal Tour: 10 Days in Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie & More

Alright, buckle up. Here’s how your Himachal escapade really kicks off:

You tumble out of the chaos at Delhi airport or maybe you’re crawling in from the train, all bleary-eyed and clutching your bags like a lost tourist. Some friendly face with a sign (probably misspelling your name) scoops you up, and just like that—you’re off, winding your way up to Shimla. 

And man, those roads? Think hairpin turns, jaw-dropping drop-offs, and enough mountain views to make Instagram jealous. The air gets cooler, your phone signal gets worse, and honestly, the city drama starts to melt away.

Once you roll into Shimla, you finally ditch your bags at the hotel. You could crash for a bit (nobody’s judging—travel’s exhausting), or maybe you just want to wander outside and see what the fuss is about. Shimla’s got that whole old-school hill station vibe, so you can either stroll around like a local or just sprawl out in your room and soak it all in.

Dinner? Oh, you’ll eat. Maybe something warm and spicy to fight off the mountain chill. After that, it’s lights out—let the hills work their magic while you crash hard in your cozy hotel bed.

Yeah, you’re in Shimla now. Let that sink in.

Kick off your morning with a killer breakfast at the hotel—seriously, don’t skip it, you’ll need the energy. Then, pile into your ride and cruise over to Kufri. It’s a quick trip, just 22 km from Shimla, but man, what a switch-up. 

In winter, Kufri turns into this snowy playground; think skiing, snowball fights, the whole shebang. Come summer, though, it’s all wildflowers and green hills—like something out of a Bollywood dream sequence.

First stop? The Himalayan Wildlife Zoo. Not your average zoo, honestly. They’ve got some wild residents—snow leopards (yes, actual snow leopards), and rare antelopes that look straight out of National Geographic. If you’re feeling extra adventurous (and willing to shell out a few extra bucks), Kufri Fun Park is right there with rides and activities that’ll get your adrenaline going.

After you’ve had your fill, roll back into Shimla and swing by the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. This place is peak colonial architecture—like, if these walls could talk, the stories would be wild. Then, just wander down Mall Road. Shops, food, the vibe—it’s got that old-school charm that’s hard to fake.

Got more time or just feeling nosy? Check out Johnnie’s Wax Museum (yep, wax celebs and all), Scandal Point (the name alone is worth a visit), The Ridge for the views, the Gaiety Theatre, Heritage Museum, Lakkar Bazaar (wooden knickknacks galore), Rani Jhansi Park, and, of course, the Christ Church that pops up in every Shimla postcard.

By evening, you’ll probably be wiped. Head back to the hotel, tuck into a dinner that’ll make you question every diet you’ve ever tried, and crash for the night. Shimla’s got you covered.

Roll out of bed, demolish your breakfast (honestly, you’ll need the energy), then toss your stuff in the car and say goodbye to Shimla. The drive to Manali is pure eye-candy. Hills everywhere, trees doing their dramatic thing, and Manali just waiting at the other end, showing off as usual.

On the way? You gotta stop, don’t rush it. There’s the Vaishno Devi Temple—super chill vibes—and Hanogi Mata Temple, both tucked into the hills like they’re hiding from tourists. Snap a few pics at Pandoh Dam (trust me, your phone will thank you), and just stand there for a sec at Sundar Nagar Lake. Breathe it in. It’s that kind of peaceful.

Rolling closer to Kullu, you’ll see those Pashmina Shawl places? Pop in. Even if you’re not buying, those patterns are wild. And if you’re feeling like a legend, go for the white water rafting on the Beas River. Not free, but hey, when will you be back?

Eventually, you’ll roll into Manali. Hotel’s waiting. Drop your bags, crash for a bit. You earned it after all those winding roads.

Later, scarf down a hot dinner—don’t ask what, just eat—and hit the sack early. Tomorrow’s got more in store.

So yeah, enjoy your night in Manali. The hills aren’t going anywhere.

Alright, picture this: you roll out of bed, still half-dreaming, and stumble into a breakfast that pretty much slaps. Not your average toast and jam, I’m talking the kind of meal that makes you believe in carbs again. Once you’ve fueled up, it’s time to actually see Manali, not just the inside of your hotel room.

First stop? Hadimba Devi Temple. It’s tucked away in these tall, moody deodar woods—kinda gives off main character energy. The temple itself is super old, all carved wood and mysterious vibes. Hadimba’s basically a local legend, a goddess with her own fan club in Himachal. 

Not far from there, you’ll find the Ghatotkacha Temple, named after her son. He’s a straight-up hero from the Mahabharata, so yeah, mythological street cred all over the place.

Next, hit up the Club House. It’s like a playground for grown-ups and kids who refuse to act their age. Skating, table tennis, ziplining—honestly, if you’re bored here, that’s on you. It’s chaos, but the good kind.

After all that action, you’ll probably want to chill, right? Vashisht Hot Springs is the move. Locals say the water heals everything except maybe your Wi-Fi addiction. Whether you take a dip or just vibe out near the springs, it’s zen central. Oh, and don’t skip the Rama and Shiva temples nearby. Even if you’re not super spiritual, the energy there is kinda contagious.

Eventually, you’ll drag yourself back to the hotel, probably starving again. Dinner hits different after a day like this. Eat, crash, repeat. Manali, you beauty.

Wake up, slam a solid breakfast—none of that sad toast-and-tea nonsense. Say goodbye to your Manali hotel (maybe steal the shampoo, I won’t judge) and hit the road. The drive’s gonna be long, but trust me, you’re not gonna be bored. 

Dalhousie’s waiting, all tucked away in the Dhauladhar mountains, looking like something straight out of an old movie with those pine forests and creaky colonial buildings. Kinda feels like time forgot about this place, in a good way.

On the way, just stare out the window like you’re in a music video—mountains, rivers, forests, tiny towns where life moves at actual human speed. Himachal’s got this chill vibe, you know? Doesn’t care if you’re late or your WiFi sucks.

Once you roll into Dalhousie, finally, dump your bags at the hotel you (hopefully) remembered to book. Trust me, after that drive, you’ll want to just flop on the bed for a bit. Grab some dinner—something hot, preferably involving carbs—and basically do nothing for the rest of the night. You earned it.

Crash at your hotel in Dalhousie. Tomorrow’s another adventure.

Kick off your morning with a killer breakfast—seriously, don’t skip it—and get ready to soak in the chill vibes of Dalhousie. First up, Subhash Chowk. It’s not exactly buzzing, but man, those colonial buildings and mountain views? Kinda dreamy. Take your time, maybe snap a few pics if you’re that person. 

Afterward, wander down Mall Road. It’s one of those places where you’ll find tiny shops with random trinkets and cafes pushing out local snacks—think momos, chaat, the works. Good luck walking past without buying something you don’t need.

When you’re done with the towny stuff, hop in for a drive out to Khajjiar. People call it the “Mini Switzerland of India”—and, okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but it really does have those rolling green meadows and massive deodar trees everywhere. The air’s different out there—way fresher, trust me. Don’t skip Lake Khajjiar. It sits right in the middle of it all, and honestly, it’s one of those places where you just wanna stop and stare for a bit.

Feeling adventurous? There’s horse riding, zorbing (that thing where you roll around in a giant plastic ball), or even paragliding if you wanna go full send. Heads up though, these come outta your own pocket.

After a day of mountain magic, cruise back to Dalhousie as the sun dips. Grab dinner at your hotel—hopefully something spicy and satisfying—then chill out for the night. One cozy hotel stay, Dalhousie style.

So, after you’ve stuffed yourself at breakfast (seriously, don’t skip it—the drive is long), hop in the car and set off from Dalhousie to Dharamshala. Those Dhauladhar mountains? Yeah, they’re not messing around—absolutely epic views the whole way. Once you finally roll into town, check into your hotel and just chill for a bit. You’ve earned it.

Later, when you’re feeling human again, it’s time to head up to McLeodganj. Locals call it "Little Lhasa"—and honestly, that fits. The Dalai Lama’s been hanging his hat here since the ’60s, so there’s serious Tibetan vibes everywhere. Tibetan food, prayer flags, monks cruising around—it’s got a cool, laid-back energy. Nature lovers, spiritual seekers, people who just want a good momo... this spot has everyone covered.

Now for the sightseeing blitz. Hit up Dal Lake first. No, not the one in Kashmir—this one’s tucked away in pine trees and is honestly just...peaceful. Then cruise over to the Church of St. John in the Wilderness. It’s old, a little bit spooky, and hidden in the woods. Pretty much a perfect photo op.

Next, check out Bhagsunag Temple. It’s ancient and dedicated to Shiva, and right next door you’ve got the Bhagsunag Waterfall. If you’re not afraid of slipping on some mossy rocks, it’s worth the short trek.

Wrap things up at the Tibetan Monastery. You’ll get a taste of the real Tibetan culture—monks chanting, spinning prayer wheels, the works. Just soak it in.

By evening, drag yourself back to the hotel, demolish some dinner, and collapse into bed. Trust me—you’ll sleep like a rock in Dharamshala.

Alright, picture this: You’ve just destroyed a killer breakfast at your hotel (seriously, those parathas? Next level), and now you’re all set to wander around Dharamshala and McLeodganj. The mountain air’s got that fresh, crisp vibe—like nature just hit the refresh button.

First stop—Bhagsu Waterfall. This place is like a screensaver come to life. It’s tucked near the Bhagsunag Temple, and honestly, the whole area feels like someone pressed pause on the chaos of daily life. The water crashes down, you breathe in that cold, pine-scented air, and for a sec, you kinda forget about your emails. Not bad, right?

Next up, McLeodganj. This town buzzes with Tibetan culture and has a legit spiritual energy. You can wander through the Tibetan Monastery—super chill, maybe catch some monks in action—and don’t skip the Namgyal Monastery. 

That spot’s got a vibe; you’ll see people deep in prayer, the scent of incense everywhere. You might even feel a bit zen yourself (or at least get a good selfie).

If you’re up for more, swing by the Tsuglagkhang Complex. This is where the Dalai Lama hangs his hat, so yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. The streets nearby are lined with Tibetan markets and tiny cafes—perfect for grabbing momos or just people-watching. There’s always something happening.

By the time you’re done soaking all that in, you’ll probably be wiped. Head back to your hotel in Dharamshala, kick off your shoes, and demolish some dinner. Not a bad way to wrap up the day, huh?

You’ve got one night at the hotel. Make it count—maybe dream of waterfalls or, I don’t know, just sleep like you actually deserve it.

Alright, here’s the scene: you’ve just inhaled a breakfast that honestly deserves a standing ovation—those parathas? Still thinking about them. Belly full, you step outside and, boom, the mountain air smacks you awake. Super crisp, almost like nature’s on a cleaning spree or something.

First on the hit list: Bhagsu Waterfall. No joke, it looks like your old Windows XP wallpaper but, like, real. It’s just chilling there near Bhagsunag Temple, kind of tucked away from all the noise. The waterfall’s doing its dramatic thing, water crashing down, and you’re just standing there, soaking it in—breathing pine and forgetting your phone exists (at least for a few glorious minutes).

Then, you bounce over to McLeodganj. This place is buzzing with Tibetan vibes—monks everywhere, prayer flags flapping, incense in the air. You can drift through the Tibetan Monastery, probably run into a few monks mid-chant, and don’t even think about skipping Namgyal Monastery. That place? Next-level peaceful. You might accidentally stumble into a moment of “enlightenment” (or, you know, just snap a killer photo for the ‘gram).

Still got energy? Swing by the Tsuglagkhang Complex—that’s the Dalai Lama’s HQ, no big deal. The area’s packed with tiny Tibetan shops and cafes. Grab some momos, do a little people-watching, try not to buy everything in sight. There’s always some random festival or street performance happening. You blink and suddenly it’s evening.

At this point, you’re probably running on fumes. Time to crawl back to your hotel, peel off your shoes, and destroy whatever’s for dinner. You earned it. And hey, you’ve only got one night here, so maybe dream about waterfalls or just pass out like a rock. Either way, solid day.

So, you’ve just demolished a killer breakfast at your Amritsar hotel—probably still dreaming of that chai, huh? Anyway, bags packed, it’s time to hit the road back to Delhi. I mean, let’s be real, you’re probably scrolling through your phone, grinning at those random photos from the hills or remembering that one guy in Amritsar who tried to sell you a “genuine” pashmina for, like, five bucks.

Fast-forward to Delhi International Airport—honestly, that place never sleeps. We’re not gonna get all emotional, but hey, it’s been a ride. Hopefully, the trip’s been more than just Instagram stories; maybe a few memories stuck around, yeah? Stuff to pull out when you need a little mental vacation. Or just a story to tell when someone asks, “So, been anywhere cool lately?”

Anyways, don’t be a stranger. We’ll be here for your next adventure. Safe travels, and go easy on the airplane snacks. Catch you later!