Himachal Pradesh has been on my bucketlist since forever and I finally decided to go on a short trip with my husband during this Durga Puja.

Like most people, we couldn’t travel for the last 7 months due to the pandemic, after our trip to Bhitarkanika National Park in March. We had to cancel our honeymoon in Sri Lanka, followed by a trip to North Bengal, a family trip to Bhutan and a trip with my best friend to Goa! So when Himachal Pradesh opened for tourism we decided not to wait any further.

Watching the sunrise in the mountains, listening to the sound of the streams, driving by picturesque landscapes, eating in cafes by the river, these five days in Himachal Pradesh were nothing short of a dream!

This article contains itinerary, travel guide & safety tips for an amazing trip to Himachal Pradesh.

5 Days Himachal Pradesh Itinerary

Day 1: Roadtrip to Manali from Delhi/Chandigarh (or other parts of North India)

Day 2: Manali Local Sightseeing

Day 3: Rohtang Pass & Solang Valley

Day 4: Manali to Shimla via Kullu Valley

Day 5: Shimla Local Sightseeing, Return/Onwards Journey

This itinerary can easily be modified to 6/7 days. If you have an extra day in hand, add a day in Shimla for local sightseeing or visiting Kufri. If you have two extra days, add another day in Manali and take a day trip to Kasol or Naggar.

Note: Refer to all the in-depth planning guides linked in this article for additional information.

Day 1: Roadtrip To Manali

If you are flying in to Delhi (or Chandigarh) from other parts of India or the world, most of your day will pass in driving to Manali. It took us almost 16 hours to reach Manali from Delhi!

We hired a car from Himachal Car Rental Service for Delhi-Manali-Shimla-Delhi for 5 Days which costed us Rs. 16,000 for a Sedan. It included all sightseeing mentioned in this post (except Rohtang Pass which was additional) plus toll tax & parking.

Check out my Manali Travel Guide for all the different ways and routes to reach Manali.

Where To Stay In Manali

We stayed at Hotel The Conifer in the Log Huts Area in Old Manali and would highly recommend it. The view from the room & the balcony is beautiful, the service is excellent, the food is delicious, and all that within a reasonable budget.

Book your stay in Old Manali to avoid the crowd and wake up to gorgeous views. Vashisht Village is also popular among backpackers.

Day 2: Manali Local Sightseeing

Nestled between the snow-capped slopes of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges, Manali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.

Check out the local tourist attractions in Manali and fall in love with this beautiful hill station.

• Visit Hidimba Devi Temple
• Zipline at the Club House
• Visit the Vashisht Temple & Hot Springs
• Take a walk to Manu Temple
• Visit the Himalayan Nyinmapa Monastery
• Shop for winter clothes & souvenirs at the Mall Road
• Go cafe hopping

Read: Top Things To Do In Manali In A Day

Day 3: Rohtang Pass & Solang Valley

Situated at a height of 13058 feet, Rohtang La is a high mountain pass in the Himalayas which connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti Valley.

The drive from Manali to Rohtang Pass is spectacular. Be prepared to be mesmerized by the breathtaking landscape!

Note: It is usually super windy & cold in Rohtang, so carry extra warm clothes with you.

Solang Valley is a side valley at the top of Kullu Valley and is nestled between the Beas Kund and Solang Village. It lies on the way to Rohtang Pass from Manali. Solang Valley is very popular for adventure activities like paragliding, zorbing & quad biking in summer & skiing in the winter.

Read: Beautiful Drive To Rohtang Pass & Solang Valley

Day 4: Manali to Shimla via Kullu Valley

Situated on the banks of the Beas River, Kullu is a sister town to Manali & is popular for river rafting, paragliding and camping.

We tried river rafting at a rafting point in Bhuntar and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Read: Everything You Need To Know About River Rafting In Kullu Manali

We crossed Pandoh Dam & Sundernagar Lake on the way to Shimla.

The road condition is terrible for majority of the stretch due to construction work going on and the road is super dusty. It took us around 8 hours to reach Shimla, just in time to catch the beautiful sunset.

Freshen up & go on a walking tour by yourself. Shop at the Mall Road in Shimla & taste the delicious street food.

Where To Stay In Shimla

Try to book your accommodation in Mall Road near the Tourism Lift in Shimla, especially if you have just one or two days here. Cars are not allowed in Mall Road & you’ll be in trouble with your luggage if your hotel is far from the lift. Also, most of the popular attractions are in or near Mall Road, so staying here will save a lot of time.

We stayed at Hotel Bridge View Regency just opposite the Tourism Lift. Although the location is hugely advantageous and the view from the hotel is great, rooms are a little small compared to the price and the service is average. I would still recommend it for a short stay.

Day 5: Shimla Sightseeing, Return/Onwards Journey

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Situated in the lower ranges of the Himalayan mountains, it is surrounded by pine deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Shimla was once the summer capital of British India and it is still evident from its colonial architecture and the heritage buildings.

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the city of Shimla. Then head out for local sightseeing.

• Take a stroll down the Mall Road to the Ridge
• Visit the Christ Church
• Take the ropeway to Jakhoo Temple
• Shop at the Mall Road & Lakkhar Bazaar
• Try the local street food like chole kulche, burgers (the Himachal version), momos and a variety of confectionery
• Go for skiing & other winter sports at Kufri (snow activities applicable between Nov to March but you can visit during other months as well)

There are so many places to visit in Himachal Pradesh and 5 days are not enough to even explore a fraction of it. Saying goodbye to Himachal Pradesh broke our heart but we promised to return soon.

Best Time To Visit Himachal Pradesh

Each season in Himachal Pradesh has something different in store for the travelers.

The ideal time to visit Himachal Pradesh is during the spring & summer months from March to June. Himachal Pradesh is often considered the most popular summer holiday spot in the country. It is the perfect time for adventure activities like paragliding, rafting & trekking. Many unique festivals and events also take place during the summer months. But it is also the peak season (especially April-May) and sees a huge influx of domestic and international tourists. Accommodations, car rentals and activities are all overpriced during this time and long traffic jams are very common.

If you like the cold weather, winter months from October to February is the perfect time to visit the state. December to February sees heavy snowfall and is popular among adventure lovers who enjoy skiing and skating. Accommodations and activities are cheaper during the winter months than summer and tourist rush is lesser. But some places and routes may be blocked due to heavy snowfall during peak winter.

Monsoons in Himachal Pradesh (July to September) has its own charm. But there are frequent landslides & roads become slippery due to heavy rainfall. Trekking, hiking and other adventure activities are also stopped. On the other hand, tourists are limited during this time and accommodations & car rentals offer heavy discount.

What To Pack For Himachal Pradesh (Mini Packing Guide)

Clothing Items – You must carry heavy woolens and multiple layers for winter and light jackets for summer. Quilted jackets, trench coats, sweaters, shawls, poncho, mufflers, knit caps, leg warmers, winter boots & sneakers are good options for winter. Light denim jackets, shrugs, stoles are some options for summer. Make sure to carry hiking/trekking shoes if you plan to walk a lot or trek. I also carry flip flops for sleeper trains/buses and also if there’s any water activity planned.

Beauty & Hygiene Essentials – Toiletries zippered pouch with small containers for carrying shampoo, conditioner, facewash, shower gel, etc. I carry makeup products in my handbag/sling bag but you can use a small makeup bag. I usually carry a hair straightener and hair dryer. I always keep a hand sanitizer in my sling bag wherever I go (since pre-covid times). Now we also carry a disinfectant spray to sanitize the vehicle seats and luggage.

Tech Gear – I can’t imagine traveling without my mobile phone & camera. Power bank is a must for charging your phone on-the-go during roadtrips.

How To Travel Safely During The Pandemic

1. Choose your mode of transportation wisely. Flights are safer than trains, especially for long distances & if you are travelling with elderly people. Self-drive vehicles are best for road trips. If you don’t want to drive, hire a private car with driver for the entire trip instead of booking separate cars & drivers for each day. Avoid shared cabs & buses as much as possible.

2. Make sure your place of accommodation is undertaking proper sanitization measures. Read the recent reviews to double check.

3. Wear your mask all the time while travelling in public transport and whenever you are around people in general.

4. Sanitize your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or face and before eating.

5. Order room service rather than eating at your accommodation’s restaurant, especially if it’s crowded. Eat only in cafes/restaurants with proper sanitization facilities & choose a time when it remains empty. Opt for take-out instead of dining in whenever possible. If you want to have street food, make sure the vendor is wearing a mask, the contents look hygienic and eat it away from the crowd.

Read: Useful Tips For Traveling During The Pandemic

Camera Gear Used For Photography:

• Canon EOS 77D 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera
• Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Lens for Canon DSLR Camera
• Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Camera

Check out my ‘What’s In My Camera Bag‘ blog post for more details.

I really hope you enjoyed reading this article and you’ll find the information useful whenever you plan to visit Himachal Pradesh.

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