About This Tour
Overview
Escape to the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh on this 12-night mountain odyssey. Begin in Delhi, then wind north into the hills to Shimla — the colonial 'Queen of Hills', where the Ridge, Mall Road and the heritage Kalka toy train preserve a Victorian age. Continue through the orchards of the Kullu Valley to Manali, gateway to the Solang Valley's adventure playground, the ancient Hadimba Temple and the old village's cobbled lanes. Cross the spine of the Dhauladhar range to Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama — walk the Tibetan lanes of McLeod Ganj, attend the monks' prayers at Namgyal Monastery and watch tea gardens roll down to the valley floor. Journey west to the Victorian-era cantonment of Dalhousie and its crown jewel, the Khajjiar meadow — 'Mini Switzerland of India' — a grassy saucer ringed by deodar forest. Descend to Chandigarh for Le Corbusier's Rock Garden and the calm of Sukhna Lake, then return to Delhi for departure. Cool air, pine forests, snow peaks and Tibetan prayer flags — a complete Himalayan escape.
Duration
12 Nights / 13 Days
Tour Type
Hill Station · Nature · Culture · Private
Region
Himachal Himalayas · North India
Highest Point
Solang Valley · ~2,500m · Rohtang views
Special Stops
McLeod Ganj · Namgyal Monastery · Khajjiar
Languages
Hindi, Pahari, Tibetan, English
Top Experiences
Highlights
Shimla — Queen of Hills
The Ridge and Mall Road, Christ Church's neo-Gothic spire, and the heritage toy train of the Kalka–Shimla railway
Manali & Solang Valley
The Hadimba Temple, Old Manali's cobbled lanes, and Solang's adventure playground of paragliding and snow sports
Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj
The Dalai Lama's hillside home, Namgyal Monastery's chanting monks and the Tibetan lanes of McLeod Ganj
Dalhousie & Khajjiar
A Victorian cantonment of church spires and pine walks, plus the deodar-ringed meadow of 'Mini Switzerland' Khajjiar
Himalayan Drives
The winding mountain roads of the Kullu Valley, Beas river gorges and pine-scented passes between the hill stations
Chandigarh & Delhi
Le Corbusier's Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, then the monuments and bazaars of the capital
Visual Journey
The Himalayas at a Glance
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver throughout
- 12 nights accommodation with breakfast (hill-station & heritage hotels)
- Entry tickets: Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Hadimba Temple, Namgyal Monastery, Khajjiar, Rock Garden
- Scenic day trips: Kufri (Shimla), Solang Valley (Manali), Khajjiar meadow (Dalhousie)
- Local guides at Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala & Chandigarh
- Airport transfers (Delhi arrival & departure)
- All road taxes, parking & driver allowances
✕ Excluded
- International flights & Indian visa fees
- Lunches, dinners & beverages (unless specified)
- Kalka–Shimla toy train ticket & adventure sports at Solang
- Rohtang Pass permit & taxi (seasonal, weather permitting)
- Travel insurance & personal expenses
- Tips & gratuities for guides and drivers
Day by Day
Detailed Itinerary
Day01
Arrive Delhi
Welcome to the capital · Airport transfer
Arrival
- Namaste! Meet your guide and driver at Delhi airport and transfer to your hotel.
- Rest and acclimatise after your flight; dinner at leisure.
- Overnight in Delhi.
Day02
Old & New Delhi Sightseeing
Qutub Minar · Humayun's Tomb · India Gate
Full Day
- Morning: the 12th-century Qutub Minar and the garden-tomb of Humayun's Tomb.
- Afternoon: drive past India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament, then stroll the lanes of Chandni Chowk.
- Evening: pre-hill-station shopping — light layers, warm jackets and any last essentials.
- Overnight in Delhi.
Day03
Delhi → Shimla (by surface 370 km / 08 hrs)
Into the Himalayan foothills
Drive Day
- Depart Delhi after breakfast and drive north, leaving the plains behind for the forested foothills of Himachal.
- Arrive Shimla (2,205 m) by evening — the colonial 'Queen of Hills'.
- Evening: first stroll on the legendary Mall Road as the lights come up.
- Overnight in Shimla.
Day04
Shimla & Kufri
The Ridge · Christ Church · Kufri
Full Day
- Morning: walk the Ridge with views over the valleys, visit neo-Gothic Christ Church, and explore the Lakkar Bazaar woodwork market.
- Afternoon: drive to Kufri for Himalayan views and pony rides (optional).
- Optional: the heritage Kalka–Shimla Toy Train experience.
- Overnight in Shimla.
Day05
Shimla → Manali (by surface 250 km / 07 hrs)
The Kullu Valley & River Beas
Drive Day
- Drive along the River Beas through the apple orchards and pine slopes of the Kullu Valley.
- Pause at Kullu town for a quick look at its temple and shawl emporiums.
- Arrive Manali (2,050 m) by evening.
- Overnight in Manali.
Day06
Manali & Solang Valley
Hadimba Temple · Solang · Old Manali
Full Day
- Morning: the pagoda-roofed Hadimba Temple set in a cedar forest, then the cobbled lanes and cafés of Old Manali.
- Afternoon: drive to Solang Valley (2,500 m) — optional paragliding, zorbing or a cable car ride, with snow sports in winter.
- Weather permitting, a side excursion towards Rohtang Pass (optional permit).
- Overnight in Manali.
Day07
Manali → Dharamshala (by surface 240 km / 07 hrs)
Across the Dhauladhar range
Drive Day
- Depart Manali and drive west via Mandi to Dharamshala, the hillside home of the Dalai Lama.
- En route, pass the tea gardens of Palampur in the Kangra Valley.
- Arrive by evening; settle into the cool air of the hills.
- Overnight in Dharamshala.
Day08
Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj
Namgyal Monastery · Dalai Lama Temple
Full Day
- Morning: walk the Tibetan lanes of McLeod Ganj to the Dalai Lama Temple and Namgyal Monastery — listen to the monks' morning prayers.
- Afternoon: the Tibetan Museum, handicraft co-operatives, and a short walk to Bhagsu Waterfall.
- Evening: momos and thukpa in the cafés of McLeod Ganj.
- Overnight in Dharamshala.
Day09
Dharamshala → Dalhousie (by surface 230 km / 06-07 hrs)
A Victorian-era hill station
Drive Day
- Drive to Dalhousie, a quiet cantonment town of church spires and pine avenues set on five hills.
- Evening walk along Gandhi Chowk and the local markets.
- Overnight in Dalhousie.
Day10
Dalhousie → Khajjiar → Dalhousie
'Mini Switzerland of India' meadow
Day Trip
- Drive to Khajjiar (1,920 m) — a saucer-shaped meadow ringed by deodar forest, crowned with the Khajji Nag temple.
- Optional horse ride around the meadow and a stroll to the viewing point over the snow peaks.
- Return to Dalhousie via the Panchpula stream and Satdhara Falls.
- Overnight in Dalhousie.
Day11
Dalhousie → Chandigarh (by surface 330 km / 07 hrs)
Le Corbusier's city beautiful
Drive & Explore
- Depart Dalhousie and descend to the plains of Chandigarh, India's first planned city.
- Afternoon: the whimsical Rock Garden of Nek Chand and the calm of Sukhna Lake.
- Evening: dinner at a local restaurant in Sector 17.
- Overnight in Chandigarh.
Day12
Chandigarh → Delhi (by surface 250 km / 05 hrs)
Return to the capital
Drive Day
- Drive back to Delhi along the expressway.
- Afternoon at leisure — optional last-minute shopping at Dilli Haat or Khan Market.
- Overnight in Delhi.
Day13
Depart Delhi
Airport transfer · Farewell
Departure
- Transfer to Delhi airport for your onward international flight.
- Alvida — carry home the scent of pine, the flutter of prayer flags and the cool air of the hills.
Where You'll Stay
Suggested Stays
Delhi
5★ City Hotel — 2 Nights
Central location near Connaught Place
Shimla
Heritage Hill Hotel — 2 Nights
Colonial-era property near the Mall Road
Manali
Mountain Resort — 2 Nights
River-view rooms in the Kullu Valley
Dharamshala
Hillside Boutique Hotel — 2 Nights
Close to McLeod Ganj & the monastery
Dalhousie
Pine-view Hotel — 2 Nights
Quiet heritage stay amid deodar forest
Chandigarh
5★ City Hotel — 1 Night
Near Sector 17 & the Rock Garden
Delhi (Return)
5★ City Hotel — 1 Night
Final night before departure
We will arrange and confirm your hotel stays as per the trip and budget — hotel options are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time for this Himalayan tour?
April to June offers pleasant weather and clear mountain views; December to February brings snowfall and winter charm at Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie. For Solang snow sports, visit December–February; for Rohtang Pass, the best window is May–September (subject to permits).
Do I need a visa to visit India?
Most nationalities can apply for the Indian e-Tourist Visa online before travel. We recommend applying at least 4–6 weeks before departure; our team can advise on the process for your nationality.
What makes these hill stations special?
Shimla preserves a Victorian-era charm with its Ridge and heritage toy train; Manali blends mountain adventure with the spiritual Hadimba Temple; Dharamshala is the Dalai Lama's home, rich in Tibetan culture; and Khajjiar is a pristine meadow often called 'Mini Switzerland of India'.
What optional activities are available?
Popular additions include the Kalka–Shimla toy train, paragliding and cable car at Solang Valley, a Rohtang Pass excursion, pony rides at Kufri and Khajjiar, and a Tibetan cooking or monk-chanting session at Dharamshala. All can be arranged at the time of booking.
What should I pack?
Layers are essential — warm jackets, sweaters and scarves for the evenings (and snow in winter), comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses for high altitudes, a hat, and a reusable water bottle. Light rainwear is useful April–July.
Can I extend this itinerary?
Yes — popular extensions include extra days at Manali or Dalhousie, adding the holy town of Vashisht or Kullu rafting, a tea-garden stay in the Kangra Valley, or a Leh–Ladakh add-on for the truly adventurous. Tell us your dates and we'll tailor the journey.
Full Route
Tour Map