Grand Himachal: Shimla to Dalhousie

Day 1: Arrive in Shimla

Shimla

• Mall Road, the Ridge and Christ Church · 2.5 h. The pedestrian heart of Shimla; the lift from Cart Road saves the climb. Christ Church is lit up at night.
• Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study) · 1.5 h. Guided tours of the 1888 viceroy's residence where Partition talks took place; check the opening days.

Local tip: The pedestrian heart of Shimla; the lift from Cart Road saves the climb. Christ Church is lit up at night.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Shimla

Shimla

• Kufri and the Himalayan Nature Park · 3.5 h. About 45 min from Shimla, with snow play in winter; agree pony rates up front if you ride to Mahasu Peak.
• Himachal State Museum and Gaiety Theatre · 1.5 h. Pahari miniature paintings and local crafts; the restored Victorian Gaiety Theatre is on the Mall. The museum is closed on Mondays.
• Jakhoo Temple and ropeway · 2 h. The giant Hanuman statue tops Shimla's highest hill. Monkeys snatch glasses, phones and food — keep everything zipped away.

Local tip: About 45 min from Shimla, with snow play in winter; agree pony rates up front if you ride to Mahasu Peak.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Shimla → Manali

Manali · Shimla to Manali, Car ~7–8h via Mandi (HRTC Volvo ~9h)

• Hidimba Devi Temple and Dhungri forest · 1.5 h. A pagoda-roofed wooden temple from 1553 among giant deodars; go early to beat the queue.

Local tip: A pagoda-roofed wooden temple from 1553 among giant deodars; go early to beat the queue.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Manali

Manali

• Solang Valley: ropeway, paragliding and snow · 5 h. Short tandem paragliding flights and the ropeway run in fair weather; in winter it's the nearest place for skiing and snow play. Local taxi unions control trips up the valley, so book through your hotel.
• Old Manali cafés and Manu Temple · 3 h

Local tip: Short tandem paragliding flights and the ropeway run in fair weather; in winter it's the nearest place for skiing and snow play. Local taxi unions control trips up the valley, so book through your hotel.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Atal Tunnel and Sissu day trip

Manali

• Atal Tunnel and Sissu day trip · 6 h. The 9 km Atal Tunnel needs no permit; beyond it Sissu has a waterfall, the Chandra river and snow most of the year. Traffic queues build by mid-morning, so leave Manali early.

Local tip: The 9 km Atal Tunnel needs no permit; beyond it Sissu has a waterfall, the Chandra river and snow most of the year. Traffic queues build by mid-morning, so leave Manali early.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Manali → Bir Billing

Bir Billing · Manali to Bir Billing, Car ~5h via Mandi

• Tandem paragliding from Billing to Bir · 2 h. Flights of 15–30 min from the 2,400 m Billing launch to the Bir landing site. Choose a registered operator with insured pilots; flights stop in the monsoon (roughly mid-July to mid-September) and in strong wind.

Local tip: Flights of 15–30 min from the 2,400 m Billing launch to the Bir landing site. Choose a registered operator with insured pilots; flights stop in the monsoon (roughly mid-July to mid-September) and in strong wind.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Bir Billing

Bir Billing

• Chokling and Sherab Ling monasteries · 2.5 h
• Bir tea garden walk · 1.5 h
• Billing ridge sunset drive · 2.5 h
• Baijnath Shiva temple · 1.5 h. A 13th-century stone temple about 30 min from Bir.

Local tip: A 13th-century stone temple about 30 min from Bir.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Bir Billing → Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj · Bir Billing to Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj, Car ~2h

• Tsuglagkhang complex and Tibet Museum · 2 h. The Dalai Lama's temple and residence complex; walk the kora path around it clockwise. Bags are checked at the gate, and phones may be restricted during teachings.
• Bhagsunag temple and waterfall · 2 h

Local tip: The Dalai Lama's temple and residence complex; walk the kora path around it clockwise. Bags are checked at the gate, and phones may be restricted during teachings.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Triund trek

Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

• Triund trek · 7 h. About 9 km each way from McLeod Ganj via Galu Devi temple, climbing to 2,850 m for views of the Dhauladhar range. Overnight camping needs a forest permit and the rules change, so check before you go.

Local tip: About 9 km each way from McLeod Ganj via Galu Devi temple, climbing to 2,850 m for views of the Dhauladhar range. Overnight camping needs a forest permit and the rules change, so check before you go.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

• Norbulingka Institute · 2 h. Tibetan thangka painters, woodcarvers and tailors at work in Japanese-style gardens; closed on Sundays.
• Kangra Fort and Masroor rock-cut temples · 5 h. Kangra Fort is about 45 min away; the 8th-century Masroor monolithic temples are another hour beyond.

Local tip: Tibetan thangka painters, woodcarvers and tailors at work in Japanese-style gardens; closed on Sundays.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj → Dalhousie & Khajjiar

Dalhousie & Khajjiar · Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj to Dalhousie & Khajjiar, Car ~4h

• Gandhi Chowk, the Mall and colonial churches · 2 h

Open day 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Explore Dalhousie & Khajjiar

Dalhousie & Khajjiar

• Khajjiar meadow and lake · 4 h. A saucer-shaped meadow ringed by deodars about 1h from Dalhousie; touts sell zorbing and pony rides, so agree prices first.
• Dainkund Peak and Pholani Devi temple walk · 2.5 h
• Panchpula and Satdhara springs · 1.5 h

Local tip: A saucer-shaped meadow ringed by deodars about 1h from Dalhousie; touts sell zorbing and pony rides, so agree prices first.

Open day 12 route in Google Maps

Day 13: Depart from Dalhousie & Khajjiar

Dalhousie & Khajjiar

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.