Himalayan SplendourHimachal & Amritsar in 9 nights

Nine nights across Himachal: Shimla and Kufri, three nights in Manali, the tea town of Palampur, McLeodganj, Dalhousie with a day at Khajjiar, and Chandigarh.

Day 1

Arrive in Chandigarh, drive to Shimla

120 km · about 3 hours

Our representative meets you at Chandigarh airport or station and drives you up into the hills to Shimla, the old summer capital of British India, which still keeps much of its colonial character. Check in; the evening is free.

Dinner Overnight: Shimla

Day 2

Kufri and Shimla

Kufri is 16 km away

Drive out to Kufri, a popular hill resort above Shimla. Walk up to Mahasu Peak, or ride a pony (paid there), for a view of distant snow peaks. In the afternoon, back in Shimla, see the Viceregal Lodge (closed on Mondays), Christ Church, St Michael's Cathedral and the Jakhu temple. In the evening, stroll along the Mall and the Ridge, with their colonial buildings, cafes and shops.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Shimla

Day 3

Shimla to Manali through the Kullu valley

280 km · about 7 hours

A long, beautiful drive up the Beas river into the Kullu valley, the 'valley of the gods', with its pine and deodar forests and apple orchards between the Pir Panjal and the Great Himalaya. Continue to Manali, the mountain town at the head of the valley, and check in.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Manali

Day 4

Solang Valley, Hadimba Temple and Naggar

Drive up to Solang Valley, Manali's playground of snow slopes and meadows, where you can try paragliding, ropeway rides, zorbing or, in winter, skiing (all paid there). Later visit the wooden Hadimba Devi temple in its cedar forest, and Naggar Castle and the Roerich art gallery (closed on Mondays). Evening on Manali's Mall Road.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Manali

Day 5

A free day in Manali

A day to explore at your own pace: Old Manali's cafes, the Vashisht hot springs, or adventure sports. Rohtang Pass, the Atal Tunnel, Sissu or Manikaran can be added at extra cost; the vehicle is booked locally, and Rohtang is closed on Tuesdays.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Manali

Day 6

Manali to Dharamshala, via Palampur

About 6.5 hours

Drive west through the hills to Palampur, the tea town of the Kangra valley, and on to Dharamshala below the Dhauladhar range. Check in for the night.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Dharamshala

Day 7

McLeodganj, then on to Dalhousie

About 4 hours

In the morning, explore McLeodganj above Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, with the temple complex beside his residence. Then drive to Dalhousie (about 2,000 m), the old hill station spread over five hills on the edge of the Dhauladhar. Check in.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Dalhousie

Day 8

Day trip to Khajjiar

A short drive from Dalhousie

Spend the day at Khajjiar, often called India's mini Switzerland: a saucer-shaped meadow ringed by deodar and pine forest, with a small lake and a nine-hole golf course. Back to Dalhousie in the evening.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Dalhousie

Day 9

Dalhousie to Chandigarh, and the Rock Garden

315 km · about 7 hours

Drive down from the hills to Chandigarh. After check-in, visit Nek Chand's Rock Garden, a fantasy of sculptures made from scrap and waste, the Rose Garden and Sukhna Lake. The evening is free.

Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Chandigarh

Day 10

Leave from Chandigarh

After breakfast, transfer to Chandigarh airport for your flight home.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are as listed or similar, subject to availability. Buffet breakfast and dinner are included (MAP).

Package cost

Price per adult on twin sharing, by the number of adults travelling together. Land only.

Private vehicle with driver: a Dzire or Etios for 2 adults, a Toyota Innova Crysta for 4 or 6. Point to point as per the itinerary.

Rates in INR per person on twin sharing. GST 5% extra. The extra-bed price is for a third person sharing the room; the child price is for a child of 5 to 12 sharing without a bed.

Optional add-ons

Not in the package price. Add them when you book.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Prices are per person, for travellers sharing a room, and depend on how many travel together. They are valid 1 October – 19 December 2026 and 11 January – 31 March 2027. For Christmas and New Year week (20 December – 10 January), prices are on request.
• Super Deluxe hotels are priced on request; we confirm the rate for your dates when you enquire.
• The vehicle is a Dzire or Etios for two and a Toyota Innova Crysta for four or six. Its air-conditioning is not used in the hills.
• Check-in is at 2 pm and check-out at 11 am.
• Many hotels on or near the Mall Road can't be reached by car; the driver drops you at the nearest parking point and you walk or take a porter.
• Museums, the Viceregal Lodge, the Roerich gallery and Naggar Castle are closed on Mondays and government holidays.
• In winter, snow can close roads and passes at short notice; the driver may change the order of the day to keep you safe.
• Children's rates: a third person sharing a room with an extra bed pays the extra-bed rate; a child of 5 to 12 without a bed pays the child rate.

When to go

March to June, and September to November. Clear, pleasant weather in spring and autumn. July and August bring heavy rain and landslides; December to February brings snow and some closed roads.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Flights, trains and houseboats are paid in full at the time of ticketing or confirmation.
• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday