For happy and delightful holidays, Himachal Pradesh (HP) is truly a tourists’ paradise. It has an abundance of natural scenery and alpine grandeur comparable to Switzerland and Austria. Everywhere in this charming land, tourists are welcomed with smiles and charm.

Geography and Scenery

HP, set in the foothills of the Himalayas, borders Kashmir in the West and China and Tibet in the East. It offers a pleasant and invigorating climate and an enchanting panorama of snow clad peaks, flowery meadows, extensive forests of pine, spruce and oak, awe-inspiring deep gorges with roaring rivers, gurgling streams and sparkling lakes.

While the picturesque valleys of Kullu, Kinnaur and Kangra are a riot of colours, in marked contrast the barren terrain of Lahaul & Spiti have a stunning lunar landscape like beauty.

For the visitor there are superb locations for relaxing and sight seeing. There are also tremendous opportunities for trekking, mountaineering, fishing, river rafting, skiing, para-gliding, ice skating and golf.

Himachal Tourism has been divided into four interesting travel circuts.

The Sutlej Voyage circuit passes through the shivalik foot hills, apple orchards, forests of pine, oak and deodar, majestic monuments of the Raj, snow covered ski slopes and the tumultuous Sutlej river. This circuit covers Delhi - Rohru - Rampur - Sarahan - Narkanda - Naldehra - Tattapani - Shimla - Kiarighat and Delhi. This voyage also includes Renuka Lake, Paonta Sahib and Nahan.

The Beas Voyage covers the highly picturesque Beas valley - the valley of Gods, flower covered meadows, terraced fields of apple, paddy, maize and the sparkling Beas river. It covers Delhi - Shimla - Mandi - Rewalsar - Kullu - Manali - Rohtang - Nagar Manikaran and Delhi. One can also continue to Leh across the Baralacha pass.

The Dhauladhar Voyage circuit passes in the shadow of the mighty and majestic snow clad Dhauladhar ranges which dominate the beautiful Kangra valley, dotted by flower filled meadows, temples, tea gardens and frolicking of sheep. It covers Delhi - Chintpurni - Jwalamukhi - Kangra - Dalhousie - Khajjiar - Chamba - Dharamsala - Chamunda - Palampur - Jogindernagar and Delhi.

The Tribal Voyage Circuit passes through a spectacular terrain of river valleys, cold desert mountains, high passes, snow capped peaks, icy lakes, mighty glaciers and exotic tribal country dotted by monasteries. It covers Delhi - Shimla - Narkanda/Hatkoti - Sarahan - Sangla - Kalpa - Pooh - Nako - Tabo - Dhankar - Kaza - Losar - Kunzam - Koksar - Sissu - Keylong - Udaipur - Trilokpur - Rohtang - Manali and Delhi.

Himachal Tourist Information :

Area : 55673 sq. km.; Population 5.2 millions; Literacy 64%; Average rain fall 1400 mm.

Climate : Temperate.

Clothing : Cotton in summer and woollen in winter.

Seasons : Winter (Dec-March) Av. temp. -5C to 25C in lower hills. -5C to 15C in mid hills Summer (April-June) Av. temp. 15C to 35C in lower hills. 10C to 25C in in mid higher hills. Monsoons (July 15th-Sept.) Av. temp. 15C to 30C in lower hills. 10C to 25C in mid higher hill.

Nearest Railway Stations: (Broad gauge) Chandigarh, Kalka, Pathankot and Nangal.

(Narrow gauge) Shimla and Jogindernagar.

Airports : Jubbarhatti (Shimla), Bhuntar (Kullu) and Gaggal (Dharamsala).

Important Trek routes:

• Rohru - Chanshal - Dodrakwar - Rupin - Sangla
• Sangla - Badrinath - Jalori pass
• Chandrakhani - Pass (Kullu Manali - Chandratal Manali - Parvati valley
• Dharamsala Triund - Chamba Bharmour - Manimahesh
• Chamba - Kullar over Sach pass
• Bharmour - Baijnath
• Bharmour - Lahaul
• Chandratal Barashigri glacier
• Kinner - Kailash Bhaba - Pin Valley.

Skiing and Ice Skating : (January to March) Solang Nalla (Manali) Narkanda and Rohtang Pass. Ice Skating Shimla, Heli-skiing Manali.

River Rafting : In Sutlej, Beas and Chenab rivers, Shamshi (Kullu), Tattapani, Rampur and Jispa. (Lahaul).

Para-gliding & Hang-gliding : Bir, Manali, Bilaspur and Rohru.

Lake sports : Gobindsagar (Bilaspur) Pongdam (Kangra).

Fishing : Rohru, Sangla, Sainj, Katrain, Barot for trout fishing.

Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries :

• Great Himalayan National Park Parvati Valley, Kullu.
• High altitude Pin valley National park, Spiti.
• Renuka Sanctuary.
• Pongdam Sanctuary.
• Sarahan Phasentry.
• Kufri and Gopalpur zoo.

Lakes and Rivers : Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, Yamuna, Pabbar, Giri, Parvati, Baspa

Lakes : Prashar, Khajjiar, Renuka, Gobindsagar, Dal, Pongdam, Pandoh, Manimahesh, Brighu and Chandratal.

Buddhist Monasteries : Dharamsala Tashizong, Rewalsar, Manali, Kardang, Sashur, Key, Dhankar, Tabo, Nako, Pooh, Kanam, Jangi, Murang, Ribba and Reckongpeo.

Sikh Pilgrimage Centres : Paonta Sahib, Rewalsar and Manikaran.

Churches : Christ Church Kasauli, Christ Church Shimla, St. Johns Church, Mecleodgang, St. Francis Church, Dalhousie.

Fairs :

• Winter Carnival Festival, Manali (Feb.).
• Shivratri Festival, Mandi (March).
• Ladarcha Fair, Spiti, (July).
• Minjar Fair, Chamba.
• Manimahesh Fair, Bharmour.
• Tribal Festival, Keylong (August).
• Phulech (Festival of Flowers).
• Kinnaur (Sept.).
• Dushera Fair, Kullu (October).
• Lavi Fair, Rampur (Nov.).
• Renuka Fair (Nov.).
• Ice Skating Carnival (Dec.).

Heritage Monuments : Kangra Fort; Taragarh, Rampur, Nalagarh, Arki and Jubbal Palaces, Bhimakali Temple, Naggar Castle, Kamru Fort, Gondla Fort (Lahaul); Vice-regal Lodge, Shimla; Christ Church, Chapslee, Wood Villa Palace and Chail Palace.

Museums : State Museum, Shimla; Kangra Art Gallery, Dharamsala; Bhurisingh Museum ,Chamba; Roerich Art Gallery, Naggar and Sobha Singh Art gallery, Andreta.