Himachal Pradesh Hillstations
Hilltop Trips India

Nestled in the Himalayas, the world's mightiest mountain ranges, Himachal is blessed with some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere. Truly a travellers paradise, with mighty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush green and golden valleys, flower filled meadows, misty woods, fast flowing icy rivers, glaciers and enchanting 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.

Himachal Pradesh, the hill state of India, featured by vertically high mountains, snow capped peaks, splendid green forests, and quiet little resorts with smiling faces of locals.

Himachal Pradesh is among the top ten popular tourist states of India. The hill state is famous for its apple orchards and natural beauty. Some popular hill stations of the state are Shimla, Chamba, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Kasauli, Kullu, Manali and Palampur.

Bharmaur

Bharmaur is 65 Km away from Chamba along an attractive hill road that follows the river for much of its route. Bharmaur is the base for the famed Manimahesh Yatra and for various marvellous treks in the region.

Capital of the Chamba Valley for over 400 years, Bharmaur (2195 mts.) dates back to the rule of King Meru Varman (680 AD-700AD). A fascinating little town surrounded by high ranges, its ancient temples endow it with the aura of a hallowed place. The region is also home to the semi-nomadic Gaddis-the shepherds of this area.

Chail

Chail is a very small hamlet and a hill station where you can discover nature at its best untouched by the pollution, deforestation and modern construction. It is an ideal getaway for fresh and tranquil environment in the lap of the nature.

Chamba

Situated at the height of 996m. above sea level on the south bank of the Ravi River. The valley is noted for the magnificence of it's scenery-touching the fringe of the Shivaliks and having three well-defined snowy ranges, the Dauladhar, constituting the outer Himalayas, the Pir Panjal or the mid Himalayas, and the Zanskar range or the inner Himalayas.

Dalhousie

Dalhousie is at a distance of 80 Km from Pathankot. It is nestled in the outer inclines of Dhaulandhar range. The hill station is well known for its pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. It is spread over five hills and is different from other hill stations. The thick growth of deodars, pine and red and pink rhododendrons can be seen all around the hill station. Dalhousie is a gateway to the Chamba valley.

Dharamshala

At an altitude of 4000 m above sea level, it is located on spur of Dhaulandhar range. The town has rich growth of deodar and pine forests as well as tea gardens. Dharamshala literally means 'the holy refuge'. It was founded and developed by the British in 1855 as their summer resort. It is famous as the abode of the Dalai Lama and is called as the "Little Lhasa' because of the large number of Tibetan population. Their 'Government in Exile' has headquarters in Dharamshala.

Kangra

Kangra is a beautiful hill station located in the foothills of the Dhauladar range. Kangra was once the capital of the Chand rulers and is popular for picturesque surroundings and ancient temples. Kangra is one of the beautiful resorts in Himachal Pradesh. Hill Resorts in India provides complete information along with attractive Tour packages to Kangra.

Kangra is situated in Himachal Pradesh and is about 17 Km away from Dharamshala.

Kasauli

This little and charming hill station of Himachal is located only 12 kms from the Shimla- Kalka road. Its colonial ambience is reinforced by cobbled paths, gabled houses, quaint shops, and scores of neat little orchards and gardens. Except these, other very popular hill stations of Himachal Pradesh are Chail, Chamba, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, and Palampur.

Kinnaur

About 200 Km away from Shimla is the strikingly beautiful district of Kinnaur, where the icy waters of the River Sutlej and its tributaries have carved deep gorges through the high ranges. Garhwal is to the south, Spiti valley to the north and Kulu to the west. The rugged mountains and sparse rainfall makes Kinnaur resemble Lahaul. The landscape varies from the lush green orchards of the picturesque Sangla Valley to the stark magnificence of the Hangrang Valley.

Along the valley of the River Baspa, villages cling to the steep slopes above the gorges and are surrounded by terraced fields. Higher still, is beautiful Rolling Meadows spiked with wild flowers in spring and dotted with shrubs of rhododendron in varying shades of pink. There is a massive snow-clad range that provides a regal

Khajjiar

The grassy meadow of Khajjiar is situated at a distance of approximately 22 Km from Dalhousie and 23 from Chamba 1.5 km long and 1.0 km broad, this tiny town is shaped like a saucer and has seven emerald-turf meadows surrounded by dense pine and deodar and high mountains. It even has a small lake that is fed by streams flowing through the spongy green carpet of Khajjiar. Often known as 'Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh', it has been aptly described by Hutchinson as - 'Khajjiar is a forest glade of great beauty, 6,400 feet above sea level'.

The quiet and tranquil place of Khajjar is located in Himachal Pradesh, near Chamba and Dalhousie. The place serves as the perfect travel destination for those travelers who want some respite from maddening crowd of cities.

Kufri

Kufri is a small hill station near Shimla. It is an important tourist place because of its closeness with Shimla. The place is known for trekking and hiking trails. There are nature parks and picnic spots at Kufri. In winters, one can indulge in the winter sports like skiing and tobogganing.

Kullu

Out here, the path leads you to exhilarating adventures in some of the most breathtaking settings in the continent. It leads beyond anything you have experienced. Located in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 1220m, the town of Kullu has long been a centre of faith. Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. The 'Silver Valley' comes alive with the majestic grandeur of the Himalayas, the river Beas cutting across the town, verdant valleys with rolling meadows and grazing herds dotting the hillsides, apple orchards and the folk music adding romance to the ambience and presenting a wondrous canvas to the traveller. Take your pick from varied wilderness adventures and solitary moments and come back with insights and revelations you could cherish for a lifetime.

Lahaul and Spiti

Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are incomparable in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks.Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains, massive glaciers, passes, lakes and gushing rivers. The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, which rise on either side of the Baralacha La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of fascinating Buddhist art and culture. Often called as the 'middle country', Spiti is a cold desert regarded as a "World within a world" and 'Palace where the gods live'. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, woodcarving and golden images of Padmasambhava

Palampur

Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India. Set on the rising slopes of Kangra Valley before they merge with the Dauladhar ranges. But tea is just one aspect that makes Palampur a special resort. Abundance of water and proximity to the mountains has endowed it with mild climate. The town has derived its name from the local word 'pulum', meaning lots of water. Palampur was a part of the local Sikh kingdom and later on came under the British rule.

Shimla

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is also called the "Queen of the Hill Stations". It was named after its patron Goddesses Shyamla Devi, an incarnation of the Goddesses Kali. It was a small village made popular by the British who established Shimla as there summer capital in 1864 AD. The entire city is spread over a 12 Km long ridge commanding the view of terraced hillsides and cultivations. Shimla has the thick growth of forests of oak, pine, fur and rhododendron. There are variety of adventure sports like skiing, trekking, angling and golf for the tourists for their leisure activities.

Manali

Manali is only 40 Km from the Kullu Valley and situated near the end of valley on the National Highway. You can see the breath taking views of landscape from here.

The well defined snow covered mountains, the blue water Beas River and green forests are real attractions of the Manali. It is an excellent holyday destination and a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Leh and Kinnaur. It is famous as Switzerland of India.

Tabo

Tabo Tabo is situated at a height of 3050 m in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The great scholar, Rinchen Zangpo, founded it in 996 AD as an institution for advanced learning.

Parwanoo

Once a sleepy little hamlet, the beautiful hill station of Parwanoo is today a major center of activities of tourism in Himachal Pradesh. A bustling town with several industrial activities growing up today, Parwanoo is today one of the most important influences in Himachal Pradesh. Snow clad for the major part of the year, a tour to Parwanoo is an escape into nature where almost every aspect of the natural surroundings of the region has a story to narrate. Adding an even special touch to the surroundings of this beautiful are the various orchards and fruit farms of Parwanoo which are the leading influences in the process of industrialization of Parwanoo.

Sirmaur

Himachal Pradesh is not only the land of snow and high mountains but also has lower hills known as Shiwalik, where too the tourists can spend their vacations, see the wonders of nature like the big lakes, wild life parks/ sanctuaries and the fossil parks etc. One such area is district Sirmaur, where a triangle of 3 important tourist places namely Nahan, Renuka and Paonta Sahib, have attracted many tourists all round the year. There are many attractions available in this triangle. One can visit these places either in the order we have explained or first visit Renuka then Nahan and lastly Paonta Sahib from Shimla side or the vice versa.

Solan

Renowned as the Mushroom city of India, Solan is a nice place to be while on a tour to Himachal Pradesh. One of the major cities in Himachal Pradesh, Solan is a small town developed by the British. Solan, known for its brewery, is a picturesque destination marked by a beautiful landscape. Come on a tour to Solan, and you will have an unforgettable experience exploring this scenic tow

Temple of Goddess Shooloni Devi :- A major attraction of Solan, this temple is unique as Solan lends its name from Goddess Shooloni Devi.

Bilaspur

Bilaspur formerly the seat of the ruler of the State is now submerged in the Gabind Sagar,it was situated on the south east side of the Satluj. Bilaspur Township is situated just above the old town of Bilaspur at an height of 670m. above in sea level. The new Bilaspur Township can be truely described as the first planned hill town of the country. The pleasure of a visit will be enhanced manifold when a motor launch is preferred as the means of travel, gliding through cool and enchanting waters of the lake.The Nalwari or annual cattle fair is held at Bilaspur for four or five days in March / April, the occasion is marked by wrestling and other amusements. Cattle are brought from Nalagarh and neighboring parts of Punjab.

Mandi

The historic town of Mandi (800 m) is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre and the sage Mandva is said to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Today, it is a district headquarters. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town has remains of old palaces and notable examples of 'colonial' architecture. HPTDC runs a hotel here.

Hamirpur

This is another area situated at lower elevation and comparatively warmer but has some hilly ranges covered with Pine forests. These hills can be developed for trekking and camping during Himachal Pradesh Hill Station Tour Packageswinter months. This district was made in 1972 by carving it out from the Kangra district. It is well connected by roads from all sides and thus can be promoted as a tourist destination by developing some historical and religious places. At present the known attractions are Deot-Sidh, Temple of Sujanpur Tihra and Nadaun. Hamirpur town is the Headquarter of this District, which lies on Shimla Dharamshala road.

Una

Una has been carved out of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in 1966 where the hilly areas of Punjab were transferred to Himachal Pradesh and the whole area is warm. It has borders with Kangra Hamirpur and Bilaspur and then acts as a gateway to these regions. Efforts are being made to develop same places in Nangal and Bhakra areas.