5 Best Holiday Destinations in Himachal Pradesh for 2021

Himachal Pradesh is a great holiday destination for all types of travelers such as honeymooners, long-distance travelers looking to make a stop here for rest and relaxation, or those looking for a weekend getaway. 

With its snow-capped mountains, pleasant and chill weather, beautiful landscape and thick green cover, and adventurous activities of all kinds, Himachal Pradesh offers some kind of takeaway memories that will last for a lifetime. 

Also, the beauty of Himachal Pradesh is that not one region is similar, and hence, you’ll see varied nature and beauty across the state. It is also a favorite destination for newlyweds celebrating their first holiday as a married couple. 

Summer months are the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh as a few top sight-seeing places are open for tourists, the weather is at its best, and nature is in full bloom. So, here are the best holiday destinations in Himachal Pradesh you must visit.

Kullu

Kullu is a top honeymoon destination along with Manali in Himachal Pradesh, and these twin cities are part of the Himachal holiday tours. Kullu is about 200 km from the capital city of Shimla, and is situated on the banks of River Beas in the Kullu Valley. 

The beautiful Kullu Valley offers mesmerizing views of the Himalayas and presents nature at its best. Kullu is also home to many adventurous activities such as river rafting, mountaineering, hiking, angling, snowboarding, paragliding, and many more. 

Some great sightseeing places and fun things to do in Kullu include trekking at Friendship Peak, Pin Parvati Valley, and Tirthan Valley; camping at Beas Kund and be one with nature; visiting spiritual places such as Gauri Shankar Temple and Hanogi Mata Temple, and Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery; and taking a dip in the Hot Springs at Manikaran where the water is believed to have medicinal properties.

Check the top budget destinations in Asia

Manali

Manali is another top holiday destination located in Kullu Valley. Kullu-Manali trip comes as part of Himachal holiday tours, and should not be missed. Manali offers some great sightseeing places that are quite popular among tourists and travelers. 

Rohtang Pass, which is open only in the summer months, offers majestic views of the mountains. The ride through the pass with snow on either side makes Rohtang Pass an unforgettable experience. Then there is Solang Valley, which is the hub of adventure activities such as paragliding, river rafting, zorbing, snowboarding, and many more. 

Hadimba Temple, which is nestled amidst nature, is also a must-visit in Manali for its beautiful architecture and design. Vashistha Ashram is popular for its hot water spring and its water is said to have medicinal properties. 

Great Himalayan National Park is also quite popular among nature and animal lovers. Overall, a visit to Manali should be a part of the itinerary, as the experience here cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Shimla

A visit to Himachal Pradesh is incomplete without a visit to the capital city of Shimla. Being the capital, Shimla is a bit more populated than other regions of the state. However, Shimla is a great holiday destination thanks to its natural beauty, chill weather, and various sightseeing places, and adventurous activities. 

The Mall Road, which is at the center of the city, is a popular hanging spot for locals, travelers, and tourists. It is a hub of activity where shopping for local garments and handicraft products is in full swing. It also has a long queue of eateries where you can binge on local cuisines. 

Some important places to visit in Shimla include Christ Church, Kali Bari Temple, Viceregal Lodge, Jakhu Hill, and many more. Shimla is also home to many adventurous activities such as skiing, paragliding, camping, and trekking. Hence, you must include Shimla in your Himachal holiday tours.

Chamba

Chamba is a popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh and is home to many ancient shrines and temples. So, if you are spiritually inclined, you must add Chamba to your Himachal holiday tours. But overall, Chamba is a picturesque location, offering great views of the mountains and landscape. 

Some important must-visit places in Chamba include Champavati Temple, which is popular for its cylindrical-shaped structure, architectural brilliance, and stone carvings. Chamba is also about indulging in fun and adventure. 

You can try your hands at paragliding in Khajjiar Lake in Chamba. The Manimahesh Peak is an important trekking trail in Chamba. Besides, you can also try river rafting, and river crossing in Chamba, which is located on the banks of Ravi River. 

Chamba is also a hub of shopping for all kinds of products. The Pahari painting is quite popular here that you could take back as a souvenir back home.

Dharamshala

It is a top holiday destination among travelers, as Dharamsala in the Kangra Valley offers scenic beauty straight out of a fairy tale. It has two divisions – the lower one is called Dharamsala town, and the upper one is called Mcleodganj. 

Dharmasala is also home to exiled Tibetan monk Dalai Lama. And hence, many of his followers visit Dharamsala to pay respect to him. Dharamsala is also a pilgrimage spot for Buddhists and has few important monasteries for devotees to pray and meditate that you can review. 

Some important pilgrimage or holy places here are Chamunda Temple, Dalai Lama Temple, and Gyuto Monastery. However, it is also home to fun and adventure for those who are on holidays in Dharamsala. The popular Dal Lake is an important sight-seeing place in Dharamsala. The city is also popular as a starting point for various trekking trails such as Toral Pass, Bhagsu Falls, and Triund.