Himachal Pradesh Tours & Experiences

Things to do in Himachal Pradesh

Most of what draws visitors to Himachal happens outdoors, from the paragliding ridge above Bir to the high passes north of Manali; the Himachal Pradesh travel guide covers the sights.

Fly tandem at Bir Billing

Gliders launch from the ridge at Billing and come down on the terraced fields of Bir, in the Kangra valley. Our Bir Billing paragliding flight is a tandem with a certified pilot, usually fifteen to thirty minutes in the air, so no training is needed. More on things to do in Bir Billing.

Trek from Manali

Our Manali trekking experience covers routes from a long day walk to a multi-day crossing: Hampta Pass from the green Kullu valley into dry Lahaul, the shorter path from the Solang valley to Beas Kund, and the climb to Bhrigu Lake. A guide, a camp crew and meals come with the longer treks. See things to do in Manali.

Climb to Triund above McLeod Ganj

The Dhauladhar range rises straight behind Dharamshala, and the path through oak and deodar to the Triund meadow, at 2,875 metres, is one of the most popular walks in the area. See things to do in Dharamshala.

Meditate in McLeod Ganj

McLeod Ganj, seat of the Tibetan government in exile, is the place in the state for stillness rather than exertion. Our Dharamshala meditation retreat lasts from a few days to about a week, with sessions led by teachers at the retreat centre and free time between them in the Tibetan quarter.

Loop through Spiti's cold desert

Our Spiti Valley circuit enters by the Shimla–Kinnaur road or the Kunzum La, whichever the season allows, bases you in Kaza for Key Monastery and the high villages of Kibber and Langza, and leaves by the other road where it can, with a local guide in the car. See things to do in Spiti Valley.

Drive the summer road to Leh

North of Manali the road crosses Baralacha La and the Moray Plains before dropping into Ladakh. Our Manali–Leh highway trip breaks the climb with a night at Sarchu and gives you a full rest day in Leh, with an experienced driver for the whole road.

Ride the toy train to Shimla

The Kalka–Shimla railway, built between 1898 and 1903, is a UNESCO World Heritage mountain line. Our Himachal Hills Tour — 7 days begins in Shimla, reached by road from Chandigarh or on the toy train (the ticket is extra), then spends three nights around Manali and the last in Dharamshala.

Choosing between our tours and experiences

Our tours are journeys with a private vehicle and driver: the Himachal Hills Tour for hill towns rather than altitude, the Spiti circuit and the Manali–Leh drive for people who see the road itself as the point and can manage long days, basic rooms and real height. Our experiences are single activities to add to a stay: the flight and the treks for active travellers, the retreat for a slower week. Compare the tours on our Himachal Pradesh tour packages page, and the experiences under adventure, trekking and yoga and meditation.

When to go for these

• Paragliding: the state's technical committee notifies the flying season according to the weather; our flights run mainly from March to June and September to November.
• Treks from Manali: roughly June to September, once snow clears the higher ground.
• Hill towns: March to June and September to November; December to February often brings snow to Shimla and Dharamshala.
• Spiti: the Kinnaur road reaches Kaza almost all year, but the Kunzum route closes from about October or November to June or July.
• The road to Leh: summer only.
• Monsoon: the rains arrive in the second half of June; July and August bring cloudbursts and landslides that block roads.

Permits, altitude and safety

Paragliding is governed by the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports Rules, 2022, which bar passengers under 12 years old or under 30 kg, anyone with a heart condition, epilepsy, a lung disorder or asthma, pregnant women, and anyone who has drunk alcohol in the eight hours before. Rohtang Pass needs a vehicle permit from the Kullu district, issued online against a daily cap. Spiti and the Leh road climb well above 3,000 metres, so read our altitude sickness guide and ask your own doctor about medication; foreign nationals also need a Protected Area Permit for the stretch of Spiti near the Tibet border.