Situated in the northern part of India in the Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh occupies a region of scenic splendor and breathtaking landscapes. It is bounded by the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the north, Punjab in the west, Haryana in the southwest, and Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the south.
Himachal Pradesh also shares its border with the Tibet Autonomous Region in China in the east. This mountainous state is home to the most beautiful hill stations, rivers, valleys, high-altitude mountain passes, glacier lakes, and biodiverse national parks. It is one of the richest reservoirs of biological diversity in the world. The state animal is Snow Leopard, which is a rare and endangered species and can be found in Spiti Valley.
Himachal Pradesh is well-connected and easily accessible from the rest of the country. There are various ways to reach Himachal Pradesh by air, train, and road. The state has three domestic airports in Kangra, Kullu, and Shimla. Bhuntar Airport in Kullu, Gaggal Airport in Kangra, and Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla. These airports connect the state with Delhi and Chandigarh.
The only railway line that connects Himachal Pradesh from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi is Amb Andaura – Una railway station to Nangal Dam in Punjab. Himachal Pradesh is also renowned for its toy trains including the Kalka-Shimla railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another popular railway line within the state is the Pathankot-Jogindernagar line.
The state is well-connected with nearby states by a vast road network. Himachal Pradesh has 8 National Highways (NH) and 19 State Highways (SH). The state-owned Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) operates ordinary, semi-deluxe, and deluxe buses from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu. In addition, there is a fleet of private-owned buses that ply regularly within the state connecting major towns and cities.
The climate of Himachal Pradesh varies from tropical in the southern tract to extreme cold and chilly in the northern and eastern mountain ranges. Dharamshala is the winter capital, which receives heavy rain. However, Lahaul and Spiti experience extreme cold and are rainless. The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is the summer and winter seasons. Summers lasts from March till June and during this time the weather remains pleasant. The monsoon season lasts from July to September and the Lower Himalayan regions experience heavy rainfall. And the winter season lasts from October to February. Lower Himalayas experience cold weather. The alpine or Upper Himalayan regions disconnect from the rest of the state due to heavy snowfall and experience sub-zero temperatures.
It is a land of splendid mountains, pristine valleys, ancient monasteries, towering temples, and historical monuments. Himachal Pradesh is a paradise for nature lovers, honeymoon seekers, adventure enthusiasts, history buffs, and pilgrimage. There are plenty of places to visit in Himachal Pradesh including Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Chamba, Kinnaur, Spiti Valley, Chitkul, Tirthan Valley, Kasol, Kheerganga, Manali, and Shimla. Some of the popular lakes of Himachal Pradesh are Chandratal Lake, Suraj Tal, Renuka Lake, Bhrigu Lake, and Prashar Lake. There are a plethora of things to do in Himachal Pradesh including trekking, paragliding, camping, mountain biking, nature walks, skiing, ice-skating, zorbing, zip-lining, horse riding, rock climbing, and mountaineering. The splendid monasteries of Dharamshala, Spiti Valley, Kangra, and Lahaul are popular pilgrimage sites.
Shopping in Himachal Pradesh is another kind of experience as the state is popular for a wide range of art and craft items. Kinnauri Apple, Kinnauri Topi, Tibetan carpets, wooden articles, semi-precious jewelry, Kullu shawls, Kangra paintings, and handicraft items are popular among tourists.
The majority of the cuisines of Himachal are influenced by Tibetan culture especially in Kinnaur, Lahaul, Spiti, Dharamshala, and Mcleodganj. Siddu is a traditional dish of the state as well as one of the most loved dishes in Kullu, Manali, Rohru, Mandi, and Shimla region. Other locally-popular dishes of Himachal are Patande, Khatta Karai, Babru, Nasastha, Mhanee, Channa Madra, Patrode, Kullu trout, Chha Gosht, Aloo Palda, Auriya Kaddu, and Bhagjery.
The unique fairs and festivals of Himachal Pradesh offer the perfect opportunities to get a glimpse of the rich culture of the state. Every occasion is celebrated with great zeal and vigor by locals. Some of the popular festivals of the state include Phulaich/ Flaich in Kinnaur, Kullu Dussehra, Halda Festival in Lahaul, Winter Carnival in Manali, Ice Skating Carnival in Shimla, International Himalayan Festival in McLeodganj, Losar in Lahaul and Spiti, and Summer Festival in Shimla. Tourists can enjoy various dance forms, folk songs, and learn about the diverse traditions of the state through these festivals.
Accommodation in Himachal fits every budget. There are a plethora of guest houses, homestays, hotels, resorts, luxury stays, Swiss cottages, and camps. Tourists can find the accommodation from low and mid-range to high range, which offers warm hospitality.
There are a number of meticulously crafted Himachal Pradesh tour packages available for families, friends, honeymooners, and solo travelers. Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd. offers amazing deals and discounts. These holiday packages can be customized and tourists can design the itinerary as per their requirements and budget. They are also provided with swift transfers, comfortable stays, delicious meals, and sightseeing during the tour for their pleasurable vacations.
