Best Budget Tourist Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh 2024
Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India, known for its majestic Himalayan landscapes. Here are some of the most popular places to visit in Himachal Pradesh:
1. Shimla:-
Best Budget Tourist Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is a beautiful hill station nestled amidst the Himalayas. It’s a popular tourist destination known for its colonial architecture, scenic beauty, and pleasant weather. Here you can visit the Viceregal Lodge, the Ridge, Jakhu Temple, Kufri, and the Mall Road.
how to visit in Shimla:
By Air: The nearest airport to Shimla is Chandigarh Airport, which is located about 113 km away. From Chandigarh, you can take a taxi or bus to Shimla. There is also a smaller airport at Jubbarhatti, closer to Shimla (23 km), but it has limited operations depending on weather conditions.
By Train: Shimla is not directly connected by rail. The nearest railhead is Kalka, which is 96 km away. You can take a train from major cities like Delhi and Chandigarh to Kalka. From Kalka, you can either take a taxi, bus, or the iconic narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to reach Shimla.
By Road: Shimla is well-connected by road to major cities in North India. You can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Shimla. The roads are scenic, offering stunning views of the Himalayas.
2. Manali:
Best Budget Tourist Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh Manali: A popular hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh Kullu Valley, Manali is known for its beautiful scenery, adventure sports opportunities, and temples. It is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning scenery, adventure activities, and pleasant climate. Some interesting attractions include the Rohtang Pass, Hidimba Devi Temple, and Solang Valley.
how to visit in Manali:
Air: The nearest airport to Manali is Kullu Manali Airport (Bhuntar Airport), located about 50 kilometers away. There are regular flights to Kullu from Delhi and Chandigarh. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Manali.
Road: Manali is well-connected by road to major cities in North India. The most common route is via National Highway 3, which connects Delhi to Manali. The journey by road is quite scenic, offering stunning views of the mountains and valleys. You can take a bus or hire a taxi to Manali.
Train: The nearest railway station to Manali is Joginder Nagar, located about 160 kilometers away. However, Joginder Nagar is a small station with limited train connectivity. Larger stations with better connectivity are Chandigarh and Pathankot, both of which are around 300 kilometers from Manali. From these stations, you can take a taxi or bus to Manali.
3. Dharamshala:
Best Budget Tourist Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh Dharamshala: Dharamshala is a beautiful hill station located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is famous for its scenic beauty, Tibetan monasteries, and cool climate. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, Dharamshala is a beautiful hill station with a strong Tibetan influence. Visit the Dalai Lama Temple Complex, McLeod Ganj, and the Namgyal Monastery.
how to visit in Dharamshala:
By Air: The nearest airport is Kangra Airport (Dharamsala Airport), also known as Gaggal Airport, located about 12 kilometers from Dharamshala. There are regular flights from Delhi and Chandigarh to Dharamshala. Taxis and cabs are readily available from the airport to take you to Dharamshala.
By Train: The nearest broad gauge railway station is Pathankot Railway Station, located about 85 kilometers from Dharamshala. Pathankot is well-connected to major cities in India. You can take a taxi or bus from Pathankot to Dharamshala. The Kangra Valley Railway line, a narrow-gauge railway line, also connects Pathankot with Kangra and further to Joginder Nagar, but the travel time is longer.
By Road: Dharamshala is well connected by roads from all nearby cities and towns. You can take a bus from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Amritsar, and other places to reach Dharamshala. There are also Volvo and luxury buses available for a more comfortable journey.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Dharamshala is from March to June and September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Himalayas.
4. Dalhousie:
Best Places to visit in Himachal Dalhousie: Dalhousie is a beautiful hill station located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It’s known for its scenic beauty, pleasant weather, and colonial architecture. A charming hill station with colonial-era architecture, Dalhousie is surrounded by rolling hills and pine forests. Here you can visit places like Sach Pass, Panchpula Waterfalls, and Bara Pathar.
How to Visit Reaching Dalhousie:
Since Dalhousie itself doesn’t have an airport, the nearest ones are:
Gaggal Airport in Kangra is located about 120 km away.
Pathankot Airport is located around 75 km away.
Both airports have flights from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Dalhousie.
The nearest railway station is Pathankot Railway Station, located 86 km away from Dalhousie. Taxis and local buses are available from the station to take you to Dalhousie.
Dalhousie is well-connected by road with major cities in North India. You can take a bus from Delhi, Chandigarh, or Amritsar to reach Dalhousie.
Best time to visit Dalhousie:
The best time to visit Dalhousie is from March to June and September to December. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy outdoor activities.
Spiti Valley:
Spiti Valley: A remote and beautiful mountain valley in the Himalayas, Spiti Valley is known for its dramatic landscapes, adventure activities, Buddhist monasteries, and unique culture. Popular places to visit in Spiti include the Key Monastery, Kibber Village, and Langza Village, etc.
How to Visit in Spiti Valley:
There are two main routes to Spiti Valley:
- Shimla Route: This route is slower but more accessible year-round. It takes you through Kinnaur, a scenic and culturally rich district. Foreign tourists entering Spiti through this route require inner-line permits, which can be obtained at the Reckong Peo, Kinnaur
- Manali Route: This route is shorter and more scenic, but it’s closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall on the Rohtang Pass.
Here’s how to reach Spiti Valley by road, train, air, and bus:
By Road: The most common way to reach Spiti Valley is by road. You can take a state-run bus or hire a private taxi from Shimla or Manali. The journey takes about 12 hours. During the summer months, you can drive yourself to Spiti Valley if you’re comfortable driving on mountain roads.
By Train: The nearest train stations to Spiti Valley are Chandigarh and Kalka for broad gauge trains, and Jogindernagar and Shimla for narrow gauge trains. From any of these stations, you’ll need to take a taxi or bus to reach Spiti Valley.
By Air: The closest airport to Spiti Valley is Kullu Manali Airport. However, there are no direct flights from major cities to Kullu Manali Airport. From the airport, you’ll need to take a taxi or bus to reach Spiti Valley.
Best time to visit Spiti Valley:
The best time to visit Spiti Valley is from June to September when the weather is pleasant and most of the roads are open. However, if you’re looking for a quieter experience, you can visit Spiti Valley in the shoulder seasons (April-May and October-November). Just be aware that some of the higher altitude roads may be closed during these times.
These are just a few of the many places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. With its stunning scenery, rich culture, and adventure activities, Himachal Pradesh is a great destination for all types of travellers.
Best Time to Visit Shimla ?
The best time to visit Shimla is during the summer months, from March to June. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy outdoor activities. However, Shimla is also a popular winter destination, and you can experience snowfall here from December to February.
Budget for a Trip to Shimla
The cost of a trip to Shimla will depend on your travel style and preferences. However, you can expect to spend around Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 per day on accommodation, food, and transportation.
Best Time to Visit Manali ?
Summer (April to June): This is the peak tourist season in Manali, with pleasant weather and temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C. However, it can also be crowded and expensive.
Monsoon (July to September): Manali experiences moderate rainfall during the monsoon season. While the landscape is lush green, landslides can sometimes block roads.
Autumn (October and November): The weather is pleasant during autumn, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C. The scenery is spectacular, with the hillsides ablaze with autumn colours.
Winter (December to March): Manali receives snowfall during the winter months, transforming it into a winter wonderland. However, many hotels and restaurants close during this time, and temperatures can drop below freezing.
