Highlights
- The Mall, the Ridge and Jakhu temple in Shimla
- Kufri and the apple country around it
- Kullu's shawl weavers and the Beas valley drive
- Hadimba temple, Old Manali and Vashisht
- Solang valley
- Atal Tunnel to Sissu, or Rohtang with a permit
This is the classic Himachal trip, and it’s popular for good reason. Shimla gives you the old hill station, Manali gives you the snow and the river, and the drive between them runs through the Kullu valley. Three nights in Manali means one day can be lost to weather or a missing Rohtang permit without spoiling the trip. It works equally well for a family and for a honeymoon; tell us which and we’ll pick the hotels to match.
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla
Pickup at Chandigarh airport or station, or at Kalka if you take the toy train up instead. Drive through Solan to Shimla, about four hours. Evening on the Mall and the Ridge.
Day 2: Shimla and Kufri
Morning at Kufri, then Jakhu temple and Christ Church. The afternoon is free for the Mall, Lakkar Bazaar and Scandal Point.
Day 3: Shimla to Manali
A full day’s drive via Bilaspur, Mandi and the Kullu valley, with stops at Pandoh Dam and a Kullu shawl factory. Reach Manali by evening.
Day 4: Manali and Solang
Hadimba temple and Old Manali in the morning, then Solang valley for ropeway rides, paragliding in season, or snow in winter. Vashisht’s hot springs on the way back.
Day 5: Atal Tunnel and Sissu, or Rohtang
Through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu and the Lahaul valley for snow views and the waterfall. If we have a Rohtang permit for your date and the pass is open, we go up Rohtang instead. Back to Manali for the night.
Day 6: Manali at leisure, or Naggar
A free day, or a half-day trip to Naggar Castle and the Roerich art gallery above the Beas. A good spare day if day 5 was cancelled by weather.
Day 7: Manali to Chandigarh
Early start for the drive back, about eight to nine hours. Drop at Chandigarh airport or station in the evening. Book onward flights or trains for late evening or the next day.
Honeymoon or family version
For a honeymoon we choose quieter hotels: Old Manali or the left bank of the Beas instead of the Mall, and a room with a view in Shimla away from the busiest part of town. We can add a candle-light dinner or flower decoration on request. For families with grandparents, we keep hotels close to the road, with lifts, and skip Rohtang in favour of Sissu, which is lower and closer.
What's included and what isn't
Included
- 6 nights in hotels (2 in Shimla, 4 in Manali) with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with a driver, Chandigarh to Chandigarh
- Pickup and drop at Chandigarh airport or station, or Kalka
- Rohtang permit application through the official portal
- All sightseeing in the itinerary by car
Not included
- Flights or train tickets to Chandigarh/Kalka, and the toy train (quoted on request)
- Rohtang permit fee and Atal Tunnel area parking or local charges
- Ropeway, paragliding and snow activities at Solang
- Entry fees and lunches
- Extra nights from landslides or snow
- Tips and personal expenses
Visa, costs, best time and travel tips: Himachal Tour Packages.
