Things to do in Himachal Pradesh

The list of things to do in Himachal Pradesh in India can go on forever. A destination perfect for all seasons and all reasons, the state of Himachal Pradesh provides the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of your daily life no matter when you are traveling. With its popularity among tourists, the state has no dearth of activities. Read this blog to find out the best things to do in Himachal Pradesh.

Trekking and camping in nature

The beautiful terrain of Himachal Pradesh makes it a great place for trekking and camping amidst nature. One of the most popular treks in the state is the Triund Hill trek, where the end of the trail rewards you with some amazing views of the snowy peaks. You also encounter the Gallu Devi Temple, Shiva Cafe, and Bhagsu Waterfalls on the way.

Some other famous treks are Kheerganga trek, Beas Kund trek, and Indrahar trek.

A lot of long treks also involve camping, and it is one of the best experiences you will have in Himachal Pradesh. The scenic views, fresh air, and clear night sky provide a rich experience away from the chaos of the city. Some of the best camping spots in the state are Triund, Chandratal Lake, and Hampta Pass. However, some of the locations may require special permission for camping.

Sit under the night sky perfect for stargazing and witnessing the stunning galaxy, a surreal experience like no other.

Triund Trek

Visit the national parkS

Himachal Pradesh is home to many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. One which stands out is the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perfect for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the park includes animals like the snow leopard, blue sheep, bears, musk, deer, tahr, and more. The park is also known for its Pin Parvati Pass Trek.

Great Himalayan National Park

Enjoy Winter activities

The slopes of Himachal Pradesh are renowned for winter activities like skiing, sledging, and snowboarding.

Himachal Pradesh is a great location for skiing. Skiing enthusiasts can participate in the skiing events that take place in the state in winter, in places like Manali, Narkanda, Rohtang Valley, Solang Valley, and Kufri.

Ice skating is another fun winter sport you can try in Himachal Pradesh. The oldest natural skating rink in Asia is located in Shimla. You can also enjoy figure skating and ice hockey in Kalpa.

Heli-skiing at Hanuman Tibba is another offbeat adventure activity you can do in Himachal Pradesh. This sport involves a helicopter that takes you to remote areas for snowboarding or skiing.

Solang Valley

Savour Himachali cuisines

Himachali cuisine is a blend of traditional and Tibetan food. Some of the traditional local dishes include Dhaam, Siddu, Madra, lotus stems, Aktori, and Kullu trout fish. Some authentic Tibetan dishes include momos or dumplings, thukpa, thentuk, and laphing.

If you miss home, you can also try the many cafes of Himachal Pradesh, with stunning views and cuisines from all over the world.

You can also try the locally brewed drinks of Himachal Pradesh, including fruit wines, apple ciders, and more. The local breweries are mostly situated in Kasauli, Mandi, and Solan.

Thukpa (Picture credits: NDTV Food)

Check out the beautiful lakes of Himachal Pradesh

Khajjiar Lake is one of the most impressive lakes in Himachal Pradesh, and not for nothing is Khajjiar known as the mini Switzerland of India. With lush green meadows, the pristine lake, and stunning views of Mount Kailash, the place is like something out of a fairytale.

Another famous lake in Tirthan Valley is Serolsar Lake, believed to be home to Budhi Nagin, mother of all naags (snakes). It is a sacred spot for the locals. Some other lakes you should visit are Chandratal, a crescent-shaped lake, Suraj Tal, Bhrigu Lake, Nako Lake, and Parashar Lake.

Khajjiar Lake

Visit the highest cricket stadium in the world

If you are a cricket enthusiast, you will love this one. The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is the highest cricket stadium in the world, situated at 1300 meters above sea level. Designed in Tibetan architecture, the stadium is open for tourists from 3 pm to 6 pm. The backdrop of the stadium is perhaps even more interesting – the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar mountain range!

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (Picture credits: English Jagran)

Take a Toy train ride in Shimla

The Kalka Shimla Toy Train has a UNESCO World Heritage Status – it is one of the most beautiful train rides in India. The train travels from Kalka to Shimla, and is one of the top tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh. There are different types of trains and you can choose according to your budget and timings. The train takes 4 to 5 hours to complete the journey while offering you mindboggling views of the snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, hills, valleys, tiny hamlets, forests, and more.

Kalka Shimla toy train

Try your hand at fishing 

For a unique experience, you can try fishing in Rohru in Himachal Pradesh. Situated on the banks of river Pabbar, Rohru is a great spot known for brown and rainbow trout fish. The best time for trout fishing is from April to October. The weather is pleasant and water levels are perfect for fishing.

Attend the local festivals

The festival of Kullu Dussehra is celebrated in October every year in Kullu. Beginning on the tenth day of Dussehra, the festival continues for seven days and marks the victory of good over evil. Some other festivals you can attend in Himachal Pradesh are Losar festival, Mahashivratri, Halda festival, and more.

Kullu Dussehra (Picture credits: Navbharat Times)

Shop for souvenirs in the local markets

Himachal Pradesh has a lot of local markets where you can buy something to take back home as a memory of your trip. You can buy traditional handloom crafts, artworks, and antiques. You can go shopping in McLeod Ganj to buy things like Singing Bowls, Buddha Statues, Tibetan Handicrafts like prayer wheels, handcrafted diaries and notebooks, handmade paper, rugs, paintings, carpets, etc.

Buy Kullu shawls, bohemian trinkets, and fruit wines. The Kasol Market, Kaza Market, and Mall Road are some of the famous places for shopping for souvenirs.

Kasol Bazar

Go on a meditation retreat

As good as Himachal Pradesh is for adventure activities, it is also one of the most favored spots for yoga and meditation. The serene environment makes it an ideal place for yoga and meditation retreats, which are available in plenty here. The retreats offer yoga packages starting from a week to more than a month. Tushita Meditation Centre, OshoNisarga Centre for Meditation, and Vipassana Meditation are a few retreats in Himachal Pradesh.

Indulge in adventure activities

One of the most popular adventure activities in Himachal Pradesh is paragliding at Bir Billing. Located 2400  meters above sea level, Billing is Asia’s Highest Paragliding Site. If you go paragliding during the evening slot, you will be treated to a mesmerizing view of the sunset. You can also go paragliding at Rohtang Pass, Solang and Khajjiar.

Rock climbing is a thrilling adventure activity, although it is not for everyone. You need to be in good physical condition and have strong muscle strength to climb. Himachal Pradesh, with its rocky cliffs, is ideal for this activity.

Mountain biking is a relatively new activity in Himachal Pradesh which has gained popularity in recent times. Ride a bike through the rocky terrains of the hills and forests in Shimla, Manali, Bir, Kaza, or Tabo.

Zorbing is another fun activity you can do in Himachal Pradesh. In this activity, you are placed inside a large transparent ball which is rolled along a slope. It is very popular among kids and adults alike. It is usually available during summers in Manali and Shimla.

You can also try river rafting in the rapids of Himachal Pradesh in Kullu, Manali, Dalhousie, and Lahaul.

If you are a biker or motorcycle lover, Spiti Valley is the best place for biking in Himachal Pradesh. You can cross Manali, Lahaul Valley, Kunzum Pass, Chandratal Lake, and Chitkul, the last Indian Village on the Indo-Tibetan Border.

Paragliding in Bir Billing

Visit religious sites

Himachal Pradesh is home to many religious and spiritual places.

Many of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Some of the most popular temples in the state are the Hadimba Temple in Manali, Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan, Shangchul Mahadev Temple in Shangarh, and Balu Naag Temple in Bahu. the Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara is a Sikh pilgrimage site in Parvati Valley.

The hill station of Shimla is home to one of the oldest churches in North India – the Christ Church. There are also a few other churches like St John’s Church and St Francis Church.

Himachal Pradesh is also largely influenced by Tibetan Culture, and you can see it in the monasteries in the state. The Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala is home to the Dalai Lama, the 14th Tibetan Guru. Some other monasteries are the Key Monastery in Kaza, Dhankar, Nako and Tabo Monasteries in Spiti Valley, and the Gue Monastery.

So, when are you visiting the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh? Let us know! At India Someday, we curate personalized trips to India based on your interests and requirements. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!

Hadimba Devi Temple

FAQs

Which are the best things to do in Himachal Pradesh?

The state of Himachal Pradesh has many interesting things to do, such as adventure activities, winter sports, visiting religious sites, treks, camping, meditation retreats, gorging on authentic cuisine, and more.

Which is the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh?

The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh depends on the kind of vacation you want. Ideally, February to June, spring and summer season in India, is the best time to visit. The climate is warm and pleasant, perfect for sightseeing. However, if you want to experience the snow, you should visit from December to February.

Which is the coldest place in Himachal Pradesh?

Spiti Valley is the coldest place in Himachal Pradesh. Keylong, the administrative center of Lahaul and Spiti, and Rohtang Pass, are the other coldest places in the state, with temperatures of all these regions dipping as low as -30 degrees Celsius.