Himachal Pradesh

The word “Himachal” means the abode of snow. The state is covered with immense natural beauty and is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. A majority of the area is mountainous with lofty ranges, deep valleys, swaying waterfalls and lush greenery. The climate varies extremely from one place to the other, providing heavy rainfalls to some area and no rainfall to others.

With spectacular snowy peaks and plunging river valleys, beautiful Himachal is India’s outdoor adventure playground. From trekking and climbing to Skiing and snow-skating…

Himachal Pradesh is a northern Indian state in the Himalayas. It’s home to scenic mountain towns and resorts such as Dalhousie. Host to the Dalai Lama, Himachal Pradesh has a strong Tibetan presence. This is reflected in its Buddhist temples and monasteries, as well as its vibrant Tibetan New Year celebrations. The region is also well known for its trekking, climbing and skiing areas.

In the days before independence, Shimla was the most important British hill station, and in the summer season became the summer capital. The British in 1819A.D first discovered Shimla, but it was not until 1822 A.D that the first permanent house was erected and not until many years later that Shimla became the summer capital. The name Shimla is derived from the Himalayan Goddess Shamla a synonym of Kali..

Dalhousie is named after the British Governor General of the 19th century Lord Dalhousie. The town’s height varies between 1525m and 2378m and is surrounded by varied vegetation. Dalhousie has charming colonial architecture, including some beautiful churches. The spectacular snow-covered Dhauladhar Mountains are also visible from this enchanting town.

Chamba, the land of antiquity, art and scenic beauty, is a wonder in itself for every visitor. Situated at the height of 996 m. above sea level on the south bank of the Ravi River, the ancient Pahari capital was founded in 920 A.D. by Raja Sahil Verma, who named it after his favorite daughter Champavati.

Chamba valley is noted for the magnificence of it’s scenery-touching the fringe of the Shivaliks and having three well-defined snowy ranges, the

Dauladhar, constituting the outer Himalayas, the Pir Panjal or the mid Himalayas, and the Zanskar range or the inner Himalayas.

Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Dhauladhar Mountains, Dharamshala is perched on the high slopes in upper reaches of Kangra Valley. It is charming town with elegant bungalows nestling in thick coniferous forests. Dharamshala is also the home of Dalai Lama, spiritual head of Buddhists. Little Lhasa is an enchanting world where spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony.

Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled ‘Silver Valley’. The ‘Silver Valley’ has nature’s treasures that lie carelessly scattered as flowers on the high meadows.

The Valley of Gods, as the Kullu Valley has come to be known, if perhaps the most delightful region in the Western Himalayas.
Situated on the banks of the river Beas, Kullu, the headquarters of the district, serves as a nerve centre of the valley and is the starting place for a number of treks..

Manali is the Northern end of the Kullu Valley and is the main resort in the area. It is beautifully situated and there are many pleasant walks around the town. Surrounded by towering peaks at arm length, Manali’s major asset is its proximity to the snowline, never more than few hours drive from the town nestling at comfortable 2050meters. It is the center of the flourishing orchard industry a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks.

Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are incomparable in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks.

Kinnaur is one of the most scenic but less known districts of Pradesh Located on the Indo-Tibetan border, it is surrounded by Tibet to the east, Garhwal Himalayas to the south, Spiti valley to the north and Kullu to the
west. The Satluj River, which rises on the southern slopes of Kailash Parbat near Mansarovar in Tibet, flows through the Kinnaur valley.