Shimla, Manali & Dharamshala — Seven Nights from Kullu to Kangra

You are met at Chandigarh airport and driven up into the hills to Shimla. If you reach the hotel with daylight to spare, the afternoon is a good time for the town’s classic walk: along Mall Road to the open terrace of the Ridge and the yellow tower of Christ Church. If the day runs late, the walk simply waits. Dinner is at the hotel.

Shimla’s full day heads up to Kufri, the small resort on the ridge above town that locals favour for long views and winter snow. The Himalayan Bird Park, home to pheasants and other birds of the hills, is the other stop. Rides and activities at Kufri are optional and paid on the spot. The rest of the day is unplanned.

A full day on the road between the two hill towns, descending to the Beas and then following it upstream through the Kullu valley. There is no sightseeing on the schedule, only the drive, with breaks whenever you want one. You check in at Manali in time for dinner and three nights in one place.

The day runs north to Solang Valley, a broad meadow ringed by peaks that serves as Manali’s activity ground. The cable car lifts above the tree line and paragliders launch from the slopes; both are there if you want them and are paid for directly. Returning, the car stops at Vashisht for its temple and the hot springs beside it.

A quieter Manali day, away from the main valley floor. The road towards Hamta Pass climbs in loops through forest to Sethan, a small settlement in a high side valley with wide views back over Kullu. It is a day for walking a little and looking a lot. Back in town, the Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Monastery completes the outing.

Rather than going back the way you came, the route leaves the Kullu valley and crosses to Kangra. It is a long transfer and the only thing planned for the day. Dharamshala lies on the lower slopes of the Dhauladhar, and you arrive for dinner and one night; no sightseeing is scheduled here on this itinerary.

After breakfast the car leaves the Kangra hills and returns to Chandigarh, completing the loop. This is another transfer day with nothing scheduled beyond the drive. The final night is spent in the city, which keeps the road journey and your flight home on separate days. Dinner is at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then the transfer to Chandigarh airport, where the trip ends. With the mountain driving finished the day before, the morning is unhurried and you can choose a flight at whatever hour suits you, without building in a buffer for the hills.