Himalayan Retreat - Manali,
Tirthan and Shimla

8N/9D

Duration

All year round

Best time to visit

Dinner and Breakfast

Meals provided

Hotels or Homestays or Camps

Stay provided

Local experienced driver

Transport

Explore the best of Himachal: Shimla’s colonial charm, Manali’s adventure, and Tirthan’s peaceful serenity. From historic Shimla to Manali’s diverse experiences and Tirthan’s nature retreat, this journey has it all. Enjoy year-round!

Places Covered

Manali
Mall Road
Hidimba
Vashisth
Solang
Rohtang
Atal Tunnel
Naggar
Tirthan

Jalori
Serolsar Lake
Narkanda
Shimla
Viceregal Lodge
Jhakhu
Chail
Kufri

Three enchanting destinations in Himachal Pradesh, each offering a unique and captivating experience for travelers.

You’ll experience:

Manali: A himalayan paradise for adventure and relaxation.
Manali Mall Road: A popular tourist spot in Himachal known for souvenir shopping and diverse street food options.
Hidimba Temple: Ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, surrounded by a cedar forest and built on a large rock.
Vashisht: Village near Manali famous for its sulphurous hot water springs and three main temples.
Atal Tunnel: The world’s highest single-tube tunnel above 10,000 feet.
Solang Valley: Ski resort in winter and adventure sports destination in summer, offering activities like parachuting and paragliding.
Rohtang Pass: An ancient trade route connecting Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, open from May to November.
Naggar: Former capital of Kullu valley with Naggar Castle, now a heritage hotel, and the Nicholas Roerich museum showcasing his paintings.
Jalori Pass: A high mountain pass at 3200 meters, beloved by trekkers, mountain enthusiasts, and riders.
Serolsar Lake: Located 5 km from Jalori Pass, this serene lake has crystal-clear water and is associated with the local goddess Budhi Nagin.
Jhibi Waterfall: A popular tourist spot just a 1 km hike from Jhibi market.
Chaini Fort: Accessible via a 3-4 hour trek from Jhibi village, Chaini Fort features an ancient structure influenced by Chinese art and archaeology, with guided treks available.

Shimla: Queen of Hill Stations with historic buildings and colonial charm.
Viceregal Lodge: Also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas it is a stately colonial-era building in Shimla
Jhakhu: Home to the Jhakhu Temple – dedicated to Lord
Hanuman Chail: A tranquil hill station with popular for its lush forests.
Kufri: A hill station near Shimla, popular as a winter sports and wildlife destination.

Day	Day Plan	Travel Time
Day 1	Drive from Chandigarh to Manali via Mandi	8-9 hrs
Day 2	Local Sightseeing- Solang Valley, Atal Tunnel, Rohang (If permits are available), Vashisth, Jogni Water Falls	5-6 hrs
Day 3	Local sightseeing- Hidimba Temple, Manu Temple, Mall Road, Van Vihar, Old Manali	3-4 hrs
Day 4	Manali to Tirthan via Naggar (Castle and Art Gallery)	4-5 hrs
Day 5	Hike to Chaini Fort or drive to Gushaini & hike towards GHNP or drive to Shangarh, Sainj	4-5 hrs/ 7-8 hrs
Day 6	Tirthan to Shimla via Jalori Pass, Serolsar Lake, Narkanda	6-7 hrs
Day 7	Local Sightseeing- Mall Road, Ridge, Jhakhu Temple, Viceregal Lodge, Church	4-5 hrs
Day 8	Drive to Chail, Cricket Ground, Kufri, Chini Bungalow, Himalayan National Park and back	3-4 hrs
Day 9	Shimla to Chandigarh- trip ends	4-5 hrs

Your trip includes:

Breakfast and Dinner as per the plan
Transport and experienced local driver as per the plan
Stay at the list of hotels shared as per the plan
Driver to act as a basic guide
All expenses for the driver are paid for, including all tolls, fuel, meals and accommodation
Local coordinator in Himachal to handle your trip

Your trip excludes:

Here is the ultimate packing list for your Himachal trip.

Shirt/t-shirt – 3-4
Jeans/trekking pants – 2
Windproof jacket of decent quality
Regular socks – 3-4 pair
Scarf/muffler (optional)
Comfortable hiking/training shoes
Floaters/sandals/chappals
Water bottle
Cap/hat

Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Moisturizer
Torch/flashlight
Daypack/small backpack to carry it with you every day
Prescription medicines (if any)
Trekking pole (optional)

If you are travelling the in winter – please carry

Trip Highlights

Three enchanting destinations in Himachal Pradesh, each offering a unique and captivating experience for travelers.

You’ll experience:

Manali: A himalayan paradise for adventure and relaxation.
Manali Mall Road: A popular tourist spot in Himachal known for souvenir shopping and diverse street food options.
Hidimba Temple: Ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, surrounded by a cedar forest and built on a large rock.
Vashisht: Village near Manali famous for its sulphurous hot water springs and three main temples.
Atal Tunnel: The world’s highest single-tube tunnel above 10,000 feet.
Solang Valley: Ski resort in winter and adventure sports destination in summer, offering activities like parachuting and paragliding.
Rohtang Pass: An ancient trade route connecting Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, open from May to November.
Naggar: Former capital of Kullu valley with Naggar Castle, now a heritage hotel, and the Nicholas Roerich museum showcasing his paintings.
Jalori Pass: A high mountain pass at 3200 meters, beloved by trekkers, mountain enthusiasts, and riders.
Serolsar Lake: Located 5 km from Jalori Pass, this serene lake has crystal-clear water and is associated with the local goddess Budhi Nagin.
Jhibi Waterfall: A popular tourist spot just a 1 km hike from Jhibi market.
Chaini Fort: Accessible via a 3-4 hour trek from Jhibi village, Chaini Fort features an ancient structure influenced by Chinese art and archaeology, with guided treks available.

Shimla: Queen of Hill Stations with historic buildings and colonial charm.
Viceregal Lodge: Also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas it is a stately colonial-era building in Shimla
Jhakhu: Home to the Jhakhu Temple – dedicated to Lord
Hanuman Chail: A tranquil hill station with popular for its lush forests.
Kufri: A hill station near Shimla, popular as a winter sports and wildlife destination.

Short Itinerary

Day	Day Plan	Travel Time
Day 1	Drive from Chandigarh to Manali via Mandi	8-9 hrs
Day 2	Local Sightseeing- Solang Valley, Atal Tunnel, Rohang (If permits are available), Vashisth, Jogni Water Falls	5-6 hrs
Day 3	Local sightseeing- Hidimba Temple, Manu Temple, Mall Road, Van Vihar, Old Manali	3-4 hrs
Day 4	Manali to Tirthan via Naggar (Castle and Art Gallery)	4-5 hrs
Day 5	Hike to Chaini Fort or drive to Gushaini & hike towards GHNP or drive to Shangarh, Sainj	4-5 hrs/ 7-8 hrs
Day 6	Tirthan to Shimla via Jalori Pass, Serolsar Lake, Narkanda	6-7 hrs
Day 7	Local Sightseeing- Mall Road, Ridge, Jhakhu Temple, Viceregal Lodge, Church	4-5 hrs
Day 8	Drive to Chail, Cricket Ground, Kufri, Chini Bungalow, Himalayan National Park and back	3-4 hrs
Day 9	Shimla to Chandigarh- trip ends	4-5 hrs

Included & Excluded

Your trip includes:

Breakfast and Dinner as per the plan
Transport and experienced local driver as per the plan
Stay at the list of hotels shared as per the plan
Driver to act as a basic guide
All expenses for the driver are paid for, including all tolls, fuel, meals and accommodation
Local coordinator in Himachal to handle your trip

Your trip excludes:

Packing List

Here is the ultimate packing list for your Himachal trip.

Shirt/t-shirt – 3-4
Jeans/trekking pants – 2
Windproof jacket of decent quality
Regular socks – 3-4 pair
Scarf/muffler (optional)
Comfortable hiking/training shoes
Floaters/sandals/chappals
Water bottle
Cap/hat

Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Moisturizer
Torch/flashlight
Daypack/small backpack to carry it with you every day
Prescription medicines (if any)
Trekking pole (optional)

If you are travelling the in winter – please carry

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 – Chandigarh to Manali (8-9 hrs)

Get picked up from Chandigarh airport/ railway station this morning and head to Manali. Stop for lunch at Sundernagar or mid-way. Reach Manali and rest from your long day of travel. We start exploring Manali tomorrow.

Day 2 – In Manali – Visit Atal Tunnel, Solang Valley, Vashisht Temple and hot springs

We leave after a leisure breakfast to Atal Tunnel – the worlds longest tunnel above 10000 ft. Visit the tunnel and cross over. to Khoksar where you can stop at a cup of tea and some mountain maggi. On your way back you will Solang Valley and go up on the ropeway or even indulge in some paragliding and other adventure activities. On your way back visit the village of Vashisht and its famous hot springs. If time permits, you can even attemp to hik to the popular Jogni waterfall from the village.

Day 3 – In Manali – visit Hidimba and Manu temple, Old Manali, and Mall road today

Start your day after breakfast and first visit the famous Hidimba temple also known as Dhungri temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimba Devi, wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Surrounding the temple are the Dhungri forests which are also a nature sanctuary. Next we head to Manu temple which is a walk from the Old Manali bridge as that is the drop off point, due to lack of parking on the Old Manali road. The temple dedicated to sage Manu, is where Manali gets its name from. It has superb views of the original Old Manali village and a must visit for everyone. After your visit to the temple you can walk down Old Manali road and do some souvenir shopping, stop by for lunch in one of the many cafes lining the street. The last stop for the day is on Mall Road, where you can again indulge in some shopping and stop by one of its many cafes and restaurants. Head back to your hotel for dinner.

Day 4 - Manali to Tirthan via Naggar - Castle and Art Gallery (4-5 hrs)

Head to Tirthan today, with a visit to Naggar enroute. Naggar Castle, is a medieval monument in Naggar town nestled between Kullu and Manali. Naggar used to be the ancient seat of the King of Kullu, but is now run as a heritage hotel and tourist monument. A little ahead of the castle is Roerich Art Galley, which used to be the habitation of world famous Russian artist Nicholas Roerich and his family. The place is now turned into an exhibition space by a joint venture between the Russian and Himachal Pradesh governments. It is visited by most people who come to Naggar and is an inspirational space for budding artists to see Roerich’s work on Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti Valley. You can chose to have lunch in Naggar village at one of it’s many cafes before heading to Tirthan. Reach Tirthan and rest this evening., You can go for a short hike to Jhibi waterfall if you’d like.

Day 5 - Day Hike to Chaini Fort or drive to Gushaini & hike towards GHNP or drive to Shangarh, Sainj (4-5 hrs/ 7-8 hrs)

Today will be adventurous as you will be trekking in this beautiful region. You can chose one of two treks today. Trekking to the majestic Chaini Fort or towards the Great Himalayan National Park. Please note that you will need a guide for your trek to Chaini fort which your host can arrange for you upon request. Chaini Fort is a 3-4 hr trek from Jhibi village. Chaini village is known for its ancient structures inspired by Chinese art and archaeology. Sharingi Bagi temple is another major attraction which lies mid way and you can take this detour to the temple if you are upto it. The other trek you can opt for today is the 8 km long trek towards the Great Himalayan National Park from a spot in Gushani. Just reaching the gate of the Great Himalayan National Park can be considered a trek in itself. If you wish to enter the GHNP you need to take a permit. Only people who wish to go on multi day treks to explore the national park take permission. You can relax in the evening and go for a stroll to Jhibi waterfall nearby. The final excursion option to choose from is to visit beautiful Sainj valley situated at the base of the Great Himalayan National Park. A scenic off beat location is perfect if you do not want anything too touristy. Sainj Valley is more famous for the Shahangarh meadows, the Pundhrik Rishi Lake (which is a hike from Deori village) and Raila village to see the twin towers of Raila.

Day 6 - Tirthan to Shimla via Jalori Pass, Serolsar Lake, Narkanda (6-7 hrs)

After breakfast we head to Jalori Pass. A high mountain pass at 3200 mtrs, Jalori Pass is one of the favourite places for trekkers, mountain lovers and riding enthusiasts. Jalori Pass is the starting points for 2 treks (Serolsar lake and Raghupur fort) and you can easily do one of these – the hike to Serolsar Lake is without a guide. A 5 km trek from the top of Jalori pass brings you to Sareolsar Lake, a lake with unpolluted crystal clear water. This lake is tranquil and known for being the seat of local goddess Budhi Nagin. As Jalori Pass receives a heavy amount of snowfall during the winter, it is only accessible between April and November. Stop in Narkanda and visit Hatu Peak before heading to Shimla. Reach and rest.

Day 7 - Local Sightseeing- Mall Road, Ridge, Jhakhu Temple, Viceregal Lodge, Church

Leave for Shimla town after a leisure breakfast. You can take the day easy today and explore the town on foot as vehicles are not allowed on Mall Road. Visit the famous and most photographed, ridge in Shimla. You can even visit Vice Regal lodge ( formerly known as Rashtrapati Niwas) and the botanical gardens. It houses some of the most ancient articles and photographs going back to the times of the British rule in India.Next we visit the famous Jakhu temple by ropeway. Dedicated to lord Hanuman the temple is a very famous tourist point and a must see. As your day comes to an end, you can indulge in shopping on Mall Road for local handicraft and stop by a cafe for some dinner.

Day 8 - Drive to Chail, Cricket Ground, Kufri, Chini Bungalow, Himalayan National Park and back (3-4 hrs)

Leave for Chail this morning and on your way make a stop at Kufri. Kufri is famous for its Amusement park which has the world highest go-kart track, if you are with children then there is a good chance you might end up spending the entire day these. Chini bungalow which is famous for its statues and architecture and the Kufri zoo are some of the main attractions. You can spend your day in Kufri before heading for Chail. Chail is a quieter place known for its famous cricket ground, Chail Palace and for its bird sanctuary. Chail Palace has been turned into a heritage hotel by the government and is a worth visit place if you are into British architecture.