Himachal Pradesh : A Paradise for tourists

Popularly known as ‘Devbhumi’ (Land of the Gods), Himachal Pradesh is a alluring hill state in India, located in north-west of western Himalayas.  The state is landlocked with Tibetan plateau to the East, Jammu and Kashmir to the North and Punjab to the West. However, the state stands apart from its neighbors in terms of sheer topographical diversity and breathtaking immaculate natural beauty. From vast tracts of high-altitude Trans-Himalayan desert to dense green Deodar Forests, from apple orchards to cultivated terraces, from snow-capped high Himalayan mountains ranges to snow fed lakes and gushing rivers – all are available in Himachal Pradesh, an illustrious tourist destination is not only in India but also in South Asia.

How to reach: Himachal Pradesh lies calmly on the foothills of the Himalayas. Increase of tourist activities has led to the growth of communication network in the state. The state of Himachal Pradesh has three airports located at Bhuntar at Kulu district, Gaggal Airport near Dharamshala and Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti. The state also has rail stations in all major cities. The railway stations at Shimla, Jammu and Palampur are popular and receive trains from all part of the country. There are no direct trains from Kolkata, Mumbai or other important cities of India. One needs to change train in New Delhi.  Himachal Pradesh has well developed network of roads and connected to all major cities of the North India. Chandigarh is located at a distance of 117 km and Delhi is situated at a distance of 343 km. One needs to travel 151 km to reach the city of Ambala. Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) runs several buses to and from the state to the neighboring cities and states. National Highway 1-A, National Highway-20, National Highway-21, National Highway 21-A, National Highway-22, National Highway-70, National Highway-72, National Highway 73-A and National Highway-88 connect to the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Popular destinations:

Shimla: Shimla is an captivating place. It is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and also known as queen of hill stations all over the globe and attracts lots of tourists. Shimla is mostly covered with buildings in Victorian style, charming hill slopes and a green meadow which makes it one of the most visited places in Himachal Pradesh and liked by tourists. The place is blessed with very nice geographical locations which has made it ideal for trekking, hiking, high altitude camping and mostly liked by thriller altitude tourists. The place is also blessed with very beautiful natural environment which will give you magical moments to cherish throughout your lifetime. This is why this place also considered as a famous honeymoon destination. Newly married couple can visit the place and capture the best holidays of their life. They can visit some famous places like Solong Valley, Rothang Pass and Vashist Hot Spring. Adventurous and enthusiastic couples can go for mountain climbing, ice-skating, golfing and trekking. Other beautiful tourist attractions and famous places to visit are Kali Bari Temple, Kamna Devi Temple, Tara Devi Temple, Mall, Jakhu Temple, Ridge, Victorial Lodge, State Museum, Photo Art Gallery, Dorji Drag Monastery etc. Visitors can also go for shopping at famous Mall Road and the Ridge Road of the city.  As a famous tourist destination, a good number of hotel and guest houses are available in Shimla. Radisson Hotel Shimla, Aapo Aap Home Stay, Hotel Willow Banks, Hotel Combermere, Marigold Holiday Cottages, Hotel Oberoi Cecil, Shimla British Resort, Honeymonn Inn Shimla, Hotel Gulmarg Regency, Bridge View Regency, Hotel Pristige, Hotel Ganga etc. are well-known hotels in Shimla.                                                                            

Kulu Manali: Besides Shimla, Kulu Manali is also one of the most popular places in Himachal Pradesh. The small city covered with beautiful verdant valley, charming lash green meadows, eye-catching apple orchards and striking gardens. Most popular tourist attractions are Bijli Mandev Temple, Raghunath Temple, gorgeous valleys, picturesque landscapes etc. and most important part of its attraction is peaceful climate. Kulu town is situated in Kulu Valley. The notable hotels at Manali are Johnson Lodge, Apple Country Resorts, Hotel Hollywood, Hotel Devlock, Hotel Kalpana, Hotel Shandella etc.  Dharamshala: Set against the backdrop of the fascinating Dauladhar Mountains, Dharamshala is perched on the high slopes in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. The town is divided into two distinct and widely separated sections - Upper and Lower Dharamshala which defer almost a thousand meters in height. The major tourist attractions of Dharamshala are Kangra Art Museum, War Memorial, Dal Lake, St. John’s Church, the Shrine of Bhagsunath, Kunal Pathri Temple, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium etc.  Nobel laureate Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama lives at this town. Notable Hotel at Dharamshala are Macleodgany Homestay, New Varuni House, Bob’s n Barley, Moon Walk Residency, Hotel Gandhi’s Paradise, Snow Crest Inn etc.          

Dalhousie: Situated at altitude of 6,000 to 9,000 feet, Dalhousie reflects the indigenous beauty of the Himalayas. It is a quiet town with a sense of enchantment. The hill station spreads over five low-level hills at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range, just east over the Ravi River. The picturesque town is interspersed with the colonial-era buildings, low roofs stalls and hotels. The Pine-covered slopes around it are intersected with paths and treks, which are ideal for short undemanding walks. The tourist attractions of Dalhousie are Dalhousie Castle, Subhash Baoli, Norwood Paramdham, Shivkul Asram, Dakshina Murti, Rang Mahal, Kynance, Laxmi Naryan Temple etc. The well-known hotels at Dalhousie are Monga’s Hotel and Resort, Hotel Piari, Hotel Oak Valley Residency, Grand View Hotel, Lal Ji Tourist Resort, Hotel Jaspreet etc.

Palampur: Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India. Set on the rising slopes of Kangra Valley before the merge with the Dhauladhar ranges. But tea is just one aspect they make Palampur a special resort. Abundance of water and proximity to the mountains has endowed it with mild climate.  Chail: Located at a height of 2,250 meters, Chail is one of the smallest Himalayan hill resorts. When Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala was expelled from Shimla, he decided to create his own summer capital which was Chail. Lying just 45 km away from Shimla, surrounded by thick covers of deodars and situated at a higher altitude, Chail was a very good choice in British-controlled Shimla.

Adventure tours: Adventure activities like trekking, jeep safari and camping is available at some particular places in Himachal Pradesh. If interested, you can know relevant information from the State Tourism Department.  Restricted areas and Inner Line permits: Foreigners travelling between Sumdo in Spiti and Morang in Kannaur  where the road passes a few kilometers of Western Tibet  require Inner Line permits, valid for travel through the border districts. Officially you are required to travel in a group of four or more, but in practice that is never enforced though in some places you may have to apply as part of a group.  Inner Line permits are valid for seven days and available from Shimla, Manali, Kulu and Rekong Peo. If travel independently, you are best of applying at Rekong Peo in Kinnaur or Kaza in Spiti whire you can do the legwork yourself and obtain a permit in an hour or two usually free. In Shimla, Kulu Manali and Rampur, officials normally insist that you can only apply as a group of four through a travel agent. It is a good idea to bring three photographs and photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and visa with you though in some places officials like to take these directly. Although you are unlikely to need them, make at least four photocopies of your permit that local authorities would demand to retain a copy at checkpoints along the way. When travelling through restricted areas, you should never take photographs of military installations or sensitive sites like bridges. Follow to the main route and you should have no problems with officialdom. As a very famous tourist destination, travel cost in Hamachal is higher than most of the states in India.

Other facts: The climate of Himachal Pradesh is cool in summer and cold in winter, sometimes freezing. The primary language is Hindi and Punjabi but as a famous tourist destination, English is widely spoken. The people of remote areas also have their own Pahari language. April to June is the ideal time to visit Himachal.

Writer : freelance journalist and travel blogger