11 Best Hill Stations in Himachal Pradesh (2024)

Often called the 'Queen of Hills', Shimla is a mesmerizing hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the top hill stations in India, and among the top Himachal tourist places. It is located about 112 km from Chandigarh, and 348 km from New Delhi.

Among the top hill stations in Himachal, Shimla derives its name from 'Goddess Shyamala', an incarnation of Goddess Kali. Kali Bari Temple, Annandale, Vice Regal Lodge, Jakhu Temple / Jakhu Hill, The Mall, Tara Devi Temple, Christ Church, and Kalka - Shimla Railway are some of the best tourist places in Shimla.

Besides being the ultimate summer retreat it remains an ideal spot for adventure sports. Tourists can go in for the various treks to the Kullu valley, indulge in trout fishing at the Pabbar River, try skiing at the Narkanda and Kufri, and play golf at Naldehra as part of Shimla holiday packages. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful places to visit near Chandigarh.

Manali is a breathtakingly beautiful hill station nestled in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley. About 295 km from Chandigarh, and 545 km from Delhi, it is one of the top hill stations in Himachal, and among the top places to visit near Chandigarh.

Renowned for its snow-covered mountains, scenic beauty, history, and culture, Manali is located at an altitude of 2050 m and is spread along the banks of the river Beas. Manali is named after the Hindu lawgiver Manu. Often referred to as the 'Valley of the Gods', Manali is one of the popular hill stations near Delhi.

Naggar Castle, Hidimbi Devi Temple, and Rohtang Pass are among the must include places in Manali holiday packages. Manali also has many Buddhist monasteries that are worth visiting. Enfield point, Manali Gompa, Manu Temple, Naggar Castle, Nehru Kund and Zana Waterfalls are the other famous tourist places in Manali.

Manali is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, Paragliding, rafting, kayaking, and mountain biking. Paragliding in Manali is an unforgettable experience.

Located at an altitude of 1,970 m, Dalhousie is one of the famous hill stations in Himachal, and among the popular places to visit near Chandigarh. It is located about 319 km from Chandigarh, and 564 km from Delhi.

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Dalhousie is located on the western edge of the Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas. It is hill stations near Delhi, and among the best places to visit in Himachal. It was named after Lord Dalhousie, the then Viceroy of India, who established this town as a summer retreat in 1854.

The beautiful and picturesque Dalhousie is spread around five hills, known as Katalagh, Potreyn, Bakrota, Terah, and Bhangora. Ganji Pahadi, Dainkund Peak, Khajjiar, Noorwood Paramdham, Rang Mahal, Bara Pathar Temple, Hariraya Temple, St. Patrick Church, Bakrota Hills, Satdhara Falls, Village Lohali, Kalatop, and Kalatop Forest, Panchpula, Subhash Baoli, and Salooni are the top tourist places in Dalhousie. Dalhousie also offers a lot of activities for nature lovers and adventurers as part of Dalhousie holiday packages.

At an average altitude of 1,475 m above sea level, Dharamshala is a pristine hill station situated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the best hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, and among the most famous places to visit near Delhi. It is about 234 km from Manali, 237 km from Shimla, and 486 km from Delhi.

Often called the gateway to the Kangra valley, Dharamshala is the headquarters of Kangra district and among the must-include places in Himachal tour packages. In the year 1960, Dharamshala became a temporary headquarters to His Holiness Dalai Lama. Today, it is known as Little Lhasa or Dhasa, because of its large population of Tibetans and Buddhist Monasteries.

The hill station of Dharamshala is covered by thick woods of oak and coniferous trees and it is enfolded on its three sides by the Dhauladhar ranges. Dharamshala packages have a lot to offer ranging from ancient temples, churches, and monasteries to museums and beautiful trekking trails. The ancient Chamunda Temple, Dalailama Temple, Namgyalma Stupa, Bhagsunath Temple, Triund Hill, Norbulingka Institute, Gyuto Monastery, and Indru Nag are some of the prime tourist places in Dharamshala.

At a distance of 40 km from Manali, 500 km from Delhi, 215 km from Shimla and 258 km from Chandigarh, Kullu is the capital town of Kullu district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in Kullu Valley at an altitude of 1230 meters. Kullu Manali is one of the top summer resorts to visit as part of Himachal tour packages and among the wellknown honeymoon destination in India.

Kullu is a broad open valley formed by the Beas River between Manali and Larji. This valley is famous for its temples, beauty and its majestic hills covered with Pine and Deodar Forest and sprawling Apple Orchards.

Kullu was earlier known as Kulant pith meaning 'the ending point of inhabitable world'. The beautiful valley is also mentioned in epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana. Chinese traveler Huien Tsang visited Kullu in 634 or 635 AD and described it as a region completely surrounded by mountains. The place had a stupa built by Asoka. In ancient days Kullu had several Buddhist monasteries. There were Hindu temples too and people of both faiths lived peacefully together.

Kullu valley is the largest valley in Kullu district. The Beas River runs through the middle of the valley. It is also called the 'Valley of the Gods' or 'Dev Bhumi'. It connects with the Lahaul and Spiti valleys ...

Kasauli is a picturesque hill station in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. About 55 km from Chandigarh, 68 km from Shimla, and 306 km from Delhi, it is one of the top hill stations near Chandigarh, and among the Himachal tour packages.

Situated in the foothills of the Dhauladhar Ranges of the lower Himalayas, Kasauli is a cantonment town of the Indian Army, having an elevation of 1,900 m above sea level. One of the scenic places to visit near Delhi, the town is famous for its lush green and picturesque surroundings of the mountains and its quiet and tourist-friendly locals.

Kasauli is set in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar Ranges with natural trails for long walks. Monkey Point, Lower and Upper Mall, Sanawar, Baba Balak Nath Tempe, Sabathu Fort are some of the major places to visit in Kasauli. One can also see several species of Himalayan flora and fauna including endangered ones as part of Kasauli packages.

Kasauli also has a Pasteur Institute founded in 1900 to produce rabies vaccine and at the same time, it also treats Hydrophobia disease. Kasauli can be visited along with Shimla packages ...

Surrounded by the Dhauladhar ranges, McLeod Ganj, also spelt McLeodGanj, is a scenic hill station that lies at an altitude of 2082 m in Himachal Pradesh. About238 km from Manali, 240 km from Shimla, and 490 km from Delhi, it is one of the popular places to visit as part of Himachal tour packages.
 
Mcleodganj was the official residence of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and also the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile. Mcleodganj packages are a mix of Tibetan institutions, Buddhist monasteries, culture, art, and crafts. Dharamkot, Bhagsu, Triund, Dal Lake, Gaggal, Lower Dharamshala, Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang, and Tsechokling Gompa are the top tourist places in Mcleodganj. It is also a major shopping center famous for souvenirs like Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, garments, wooden masks, paper drawings, beads, baubles, etc.

McLeodganj also serves as a base camp for various trekking expeditions that cover Kangra and Chamba Valleys and Dhauladhar ranges. It is one of the top hill stations near Delhi.

Situated at the junction of Kullu and Dharamshala, the town of Mandi is a gorgeous mountainous region filled with surreal landscapes and innumerable ancient shrines. About 70 km from Kullu, and 431 km from New Delhi, it is one of the best weekend getaways from Delhi and among the offbeat places in Himachal.

Offering the stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, the lush forests, and the swiftly flowing Beas, Mandi is a delightful place for those who want a rejuvenating, quiet holiday. Mandi can be visited along with Manali tour packages.

Mandi is often referred to as 'Varanasi of Hills', or 'Choti Kashi', or 'Kashi of Himachal' as the town has as many as 81 temples spread across its area. Prashar Lake, Barot Valley, Rewalsar Lake, Shikari Devi Temple, Bhimakali Temple, Bhootnath Temple, Triloknath Temple are some of the top tourist places in Mandi.

Often considered as the cultural capital of Himachal Pradesh, this quaint hill town is known for the International Mandi Shivaratri Fair, held every year in February-March. This is the must-see occation as part of Mandi packages.

Situated on the India - Tibet Road, Narkanda is one of the offbeat places to visit in Himachal, and among the must-visit hill stations near Chandigarh. It is about 60 km from Shimla, 167 km from Chandigarh, and 414 km from New Delhi.

Situated at an altitude of 8600 ft, the opulent town of Narkanda is known for its exquisite natural beauty with scenic views of snow-clad mountains, and dense forests. Narkanda is popularly known as the 'Getaway to Apple Country' as it connects to Thanedar. It can be visited along with Shimla holiday packages.

Narkanda is an ideal getaway for photography enthusiasts and those who want to relax in an undisturbed and tranquil location, far away from the bustling city life. Tani Jubbar Lake, Stokes Apple Farm, Hatu Temple, Hatu Peak, Mahamaya Temple, Kotgarh, and Thanedar are the famous tourist places in Narkanda.

Surrounded by forests and woodlands, Narkanda is one of the most well-known ski resorts in India. During winter, the slopes come alive with skiers. Towering at 3400 m, Hatu Peak is one of the popular places for skiing as part of Narkanda packages.

At a distance of 4 km from Manikaran, 30 km from Bhuntar, 38 km from Kullu, and 76 km from Manali, Kasol is a small village in Parvati Valley of Kullu district. It is one of the famous Kullu sightseeing places.

Situated at an altitude of 1640 m, Kasol is a picturesque village with traditional wooden houses having slanted stone roofs. The place is dotted with small orchards of apple, plum, peaches, pears, apricot, and almonds. A mountain stream called Grahan Nallah divides the village into two parts. This stream flows into the Parvati River.

Kasol is a favorite tourist destination, especially for Israelis. Thousands of Israelis visit this region every year and stay for months as part of their Himachal tour. Frequented by tourists and hippies, Kasol has everything from Reggae Bars to Internet Cafes and cheap guest-houses. Kasol is an ideal destination for backpackers, trekkers, and nature enthusiasts due to its scenic beauty, untouched mountains, and great climate throughout the year. It is an important base for trekking towards SarPass, Yanker Pass, Pin Parvati Pass, and Kheer Ganga.

The Parvati River abounds with trout fish and is the perfect place for angling. However, permission from the forest department is required for trout fishing in the river. Parvati River at Kasol is also ideal for white water rafting. It is one of the best ...