Himachal Grand Tour
Nine nights across Himachal's four best-known hill towns, from colonial Shimla to Tibetan McLeod Ganj.
Trip at a glance
- Duration10 days / 9 nights
- Starts inShimla
- RouteShimla · Manali · Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj ·…
- Places4 destinations
- StateHimachal Pradesh, India
- Ideal forHill-station holidays, Family holidays
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-AYL7AA
Best time to visit: March to June; December to February for snow




Trip overview
Nine nights across Himachal's four best-known hill towns, from colonial Shimla to Tibetan McLeod Ganj.
The route spends 2 nights in Shimla, 3 nights in Manali, 2 nights in Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj and 2 nights in Dalhousie & Khajjiar, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits hill-station holidays and family holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Shimla
- Arrive via Shimla Airport (SLV) has limited flights; Chandigarh (IXC) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Kalka–Shimla Railway: UNESCO-listed toy train
Day 2Shimla: Toy train ride and Mall Road walk
- Toy train ride
- Mall Road walk
Day 3Shimla to Manali
- Travel from Shimla to Manali by private vehicle, with stops on the way
- Check in at your Manali hotel
- Hadimba Temple: Wooden temple in a cedar forest
Day 4Manali: Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel and Sissu
- Solang Valley: Paragliding, ropeway and snow sports
- Atal Tunnel and Sissu: Tunnel to Lahaul and waterfalls beyond
Day 5Manali: Trek to Jogini Falls and Old Manali
- Trek to Jogini Falls
- Old Manali: Cafés and village lanes
Day 6Manali to Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj
- Travel from Manali to Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj by private vehicle
- Check in at your Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj hotel
- Bhagsu Waterfall: Waterfall and temple
Day 7Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj: St John in the Wilderness and Tsuglagkhang Complex
- St John in the Wilderness: Church in the cedar forest
- Tsuglagkhang Complex: The Dalai Lama's temple and residence
Day 8Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj to Dalhousie & Khajjiar
- Travel from Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj to Dalhousie & Khajjiar by private vehicle
- Check in at your Dalhousie & Khajjiar hotel
- Khajjiar Meadow: Meadow with a small lake and forest
Day 9Dalhousie & Khajjiar: Panchpula and Dainkund Peak
- Panchpula: Waterfall and streams
- Dainkund Peak: Highest point with valley views
Day 10Depart from Dalhousie & Khajjiar
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Kangra Airport (DHM) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Realistic drive times on hill roads
- Viewpoints planned for clear mornings
- Warm layers advised even in summer
- Rest days built in every few days
- Laundry stops planned
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Shimla: Ride the toy train one way and drive the other, to see both the tunnels and the valley views.
- Manali: Rohtang needs an online permit and is closed on Tuesdays; Sissu via the Atal Tunnel is an easy alternative.
- Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj: Start the Triund trek early to reach the ridge before the afternoon clouds.
- Dalhousie & Khajjiar: Stay in Khajjiar for a night if you want the meadow without day-trip crowds.
Questions about this trip
Can I change this itinerary?
When is the best time for this trip?
How do I start the trip from Chennai?
How much does this package cost?
Similar itineraries
6D / 5NShimla · ManaliShimla & Manali Holiday
The most-requested Himachal route: colonial Shimla and Kufri, then Manali's orchards, Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel.
View itinerary →
9D / 8NShimla · Spiti Valley · ManaliSpiti Valley Road Trip
A high-desert circuit for experienced travellers: in through Kinnaur, monasteries at Key and Tabo, Chandratal Lake and out over Kunzum Pass.
View itinerary →
6D / 5NAmritsar · Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj · Dalhousie & KhajjiarAmritsar, Dharamshala & Dalhousie
The Golden Temple and Wagah, then into the Dhauladhar hills for monasteries and Khajjiar's meadows.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NDharamshala & McLeod Ganj · Dalhousie & KhajjiarDharamshala & Dalhousie
Tibetan monasteries and Triund views at McLeod Ganj, then Dalhousie's colonial walks and Khajjiar's meadow.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NShimla · ManaliShimla & Manali Family Trip
A compact Himachal holiday for families with young children, keeping drives short and activities easy.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NShimla · Chail · KasauliShimla, Chail & Kasauli Hills
Shimla's Mall Road and toy train, the Patiala maharajas' palace at Chail, then Kasauli's pine walks and Sunset Point on the way down to Chandigarh.
View itinerary →Read more about each stop
Himachal PradeshShimla
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and its Mall Road, Christ Church and Viceregal Lodge still feel colonial.
Himachal PradeshManali
Manali sits at the head of the Kullu Valley, with apple orchards, old wooden temples and snow peaks all around.
Himachal PradeshDharamshala & McLeod Ganj
Dharamshala and the upper town of McLeod Ganj are home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Himachal PradeshDalhousie & Khajjiar
Dalhousie is a quiet colonial hill station spread over five hills, with churches, pine walks and views of the Pir Panjal.
Ready for Himachal Grand Tour?
Share your dates and we send a quote with hotels and a price on WhatsApp.
Request a free quote →Chat on WhatsApp