Himachal Pradesh is a Himalayan state in northern India, carved from Punjab in 1966. Despite its small size and low population density, it draws visitors year-round with hill stations, ancient temples, adventure sports, and the living heritage of Tibetan culture.
Shimla, the state capital and former summer capital of British India, still carries traces of the Raj in its colonial architecture and Mall Road promenades. Dharamsala and its upper town McLeodganj are home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile, earning the nickname 'Little Lhasa.'
The Kullu Valley and neighbouring Manali sit among pine-covered hills and lush meadows. Bir Billing is one of the world's top paragliding sites. Further north, the remote valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, accessible via Keylong, reward trekkers with stark high-altitude landscapes and ancient Buddhist monasteries.
The state is an ideal base for treks and walks. Popular routes include circuits around Shimla (Mashobra, Kufri, Naldehra, Chail), the Kullu-Manali area (Manikaran, Naggar, Brighu Lake), and the Dhauladhar range above Dharamsala.
