Overview
The big Himachal circuit in ten days, returning to where you started. Two nights in Shimla, three in Manali, two in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj and two in Dalhousie, with day trips to Kufri, Solang, the Atal Tunnel, Khajjiar and Kangra fort along the way. The loop runs anticlockwise, so the longest drives come early when everyone is fresh, and the final run from Dalhousie back to Chandigarh is through the plains. It's the trip families most often ask us for when they say they want to see all of Himachal.
Best for: Families with ten days who want to see the whole of Himachal's hill-station circuit once
- Shimla's Ridge, Mall and Kufri
- Three nights in Manali with Solang and Sissu
- McLeod Ganj and the Dalai Lama's temple
- Kangra fort and the Norbulingka Institute
- Dalhousie's forest walks
- Khajjiar's meadow
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Shimla
About 115 kmOvernight: Shimla
Pickup in Chandigarh and the three to four hour climb through Solan to Shimla. Evening walk on the Ridge and the Mall, past Christ Church and Scandal Point.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Shimla → - Day2
Kufri and Shimla
About 80 kmOvernight: Shimla
Kufri's viewpoints and nature park in the morning; Jakhu temple, Lakkar Bazaar and the Viceregal Lodge in the afternoon. Timings are flexible: tell your driver in the morning if you'd like to linger somewhere, skip a stop or add one along the way.
Road guide: Shimla to Kufri → - Day3
Shimla to Manali
About 250 kmOvernight: Manali
Across to Mandi and up the Beas into the Kullu valley, with stops at Pandoh dam and the shawl shops near Kullu. Evening arrival in Manali.
Road guide: Shimla to Manali → - Day4
Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu
About 90 kmOvernight: Manali
Solang valley's ropeway and slopes, then through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu for the Chandra valley views. Back to Manali for the Vashisht hot springs.
Road guide: Manali to Sissu (Atal Tunnel) → - Day5
Manali, Naggar and Old Manali
About 50 kmOvernight: Manali
Hadimba temple and Old Manali's cafés in the morning; Naggar castle and the Roerich gallery after lunch. Timings are flexible: tell your driver in the morning if you'd like to linger somewhere, skip a stop or add one along the way.
- Day6
Manali to Dharamshala
About 235 kmOvernight: Dharamshala
Down the Beas to Mandi and west into the Kangra valley past Baijnath and the tea gardens of Palampur to Dharamshala.
Road guide: Manali to Dharamshala → - Day7
McLeod Ganj, Norbulingka and Kangra fort
About 70 kmOvernight: Dharamshala
The Tsuglagkhang temple, Bhagsu waterfall and St John in the Wilderness in the morning; Norbulingka's crafts and Kangra fort in the afternoon.
- Day8
Dharamshala to Dalhousie
About 120 kmOvernight: Dalhousie
West across the Kangra valley and up into the Chamba hills to Dalhousie. Evening walk on the Garam Sadak to Gandhi Chowk.
Road guide: Dharamshala to Dalhousie → - Day9
Khajjiar and Dalhousie
About 50 kmOvernight: Dalhousie
A morning at Khajjiar's meadow and lake, then Dalhousie's Panchpula, Satdhara falls and St Patrick's church. Timings are flexible: tell your driver in the morning if you'd like to linger somewhere, skip a stop or add one along the way.
Road guide: Dalhousie to Khajjiar → - Day10
Dalhousie to Chandigarh
About 300 km
The long drive back to Chandigarh through Pathankot and the Punjab plains, about eight hours, or a shorter drop at Pathankot or Amritsar.
Road guide: Dalhousie to Chandigarh →
The circuit at a glance
The loop links Himachal's four best-known hill stations in a natural order, with no backtracking.
- Shimla: 2 nights, colonial history
- Manali: 3 nights, snow and the Atal Tunnel
- Dharamshala: 2 nights, Tibetan culture and Kangra fort
- Dalhousie: 2 nights, forests and Khajjiar
Pacing a long family trip
Ten days in a car can be tiring for children and grandparents. We alternate long drives with short sightseeing days, keep the evenings free and choose hotels where the car can reach the door wherever possible.
Hotels along the way
Standard hotels are well-reviewed 3-star properties near the centre of each town; comfort hotels are 4-star or boutique, often with valley views. In McLeod Ganj and Dalhousie we prefer hotels with road access, to avoid steep walks with luggage.
Route and price at a glance
The Complete Himachal trip covers about 1,360 km by road over 10 days, with overnight stops in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 2,500 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 9 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹32,500 for 9 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹61,100 for the car and driver and a ₹14,040 service fee: ₹1,07,640 in all, or ₹54,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla (about 115 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 2: Kufri and Shimla (about 80 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 3: Shimla to Manali (about 250 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 4: Solang, the Atal Tunnel and Sissu (about 90 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 5: Manali, Naggar and Old Manali (about 50 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 6: Manali to Dharamshala (about 235 km, overnight Dharamshala)
- Day 7: McLeod Ganj, Norbulingka and Kangra fort (about 70 km, overnight Dharamshala)
- Day 8: Dharamshala to Dalhousie (about 120 km, overnight Dalhousie)
- Day 9: Khajjiar and Dalhousie (about 50 km, overnight Dalhousie)
- Day 10: Dalhousie to Chandigarh (about 300 km)
Complete Himachal price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹54,000 ≈ US$635 | ₹1,08,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹42,500 ≈ US$500 | ₹1,70,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹44,500 ≈ US$525 | ₹2,67,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹32,500
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹61,100
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹14,040
- Total for both₹1,07,640
Included
- 9 nights in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 10 days (sedan or Innova for two, Innova for four, Tempo Traveller for six), including fuel, tolls, parking, state taxes and the driver's allowances
- Pickup from Chandigarh and drop at Chandigarh
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Chandigarh
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Entry fees, ropeways, activities and snow gear hire
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
Good to know: roads, permits and safety
- No permits are needed. Rohtang Pass can be added in season with a vehicle permit.
- The two long drives, Shimla to Manali and Manali to Dharamshala, are each about seven hours with breaks.
- If the last day is too long, end at Pathankot, about two and a half hours from Dalhousie, and take a train.
When to go
The whole year at a glance
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Shimla and around
- Shimla2,376 mShimla: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Snow: Jan–Feb, Dec; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
Kullu, Manali and the Parvati valley
- Manali2,050 mManali: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Snow: Jan–Feb, Dec; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
Kangra valley
- Dharamshala1,457 mDharamshala: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Dec; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
Dalhousie and Chamba
- Dalhousie1,970 mDalhousie: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Snow: Jan–Feb, Dec; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- • March to June and September to November are the best months for the whole circuit.
- • December to February brings snow to Manali, Dalhousie and sometimes Shimla; expect some changes to the plan.
- • July and August bring heavy rain to Dharamshala and landslides on several roads.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Complete Himachal package cost?+
About ₹44,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹54,000 per person for a couple, for all 10 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
Is ten days enough to see Himachal?+
Enough for the four main hill stations at a comfortable pace. Spiti and Kinnaur need another week.
Can we start from Delhi?+
Yes; it adds about 250 km at each end. Our 9-day trip from Delhi is planned for that.
Which part is best for children?+
Manali's snow and Solang, and Khajjiar's open meadow, are usually children's favourites.
Can we drop Dalhousie and end sooner?+
Yes. Ending after Dharamshala makes it an eight-day trip.
Which car do we get on the Complete Himachal trip?+
A sedan for two travellers, an Innova for up to four and a Tempo Traveller for six, with the same driver for the whole trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Shimla to Manali taxi
- Manali to Dharamshala taxi
- Dharamshala to Dalhousie taxi
- Himachal itinerary for first-time visitors
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Shimla · Wikipedia: Dharamshala · TravelTriangle: Himachal tour packages and prices · Shimla Manali Tourism: package prices by tier
