Overview
A Delhi-to-Delhi loop through four very different parts of Himachal. You go up to Shimla first, cross to Manali for three nights, drop into the Parvati valley for a night by the river at Kasol, and finish with two nights among the Tibetan monasteries of McLeod Ganj before driving back to Delhi. The car collects you from home or the airport and drops you back at the end, so there are no trains or flights to manage. It's a lot of variety for nine days, with only the first and last days long.
Best for: Delhi families and visitors arriving at Delhi airport who want a varied loop without flights
- Door-to-door from Delhi
- Two nights in Shimla
- Three nights in Manali with Solang and Sissu
- Manikaran and a riverside night in Kasol
- Two nights in McLeod Ganj
- A loop with no backtracking
Day by day
- Day1
Delhi to Shimla
About 350 kmOvernight: Shimla
An early start from Delhi along the highway past Panipat and Ambala, then up through Solan to Shimla by late afternoon. Evening on the Ridge.
Road guide: Delhi to Shimla → - Day2
Shimla and Kufri
About 80 kmOvernight: Shimla
Kufri's views in the morning, then Jakhu temple and the Viceregal Lodge. Evening free on the Mall. 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 Kullu valley to Manali, about seven to eight hours with stops. 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 Manali → - Day4
Solang and Sissu
About 90 kmOvernight: Manali
Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul, back to Manali for dinner. 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: Manali to Sissu (Atal Tunnel) → - Day5
Manali town and Naggar
About 50 kmOvernight: Manali
Hadimba temple, Old Manali and Vashisht in the morning, Naggar castle 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.
- Day6
Manali to Kasol via Manikaran
About 80 kmOvernight: Kasol
Down to Bhuntar and up the Parvati valley to Manikaran's gurdwara and hot springs, then on to Kasol for an afternoon by the river.
Road guide: Manali to Kasol → - Day7
Kasol to McLeod Ganj
About 220 kmOvernight: McLeod Ganj
Back through Mandi and west via Jogindernagar, Baijnath and Palampur's tea gardens to McLeod Ganj, about six to seven hours.
Road guide: Kasol to Dharamshala → - Day8
McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot
Local sightseeing, short drivesOvernight: McLeod Ganj
The Dalai Lama's temple, the Tibet Museum, Bhagsu waterfall and Dharamkot's cafés. 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.
- Day9
McLeod Ganj to Delhi
About 480 km
The long drive back to Delhi, about eleven to twelve hours, or a drop at Kangra airport or Pathankot station if you'd rather fly or take the train.
Road guide: Dharamshala to Delhi →
Why this loop works from Delhi
Going up to Shimla first uses the main highway, and coming back from McLeod Ganj uses the Pathankot–Jalandhar side, so you see different country on each long day. In between, every drive is under seven hours.
Four flavours of Himachal
Shimla is history and walks; Manali is snow and adventure; Kasol is riverside calm; McLeod Ganj is Tibetan culture and mountain cafés. Most travellers find they enjoy the contrast more than any single place.
Cutting the driving
If the long first and last days put you off, take the train or a flight to Chandigarh at the start, and fly back from Kangra at the end. We'll re-price the trip for the shorter car days.
Route and price at a glance
The Himachal from Delhi trip covers about 1,615 km by road over 9 days, with overnight stops in Shimla, Manali, Kasol and McLeod Ganj. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 2,250 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 8 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹28,000 for 8 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹54,950 for the car and driver and a ₹12,442 service fee: ₹95,392 in all, or ₹47,500 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Delhi to Shimla (about 350 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 2: Shimla and Kufri (about 80 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 3: Shimla to Manali (about 250 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 4: Solang and Sissu (about 90 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 5: Manali town and Naggar (about 50 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 6: Manali to Kasol via Manikaran (about 80 km, overnight Kasol)
- Day 7: Kasol to McLeod Ganj (about 220 km, overnight McLeod Ganj)
- Day 8: McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot (short local drives, overnight McLeod Ganj)
- Day 9: McLeod Ganj to Delhi (about 480 km)
Himachal from Delhi 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 | ₹47,500 ≈ US$560 | ₹95,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹37,500 ≈ US$440 | ₹1,50,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹39,000 ≈ US$460 | ₹2,34,000 | 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)₹28,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹54,950
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹12,442
- Total for both₹95,392
Included
- 8 nights in Shimla, Manali, Kasol and McLeod Ganj, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 9 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 Delhi and drop at Delhi
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Delhi
- ×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.
- Days 1 and 9 are long; we start early and stop for meals on the way.
- You can save a day of driving by ending at Kangra airport with a flight to Delhi.
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
Kangra valley
- McLeod Ganj2,004 mMcLeod Ganj: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- • March to June and September to November are best; May and June are busiest.
- • July and August bring monsoon landslides, especially in the Parvati valley.
- • Winter is possible with snow in Manali, but Kasol is cold and some cafés close.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Himachal from Delhi package cost?+
About ₹39,000 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹47,500 per person for a couple, for all 9 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
How long is the drive from McLeod Ganj to Delhi?+
About 480 km and eleven to twelve hours with breaks.
Can we fly back instead?+
Yes, from Kangra airport near Dharamshala; the package price drops slightly.
Is Kasol suitable for families?+
Yes. It's a calm riverside village by day; we pick family-friendly guesthouses.
Can we add Dalhousie?+
Yes, two nights after McLeod Ganj, ending at Pathankot.
Which car do we get on the Himachal from Delhi 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
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Kasol · Wikipedia: McLeod Ganj · WanderOn: Himachal tour packages
