Overview
Himachal's backpacker trail links McLeod Ganj, Bir, the Parvati valley and Manali, and most people do it by local bus. This eight-day version keeps the same places and the same relaxed spirit but adds a private car, so you spend your time in cafés and on trails, not at bus stands. You get two nights each in McLeod Ganj, Bir and Kasol, then a night in Manali before heading back. Stays are well-reviewed guesthouses and small hotels rather than big resorts.
Best for: Backpackers and young travellers who want the classic trail without the night buses
- Two nights in McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot
- Bir's paragliding and monasteries
- Two nights in Kasol with Tosh
- Manali's Old Manali cafés
- Guesthouses with character
- A car instead of night buses
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to McLeod Ganj
About 250 kmOvernight: McLeod Ganj
The drive from Chandigarh into the Kangra hills and up to McLeod Ganj, about six to seven hours. Evening in a rooftop café facing the valley.
Road guide: Chandigarh to McLeod Ganj → - Day2
McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot
Local sightseeing, short drivesOvernight: McLeod Ganj
The Tsuglagkhang and Tibet Museum in the morning, then walk up to Dharamkot for cafés, yoga classes and the start of the Triund trail. Fit walkers can go up to Triund and back.
- Day3
McLeod Ganj to Bir
About 70 kmOvernight: Bir
A short drive east to Bir's Tibetan colony. Afternoon at Chokling monastery and the landing site, where paragliders drift down in the evening light.
Road guide: McLeod Ganj to Bir → - Day4
Bir and Billing
About 30 kmOvernight: Bir
A tandem flight from Billing if you want one, booked with a licensed operator, or a walk through the tea gardens to Sherab Ling monastery and the Deer Park Institute.
- Day5
Bir to Kasol
About 200 kmOvernight: Kasol
East via Jogindernagar and Mandi, then up the Parvati valley to Kasol, about six hours. Evening by the river. 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
Tosh and Kalga
About 50 kmOvernight: Kasol
Drive to Barshaini and walk up to Tosh for the views, then across to Kalga's orchards. Back to Kasol for dinner.
- Day7
Kasol to Manali
About 80 kmOvernight: Manali
Via Manikaran's gurdwara to Manali. Afternoon in Old Manali and Vashisht. 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: Kasol to Manali → - Day8
Manali to Chandigarh
About 305 km
The drive back to Chandigarh, about seven to nine hours, with a lunch stop on the way. Your driver helps with luggage at the station or airport, and if your train or flight leaves late we can add a lunch stop or a short detour on the way.
Road guide: Manali to Chandigarh →
The trail and its towns
McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot have yoga schools, meditation courses and Tibetan cafés. Bir is about paragliding, monasteries and calm. Kasol and the Parvati valley are about forests, rivers and walks. Manali ties it together with Old Manali's cafés and mountain views.
Sharing the cost
The car price is shared between the travellers, so a group of four pays much less per person than a couple. The price table shows the per-person cost for two, four and six.
Staying safe
The backpacker trail is generally safe, but take normal precautions: don't walk remote trails alone, keep valuables locked away and avoid drugs. Tell your driver or guesthouse if you're heading out on a long walk.
Route and price at a glance
The Himachal Backpacker Trail trip covers about 995 km by road over 8 days, with overnight stops in McLeod Ganj, Bir, Kasol and Manali. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 2,000 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 7 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹20,500 for 7 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹48,800 for the car and driver and a ₹10,395 service fee: ₹79,695 in all, or ₹40,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to McLeod Ganj (about 250 km, overnight McLeod Ganj)
- Day 2: McLeod Ganj and Dharamkot (short local drives, overnight McLeod Ganj)
- Day 3: McLeod Ganj to Bir (about 70 km, overnight Bir)
- Day 4: Bir and Billing (about 30 km, overnight Bir)
- Day 5: Bir to Kasol (about 200 km, overnight Kasol)
- Day 6: Tosh and Kalga (about 50 km, overnight Kasol)
- Day 7: Kasol to Manali (about 80 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 8: Manali to Chandigarh (about 305 km)
Himachal Backpacker Trail 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 | ₹40,000 ≈ US$470 | ₹80,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹31,000 ≈ US$365 | ₹1,24,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹32,500 ≈ US$380 | ₹1,95,000 | 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)₹20,500
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹48,800
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹10,395
- Total for both₹79,695
Included
- 7 nights in McLeod Ganj, Bir, Kasol and Manali, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 8 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. Drugs are illegal in India and penalties are severe, including for foreigners.
- Guesthouses in Dharamkot and Tosh may be reached by short walks.
- Mobile signal and ATMs are patchy in the Parvati valley; carry cash.
When to go
The whole year at a glance
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Kullu, Manali and the Parvati valley
Kangra valley
- McLeod Ganj2,004 mMcLeod Ganj: Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- Bir1,525 mBir: Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- • March to June and September to November are best.
- • Bir's paragliding season is strongest in October and November.
- • July and August are very wet in McLeod Ganj and risky in the Parvati valley.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Himachal Backpacker Trail package cost?+
About ₹32,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹40,000 per person for a couple, for all 8 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
Why use a car for the backpacker trail?+
It saves long waits and overnight buses, and lets you stop where you like. Shared between four, it's not much more than buses and taxis.
Can we add the Triund or Kheerganga treks?+
Yes. Both can be added with a night at the top when camping is allowed.
Are the stays hostels?+
No. We use private rooms in guesthouses and small hotels. Hostels can be arranged for solo travellers.
Is it suitable for solo travellers?+
Yes, though the car is cheaper per person in a group.
Which car do we get on the Himachal Backpacker Trail 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: McLeod Ganj · Wikipedia: Bir, Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Kasol · WanderOn: Himachal tour packages
