Overview
Four hill stations in nine days, linked by some of Himachal's prettiest roads. You start in colonial Shimla, cross to Manali for snow and the Atal Tunnel, then follow the Kangra valley to Dharamshala, the home of the Dalai Lama, and finish in Dalhousie with a day at Khajjiar's meadow, often compared with Switzerland. The trip ends at Pathankot, which has trains to Delhi and a small airport, so there's no long drive back the way you came. A private car and driver stay with you throughout.
Best for: Couples with nine or ten days who want the full sweep of Himachal's hill stations
- Shimla's Mall and Ridge
- Three nights in Manali with Solang and Sissu
- McLeod Ganj and the Dalai Lama's temple
- Dalhousie's colonial churches and walks
- Khajjiar's meadow and lake
- Ends at Pathankot for trains and flights
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Shimla
About 115 kmOvernight: Shimla
Pickup in Chandigarh and the climb to Shimla. Evening on the Ridge and the Mall, with time to settle in after the journey.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Shimla → - Day2
Kufri and Shimla
About 80 kmOvernight: Shimla
Kufri for the views in the morning, then the Viceregal Lodge and Jakhu temple. Dinner in Shimla. 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 the hills to Mandi and up the Kullu valley to Manali, about seven to eight hours with stops along the Beas.
Road guide: Shimla to Manali → - Day4
Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel
About 90 kmOvernight: Manali
Solang's ropeway and slopes, then through the tunnel to Sissu for views of Lahaul. Back in Manali by late afternoon for the Vashisht hot springs.
Road guide: Manali to Sissu (Atal Tunnel) → - Day5
Manali town and Old Manali
Local sightseeing, short drivesOvernight: Manali
A free morning, then Hadimba temple, the Manu temple and lunch in Old Manali. Evening shopping on Mall Road. 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 the tea gardens of Palampur. Stay in Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj, with the Dhauladhar range rising behind.
Road guide: Manali to Dharamshala → - Day7
McLeod Ganj to Dalhousie
About 130 kmOvernight: Dalhousie
Morning at the Tsuglagkhang complex, the Dalai Lama's temple, and St John in the Wilderness church. After lunch, the drive to Dalhousie through the Chamba hills.
Road guide: McLeod Ganj to Dalhousie → - Day8
Khajjiar and Dalhousie
About 50 kmOvernight: Dalhousie
A morning at Khajjiar's meadow, ringed by deodars around a small lake and temple. Afternoon walks along Dalhousie's Garam Sadak and Thandi Sadak and a visit to St Patrick's church.
Road guide: Dalhousie to Khajjiar → - Day9
Dalhousie to Pathankot
About 80 km
A short descent of about two and a half to three hours to Pathankot for trains to Delhi or flights from Pathankot or Amritsar. Drop-offs further afield can be arranged.
Four hill stations, four characters
Shimla is the old British summer capital; Manali is about snow and adventure; Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj have a Tibetan heart, with monasteries and momo shops; and Dalhousie is a quiet colonial town of churches and forest walks. Seeing all four shows how varied Himachal is.
- Shimla: history and the Mall
- Manali: snow and the Atal Tunnel
- Dharamshala: Tibetan culture and the Dhauladhar
- Dalhousie and Khajjiar: forests and meadows
Long drives, broken up
The two longest legs, Shimla to Manali and Manali to Dharamshala, are each around seven hours with breaks. Both follow rivers and valleys with plenty of places to stop. The remaining drives are three hours or less.
Upgrades couples like
Consider the comfort tier in Manali and Dalhousie, where the best rooms have big views. In McLeod Ganj, rooms facing the Kangra valley are worth asking for. If you'd like an extra night anywhere, Manali and Dalhousie are the best places to add one.
Route and price at a glance
The Himachal Honeymoon trip covers about 1,050 km by road over 9 days, with overnight stops in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie. 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 ₹29,000 for 8 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹54,950 for the car and driver and a ₹12,592 service fee: ₹96,542 in all, or ₹48,500 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 valley and the Atal Tunnel (about 90 km, overnight Manali)
- Day 5: Manali town and Old Manali (short local drives, overnight Manali)
- Day 6: Manali to Dharamshala (about 235 km, overnight Dharamshala)
- Day 7: McLeod Ganj to Dalhousie (about 130 km, overnight Dalhousie)
- Day 8: Khajjiar and Dalhousie (about 50 km, overnight Dalhousie)
- Day 9: Dalhousie to Pathankot (about 80 km)
Himachal Honeymoon 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 | ₹48,500 ≈ US$570 | ₹97,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹38,500 ≈ US$455 | ₹1,54,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹39,500 ≈ US$465 | ₹2,37,000 | 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)₹29,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹54,950
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹12,592
- Total for both₹96,542
Included
- 8 nights in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie, 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 Chandigarh and drop at Pathankot
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 anywhere on this route.
- The Dalai Lama's temple has security checks; avoid bringing large bags.
- Pathankot has frequent trains to Delhi; book the return early in peak season.
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 best for the whole route.
- • December to February brings snow to Manali and sometimes Dalhousie and Khajjiar; some roads may be slow.
- • July and August are wet across the Kangra valley; landslides are common on this route.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Himachal Honeymoon package cost?+
About ₹39,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹48,500 per person for a couple, for all 9 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
Why end in Pathankot?+
It's the nearest railhead and airport to Dalhousie, and saves a 300 km drive back to Chandigarh. Ending in Chandigarh is possible at extra cost.
Is nine days enough for four hill stations?+
Yes, with two nights in Shimla and Dalhousie, three in Manali and one in Dharamshala. Add a night in McLeod Ganj for a slower pace.
What is Khajjiar known for?+
A large meadow surrounded by deodar forest with a small lake and temple, about 22 km from Dalhousie.
Can we reverse the route?+
Yes: start at Pathankot and end at Chandigarh. The price is the same.
Which car do we get on the Himachal Honeymoon 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
- Manali to Dharamshala taxi
- McLeod Ganj to Dalhousie taxi
- Dalhousie to Khajjiar taxi
- Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj guide
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Dalhousie, India · Wikipedia: Khajjiar · Wikipedia: McLeod Ganj · TravelTriangle: Himachal tour packages and prices
