Overview
The Karsog valley, between Shimla and Mandi, is one of Himachal's least-visited corners: terraced fields, apple orchards and some of the oldest temples in the state. This five-day trip starts with a night in Shimla, then drops to the Sutlej for the hot springs at Tattapani before climbing to Karsog for three nights. From there you visit the Mamleshwar Mahadev temple with its Pandava legends, the Kamakhya Devi temple, Chindi's apple country and, on the last full day, the high, roofless temple of Shikari Devi above Janjehli.
Best for: Travellers who want quiet valleys, old temples and hot springs off the tourist map
- Tattapani's hot springs on the Sutlej
- Mamleshwar Mahadev temple at Karsog
- Kamakhya Devi temple
- Chindi's orchards
- Shikari Devi's roofless hilltop temple
- Quiet roads and village life
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Shimla
About 115 kmOvernight: Shimla
Climb to Shimla for a first night in the hills, with an evening walk on the Ridge and the Mall.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Shimla → - Day2
Shimla to Karsog via Tattapani
About 110 kmOvernight: Karsog
Down through Mashobra and Naldehra's forests to the Sutlej at Tattapani, where hot springs have been tapped into bathing pools. Then up to Karsog's terraced valley.
- Day3
Karsog temples and Chindi
About 40 kmOvernight: Karsog
The Mamleshwar Mahadev temple, associated in local legend with the Pandavas, and the Kamakhya Devi temple, then up to Chindi's apple orchards and views.
- Day4
Shikari Devi
About 120 kmOvernight: Karsog
A long day trip to Janjehli and up to Shikari Devi at about 2,850 m, a temple open to the sky. Legend says a roof has never stayed on it. Snow often lingers until May.
- Day5
Karsog to Chandigarh
About 220 km
Back via Mandi or Shimla to Chandigarh, about seven hours. 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.
Karsog's ancient temples
Karsog has some of Himachal's oldest temples, with wooden carvings and stone shrines. The Mamleshwar Mahadev temple houses objects that local tradition links with the Pandavas, and the Kamakhya Devi temple is a centre of goddess worship in the valley.
Tattapani's hot springs
Tattapani, meaning hot water, sits on the Sutlej. Its springs have been used for bathing for centuries; after the Kol dam raised the river level, bathing pools were rebuilt nearby.
Who this suits
Travellers who prefer rural Himachal and temples to crowds, and repeat visitors looking for something new.
The road from Shimla to Karsog
From Shimla the road drops through the forests of Mashobra and Naldehra, famous for its old golf course laid out by Lord Curzon, and then descends steeply to the Sutlej at Tattapani, more than a thousand metres lower. From the river it climbs again through terraced fields and orchards to Karsog. It's a day of dramatic changes in scenery and temperature, from pine forest to warm river valley and back to cool hills.
Tattapani's bathing pools are simple, with separate areas for men and women. Bring a towel and a change of clothes, and check with locals about the water level, which changes with the dam's operations.
Shikari Devi in detail
The Shikari Devi temple sits on a ridge at about 2,850 m in a wildlife sanctuary of the same name, with views across Mandi district to the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. The road climbs from Janjehli through thick forest; the last stretch is steep, and in early spring snow may block it, leaving a walk to the top. The goddess is worshipped by hunters, which gives the temple its name, and stones placed around the open shrine are offerings from devotees.
Route and price at a glance
The Karsog, Tattapani and Shikari Devi trip covers about 605 km by road over 5 days, with overnight stops in Shimla and Karsog. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 1,250 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 4 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹11,500 for 4 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹30,350 for the car and driver and a ₹6,278 service fee: ₹48,127 in all, or ₹24,000 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla (about 115 km, overnight Shimla)
- Day 2: Shimla to Karsog via Tattapani (about 110 km, overnight Karsog)
- Day 3: Karsog temples and Chindi (about 40 km, overnight Karsog)
- Day 4: Shikari Devi (about 120 km, overnight Karsog)
- Day 5: Karsog to Chandigarh (about 220 km)
Karsog, Tattapani and Shikari Devi 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 | ₹24,000 ≈ US$280 | ₹48,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹18,500 ≈ US$220 | ₹74,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹19,500 ≈ US$230 | ₹1,17,000 | 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)₹11,500
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹30,350
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹6,278
- Total for both₹48,127
Included
- 4 nights in Shimla and Karsog, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 5 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.
- Hotels in Karsog are simple; the comfort tier gets the best available.
- The Shikari Devi road is narrow and steep; we only go in good weather.
When to go
- • April to June and September to November are the best months.
- • The road to Shikari Devi is closed by snow from about December to April.
- • Monsoon months bring landslides on the smaller roads.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Karsog, Tattapani and Shikari Devi package cost?+
About ₹19,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹24,000 per person for a couple, for all 5 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
What is Tattapani?+
A village on the Sutlej known for natural hot springs, with bathing pools beside the river.
Why does Shikari Devi have no roof?+
Local belief holds that the goddess prefers it open to the sky; attempts to roof it are said to have failed.
How remote is Karsog?+
Quite: few tourists come, and hotels are simple, but the roads are paved.
Can we combine with Mandi?+
Yes. Mandi is about 2.5 hours from Karsog.
Which car do we get on the Karsog, Tattapani and Shikari Devi 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: Karsog · Wikipedia: Tattapani, Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Shikari Devi · TravelTriangle: Himachal tour packages and prices
