Overview
Ten days end to end across Himachal, from Delhi to Amritsar without doubling back. It starts slow in quiet Kasauli, climbs to Shimla, crosses to Manali and the Parvati valley at Kasol, then turns west into the Kangra valley for Dharamshala and finishes among Dalhousie's pine forests and Khajjiar's meadow before dropping to Amritsar for the Golden Temple and your flight home. It's the trip for travellers who want to see how different each valley is, with one driver who knows every road on it.
Best for: Travellers with 10 days who want to see Himachal properly, including international visitors flying out of Amritsar
- Delhistart
- Kasauli1 night
- Shimla2 nights
- Manali2 nights
- Kasol1 night
- Dharamshala1 night
- Dalhousie2 nights
- Amritsarend
- Seven different stops from Kasauli to Dalhousie, ending at the Golden Temple
- The Parvati valley at Kasol, with Manikaran's hot springs nearby
- Khajjiar's meadow and the Dalhousie hills on the final days
- A one-way route from Delhi to Amritsar with no wasted return drive
Day by day
- Day1
Delhi to Kasauli
Delhi → Kasauli~290 km · 6–7 hoursOvernight: Kasauli
An easier first day than going straight to Shimla. Christ Church, the Mall and a sunset over the plains from the cantonment's quiet roads.
Road guide: Delhi to Kasauli → - Day2
Kasauli to Shimla
Kasauli → Shimla~77 km · 2.5–3 hoursOvernight: Shimla
A short morning drive up via Dharampur and Solan, leaving the afternoon free for the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhu temple.
- Day3
Around Shimla
Around Shimla~60 km · 2–4 hours with stopsOvernight: Shimla
Kufri and the Himalayan Nature Park in the morning (roughly 16–20 km out of town), then free time in the old town after lunch: the Ridge, Christ Church and the Lakkar Bazaar woodcraft lanes. Your driver waits at the nearest permitted point, since the Mall is closed to vehicles.
- Day4
Shimla to Manali
Shimla → Manali~245 km · 7–9 hoursOvernight: Manali
Down via Sundernagar and Mandi, then up the Beas gorge through Kullu. We leave by 8 am so the gorge section happens in daylight, with lunch in Mandi and a short stop at the Kullu shawl factories if you like.
Road guide: Shimla to Manali → - Day5
Solang and the Atal Tunnel
Around Manali~60 km · 3–5 hours with stopsOvernight: Manali
Snow at Solang in season and a run through the Atal Tunnel (south portal about 25 km from Manali) when the road is open. Hadimba temple and Old Manali's cafés make an easy evening. Rohtang needs a separate permit, so ask us ahead.
- Day6
Manali to Kasol
Manali → Kasol~75 km · 2.5–3 hoursOvernight: Kasol
Down the valley to Bhuntar and up the narrow Parvati valley. An afternoon by the river, or a short drive on to Manikaran's gurudwara and hot springs.
Road guide: Manali to Kasol → - Day7
Kasol to Dharamshala
Kasol → Dharamshala~240 km · 7–8 hoursOvernight: Dharamshala
The longest day: back to Bhuntar and Mandi, then west via Baijnath and Palampur. Bir is a possible detour for paragliding if time and weather allow.
- Day8
Dharamshala to Dalhousie
Dharamshala → Dalhousie~120 km · 3.5–4.5 hoursOvernight: Dalhousie
A morning in McLeod Ganj, then the drive west to Dalhousie through the lower Kangra hills and up via Banikhet.
Road guide: Dharamshala to Dalhousie → - Day9
Khajjiar day
Around Dalhousie~40 km · 2–3 hours with stopsOvernight: Dalhousie
Khajjiar's meadow is about 17 km away through deodar forest, often called a mini-Switzerland for its lake and grassland. Return in the afternoon for an evening walk around Dalhousie's Gandhi Chowk and St John's Church.
- Day10
Dalhousie to Amritsar
Dalhousie → Amritsar~200 km · 4.5–5.5 hours
Down to Pathankot and across Punjab to Amritsar, in time for the Golden Temple in the evening or a drop at the airport.
Tour price by vehicle
Starting prices for the whole 10-day tour (car, driver, fuel, tolls, state taxes and the driver's night allowance). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book.
42
₹61,100
starting · full tour
63
₹76,100
starting · full tour
₹83,600
starting · full tour
₹1,33,600
starting · full tour
Included
- Same car and driver for all days
- Fuel, tolls and state entry taxes
- Driver's food, stay and night allowance
- Local sightseeing on the days shown
Not included
- ×Hotels and meals (book your own, or ask us for suggestions)
- ×Entry tickets, activities and parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Rohtang Pass permit and paragliding (optional extras)
When to go
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasauli | January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Fine, check weather |
| Shimla | January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
| Manali | January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
| Kasol | January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Fine, check weather |
| Dharamshala | January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Best time |
| Dalhousie | January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • Best Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov, when every road on the route is normally open.
- • Avoid Jul–Aug: monsoon slides affect several sections, especially around Mandi, Kullu and the Parvati valley.
- • Dec–Feb is possible but cold; Dalhousie and Manali can see snow that slows the high sections.
Frequently asked questions
Can we start in Amritsar and end in Delhi instead?+
Yes, the route works in reverse. Fly into Amritsar and finish with Shimla and Kasauli near Delhi.
Do we need the same driver throughout?+
Yes, that's the point of the tour. The driver stays with you all ten days, and their food and stay are included in the price.
Can we drop Kasol to save time?+
Yes. Going straight from Manali to Dharamshala turns this into a 9-day trip.
Which vehicle suits this tour?+
An SUV or Innova Crysta. On a 1,400+ km trip, luggage space and comfort make a real difference.
