Himachal Pradesh, blessed with pleasant nature, is a province situated in north India. After Independence, it became the 18th state of the country. The state with its scenic beauty is the most popular tourist destination of India. The fact of being the only state in India with numerous hill stations attracts tourists not just from neighboring states but also international tourist. The virgin nature ensures its place in tourists’ favourite destination. The state is embodied with snow clad peaks of Western Himalayas giving more eyeful view of nature in the west. The province has not only breathtaking nature but also pleasing climate throughout the year. Planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh won`t let any expectations down. The place is perfect for family, friends, or newly married. It’s a peerless destination that showers ace view of nature and lets you stay away from urban life`s hectic schedule.

Himachal Pradesh Travel Guide

The graphic state lies close to Himalayan ranges in North of India. Attraction for tourist are thundering rivers, spectacle landscapes, lofty snow peaks, deep gorges, flush valleys, flower carpeted meadows, mountain lakes, ancient temples and grace monasteries. The state is imbued with copious hill stations. People who wish for a change from their daily hectic can feel the warmth of nature in the state`s lap. Tourists can cherry-pick from multifarious adventurous activities like skiing, golf, river rafting, ice skating, mountaineering, paragliding and trekking. Each and every corner of the state has something stored for their tourists.

Tourism in Himachal Pradesh

Newly, Himachal Pradesh has been honored with peerless tourism. Government of Himachal Pradesh supports tourism to the hilt and gives dire priority to the self-same. The state is well known for its overwhelming beauty that charms travelers from all over the world in cluster. The province gives ample of space for visitors to explore the splendid nature with virgin forest. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department is focusing on betterment of infrastructure, conservation and preservation of historical monuments, and identification of untouched tourist destination. The department is working rigorously for the promotion of the state, Himachal Pradesh, and its tourism. The Tourism Department gives importance to all activities concerned with tourism to make sure that the globetrotters have no reason to scream-bloody murder. The state`s tourism includes pilgrimage tourism, cultural tourism, village tourism, wildlife tourism and history. All these are cynosure of the state.

There are boundless small tourist centers in Himachal Pradesh to shepherd tourists with state`s travel, hotel booking, shopping, transportation and caters other pivotal travel tours. They provide Himachal Pradesh tourism guides, booklets, brochure, Himachal Pradesh maps and tour books to the guest of the state. The official website of the province provides information lock, stock and barrel. In short, the Tourist department ensures to guide with every minute detail of the state, Himachal Pradesh, in numerous way to help their visitors feel free to rejuvenate themselves in the lap of nature. The Himachal Pradesh tourism also guides for those seeking for cheap holiday packages and Himalayan treks which also counts accommodation, catering, transport and more tourism benefits. Additionally, the Himachal Pradesh also organizes thrilling sports activities like skiing, paragliding, river rafting, trekking, ice-skating, golf and camping and tenting addresses in distant tribal areas. Himachal Pradesh is a place which can be inked as ‘a picture paints thousand words’

Pilgrimage Tourism in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is blessed with around 6,000 temples all over the state. The state shares majority Hindu religious people. Buddhism is second important religion followed by the state`s residents. The state is best known as ‘dev bhumi’ (land of Gods). Ergo, the state also shares auro of spirituality. The province is place where both nature and spirituality dwells together. The state can be phrased as ‘a potpourri of splendid nature and poised spirituality.’ One of the phenomenal pilgrim centers in the state is Kullu valley where ‘Bijli Mahadeva’ temple is situated, which is built with large blocks of stones. The cynosure 65-ft flagstaff is believed to be the expression of divine blessing. The Shiva linga is shatters, the moment flagstaff gets struck by lightning. The local priest covers the linga with sattoo and butter, restoring the image.

One of the oldest temples is Dhoongri Temple, Manali, of the goddess Hidimba, which is believed to be over thousand years old dedicated to the goddess Hidimba, is believed to be over a thousand years old. The enormous shrines of the Gods results in peace and harmony throughout the tear in the state. The highly revered Parshuram Tal (tank) is situated near Renuka Lake which is carved in the portrait of a goddess. The place is also famous for the legend associated with it. Dharamsala in the Kangra District is another exceptional pilgrimage center. It is the residence place of Dalai Lama. The  other pilgrim centers include Lakshmi Narayan, Vyas Gufa, Naina Devi Temple and Radheshyam Temples in Bilaspur. This holy place provides an unique sight of Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of a Sikh guru, on one side and Gobind Sagar on the other. Besides, Poanta Sahib is located on the Nahan-Dehradun Road. It is an paramount pilgrimage centre for the Sikhs. Its impressive gurudwara on the bank of the Yamuna River is jammed by thousands of pilgrims during Holi in March. The state`s population is thus heartily religious and follows all rituals. With enormous temples and spirituality, the state often revels numerous festivals and fairs.

Nature Tourism in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is best known for tourism related with nature. The place is enclosed with beautiful mountains that allow one to enjoy nature with its divergence. The grace of the state lies in the hot springs, apple orchards to snow crowned peaks. Narkanda, at a height of about 8,850 ft and 64 km from Shimla on the Hindustan-Tibet road, is famous for its apple orchards and its beautiful scenery, especially during summer. Tourists can conveniently visit to other tourist sopts like Khandrala, Bagi, Kalpa and Rampur on Tibet-Hindustan Road from this place. Globetrotters can also visit hot Manikaran spring which is just 45 kilometres away from Kullu town. The road from Kulu to Manali is flanked by lofty mountains and spreading virgin forests. On this road lies Katrain which is well known for its fruit orchards and trout hatchery. There is also the diminutive town of Naggar where the medieval world still survives, unharmed by time. Near Dharamsala, too, there are a number of picturesque picnic spots. The waterfalls of Bhagsunath, whose tank and spring are considered sacred; the beautiful Dal Lake; Dharamkat; Triund and the Kareri Lakes which is nearly 3,000m above sea level. Located at a distance of 3 kilometres from Manali is the sulphur springs of Bashishta and a little higher up is the small Bhrigu Lake. the enchanting Lahaul and Spiti valleys are also perfect places to enjoy nature`s bliss.

Adventure Tourism in Himachal Pradesh

Adventure tourism in Himachal Pradesh is indeed a new experience. The state, Himachal Pradesh, is well known as ‘land of snow’. It gives ample of opportunities for adventurous activities for adventure enthuse. Trekking here on snow crowned peaks gives momentous experience. Situated on the bank of the Sutlej River, Rampur Bushahr is one such spot of adventure tourism. It is located at a distance of 140 km from Shimla. Trekking also offers an array of natural attractions, glimpse of flora and fauna. Camping allows one to live beyond reproach moments with nature. The valley of Kullu also offers ample scope for climbing and angling in its forests. Apart from these tourists can also drop in at Manali if they are interested in trekking. Winter sports are very popular in Himachal Pradesh. There are several places in this state where one can indulge in ice skating or skiing. Narkanda is another place that is perfect for skiing. The little hamlet of Kufri, 16 km from Shimla, is the centre for winter sports. The ice skating rink is one of its kinds in this part of the world. The skiing season starts in the last week of December and lasts till the end of February. Skiing opportunities are also available at Narkanda (64 km from Shimla) and Solang (10 km from Manali). Manali-Chandratal,Manali-Chandratal, Manali-Solang Valley, Manali-Deo-Tibba, Shimla to Kulu Dharamsala-Chamba; Shimla to Churdhar and Shimla to Mussoorie are a few of the most popular trekking spots in Himachal Pradesh. With its numerous adventure activities, the state was awarded as ‘Best State for Adventure Tourism Destination’. There are various activities for adrenaline junkies throughout year.

Visiting Information on Himachal Pradesh

How to Reach

Himachal Pradesh is accessible by road, rail and air. Local transportations are easily available for touring the city. There are various state and private buses that offer services to travelers who wish to travel further to other cities. Since the roads are well connected the tourists will have a comfortable journey.

Road

From Pathankot, Punjab, in the West, Chandigarh (South) and Dehradun in the East.

Rail

There is also a rail link between Kalka and Shimla and another one between Pathankot and Jogindernagar.

Air

Indira Gandhi International airport is the nearest international airport located at Delhi. From Delhi and Chandigarh (a domestic airport) air services to Kullu is also available. Apart from these their are small airports situated at Kullu, Kangra, Shimla and Pathankot.

Famous Aspects and Useful Information

This state also is world famous for its handicrafts. Most of the villages have proficient artisans who create useful yet amazing pieces of art. A tourist can shop for paintings, rugs and carpets, embroidered items, wood carvings and apparels. There are many other items like shawls and woolen garments available from Government Emporia. Located mainly in Manali, Shimla and Dalhousie these shopping arcades offer the visitor an opportunity of a fabulous shopping experience. The shopping arcades of the streets are opened during the evening allowing the tourist to complete his or her shopping list with perhaps a few metal ware, jewel and leatherwork items. Even women help in pottery. The state has preserved art in plethora and continues contemporarily too.

There are people who prefer Himachal Pradesh for business tours as well. Thus, the state serves all purpose for all kind of travelers to visit here. The travel information on Himachal Pradesh will thus be quite useful for the interested travelers. The best season to drop in at Himachal Pradesh is summer - April to June. The weather is mild and the days are long then. This is also the ideal time for mountaineering or camping. Himachal has an enormous range of weather conditions and a traveler therefore needs to check the type of clothing and equipments in accord to the regions they would be visiting. There are satisfactory accommodation units in Himachal Pradesh for the travelers.