20 days in Himachal Pradesh Itinerary

Home to the majestic western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh ranks among the world's top mountaineering destinations. Tourism in Himachal Pradesh draws adventurers from far and wide to climb, raft, paraglide, hike, and ski their way across the picture-perfect river valleys and snow-covered mountain slopes. Those looking for something less strenuous can tour Himachal Pradesh's charming hill stations, where the holiday atmosphere lasts all year. To travel through this mountainous region the old-fashioned way, consider one of the state's narrow-gauge railways, which include the World Heritage-listed Kalka-Shimla train line.

Mandi District seduces visitors with natural scenery and cultural richness. A diverse Mandi District itinerary offers plenty of choices for culture-oriented visitors and outdoor adventurers alike. The town itself is the gateway to famous valleys that offer picturesque trekking experiences. Lush land and verdant hills surround blue lakes, some of which are places of high spiritual importance. Natural sulfur springs attract tourists with their healing properties, while charming villages dotted with apple orchards offer a quiet escape from the city bustle. Serene hillside temples of the town of Sundernagar, 24 km (15 mi) south-west of Mandi, remain a major tourists draw. Make sure to leave room in your luggage for local handicrafts, particularly for silver jewelry.

On your trip to Kulu District, combine sightseeing with outdoor adventures in the scenic surrounds. Set against the backdrop of towering peaks, forested hills, and green valleys, Kulu District is famous for its Hindu temples, traditional Sikh villages, superb trekking, and river rafting. Spread out along the riverbanks, the quiet town of Kulu serves as a gateway to the popular destination of Manali. If you're up for adventure, try hiking, mountaineering, or paragliding over the Himalayan hills and glaciers. To understand the local legends and traditions, visit ancient temples during festivities and small villages, such as Kasol and Malana. Make sure to leave room in your luggage for traditional shawls, thangka paintings, and jewelry you'll find at the markets.

The district of Lahaul-Spiti in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Keylong in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. The district was formed in 1960.Kunzum la or the Kunzum Pass (altitude 4,551 m; 14,931 ft) is the entrance pass to the Spiti Valley from Lahaul. It is 21 km from Chandra Tal. This district is connected to Manali through the Rohtang Pass. To the south, Spiti ends 24 km from Tabo, at the Sumdo where the road enters Kinnaur and joins with National Highway No. 22.The two valleys are quite different in character. Spiti is more barren and difficult to cross, with an average elevation of the valley floor of 4,270 m (14,009 ft). It is enclosed between lofty ranges, with the Spiti river rushing out of a gorge in the southeast to meet the Sutlej River. It is a typical mountain desert area with an average annual rainfall of only 170 mm (6.7 inches).It is the fourth least populous district in India (out of 640).

Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh lies between longitude 77.00" and 78.19" east and latitude 30.45" and 31.44" north, with its headquarters in Shimla. It is surrounded by Mandi and Kullu in the north, Kinnaur in the east, Uttarakhand in the southeast, Solan to the southwest and Sirmaur in the south. The elevation of the district ranges from 300m to 6000m.As of 2011 it is the third most populous district of Himachal Pradesh (out of 12), after Kangra and Mandi. It is the most urbanized district of Himachal Pradesh.The most commonly practised religion in the district is Hinduism. Hindi and Pahari are the languages spoken. Tourism and agriculture/horticulture are the majors source of income.