Few places in the world are as diverse in their topography as Himachal Pradesh. With its river flowing through jagged rocks, rich green meadows, and serene lakes surrounded by mountains covered in thick layers of snow, resembling the seven skies above, it truly is like a little slice of heaven on earth.

In the grasslands, many flora and fauna flourish in the shelter that the valleys have provided them and you can see many rare wild species like the snow leopard, Himalayan Yak, Musk deer, and many more living in peace in nature. 

Himachal is the kind of place that immediately lifts your spirits, all you have to do is just be there and breathe in the crisp air. Along with the serenity that it offers, it also provides tons of opportunities for adventure, no matter if they are beginners or experienced in seeking the thrill that these activities have to offer.  

On this backpacking trip to Himachal from Delhi, we have handpicked some of the best locations in Himachal Pradesh that you must visit.

ITINERARY

(Delhi to Delhi)

Day 1 : Drive from Delhi to Manali (530 Kilometers, 13 Hours)

• The group assembles at the pick-up point at 7 PM.
• We'll meet the team captains and a small tour briefing session would also be provided.
• Afterward, we’ll head out for an overnight journey to Manali.

Note: The pickup point will be Majnu Ka Tila Bus Stand. 

Day 2 : Manali Arrival | Local Sightseeing

• On this day, we will head out for a local sightseeing tour of Manali where we will be visiting Hadimba Temple which is an ancient cave temple believed to be 500 years old.
• We'll also visit Manali Mall Road and go for Cafe hopping in Old Manali.
• Dinner followed by an overnight stay in Manali. 

Day 3 : Manali to Solang Valley ( 13 Kilometers, 1 hour) | Solang Valley Sightseeing

• After early morning breakfast, we will head towards Solang Valley which is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts.
• Upon our arrival in Solang valley, travelers can indulge in activities like Zorbing, Skiing, ATV rides, Paragliding, Zipline, and more. (on personal expense).
• We'll also traverse the iconic Atal Tunnel and visit Sissu which is a beautiful valley nestled in Lahaul.  Once we've had our fair share of adrenaline, we will head back to Manali.
• Dinner followed by an overnight stay in Manali.

Note: The visit to Atal Tunnel/Sissu is subject to time and weather conditions. 

Day 4 : Manali to Kasol (75 Kilometers, 2 Hours) | Kasol Sightseeing

• Post early morning breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and head towards Kasol which is a tiny hamlet in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh known for its pristine river streams and lush green forests.
• Upon arrival in Kasol, we will check in to our designated hotel. Afterward, we'll hike towards Chalal which is a quaint village that offers beautiful views of the entire Parvati Valley. 
• In the evening, we will indulge in cafe hopping and explore the local market as well.
• Dinner followed by an overnight stay in Kasol. 

Day 5 : Kasol to Jibhi (83 Kilometers, 3 Hours) | Jibhi sightseeing

• Post breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and visit the Manikaran Temple and Manikaran Gurudwara. We will also visit the Hot Water Springs in Manikaran which are considered extremely sacred by the locals. Afterward, we'll head towards Jibhi which is a tiny hamlet nestled between lush green forests in the Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
• Upon reaching Jibhi in the evening, we’ll check into our hotel. Afterward, we'll head out for a sightseeing tour where we'd visit the sparkling Jibhi Waterfall, explore the local market, and indulge in Cafe Hopping. 
• Dinner will be served in the evening followed by an overnight stay in Jibhi.

Day 6 : Trek To Jalori Pass and Sirolsar Lake (9 Kilometers, 5 Hours)

• After early morning breakfast, we will check out of our hotels and head out for a trek to Jalori Pass. The trek leads you to the 360º viewpoint which offers a stunning view of the entire valley along with the Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas.
• After traversing through Jalori Pass, we will also visit the pristine Sirolsar Lake which is a high-altitude lake nestled amidst alpine forests. Just beside the lake, there is a temple that holds extreme significance for the locals where you can pay your respects as well.
• Afterward, we will descend and head towards Bhuntar/ Aut and board an overnight bus for Delhi.

Day 7 : Delhi Arrival | Tour Ends

• We will reach Delhi early morning at 9 AM (tentative).
• The group will part ways with fond memories from the trip.
• Trip Ends.

THINGS TO PACK

Day backpack (20 – 30 Ltrs): When you are on a local sightseeing tour, you are required to carry only a few necessary items and for that, you need a day backpack as you will leave your bigger one at your designated stay. 

Floaters or Sandals: When you are spending your day at leisure, a good pair of sandals and floaters will help you to move freely.

1 Down Jacket / Main Jacket: It’s emphasized that you need to carry proper layers so you can avoid getting cold which is why you need to carry an insulated jacket that you can put on over your other clothes.

1 Pair of Thermal: Thermal is a piece of garment that helps in keeping your body warm in cold temperatures. It is a necessary item that you need when traveling to cold regions.

Outdoor Shoes: A comfortable shoe is required when traveling outdoors, especially in the mountains. They shouldn’t be chunky, instead, they should be lightweight and sturdy.

3 Quick Dry Tees: You must keep at least three pairs of quick dry tees so that you can wash them in between stops for proper hygiene. 

3 Pair of Cotton Socks: Cotton socks are extremely comfortable to move around in and are lightweight as well which is why you can always count on a good pair of cotton socks while trekking. However, keep in mind to change them and avoid wearing them when they are wet.

1 Pair of Woolen Socks: A good pair of woolen socks, especially merino, are comfortable, limit odors and provide adequate insulation from the cold so you can wear them at night.

1 Poncho: A poncho is an evolved form of a raincoat that provides coverage to your body as well as your bag and ensures total water protection from the rain. 

Quick-dry towel: A quick-dry towel will help in maintaining proper hygiene. It must dry quickly because the wet fabric will only increase the chance of bacterial growth.

Gloves: Insulated gloves help in maintaining proper body heat in your hands.

Sanitizer: Prevent the risk of infections and maintain proper hand hygiene by making sure you carry a hand sanitizer.

Sun Cap: A lightweight sun cap with side flaps is perfect to keep your head cool and avoid sunburns on a sunny day. 

Lip Balm: Your lips can become chapped due to the harsh cold winds so it's important to keep them moisturized.

Cold Cream & SunScreen (SPF 40+): To avoid sunburns and chafing, you need to put on sunscreen as well as cold cream.

Water Bottle 1 Lt.: Hydration is extremely important when it comes to traveling To carry a water bottle that you can refill with Himalayan water is a must.

Bag for all your Toiletries: A bag with all your essentials including napkins, toothpaste, sanitizers, paper soap, etc should be carried in a ziplock bag. 

Personal Basic Medical Kit: Carrying a medical kit with bandages, Dettol, and medication for headaches, nausea, etc is necessary.

Sunglasses / People who use spectacles (Use Photochromic glasses instead of contact lenses): Photochromatic glasses are specs that are designed to transform into anti-glare shades depending upon exposure to the sun. They are good when it comes to eye protection but one can also opt for clip-on glasses etc.

Mobile charger / Power bank: Although you'll get electricity at most places, it is always advisable to carry a charged power bank in case of emergencies.

Documents: Identification proofs like Aadhar Card, and driver's License.

Travel Laundry Bag: In case your clothes get wet or your garments don’t dry, you can carry them in the bag and keep them separate from your dry clothes. 

Camera: This should be obvious. To make sure that you get to capture all the great moments from your trip. Make sure that you have enough storage and some extra batteries as well.