Himachal Grand Tour Shimla, Manali & Dharamshala tour package

8 days · 7 nights Hills & valleysCouples Up to 3,120 m Private tour

Himachal's three big names in one loop: the old summer capital, the Beas valley and the Dalai Lama's hillside. One car and one driver the whole way.

Duration
8D / 7N
Highest point
3,120 m
Distance
About 1,000 km
Best time
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

About this trip

If this is your first and maybe only big trip to Himachal, this is the route. It is the classic Shimla–Manali–Dharamshala circuit, but planned so you never backtrack. Up from Chandigarh to Shimla, across to Manali, through the Atal Tunnel for snow, then over to the Kangra valley.

One driver stays with you all eight days, which matters more than people expect. He learns how your family likes to travel, knows which dhabas are clean and which hotels to avoid, and becomes the person your kids wave to every morning.

We can end the trip at Gaggal Airport, Pathankot or back at Chandigarh, whichever suits your onward plans.

Highlights

  • Shimla's Mall Road, the Ridge and Jakhoo temple
  • Kufri and the apple country around Shimla
  • Solang valley and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu
  • Hadimba temple and Old Manali
  • Dharamshala, McLeodganj and Bhagsu

Altitude on the route

m 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 321 Chandigarh 2,205 Shimla 2,050 Manali 3,120 Sissu 1,457 Dharamshala 2,082 McLeodganj
Chandigarh 321 m, Shimla 2,205 m, Manali 2,050 m, Sissu 3,120 m, Dharamshala 1,457 m, McLeodganj 2,082 m

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Chandigarh to Shimla

    Pickup at Chandigarh airport or station. Drive up the Kalka–Shimla highway. Evening on the Ridge and Mall Road.

  2. Day 2

    Shimla and Kufri

    Kufri and its viewpoints, Jakhoo temple, Christ Church and the Viceregal Lodge at Summer Hill.

  3. Day 3

    Shimla to Manali

    Long scenic drive via Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and the Kullu valley to Manali.

  4. Day 4

    Manali town

    Hadimba temple, Vashisht hot springs, Old Manali cafés and the Mall Road.

  5. Day 5

    Solang and Atal Tunnel

    Solang valley, then through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul for snow.

  6. Day 6

    Manali to Dharamshala

    Drive via Mandi and Baijnath, with a tea stop at Palampur, to Dharamshala.

  7. Day 7

    Dharamshala and McLeodganj

    Dalai Lama temple, Bhagsu waterfall, Naddi sunset and St John's church.

  8. Day 8

    Departure

    Drop at Gaggal Airport, Pathankot station or back to Chandigarh.

Included

  • 7 nights hotel (2 Shimla, 3 Manali, 2 Dharamshala), twin sharing
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • One private cab and driver for all 8 days
  • Tolls, state taxes, parking and driver allowance

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Rohtang permit and activity tickets
  • Entry fees
  • Personal expenses

Good to know

Two long drives

Shimla–Manali and Manali–Dharamshala are each 7–8 hours. We break them with good food stops.

Flexible end point

Fly out from Gaggal (DHM) or Chandigarh, or take a train from Pathankot.

Stay, pickup and who it suits

Where you stay
3-star hotels throughout. Ask for upgrades to heritage stays in Shimla.
Pickup points
Chandigarh airport, railway station or ISBT. Delhi pickup on request (extra day).
Best for
First-time visitors to Himachal, families, honeymooners and NRI travellers.

Himachal Grand Tour: questions

Is 8 days enough to cover Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala?

Yes, comfortably. Eight days gives two nights in Shimla, three in Manali and two in Dharamshala without rushing.

Can we start this tour from Delhi?

Yes. We add a day for the Delhi–Shimla drive, or you take an early train or flight to Chandigarh and we pick you up there.

Which vehicle is best for a family of five?

An Innova Crysta. It seats six comfortably with luggage and is the most comfortable on long hill drives.

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Plan your Himachal Grand Tour trip

Tell us your dates and group. We will send hotels and a final price you can change freely.

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