Himachal Pradesh is home to several hill stations.Situated on the River Beas, Manali is one of the most visited hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Shimla in Himachal Pradesh boasts of old world charm and monuments. Chamba and Dharamshala in the upper reaches of the state of Himachal Pradesh are extremely popular with those seeking peace and quiet. For adventure lovers, Himachal Pradesh offers great trekking and hiking trails in Khajjiar, Chail and Kufri. Naldera in Himachal Pradesh has the distinction of having one of the highest golf courses in the country. Holiday in Himachal Pradesh for a truly memorable vacation.

Himachal Tourism has been divided into four interesting travel circuits.

The Sutlej Voyage circuit passes through the shiwalik foot hills through apple orchards, forests of pine, oak and deodar, majestic monuments of the Raj, snow covered ski slopes and the furious Sutlej river. This circuit covers Delhi - Rohru - Rampur - Sarahan - Narkanda - Naldehra - Tattapani - Shimla - Kiarighat - Delhi. This voyage also includes Renuka, Paonta Sahib and Nahan.

The Beas Voyage covers the highly picturesque Beas valley - the valley of gods. Flower covered meadows, terraced fields of apple, paddy, maize and the sparkling Beas river. It covers Delhi - Shimla - Mandi - Rewalsar - KulluManali - Rohtang - Nagar Manikaran - Delhi. One can also continue to Leh across the Baralacha pass.

The Dhauladhar Voyage circuit passes in the shadow of the mighty and majestic snow clad Dhauladhar ranges, which dominate the beautiful Kangra valley, dotted by flower filled meadows, temples, tea gardens and flocks of sheep. It covers: Delhi - Chintpurni - Jwalamukhi - Kangra - Dalhousie - Khajjiar - Chamba - Dharamsala - Chamunda - Palampur - Jogindernagar - Delhi.

The Tribal Voyage Circuit passes through a spectacular terrain of river valleys, cold desert mountains, high passes, snow capped peaks, icy lakes, mighty glaciers-an exotic tribal country dotted by monasteries. It covers: Delhi - Shimla - Narkanda/Hatkoti - Sarahan - Sangla - Kalpa - Pooh - Nako - Tabo - Dhankar - Kaza - Losar - Kunzam - Koksar - Sissu - Keylong - Udaipur - Trilokpur - Rohtang - Manali - Delhi.

Himachal Tourist Information :

Area : 55673 sq. km Population 5.2 million Literacy 64% Average rain fall 1400 mm.

Climate : Temperate.

Clothing : Cotton in summer and woollen in winter.

Season : Winter (Dec-March) Av. temp. -5C to 25C in lower hills. -5C to 15C in mid hills Summer (April-June) Av. temp. 15C to 35C in lower hills. 10C to 25C in in mid/higher hills Monsoon (July 15th-Sept.) Av. temp. 15C to 30C in lower hills. 10C to 25C in mid/higher hill Nearest Railway Station (Broad gauge) Chandigarh, Kalka, Pathankot and Nangal. (Narrow gauge) Shimla, Jogindernagar.

Airport : Jubbarhatti (Shimla), Bhuntar (Kullu) and Gaggal (Dharamsala)

Important Trek routes: Rohru - Chanshal - Dodrakwar - Rupin - Sangla; Sangla - Badrinath; Jalori pass; Chandrakhani - Pass (Kullu Manali - Chandratal Manali - Parvati valley Dharamsala - Triuns - Chamba Bharmour - Manimahesh Chamba - Kullar over Sach pass; Bharmour - Baijnath; Bharmour - Lahaul; Chandratal; Barashigri glacier; Kinner - Kailash Bhaba - Pin Valley.

Skiing and Ice Skating : (January to March) Solang Nalla (Manali) Narkanda and Rohtang Pass. Ice Skating Shimla, Heli-skiing Manali.

River Rafting : In Sutlej, Beas and Chenab rivers, Shamshi (Kullu), Tattapani, Rampur and Jispa. (Lahaul)

Para-gliding & Hang-gliding : Bir, Manali, Bilaspur and Rohru

Lake sports : Gobindsagar (Bilaspur) Pongdam (Kangra)

Fishing : Rohru, Sangla, Sainj, Katrain, Barot for trout fishing

Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries : Great Himalayan National Park Parvati Valley, Kullu. High altitude Pin valley National park, Spiti. Renuka Sanctuary, Pongdam Sanctuary, Sarahan Phasentry, Kufri and Gopalpur zoo.

Lakes and Rivers : Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, Yamuna, Pabbar, Giri, Parvati, Baspa

Lakes : Prashar, Khajjiar, Renuka, Gobindsagar, Dal, Pongdam, Pandoh, Manimahesh, Brighu, Chandratal.

Temples : Jwalamukhi, Chamunda, Brajeshwari, Chintpurni, Baijnath, Laxminarayan, Chaurasi, Chhatrari, Taranadevi, Rewalsar, Raghunath, Bijlimahadev, Dhungri, Bhimakali, Hatkoti Jakhoo, Sankatmochan, Kalibari, Nainadevi and Baba balak nath, Deothsidh.

Buddhist Monasteries : Dharamsala Tashizong, Rewalsar, Manali, Kardang, Sashur, Key, Dhankar, Tabo, Nako, Pooh, Kanam, Jangi, Murang, Ribba, Reckongpeo.

Sikh Pilgrimage Centres : Paonta Sahib, Rewalsar and Manikaran.

Churches : Christ Church Kasauli, Christ Church Shimla, St. Johns Church, Mecleodgang, St. Francis Dalhousie.

Fairs : Winter Carnival Manali, (Feb.) Mandi, Shivratri (March), Ladarcha fair, Spiti, (July) Minjar fair, Chamba, Manimahesh fair, Bharmour and Tribal Festival, Keylong (August) Phulech (festival of flowers), Kinnaur (Sept.) Kullu Dushera (October), Lavi fair, Rampur (Nov.), Renuka fair, (Nov.) Ice Skating Carnival, (Dec.).

Heritage Monuments : Kangra fort, Taragarh, Rampur, Nalagarh, Arki and Jubbal palaces, Bhimakali Temple, Naggar Castle, Kamru fort, Gondla fort (Lahaul Vice regal lodge, Christ Church, Chapslee, Wood villa palace, Chail Palace.

Museums : State Museum, Shimla, Kangra art Gallery Dharamsala, Bhurisingh Museum Chamba, Roerich art gallery Naggar, Sobha Singh art gallery Andreta.