Himachal 10 Day Itinerary
Ten days in the Indian Himalaya, planned from home.
The UNESCO toy train up to Shimla, the Kullu valley at Manali, the Tibetan town of McLeod Ganj above Dharamshala, then the old hill station of Dalhousie and the meadow at Khajjiar — one car, one driver, daylight drives. Himachal is where our office is, so this is the trip we know best; go March to June or September to November, or come in winter for snow.
- 10 days Delhi → Shimla → Manali → Dharamshala → Dalhousie
- Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov the months we recommend
- Private car one driver, daylight drives only
- 20% deposit full refund within 48 h
What is a good 10-day Himachal Pradesh itinerary?
A classic 10-day Himachal Pradesh itinerary runs Delhi → Shimla (on the UNESCO Kalka–Shimla toy train) → Manali for three nights → Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj → Dalhousie and Khajjiar, then out via Pathankot, Amritsar or Kangra airport, by private car with a driver. Go March–June or September–November. Suzu Travels, based in Himachal, quotes it in US dollars on request.
Talk to a real person: our team in Himachal answers 9 am–9 pm IST (UTC+5:30), usually within 2 hours. Message us on WhatsApp +91 70874 88961 or email info@suzutravels.com.
The route: a loop through the Himachal hills, never the same road twice
Himachal’s hill towns sit in different valleys, and mountain roads are slow — so this plan gives every hill drive a full day and never doubles back. Distances below are the official ones from the state and district tourism sites; where no official figure exists (Manali to Dharamshala, Dharamshala to Dalhousie), we simply say “a full day”.
Delhi → Kalka → Shimla (toy train) → Manali → Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj → Dalhousie and Khajjiar → Pathankot. You go up by rail and leave from the far side of the state, so no day is spent driving back.
Ten days in Himachal, day by day
A sample we build from. Swap the order, add a night in Manali, finish at the Golden Temple in Amritsar — the quote changes, the pace stays human.
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DAY 1Arrive in Delhi
Your driver meets you at Delhi airport — name, photo and car number are shared with you before the trip. A quiet evening to get over the flight; the mountains start tomorrow.
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DAY 2Delhi → Kalka → toy train to Shimla
An early train or drive north to Kalka, then the narrow-gauge Kalka–Shimla railway: 96 km (60 mi) of curves, bridges and tunnels, part of UNESCO’s “Mountain Railways of India” since 2008. Your car carries the luggage and meets you at Shimla. Prefer the road? Shimla is 370 km (230 mi) from Delhi — a full day. More in our toy train guide.
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DAY 3Shimla
The town on its ridge: the Mall and the Ridge on foot, Christ Church, and a walk up to the Jakhu temple if you have the legs for it. An easy day at altitude before the longer drives.
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DAY 4Shimla → Manali
260 km (162 mi) north through the Kullu valley — a full day with stops. We leave after breakfast and arrive before dark.
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DAY 5Manali: Solang and the Atal Tunnel
Solang valley is 13 km (8 mi) from Manali. When the road is open, the 9.02 km Atal Tunnel, at about 3,000 m (9,800 ft), takes you through to Sissu in Lahaul, which it keeps connected to Manali all year.
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DAY 6Manali: Old Manali, Hadimba, or Rohtang in season
A slower day: Old Manali, the Hadimba temple, cafés by the river. From May to November you can instead ride up to Rohtang Pass, 51 km (32 mi) away — it needs a vehicle permit and is closed by heavy snow from late November until May.
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DAY 7Manali → Dharamshala
A full-day drive west into the Kangra valley, into the foothills of the Dhauladhar range. Check in at McLeod Ganj, above Dharamshala.
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DAY 8McLeod Ganj
At 2,082 m (6,831 ft), McLeod Ganj is the seat of the Tibetan Government in exile and the Dalai Lama’s home since 1959. The main temple, the monasteries, Bhagsu, and Tibetan food in the evening. Our McLeod Ganj guide has the details.
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DAY 9Dharamshala → Dalhousie and Khajjiar
A full-day drive to Dalhousie, the hill station founded by Lord Dalhousie in 1850 as a summer retreat, with its Mall Road and old churches. Then about 22–24 km to Khajjiar, a saucer-shaped meadow at about 1,980 m (6,500 ft) ringed by forest. If the drive runs long, we move Khajjiar to the morning of Day 10.
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DAY 10Down to the plains and home
To Pathankot, 87 km (54 mi), for the train to Delhi; or to Amritsar, 199 km (124 mi), to fly or to add the Golden Temple; or to Kangra (Gaggal) airport, 110 km (68 mi). We time the drive around your train or flight, with a margin.
Take this plan with you: 10-day itinerary (PDF). Day by day, what is included and what is not, prices and how booking works — 2 pages. No email or sign-up needed; print it or share it with whoever you travel with.
When to go — and what we change in each season
The route works most of the year, but not the same way every month. Our full month-by-month table is on the best time to visit Himachal; here is what it means for this trip.
March – June: go
District Shimla calls summer the best season to visit, with days of 15–25 °C (59–77 °F). Himachal Tourism says the same for Dalhousie and Khajjiar. Rohtang reopens by May.
September – November: go
Clear skies after the rains and the best mountain views of the year. From late November Rohtang Pass closes for the winter; Solang and the Atal Tunnel to Sissu take its place on Day 6.
December – February: the snow version
Very cold — in December and January Shimla’s nights are around 0 °C (32 °F), with about 40 cm (16 in) of snow in January and February. Snow is likely, never guaranteed. We keep the same order, add a buffer day, and if heavy snow closes the road to Dalhousie we re-route through the Kangra valley.
July – August: we don't recommend it
The monsoon. Shimla gets 346 mm (13.6 in) of rain in July. The UK Foreign Office says the monsoon usually runs from June to October and that flash flooding and landslides can occur with limited warning. If these are your only dates, ask us for a lower-risk plan.
Mountain roads: why we drive in daylight only
The UK Foreign Office advises: “Avoid travelling at night and in fog as accidents are common due to low visibility.” Mountain roads are narrow and the weather changes fast, so we never drive the hills after dark, and we plan full days for drives that look short on a map.
What's included — and what isn't
Included
Private air-conditioned car and the same English-speaking driver for all 10 days, fuel, tolls, parking and state taxes; 9 hotel nights with breakfast in the tier you choose; the toy-train ticket Kalka–Shimla (seasonal, where running); airport pick-up in Delhi and the final drop.
Not included
International flights, the India e-Visa, the Rohtang vehicle permit if you choose that day, entry tickets, lunches and dinners, tips. Local guides in Shimla or McLeod Ganj can be added to the same quote.
Cars
Sedan for 2–3 travellers, SUV for 4–6 — we use SUVs in winter and for families. Your driver’s name, photo and car number are shared with you before the trip.
Run from Himachal
Our office is in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh. We plan this route ourselves, watch the weather and road reports during your trip, and you have our office WhatsApp number throughout.
Practical notes for Himachal
Visa
Apply yourself for the India e-Visa at the official site indianvisaonline.gov.in — beware look-alike sites that charge extra. We are not a visa agency; our e-Visa guide walks you through it.
Permits
Foreigners need no special permit for any stop on this route. Protected-area permits apply only further east — parts of Kinnaur and Spiti — which this itinerary does not enter. Rohtang needs a vehicle permit, which we arrange if you choose it.
Altitude and health
The overnight stops are modest — McLeod Ganj, at 2,082 m (6,831 ft), is the highest. If you have heart or breathing conditions, consult your doctor before you go and see an official travel-health site (CDC, NHS Fit for Travel).
Flying instead
Manali’s nearest airport is Bhuntar, 50 km (31 mi) away; Dharamshala’s is Kangra (Gaggal), 14 km (9 mi). Both are small and hill weather can delay or cancel flights, so we keep a road plan ready. More in our Kullu–Manali airport guide.
Shorter, longer, or with the Taj Mahal
Less time? With 7 days, drop Dalhousie and fly out of Kangra after McLeod Ganj. More time? Add a second night in McLeod Ganj, or finish in Amritsar with our Golden Temple trip — Dalhousie is 199 km (124 mi) from Amritsar.
First time in India? Most visitors want the Taj Mahal too. Our 2-week India itinerary joins the Golden Triangle to Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala, and our North India routes compare every combination side by side. Going straight to the hills? See Delhi to Dharamshala for foreigners.
Prices
This 10-day Himachal itinerary is quoted on request: it depends on the month, the hotel tier, the car and how many of you travel. You receive a day-by-day plan with a US-dollar total and what it covers before you pay anything. Two of our published routes include the Himachal hills:
| Option | From | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Himachal — 10 days / 9 nights (this itinerary) | on request | Private car and driver throughout, 9 hotel nights with breakfast, toy train Kalka–Shimla (seasonal), airport pick-up in Delhi and final drop; guides and tickets on request |
| Golden Temple & Himalayas — 10 days / 9 nights (Delhi · Amritsar · Dharamshala · Manali) | from US$949 | Per person, two sharing: comfortable 3-star hotels with breakfast, private car and driver. International flights not included. |
| Golden Triangle + Himalayas — 12 days / 11 nights (Delhi · Agra · Jaipur · Shimla · Manali) | from US$1,099 | Per person, two sharing: comfortable 3-star hotels with breakfast, private car and driver; UNESCO toy train to Shimla (seasonal, where running). International flights not included. |
Prices are per person in US dollars, indicative for the season shown, and confirmed on your quote. Taxes included; international flights excluded.
Booking terms (20% deposit, 48-hour refund window) are stated once, under Plan it with a local.
Questions travellers ask
Is 10 days enough for Himachal Pradesh?
Yes, for the classic loop: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, Dalhousie and Khajjiar. Hill drives take a full day each, so 10 days gives you rest days in Manali and McLeod Ganj. Spiti or Kinnaur need another week.
Should I go Shimla first or Dharamshala first?
Either works. Shimla first lets you go up on the toy train from Kalka and leave from Pathankot, Amritsar or Kangra at the far end. Dharamshala first suits travellers flying into Amritsar or Kangra. We never plan the same road twice.
What is the best time to visit Himachal?
March to June and September to November. District Shimla calls summer the best season, with days of 15–25 °C (59–77 °F). December to February is cold with likely snow. We don’t recommend July and August: the UK Foreign Office warns of monsoon flash floods and landslides.
Will I see snow in Himachal?
Most likely in January and February — Shimla averages about 40 cm (16 in) of snow in each. Nothing is guaranteed. Rohtang Pass is closed from late November to May; when the road is open, the Atal Tunnel takes you from Manali through to Sissu in Lahaul.
Is the Kalka–Shimla toy train worth it?
For most visitors, yes: 96 km (60 mi) of UNESCO-listed mountain railway, slow and scenic. Your car carries the bags and meets you at Shimla. Book early in peak months; our toy train guide explains how.
Do foreigners need permits for this route?
No. Protected-area permits apply only to parts of Kinnaur and Spiti, which this itinerary does not enter. Rohtang Pass needs a vehicle permit, which we arrange if you choose that day.
Is it safe to drive the mountain roads?
The roads are narrow and the weather changes fast. The UK Foreign Office advises avoiding night travel and fog, so we drive in daylight only, with an experienced hill driver, and plan full days for each hill drive.
How much does it cost and how do I pay from abroad?
This itinerary is quoted on request; our published Golden Temple & Himalayas route is from US$949 per person and Golden Triangle + Himalayas from US$1,099. 20% deposit locks your dates and price; full refund if cancelled within 48 hours of paying; balance before the trip; pay by card via Razorpay (international cards accepted) or PayPal.
Tell us your month — we'll plan Himachal around it
Your dates, how many of you, the hotel tier you like and whether you want the toy train, snow, or the Golden Temple at the end. You get a day-by-day plan and a US-dollar quote, then decide.
We usually reply within 2 hours, 9 am–9 pm IST (UTC+5:30). Email info@suzutravels.com if you don’t use WhatsApp.
Booking: A 20% deposit locks your dates and price. Full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of paying. Pay by card (Razorpay, international cards accepted) or PayPal; the balance is due before the trip.
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Keep exploring
Sources
- Himachal Tourism — Dalhousie (distances, best season)
- Himachal Tourism — Manali (Solang, Rohtang, Bhuntar airport)
- Himachal Tourism — Dharamshala
- District Chamba — Khajjiar
- District Shimla — How to reach
- District Shimla — General information (climate)
- UNESCO — Mountain Railways of India
- PM India — Atal Tunnel
- UK FCDO — India travel advice
- India e-Visa — the only official site
Written by the Suzu Travels team in Himachal Pradesh, India. Facts checked 12 Nov 2026. Prices, visa rules and road conditions change — we re-check this page regularly; ask us before you book.
