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Overview
Himachal Pradesh is always a spiritual homeland of the Indian backpacking culture. For years, the serpentine roads, check local buses, and humble mountain top homestays of Himachal Pradesh have attracted those trying to make ends meet while discovering the most picturesque view on the planet. The 6 Nights 7 Days Himachal Backpacker Budget Tour of Shimla, Kasol, Tosh, Manali, and Dharamshala has an ambitious tour itinerary. It covers three different cultural regions: the colonial past of Shimla, the hippie Parvati Valley, and the monastic tradition of the Tibetan in Dharamshala.
Itinerary Details:
Day 1: Shimla arrival
The tour begins in the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla. Backpackers foremost hot favorite destination of this tour is Shimla, where you will stay in a hostel either near Victoria Tunnel or a budget guest house in Lower Bazaar.
Avoid taking expensive cabs to explore the places of attractions. Walk from the old bus, rise and look at Mall Road. The afternoon at The Ridge, Christ Church to the Jakhu Temple, as there’s no viewing fee.
Visit Sita Ram & Sons in Moti Bazaar and enjoy delicious Chole Bhature. It’s legendary as well as very cheap. Pick a dorm bed in the central hostel.
Day 2: Kasol Transfer
One of the longest days of travel. In this tour, you will board a HRTC bus to Manali and get off at Bhuntar. Board a local bus to the Parvati Valley. The tour is an approximate 7 to 9 hours drive that passes through the beautiful Mandi region with views of the River Beas.
Arrive in Kasol by late evening. Kasol is known as the “Mini Israel” of India. The atmosphere is quite peculiar, with the scent of pine being pre-dominant in the air. Take a stroll around Parvati River and then eat a local food.
Day 3: Kasol & Tosh Exploration
After a simple breakfast, take a local bus or shared taxi and head to Barshaini, the last motorable point in the valley.
Tosh Village is about a short 45 minute uphill hike away from Barshaini. Tosh is craggier and has a greater view of the glaciers than Kasol. It’s the archetypal backpacker town, with wooden buildings and small pathways. Daylong visit to the Tosh waterfalls or sit on a café overlooking snow-capped peaks. For a stay over, you can rest at Tosh guesthouse. They are significantly cheaper as compared to Kasol hotels.
Day 4: Manali Transfer
Get back to bhuntar, and then another local bus to Manali in around 2 to 3 hours. Visit the famous Mall Road, not very appealing to a backpacker. Go right over the bridge, and into old Manali. The region is way more social, with cobblestone streets, tattoo parlors and riverbank cafes. Hadimba Devi Temple & Manali Wildlife Sanctuary Forest route. Spend time socializing in the common room of the hostel. Here you’ll find tourists going to Spiti or Leh who can give valuable tips on road conditions, etc.
Day 5: Solang Valley Sightseeing
Solang Valley is a hub of adventures. Save on budget by taking a local bus from Manali bus stand to Solang rather than hiring private cabs. Despite you need to pay for expensive paragliding if you are low on your budget, it’s completely worth it just walking up the mountains for the view. If there’s snow, you can rent boots and play in the valley for free! The distance from Solang is a short trek to this Anjani Mahadev Temple. One can here a huge natural ice lingam in winter/spring.
Day 6: Manali to Dharamshala
This is a long day of travel with an 8 to 9 hours drive from Manali to Dharamshala. The cheapest option is the midnight running HRTC bus or the early morning ordinary bus. You arrive in Lower Dharamshala, but further take a local bus or tuk-tuk to McLeod Ganj. Head straight to the Tsuglagkhang complex, commonly known as the Dalai Lama Temple. The peace here is a far cry from the high-energy feeling of Manali.
Day 7: Departure
Spend the final day of the trip immersed in the Tibetan culture that the Tibetan community in McLeod Ganj.
Visit the Bhagsunag waterfall and then proceed to the famous Shiva Café.
Dharamkot is a calm place famous for meditation and yoga. You can walk up to this place if time allows.
The travellers board the overnight Volvo or HRTC bus to Delhi/Chandigarh from the McLeod Ganj bus stop.
Tips to stay in budget for Himachal Backpackers:
Take a shared bus from HRTC, will be affordable for traveling one place to another.
Stay in hostel dorms, the Hosteller, goStops in Manali.
Stick to dhabhas in town for affordable meals
Avoid purchasing bottled water, take refillable water bottle.
Take a walk as much as you can to avoid any extra charges.