20 Best Things to Do In Himachal Pradesh for a Fun Vacation

Himachal Pradesh is truly an all-year-round destination. Visitors flock to this place in winter to experience the winter wonderland and indulge in several winter activities like skiing, snowboarding or simply experience the joy of making a snowman or a snow fight. 

During summers, the weather of Himachal Pradesh is comparatively more pleasant than the rest of the country, making it an ideal place to visit during this season. Visitors can explore the places closed in winter due to heavy snowfall in summer, walk on the vast green meadows, explore the waterfalls, or simply enjoy the clear views of some of the magnificent Himalayan peaks. 

Whether you are an adventure enthusiast, nature lover, explorer, biker, wine connoisseur, culture vulture or someone seeking a peaceful vacation, Himachal Pradesh is a one-stop destination for all. So, get the best of this amazing state with the following things to do in Himachal Pradesh and see what suits you the best.

20 Best Things to Do in Himachal Pradesh

1. Paragliding at Asia’s Highest Paragliding Site

Take off from the Billing Take off site which is located at a whooping height of 2400 meters above sea level, thus making it Asia’s Highest Paragliding Site and land in the scenic town of Bir, famed for providing some of the best sunset views (Pro Tip – Take an evening slot for Paragliding in Bir-Billing to enjoy the sunset views). Other than Billing, you can also go for paragliding in Solang and Khajjiar. The average cost for paragliding in Himachal Pradesh will be around ₹3000/- to ₹4500/-

2. Go For a Biking Adventure

Traveling to Spiti on Bikes can be a different experience depending on the route you take. If you decide to travel from Manali, you cross the beautiful Lahaul Valley, Kunzum Pass, and the crescent-shaped Chandratal Lake. the route from Shimla will give you opportunities to visit Chitkul – the last Indian Village on the Indo-Tibetan Border, the tinsel town of Kalpa which gives you a glimpse of the Kinnaur Kailash Peak, the Khab Sangam, etc.

3. Visit the High-Altitude Lakes

The lakes in Himachal Pradesh can be directly reached by a vehicle or can be explored by short treks and hikes. Some of the popular lakes are Chandratal, Suraj Tal, Kareri Lake, Parashar Lake, Bhrigu Lake, Dhankar Lake, Nako Lake, Dal Lake, Khajjiar Lake, etc, each offering a different experience overall.

4. Relish in the Local Cuisine

Along with these traditional dishes, you will also find some authentic Tibetan dishes here to tickle your taste buds. Some of the popular dishes include – Momos/ Dumplings, Thentuk, Thukpa, Laphing, etc.

5. Taste the Locally Brewed Spirits and Drinks

The towns of Kasauli, Solan and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh are known for the local breweries which produce these wines and spirits. The Kasauli Brewery is considered one of the oldest and first of a kind in the country and was established in 1820.

6. Explore the waterfalls in Himachal Pradesh

Some of the popular waterfalls are the Jogini Falls in Manali, the Sissu Waterfall, the Chhoie Waterfalls near Banjaar, the Bhongru Waterfall of Bir, Bhagsunaag in Mcleodganj and the Chadwick falls in Shimla.

7. Go for a Spiritual Retreat

Other than the popular hill station of Shimla Houses one of the oldest churches of North India – the Christ Church located on the Shimla Ridge. Other famous churches in Himachal Pradesh are located in the Dharamshala, and Dalhousie pockets like the famous St. John’s Church in the Wilderness and St. Francis church. The Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara in Parvati Valley is also a revered Sikh pilgrimage site that is also famous for its sulphur hot springs.

The influence of Tibetan Culture in Himachal Pradesh is reflected by its monasteries, some of them being 500 years old. The famous Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala is home to the 14th Tibetan Guru – the Dalai Lama. Other than that the Key Monastery of Kaza, Nako, Tabo and Dhankar Monasteries in Spiti Valley, the Gue Monastery which houses a mummy of a Tibetan Monk are some of the popular spiritual retreats in Himachal.

8. Soak Views from the High Mountain Passes

The mountain passes that are accessible by road are – Rohtang Pass, Kunzum Pass, Baralachla, Jalori Pass, etc. Other scenic mountain passes that can be accessed by trekking a few days are Hampta Pass, Chandrakhani Pass, Rupin Pass, Pin Parvati Pass, INdrahar Pass, etc.

9. Go Hiking or Trekking

Whether you are an amateur or a professional mountaineer, undertaking this adventure is one of the top things to do in Himachal Pradesh. Some famous small hiking trails include Serolsar Lake, Triund, Beas Kund, Kheerganga, Bhrigu Lake, Malana village hike, etc. Some of the popular long Himachal Treks include the Pin Parvati, Sar Pass, Friendship Peak, Pin Bhaba Trek, Beas Kund, Buran Ghati Trek, etc.

10. Go Cafe Hopping

The cafes in Himachal offer a cozy ambiance, along with some books to read or indoor games to play, so that you can sit leisurely, enjoy your food and have some fun, all while enjoying the pretty mountain views around you. Some of these famous cafes are – Pink Panther in Jibhi, The Himalayan cafe in Kaza, Cafe 1947 in Manali, etc.

11. Visit the highest cricket stadium in the world

The main stand of the stadium is designed in Tibetan Architecture and the stadium is open for visitors between 3PM to 6PM, even when there are no matches. The best part of this stadium is its backdrop which consists for a scenic views of the majestic snow-clad Dhauladhar mountains.

12. Visit the Great Himalayan National Park

13. Enjoy the Winter Sports

Trying your hands at ice skating at the iconic open-air ice skating rink of Shimla is one of the top things to do in Himachal Pradesh in winters for a memorable vacation. Taking an adventurous road trip to Spiti in winters is also an adventure for many.

14. Toy Train ride in Shimla

This Toy Train journey from Kalka to Shimla Can take upto 4-5 hours to complete and serve you with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, tunnels, pine forests, waterfalls, valleys, little hamlets, British-era Bridges, etc.

15. Camping and Star Gazing

Most of the high-altitude treks in Himachal often offer opportunities and camping at the same time. The Triund Hills, Kheerganga Top and Langza in Spiti Valley are some of the best stargazing spots in Himachal Pradesh that also gives an opportunity to witness the beautiful galaxy on clear nights.

16. Trout Fishing

The best season for angling and trout fishing is from March to October when the water levels are ideal and the weather is pleasant. Anglers can relish the thrill of catching these prized fish amid the breathtaking landscapes of Himachal Pradesh.

17. Attend Local Festivals

Some of the popular festivals to attend in Himachal Pradesh are Dusshera of Kullu, Losar festival, Mahashivratri in Baijnath and Mandi, Krishna Janmastami of Kinnaur, the Halda festival and much more. These festivals are sure to provide a culturally enchanting experience on your trip to Himachal Pradesh.

The rich culture of Himachal also gives an opportunity to attend the local festivals of Himachal. Along with knowing the traditional customs, you will also understand the local legends and folklore behind the festivities and celebrations.

Some of the popular festivals to attend in Himachal Pradesh are Dusshera of Kullu, Losar festival, Mahashivratri in Baijnath and Mandi, Krishna Janmastami of Kinnaur, the Halda festival and much more. These festivals are sure to provide a culturally enchanting experience on your trip to Himachal Pradesh.

18. Visit the oldest democarcy in the world

While visiting the village it is important to keep in mind that visitors are not allowed to visit the temples in the village, nor they are allowed to touch anything that belongs to the locals. For clicking pictures in this village you will have to first seek permission from the villagers.

19. Walk on the vast alpine meadows

You can set up picnics here, indulge in a number of activities around or simply enjoy the pleasure of lying on the soft grass as you soak in the surrounding mountain views.

20. Go Shopping in the Local Markets.