Deodar hills on the road to Rohtang Pass

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Deodar roads and high passes

Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Manali, Solang, Rohtang and the long Spiti circuit. Six journeys our own team has driven, with honest timings and a plan B for every closed road.

Journeys

06

From

₹7,890

Best season

Mar-Jun

Private cabs, not shared seats

Your vehicle stays with your booking through the whole itinerary - including the Rohtang day permit vehicle where the rules need one.

4-star stays we've checked

Deluxe or equivalent rooms, hot water, in-house dining - quality-checked by our team in both Shimla and Manali.

A real plan B for Rohtang

When the pass is shut, the day becomes Atal Tunnel, North Portal and Sissu. You still get a full mountain day.

All taxes in the price

Fuel, driver allowance, tolls, parking, state and environmental charges and GST are already inside the number you see.

Himachal journeys

Pick a route, then bend it to fit

Tap any journey to open the day-by-day plan. Every one of them can be extended, shortened or rebuilt around your dates.

Day by day

DAY 1

Pick up and drive to Shimla

Picked up from your home, hotel, airport or station. Delhi NCR is 8-10 hrs via Karnal, Chandigarh and Solan; from Chandigarh it's 3-4 hrs. Evening walk on Mall Road, The Ridge and Scandal Point.

DAY 2

Kufri and Shimla local

Green Valley viewpoint, Kufri (Mahasu Peak by pony or a 30-min walk), Fagu valley, then Jakhoo Temple or the ropeway before Lakkar Bazaar on foot.

DAY 3

Shimla to Manali via Kullu valley

240-260 km, 7-9 hrs. Sundernagar lake, Pandoh Dam, Hanogi Mata, a shawl weaving outlet and the Beas rafting point when it's running.

DAY 4

Manali local and Old Manali

Hadimba Devi, Ghatotkach tree temple, Manu Temple, Vashisht hot springs, the Tibetan monastery and Old Manali. Kept separate from Rohtang so nothing is rushed.

DAY 5

Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley

Nehru Kund, Kothi, Gulaba, Marhi and Rohtang when it's open and permitted, Solang on the way back. If closed: Atal Tunnel, North Portal and Sissu.

DAY 6

Drive back to your drop point

Delhi NCR 500-550 km and 12-15 hrs; Chandigarh 310 km and 9-11 hrs. Please don't book a tight train or flight for the same night.

What's included

  • ✓Private cab from your Delhi or Chandigarh pickup, staying with your booking throughout
  • ✓5 nights in selected 4-star hotels - Shimla 2N, Manali 3N, double sharing
  • ✓5 breakfasts and 5 dinners at the hotels
  • ✓Rohtang permit and congestion charges, plus an authorised vehicle where required
  • ✓Fuel, driver allowance, tolls, parking, state charges and all taxes

Not included

  • ✕Lunches, snacks and drinks
  • ✕Ropeway and monument tickets, pony rides, snow gear and adventure activities
  • ✕Room heater charges where the hotel bills separately
  • ✕Travel insurance, and any extra stay caused by weather or road closures
Enquire about this trip

Day by day

DAY 1

Delhi to Shimla, overnight Volvo

Evening AC semi-sleeper from Kashmere Gate, Majnu Ka Tilla or RK Ashram Metro. Roughly 9-10 hrs.

DAY 2

Shimla arrival, evening Ridge and Mall

Private cab pickup and check-in, then a golden-hour walk: The Ridge, Christ Church, Scandal Point, Mall Road and Lakkar Bazaar.

DAY 3

Shimla heritage with Jakhoo Temple

Jakhoo by road or ropeway, then the heritage loop through Christ Church and the Town Hall corridor with café stops.

DAY 4

Mashobra and Naldehra

Craignano forest trails, the Naldehra golf-meadow rim walk and Talai Temple ridge views. Easy halts, relaxed lunch.

DAY 5

Kufri, then Narkanda and Tanni Jubbar Lake

A crisp 60-90 minute Kufri snow window, then on via Theog to Narkanda, the lake and a short orchard walk.

DAY 6

Hatu sunrise, then Volvo to Delhi

Pre-dawn start for Hatu Peak sunrise if conditions allow, late breakfast, descent to Shimla and the overnight Volvo home.

What's included

  • ✓Round-trip AC semi-sleeper Volvo, Delhi ⇄ Shimla, reserved seats
  • ✓Private cab in Himachal for all transfers and sightseeing
  • ✓Hotel nights in Shimla and Narkanda with daily breakfast and dinner
  • ✓On-trip coordination and all applicable taxes including 5% GST

Not included

  • ✕Flights or trains to and from Delhi
  • ✕Jakhoo ropeway tickets, horse rides, ice slides, entry tickets, camera fees, guides
  • ✕Lunches, snacks and beverages; heater charges where the hotel bills them
  • ✕Private deviations beyond the fixed itinerary, and travel insurance
Enquire about this trip

Day by day

DAY 1

Delhi to Shimla, overnight Volvo

Evening AC semi-sleeper from Kashmere Gate, Majnu Ka Tilla or RK Ashram Metro. Settle in for the ride into the hills.

DAY 2

Town circuit with Jakhoo Temple

Morning arrival, cab pickup and check-in. Jakhoo by road or ropeway, The Ridge, Christ Church, Scandal Point, Mall Road and Lakkar Bazaar.

DAY 3

Kufri, Mashobra and Naldehra loop

A full day out: alpine vistas at Kufri, deodar forest through Mashobra, then open ridge views near the Naldehra golf meadows.

DAY 4

Free hours, then evening Volvo

Breakfast and checkout, then time for cafés, the Ridge or shopping before a private drop at the Volvo stand.

DAY 5

Delhi arrival, trip ends

Morning arrival in Delhi as per the operator schedule.

What's included

  • ✓Round-trip AC semi-sleeper Volvo, Delhi ⇄ Shimla, reserved seats
  • ✓Private cab in Shimla for all local transfers and sightseeing
  • ✓Hotel nights with daily breakfast and dinner
  • ✓On-trip coordination and all applicable taxes including 5% GST

Not included

  • ✕Flights or trains to and from Delhi
  • ✕Ropeway tickets, entry fees and optional or seasonal activities
  • ✕Lunches, snacks and beverages; heater charges where chargeable
  • ✕Extra costs from weather, landslides or route diversions
Enquire about this trip

Day by day

DAY 1

Overnight journey to Manali

Board the AC semi-sleeper in the evening. We share your exact boarding point, reporting time, seat and operator before you travel.

DAY 2

Arrive Manali, check in, local sightseeing

Meet your driver at the Volvo drop point, drop bags at the hotel, then the main temples, monastery, Van Vihar and Mall Road.

DAY 3

Solang Valley and seasonal Rohtang

An early start for Nehru Kund, Kothi, Gulaba, Marhi, Rohtang and Solang when open. If closed, we take the best option that day and talk it through first.

DAY 4

Free morning, then Naggar and Kullu

Bags go in the cab so your last day is a real day out - Mall Road and Old Manali, then down the valley through Naggar and Kullu before your night bus.

DAY 5

Arrival at your drop point

Morning arrival. Keep a good gap before any connecting flight or train - arrival times shift with traffic and weather.

What's included

  • ✓Return AC semi-sleeper Volvo or similar premium coach
  • ✓2 nights in a Manali hotel plus both overnight coach journeys
  • ✓A private sightseeing vehicle used only by your group, held until your Day 4 drop
  • ✓Solang and seasonal Rohtang when the road and permit allow
  • ✓On-trip help from the Alpine Journeys team, all taxes included

Not included

  • ✕Travel to your boarding point and onward from your final drop
  • ✕Breakfast on your arrival morning, lunches, snacks and drinks
  • ✕A special snow vehicle if the authorities make it compulsory on the day
  • ✕Other travel needed if you report late or miss the Volvo
Enquire about this trip

Day by day

DAY 1

Delhi to Shimla, overnight Volvo

An evening start from Delhi. Rest well - you wake up close to the hills.

DAY 2

Shimla to Sangla via Kinnaur Gate

260 km, 9-10 hrs. Meet your group and trip captain, pass Narkanda and Rampur, then the Kinnaur Gate and the road high above the Sutlej.

DAY 3

Chitkul, then Kalpa and Suicide Point

Through the Baspa valley to Chitkul, time by the river, then Kalpa and the cliff viewpoint at Roghi in the evening.

DAY 4

Kalpa to Tabo via Nako and Gue

200 km, 8-9 hrs. Khab where the Spiti and Sutlej meet, Nako village and lake, and the 500-year-old Gue mummy.

DAY 5

Tabo, Dhankar, Pin Valley and Kaza

120 km, 6-7 hrs. Tabo monastery, Dhankar above the river confluence, then into Pin Valley before Kaza.

DAY 6

Langza, Hikkim and Komik

The high villages - the Langza Buddha and fossil ground, a card posted from Hikkim if it's open, and Komik.

DAY 7

Key, Kibber, Chicham, Kunzum and Chandratal

The prettiest day. Key monastery, Kibber, the Chicham bridge, then Losar and Kunzum before the rough last stretch to the Moon Lake.

DAY 8

Down to Manali, then overnight Volvo

Through Batal, Chhatru and Gramphu - bumpy, unpaved, a few water crossings - then the Atal Tunnel and your night coach to Delhi.

DAY 9

Arrival in Delhi, trip ends

One full Spiti circuit, done the easy way - Shimla in, Manali out.

What's included

  • ✓Overnight Volvo Delhi-Shimla and Manali-Delhi
  • ✓Tempo traveller or shared SUV for all mountain driving and sightseeing
  • ✓6 breakfasts and 6 dinners on the MAP plan
  • ✓Experienced local drivers, permit and green-tax help, local support across Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul
  • ✓An emergency oxygen cylinder in the vehicle on every trip

Not included

  • ✕Lunches, snacks, water, drinks and meals on the overnight coaches
  • ✕Monument and monastery entries, camera fees and optional activities
  • ✕Medical costs, oxygen use, evacuation or rescue - Spiti is remote, so insurance matters
  • ✕A backup vehicle unless added to your booking, and any cost from road closures
Enquire about this trip

Day by day

DAY 1

Delhi to Shimla, overnight Volvo

An evening start, so the circuit begins after a proper rest day rather than straight off the bus.

DAY 2

Shimla arrival and a rest day

Deliberately unplanned. Freshen up, check in when the room is ready, and see Mall Road and The Ridge at your own pace.

DAY 3

Shimla to Sangla via Kinnaur Gate

260 km, 9-10 hrs, meeting your group and trip captain before the long, beautiful drive above the Sutlej.

DAY 4

Chitkul, then Kalpa and Suicide Point

The Baspa valley, wooden village homes, river time, then Kalpa and the Roghi cliff viewpoint.

DAY 5

Kalpa to Tabo via Nako and Gue

200 km, 8-9 hrs, past Khab and Nako lake with the Gue mummy as a short side trip.

DAY 6

Tabo, Dhankar, Pin Valley and Kaza

120 km, 6-8 hrs through the valley's most important monasteries and into Pin.

DAY 7

Langza, Hikkim and Komik

Fossil ground under the Langza Buddha, the high post office at Hikkim, and Komik.

DAY 8

Key, Kibber, Chicham, Kunzum and Chandratal

Key monastery above the river, the Chicham bridge, then Kunzum and the rough road to the Moon Lake.

DAY 9

Down to Manali, then overnight Volvo

Batal, Chhatru and Gramphu, the Atal Tunnel, and your night coach out of Manali.

DAY 10

Arrival in Delhi, trip ends

Ten days, one full circuit, and a Spiti trip that's easy to settle into from the very first day.

What's included

  • ✓Overnight Volvo both ways, plus pickup from the Shimla drop point to your hotel
  • ✓All hotel and guesthouse nights on the circuit, including the Shimla rest day
  • ✓A dedicated trip captain on Social and Full batches (groups above 10)
  • ✓Experienced local drivers, permit and green-tax help, oxygen cylinder in the vehicle
  • ✓Fuel, tolls, parking, driver allowance and all taxes

Not included

  • ✕Early check-in charges in Shimla and meals before you check in
  • ✕A sightseeing vehicle or paid transfers in Shimla on the rest day
  • ✕Lunches, snacks and drinks; entries, camera fees and optional activities
  • ✕Medical costs, hospitalisation, oxygen use, evacuation or rescue
Enquire about this trip

When to go

Himachal is four different places across the year

Rohtang usually opens around May and closes with the first heavy snow. Spiti's high road is a summer window. Tell us your dates and we'll tell you honestly what will be open.

Mar - Jun

Peak season. Snow at Rohtang and Solang, full sightseeing, and the Spiti circuit opens from late May.

Jul - Aug

Monsoon. Green and quiet, cheaper stays, but landslide risk - we build extra buffer into the drives.

Sep - Nov

The clearest skies of the year and apple season in the orchards. Our favourite months for photography.

Dec - Feb

Snow in Shimla, Kufri and Narkanda. Rohtang is shut, so the mountain day runs to the Atal Tunnel and Sissu.

Camps near Chandratal
Camps near Chandratal
Parvati valley, Kasol
Parvati valley, Kasol
Dharamshala mornings
Dharamshala mornings

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