R E L A T E D   T O P I C S Jammu & Kashmir Leh Ladakh Travel Himachal Pradesh Travel Uttaranchal Travell Nepal Travel Tibet Travel Sikkim Travel Bhutan Travel Arunachal Pradesh Travel Hill Stations of Himalayas

<< Indian Himalayas << Himalayan Destinations >> << Himachal Pradesh >>

Himachal Pradesh

Fast Facts:-

Travel Himachal

Himachal Pradesh is located in North West in India in the lap of the Great Himalayas . It is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir in the North , Punjab in the West , Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the South and Tibet in the East. Low rolling bills, just a couple of hundred meters above sea level, climb on to touch the core of the Himalaya mountains. Here lie peaks that are several thousand meters high and never lose their perennial snows. This beautiful state is divided into two parts Southern and Northern Himachal. The southern Himachal also known as lower Himachal is as hot as plain areas ,where as upper is Northern Himachal less hot in Summer and extreme cold and heavy snow in Winter.

Himachal Pradesh - the land of eternal snow peaks - takes in the transition zone from the plains to the high Himalaya and in the trans-Himalayan region of Lahaul and Spiti, actually crosses that mighty barrier to the Tibetan plateau. The Kullu valley, with its developed and tourist-oriented economy, can be considered the backbone of the state. Off the east is thew Parbati valley, popular with long stay visitors.

Geography & Physical Features

Himachal Pradesh is dominated by mountains and their associated rivers and valleys. Himachal Pradesh can be easily segregated by its valleys. Lahaul consists of the Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Further east, the Spiti river joins the Sutlej river in Kinnaur and flows all the way to the Punjab. In the west, the beautiful Kangra valley stretches from Mandi to Shahpur, near Pathankot.

Himachal Pradesh is almost wholly mountainous with altitudes ranging from 350 meters to 6,975 meters above the mean sea level. It is located between Latitude 30^O 22 40 N to 33^O 12 20 N and Longitude 75^O 45 55 E to 79^O 04 20 E. It has a deeply dissected topography, complex geological structure and a rich temperate flora in the sub-tropical latitudes.

Climatically Himachal Pradesh can be divided into three zones (1.) The outer Himalayas, (2.) The Inner Himalayas and (3.) Alpine zone. The first zone gets annual rainfall between 150 cm and 175 cm. In second it varies between 75 cms to 100 cms and the Alpine zone remains under snow for about five to six months. The average annual rainfall in the State is about 160 cm. The climate varies between hot and a humid in the valley areas to freezing cold in the home of perpetual snow.

Five Major rivers Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Yamuna flow through its territory. The utility of these rivers though restricted considerably by the rugged and undulating terrain of the State, nevertheless, these rivers posses immense potential for the generation of hydro-electricity.

Places to Interest

Shimla

Take a trip on the toy train to experience the decrepit grandeur of the the Raj in this pleasant hill station. Shimla was once par of the Nepalease king-dom and called Shyamla, another name for the goddess Kali, but Shimla never gained any fame until it was 'discovered' by the British in 1819.  Three years later, the first 'British' house was erected, and in 1864 Shimla became the summer capital of India.

McLeod Gunj or Dharamshala

Home of the Dalai Lama, this is the place to head for Tibetan culture (and chocolate cake). While Dharamshala is synonymous with the Tibetan Government in Exile, the actual headquarters is about 4km above Dharamshala at Gangchen Kyishong, and most travelers hang out at McLeod Gunj, stung along a high ridge 10km above Dharamshala.

Dharamshala itself is of little interest to travelers, although Kotwali Bazaar, at the foot of the roads leading up to McLeod Gunj, is an interesting and colorful market, and you can visit the Kanga Art Museum.

Kullu Valley

Scenically pretty valley and adventure playground. Kullu was once known as Kullanthapitha - the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalaya, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled Silver Valley.

Chamba

A beautiful town with ancient Hindu temples hidden in winding backstreets. Situated in the bosom of the middle Himalaya, Chamba has preserved its identity inviolate through a period when the plains of India were ravaged by fanatical hoarders from Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Manali

Manali situated in the north Indian hill state of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at the Northern end of the Kullu valley with its spectacular views of the snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes, the Beas rushing along its rocky course amid grassy wild flowered meadows, is ideal for honeymooners and adventure sport lovers.

Sarchu

The picturesque town of Sarchu is located at the height of 4253 meters and 105 km from keylong. This is the last point on the Himachal Pradesh - Ladakh border that offers splendid views of snow capped mountains. The unspoiled natural beauty of Sarchu offers a perfect ambience to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Hotels in Himachal Pradesh +Tours To Himachal Pradesh

Holy Heart of Himachal

Day to Day Itinerary

Ask For Travel Details

Click for more... "Tourist Places and Adventure in Himachal Pradesh" a

  b Back to Main Index