A Trip to Himachal Pradesh is truly pleasurable as it is one of the most famous tourist destinations of India. This land of mountains is a celestial tourist destination where there is no dearth of tourist attractions. Himachal Pradesh is a must-see destination for those who love mountains. The state is proud of its glorious history and rich cultural heritage. There are several monasteries, temples and forts, whose architecture is praise worthy. The views of the breathtaking mountains, passes, valleys, lakes, springs, waterfalls and wildlife are sights to behold. Himachal Pradesh is a state in the north-west India. Covering an area of 56,019 sq km, Himachal Pradesh is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on south, Uttaranchal on south-east and by Tibet on the east

In & Around
Vice regal lodge : Housed in the Gothic splendor of the Vice regal Lodge is the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, India's premier academy for higher research.

Himachal State Museum: Very close to the Institute, in a colonial building set in spacious lawns, is the museum. It has collections of Pahariminiatures, stone sculpture, local handicrafts, textiles and embroidery.

Jakhoo Hill:  Shimla's highest point, is rewarding for there are superb views of the town and its surroundings. At the top is an old Hanuman temple.(2Km) from Ridge.

Glen: A pretty picnic spot beyond Annandale is located in the thickly Wooded Glen, beside a sparkling stream.(4 Km).

Summer Hill:   The quiet and lovely suburb of summer Hill has secluded, shady walks and charming views. It was here that Mahatma Gandhi stayed on his visits to Shimla, in the elegant Georgian mansion that belonged to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. Summer Hill is located on the Shimla - Kalka railway line.(5 Km).

Chadwick Falls:   Just beyond Summer Hill is the 67 m waterfall, cascading into a deep gorge. The Falls are best seen after the monsoon.(7 Km).

Prospect Hill:    A 15 minute climb from Boileauganj, Prospect Hill is another favorite walk and vantage point with breath taking views. There is a little temple to Kamna Devi on the top of the hill.(3 Km ).

Sanjauli:    A serene location with delightful walks, Sanjauli is ideal for a tranquil weekend. There are fine vistas and the lights of Shimla and Chail can be seen twinkling at night. On the other side, Mashobra and Naldehra are visible.

Temples:    Among the little temples dotted around Shimla is the ancient temple of Bihargaon - a splendid example of traditional Himachal architecture. Just short of Shimla are the temples of Tara Devi and Sankat Mochan, Vaishnu Devi Goofa. (8 Km)

Mashobra (2,149 m) - Noted for its apple orchards and thick woods of oak and pine. Mashobra is a sylvan retreat with pretty walks and picnic spots. A little track leads down to Sipur a grassy glade with a stream wandering through it. Excursions are possible to Shali Peak - the highest point in the area or to Craignaino (3 km) with its elegant guest house set in a delightful flower-filled garden. (9.6 km) .

Kufri (2,622 m) - Kufri is a noted summer and winter resort with its glorious views of forested slopes and tall ranges iced in a covering of perpetual snow. A fine ski resort, Kufri has a winter season that extends from January to March. A sparkling winter sports festival is held each year in February. (16 km)

Fagu (2,509 m) - Just 6 km from Kufri, Fagu is a vantage point with panoramic views of the ranges and valleys. Picturesquely located amid forests and orchards, Fagu has a rest house and tourist bungalow overlooking the Giri Valley.

Naldehra - The scenic, nine hole golf course with its springly turf and crown of deodar was laid out at the instance of the Viceroy, Lord Curzon. So enamored was he by the beauty of the spot, that he named his youngest daughter Alexandra Naldera. (23 km)

Tattapani - Tattapani is just 28 km from Naldehra, along a road winding through the scenic country side. The hot sulphur springs here, are hotted for their invigorating and curative powers. (51 km) Now famous for Rafting Games.

Narkanda (2,708 m) - A hill road with superb views links Narkanda with Shimla Narkanda, located amidst fragrant pine forests is a ski resort in winter. It has a choice of slopes ranging from a beginners run and a slalom slope, to sharper descents for the experienced skier. (64 km).Also Known for Hattu Mata Mandir.

Hattu Peak (3,300 m) - Rising above forests of spruce, the Hattu Peak is a vantage point with spectacular views. (8 km). The pretty orchard country of Thanedar and Kotgarh - beautiful in spring - are not far away. Khadrala and Bagghi with their dense forests and Kumarsain with an interesting wooden palace are also within easy reach of Narkanda.

Hatkoti (1,100 m) - In the picturesque valley of the River Pabbar, about 107 km from Shimla, is noted for its historic temple dedicated to Durga. Enroute to Hatkoti is the village of Kotkhai, splendidly located among apple orchards - a village with fine traditional architecture. Jubbal, once the capital of a princely state with its impressive palace is also on the way. Beyond Hatkoti, 11 km away, is Rohru (1,149 m) on the River.

Pabbar - an excellent spot for angling, with fishing pools teeming with trout. The trout hatchery at Chirgaon, (13 km) upstream, ensures a well stocked river.

Rampur - Rampur was once the capital of the princely state of Bushahar and a major centre on the old trade route into Tibet. The annual Lavi Fair, held in the second week of November, is still an important event for the inhabitants of the region. They gather to buy, sell and barter their produce - homespun blankets, shawls, wool and dry fruits - and to celebrate the event with music and dance, Rampur on the banks of the Sutlej is on the N.H. 22 - the old Hindustan-Tibet Road that goes from Shimla into Kinnaur. The scenic village of Sarahan with its fascinating Bhimkali Temple is on this road beyond Rampur. (160 km).

Daranghati Sanctuary:   This sanctuary located in the upper area of the Shimla district has an undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife-monal, tragopan, koklas and khalij pheasants and musk deer, ghoral and thar. There is a network of bridle paths in the sanctuary. Visitors are advised to seek assistance from the forest staff posted at Dofda and Sarahan. The area is ideal for those who love to trek & walking.

Kasoli -  77-km from Shimla and 35-km from Kalka, at 1,927m, Kasauli   is a quaint little town that seems to exist in a time wrap of an era that reminds one of the 19th century. Its colonial ambience is reinforced by cobbled paths, quaint shops, gabled houses with charming facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards. Mixed forests of chirr-pine, Himalayan oak and huge horse chestnuts surround Kasauli. Its narrow road slithers up and down the hillsides and offer some magnificent vistas. This is a small pleasant village, which is a popular place with foreign travelers. It is a nice place to hang out and relax. There are several basic guesthouses here and many people stay in houses for a few months. People usually go to the Rainbow Guest House the first night and then find some where else to stay. There are rooms in people's homes. It is a popular station in summers.

Kinnaur
the most striking feature of the beautiful district of Kinnaur is its geographical location. It is hemmed in by Tibet in the east and boasts of three majestic mountain ranges namely the Zanskar, Greater Himalayas and Dhauladhar. The district encompasses mesmerizing valleys of Sutlej, Spiti, Baspa and their tributaries. Pay a visit to these valleys and enjoy the arresting scenic beauty of Himachal Pradesh. The views of the forests, orchards, fields and hamlets are simply awe-inspiring. During your visit to the Kinnaur district don't forget to taste the 'high on quality' apples, chilgoza and dry fruits, which are famous across the country for their taste and quality. Kinnaur district was open to tourism in 1989 and today it is fast gaining the reputation of being a wonderful tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. The old Hindustan-Tibet road connecting Himachal Pradesh to Tibet passes through the Kinnaur valley along the bank of the river Satluj. The most propitious time to visit the district is in April and May and in September and October. Retaining the rich cultural heritage of their past generations, the people of the Kinnaur district are simple and friendly. Their customs and traditions add more colour to the already charming Kinnaur district. The district is considered sacred as at one point of time the Pandavas made this district their temporary home while they were in exile. According to the ancient Hindu mythology, the people of Kinnaur are known as Kinners, halfway between men and gods. Hinduism and Buddhism are the two main religions followed by the people of Kinnaur. The land of Kinnaur is dotted with several beautiful monasteries and temples where devotees from far and wide come to offer prayers.  The fascinating topography of the district offers ample opportunitues for adventure sports such as trekking, wildlife safari. The most exciting trekking route of the district is the 'Parikarma of Kailash'. You can go wildlife sighting at the three wildlife sanctuaries namely the Lipa-Asrang Sanctuary, Rakchham Chitkul Sanctuary and Rupi Bhaba Sanctuary. These sanctuaries are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Spiti Valley
Perched high in the beautiful Himalayan mountains, Spiti Valley is an enchanting tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. The word Spiti literally means the “middle country”. Endowed with salubrious climate, the valley is famous for its numerous monasteries. In praise of this wonderful valley, Rudyard Kipling, a famous English author, said “it is a world within a world and a place where the Gods live”. This mesmerizing valley receives heavy snowfall during the winters. Majority of the population of this valley follow Buddhism. Sandwiched between the Zaskar and the Great Himalayan ranges, Spiti valley becomes a field of snow during the winters. The best time to visit Spiti Valley is from June to October. The rural culture of Himachal Pradesh can be best seen and experienced in the Spiti Valley. The valley is sparsely populated with a density of two persons per square kilometre. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of  Spiti Valley. Spiti Valley is dotted with numerous fields where barley, buck-wheat, peas and some other vegetables are grown in plenty. The main Spiti Valley is divided into eastern and western valleys, which are connected with Ladakh and Tibet on the eastern side and Kinnaur and Kulu on the western side.

Attractions Of Spiti Valley 
Spiti Valley is famous for its shales (a rock of fossiles or laminated structure formed by the consolidation of clay or argillaceous material). These shales or ammonites play an important role in the field of geology. Shaligram, one of  the shale formations found here, is the rarest one, and is considered auspicious.

Adventure In Spiti Valley
Mountain climbing, river rafting in the Chanderbagha, rock climbing, angling, para-gliding and trekking are the fascinating adventures tourists can enjoy in the Spiti Valley. The valley also has some interesting camping sites such as Sarchu, Darcha, Jispa, Gemur, Tandi, Koksar, Sissu and Chotta Dara.Chander tal Lake,  Batal  & more…………….
Key Monastery Located on the top of the mountains of Spiti, the Key Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries of Spiti Valley. In fact, it is the oldest and the largest monastery in Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful sculptures of the monastery are noteworthy. The religious training provided in the monastery entails singing, dancing and playing pipes and horns.

Tabo Monastery
Known for its murals, paintings and sculptures, the Tabo Monastery is known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Himachal Pradesh.

and  much more to explore...