Himachal Hill Stations & Amritsar Loop
Take the toy train to Shimla, and connect Manali, Dharamshala, and Dalhousie to the Golden Temple.
A classic loop of North Indian hill stations. Take the narrow-gauge toy train from Chandigarh up to Shimla, travel through the Kullu Valley to Manali, then cross the Kangra Valley to McLeod Ganj and Dalhousie, before descending to Amritsar. Although the driving times are long, the altitudes are not high, making it suitable for families and seniors. The trade-off is that you will only see the main attractions in each place and avoid high-altitude roads.
Landslides are common in the mountains during July and August, and the toy train is often suspended due to water damage.
Day by day
Day 1 · Narrow-Gauge Railway to Shimla
Shimla（Kalka–Shimla Railway、The Mall & The Ridge）
Take a taxi to Kalka, then take the toy train for about 5 hours up to Shimla; luggage can be sent ahead with your chartered vehicle.
The Kalka section was suspended due to water damage in 2026; check if it has reopened first, otherwise go by road.
Stay: Mall Road
Day 2 · Shimla's Colonial Old Town
Shimla（Christ Church、Jakhoo Temple、Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)）
Explore the old town on foot, and take a taxi to the Viceregal Lodge and Jakhoo Temple; stay within the town all day.
Jakhoo Temple has many monkeys; keep your glasses and food secure.
Stay: Mall Road
Day 3 · Along the Kullu Valley to Manali
Manali（Kullu Town: Raghunath Temple & Dhalpur）
Shimla to Manali via Mandi and Kullu is about 260 km, taking about 8 hours.
Stay: Mall Road
Day 4 · Manali Temples & Old Village
Manali（Hidimba Devi Temple、Old Manali、Vashisht Hot Springs）
Get around by taxi and walking, traveling between Old Manali and Vashisht; stay within the valley all day.
Stay: Mall Road
Day 5 · Solang Valley & North Portal of the Tunnel
Manali（Solang Valley、Atal Tunnel、Sissu）
Charter a car to Solang Valley, then pass through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, about a 3-hour round trip.
Rohtang Pass requires an online permit with limited slots, so it is not listed as a must-visit.
Stay: Mall Road
Day 6 · Via Bir to McLeod Ganj
McLeod Ganj & Dharamshala（Bir Billing、McLeod Ganj Main Square & Temple Road）
Manali to McLeod Ganj is about 240 km via Mandi and Bir, taking about 7 hours.
Stay: McLeod Ganj Old Street
Day 7 · A Day in the Tibetan Hill Station
McLeod Ganj & Dharamshala（Tsuglagkhang Complex (Dalai Lama Temple)、Tibet Museum、Bhagsu Waterfall、Norbulingka Institute）
Walk around the town, and take a taxi down to the Norbulingka Institute, about a 1-hour round trip.
Stay: McLeod Ganj Old Street
Day 8 · Kangra Fort to Dalhousie
McLeod Ganj & Dharamshala（Kangra Fort） → Dalhousie（Subhash Baoli、Gandhi Chowk & Mall Road）
Kangra to Dalhousie is about 130 km, taking about 4 hours on mountain roads.
Stay: Gandhi Chowk and Mall Road
Day 9 · Khajjiar Meadow & Chamba
Dalhousie（Khajjiar、Lakshmi Narayan Temple Complex, Chamba、Chamba Town）
Dalhousie to Khajjiar takes about 1 hour, and then down to Chamba takes another hour; return on the same day.
Stay: Gandhi Chowk and Mall Road
Day 10 · Descend for the Border Ceremony & Golden Temple
Amritsar（Wagah-Attari Border Ceremony、Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)）
Dalhousie to Amritsar is about 190 km, taking about 5 hours; head to the border (about 30 km away) in the afternoon.
The flag-lowering ceremony currently does not allow public entry or handshakes; timings are adjusted seasonally.
Stay: Golden Temple Old City
Day 11 · Morning at the Golden Temple & Departure
Amritsar（Guru Ram Das Langar、Jallianwala Bagh、Partition Museum）
Explore the old town on foot, then take a taxi to the airport in the afternoon, taking about 30 minutes.
Head coverings and bare feet are required inside the Golden Temple; headscarves are available to borrow at the entrance.