Travel Tips For Himachal Pradesh

Make sure you keep this list of things to carry while travelling to Himachal Pradesh handy to make your journey hassle-free. Go ahead and read through some of the top travel tips for Himachal Pradesh:

Tip 1: Documents

For every hassle-free Himachal Pradesh trip plan, the tour confirmation voucher in printed format is a must for all travelers. It is needed for check-in at the hotels and for the Cab and driver details. Make sure to carry a detailed itinerary in printed format as it has proven to be one of the best travel tips for Himachal Pradesh. It is the most important part of the Himachal Pradesh travel plan. The tour will commence as per the itinerary provided. Always read the cost included section carefully. Anything not mentioned in the itinerary is considered excluded. Call TravelTriangle (+91-120-454-5612) for live support.

Tip 2: Weather Conditions

Most areas of Bilaspur, Una, Solan, Sirmour, Hamirpur, and Kangra are largely warm to hot in summer (25 degrees to 15 degrees), and mild to pleasant in winter (15 degree to 5 degrees). The district of Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu, Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti are mild to pleasant (15 degree to 5 degree) in summer and cold in winter (10 degree to -5 Degree).

Pack your clothing depending on your location and the month of travel. For summers, full sleeves t-shirts to sweatshirts should be carried but for winters, heavy woollen clothing is recommended because when you plan a trip to Himachal Pradesh during the winter season, a couple of layers might never be enough. So, if you’re looking for the right clothes to wear in Manali or other hill stations, keep this point in mind.

Temperature in hills may change any moment, therefore, apart from the regular clothes for Himachal Pradesh trip, a windcheater is a must. For example, at Shimla, you’ll be snowbound in the winter season and the place becomes quite breezy. For this, a windcheater is one of the things to carry for Shimla trip without fail.

If you wish to visit areas with heavy snowfall, you may rent gumboots from roadside vendors available on your way. Hotel staff and your driver will be able to guide you for the same.

Tip 3: Identity Proofs

Government issued identity proofs need to be shown at the hotel or resort before check-in. Make a note of the number of proofs you’re carrying in your travel guide book and always carry them with yourself while traveling. Keep a digital copy of your documents in your mobile devices. This is one of the most important travel tips for Himachal Pradesh which will help you in case of loss or emergency. In fact, a lot many customized options of “plan my trip to Himachal Pradesh” on the online travel portals ask for identity proofs first.

Tip 4: Hotel Reviews

Please check the Hotel amenities and ratings before booking the hotel. If you may need add-ons like heater, extra beds, blankets, room refreshments and more, request your travel agent to customize your package before making the payments. If you are traveling with children or the elderly, ask your agent to book a hotel closer to the mall roads/ lower altitudes. If you may wish to change your accommodation, the cancellation charges will have to be borne by the traveler.

Tip 5: Emergency Numbers

The list of travel tips for Himachal Pradesh is incomplete without making a note of the emergency numbers. Always keep the emergency contacts of the place you are visiting and your family members handy, especially if you’re going on a Himachal road trip. Always save the details of your accommodation in your mobile devices and share the information with your family members. Here’s a list of quick contacts for your reference.

Police : 100

Ambulance : 102

District Control Room : 1077

Emergency Contact Number [Integrated Police/ Fire Station/ Medical Services] : 108

Tourist Information Office (Shimla) : 0177-2658302, 0177-2652561

Tourism Information Office (Manali) : 01902-253531

Tourism Information Office (Kullu) : 01902-222349

Tourism Information Office (Dharamshala) : 01892-224212

Tourism Information Office (Dalhousie) : 01899-242136

Tip 6: Health Precautions

Avoid eating anything from the roadside vendors and too small restaurants. Stick to bottled water for drinking purposes. Water and food (cut fruits and more) served in open may not be clean or pure and may cause stomach infections. Carry personal medication (Mainly Crocin, ORS/Electral, Eno, Disprin/Aspirin, Band-Aids, Thermometer, Adhesives, Alcohol-based sanitizer, Tensor Bandages, Antiemetics). Do not overeat while traveling to a higher altitude to avoid nausea/ vomiting. These things should be on the top of your list of things to carry while traveling to Himachal Pradesh.

Tip 7: Code Of Conduct

One of the basic travel tips for Himachal Pradesh is to be courteous, adaptable, and friendly behavior. While traveling to a new destination always be friendly and welcoming but also maintain some distance to enjoy your own privacy. Do not be rude or arrogant with them but always keep a track of the cab drivers’ information. Avoid driving in late in the night due to low visibility and safety issues. Make sure your driver follows the itinerary as planned. Any hiring for porters should either be done through the hotel reference or the Department of Tourism.

Tip 8: Permissions

Some buildings and monument (Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla; Chail Palace) may require special permissions for photography or filming. District Administration & Tourism office will help you with the same. Also, tourists intended to take adventure activities are advised to inform local authorities such as SDM, Police, & Tourist office; and seek necessary permissions. You may need to present your id proofs to seek permissions. Call your travel agent in case you need any help related to getting permissions.

Tip 9: Planning

While on adventure trips, read about the location you are visiting and keep heavy woollen clothing, rubber soled shoes, gloves, torch, stick, food (energy bars, dry fruits, packaged food, etc.), water, mosquito repellent, toilet paper, some instrument to lit fire (match box/ lighter, etc.). Water may freeze in high altitude areas, thus, a thermos is recommended.

Tip 10: Safety Precautions

This is one of the travel tips for Himachal Pradesh which one should be mindful of, for their own good. Water currents in rivers of Himachal Pradesh are very strong. It is highly advised to not stand near the cliff or on the bolder near the bank of the river or step into the river for photographs etc.

Must Carry:

Sunscreen lotion & Moisturising lotion

Heavy Woollen Clothing & socks

Good rubber-soled shoes

Personal Medication

Camera with sufficient batteries and film / memory cards

Dark polarized sunglasses with retainers

Id Proofs

Tip 11: Money

While most of the places in Himachal Pradesh are well equipped modern day amenities like an ATM, there are still a few remote places that lack one. And if you lucking get access to an ATM there, relying on it completely would be a wrong bet to make. So last but not the least, carry enough cash with you or exchange your currency in advance at an authorized foreign exchange outlet or bank before you drive to the remote area.

Here are a few money saving tips for Himachal:

Book a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast services.

If you’re traveling solo or with your partner and friends, consider taking a non-AC Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus.

Travel during the off season to save money on hotels and airfare. The off season in Himachal Pradesh is January to February.

Stay as far as possible from Mall Road, Manali as the hotels in the region are exorbitantly expensive. Opt for a homestay instead. The food might come free as most of the homestays offer food on complimentary basis.

Share vehicles with other tourists instead of hiring one for sightseeing.

When you travel in groups of 3-5 people, you save more money!

Eating at roadside shacks is a cost-effective option as opposed to eating at high-end restaurants.