The snow clad peaks and the cool hill stations on the foothills of these hills provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Himachal Pradesh is a mountain State of great natural beauty and spiritual calm. Lush green valleys surrounded by lofty snow-clad peaks, rivers roaring through gorges or flowing placidly in the valleys, dense forests of deodar and oak, flowering meadows.

.. Shimla

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh was once part of the Nepalese kingdom and was called Shyamala, another name for the Goddess Kali. It is gained fame under the British who made it their Summer Capital. And after the construction of the Kalka - Shimla railway line in 1903, the town really bloomed. Located at an altitude of 7,267 feet, is inhabited around a crescent - shaped ridge, which is blessed with perennially cool air and amazing views. It provides superb panoramic sights of the valleys, and the lofty peaks of the great Himalayan range, on both sides. The colourful local bazaars of Shimla are sprawled over the southern slopes of the ridge. The town still echoes of its colonial past with neo-Gothic Churches and imperial buildings dotting this beautiful hill station.

.. Places to See in Shimla ....................

» St. Michael's Cathedral
St. Michael's Cathedral is a dressed-stone church with fine stained glass has a cruciform design. One of Shimla's major landmarks, it is located just off the Mall. The Christ church is the second oldest church in Northern India and was built in 1846.

» The Ridge
The Ridge is a large open space in the heart of town presents excellent views of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the neo gothic structure of Christ Church and the neo- Tudor library building are worth seeing.

» Kufri (2510m)
Kufri is located 16km from Shimla, is famous for its wide views and ski slopes. Its main attractions are the Nature Park and the exciting trek that leads to the divine Mahasu peak. The nearby countryside also offers some great hiking

» Mashobra
Mashobra is a small village 11km from Shimla. One can enjoy walks through deep oak and pine forests. Nearby is the Wild Flower Hall, built as the residence of the then British commander-in-chief Lord Kitchener; specifically it seems to irritate his rival Viceroy Lord Curzon

.. How to Get there ....................

» Air
The Jubbarhatti airport is 23-km from Shimla and major domestic airlines cater their services from here to Shimla. One can catch direct flights from Delhi

» Rail
Shimla has a narrow gauge railway line on which Toy Train runs from Kalka to Shimla. The train cruises its way through valleys and beautiful landscapes at a very slow pace making the journey very pleasant. From Kalka one can take trains to other parts of India too. The Toy train from Shimla is of two types - one is the normal multi coach train and the other is the single car train, which has a glass roof giving an enthralling experience during the journey.

» Road
Roads connect Shimla with other places in Himachal as well as other major towns and cities of the neighbouring states. There is regular bus service from Delhi and Chandigarh as well as ordinary; semi deluxe, deluxe and AC coaches for Shimla are available too.

.. Manali

One day, Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after with devotion for one day it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared for the fish till the day it grew so huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged and bade him to build a sea-worthy ark. When the flood came, Varvasvata and seven sages were towed to safety by Matsya, the fish -which is regarded as first avatar of Lord Vishnu. As the water subsided the seventh Manu's ark came to the rest on a hill side and the place was named Manali (2050 m) after him.

In winter, the temperature can drop to below freezing point when heavy woollens are required. Summer temperature are mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.

.. Places to See in Manali ....................

» Hadimba Devi Temple
Hadimba Devi Temple built around a natural cave, the temple has a finely wrought four- tiered pagoda roof, dating back to 1553. It enshrines the footprints of Goddess Hadimba. Hadimba was the wife of Bhima, one of the five great Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata, and later became the patron goddess of the Kullu royal family.

» Vashisht
Vashisht is about 4km from the town is a village, which is renowned for its hot sulphur springs. The village is also the site of some old temples, dedicated to the great sage Vashisht, and to Lord Rama.

» Gadhan Thekchokling Gompa
Gadhan Thekchokling Gompa is built by Tibetan refugees in the late 1960's, this is a colourful and pleasant monastery.

» Towards the Rohtang Pass
On the road to keylong is the Nehru Kund (6km) which is a clear water spring scenic spot named after the Lat Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Kothi (12km) is a picturesque village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through which the beas swiftly races. The beautiful Rahalla falls (16km) are at at altitude of 2500m. A crucial link on the old trade-route and still the gateway to trans Himalayan Lahaul, the Rohtang Pass is at height of 3980 m.

» Rohtang Pass (3,980m)
51km from Manali, the Pass once served as a crucial trade route, and still is the gateway to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys and the second entry (or exit) point to the tribal region (the other being Shimla). With its snows Rohtang is a major tourist attraction. A two-hour drive from Manali to Rohtang offers sledging, skiing, and tobogganing and a chance to frolic in the snow. The road up to the pass opens only when the snow has melted (From June to October). On the way to Rohtang Pass there are some other interesting places like Nehru Kund, a beautiful spring named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru; Kothi, an idyllic village, which boasts of a superb view of the deep gorge, and the Beas River rushing through it. The Rahalla Falls (2500m), 16km from Manali is a charming spot for picnics.

.. How to Get there ....................

» Air
The nearest airport to Manali is that of Bhuntar, which is 52-km from Manali. From Bhuntar one can take a taxi or a bus to Manali.

» Rail
The nearest railhead is that of and this narrow gauze railway station is 95-km from Kullu. The scenic beauty of Kullu while going to Manali can best be enjoyed on a bus or a taxi. It is better to take a taxi, which one can stop and enjoy the nature at will.

» Road
The road to Manali passes through the picturesque valley of Kullu. The motorable roads to Manali connect the town with other major tourist places in Himachal as well as in the nearby states. At the Manali bus stand there are two booths, which do computerised reservation for buses. The reservations can be made one month in advance. Both private and state government buses are in service over here.