These are the best remote working and extended holidays, for Canadian travellers planning long stays.
Best places for long stays
1. Palampur
Palampur is the tea capital of north India, with tea gardens set against the snow-capped Dhauladhar range and colonial-era bungalows. Read our Palampur guide.
- Getting there: about 11 hours from Delhi; taxi from Dharamshala or Kangra airport (about 1 hour); the Kangra Valley narrow-gauge railway also stops nearby.
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Tea gardens, Neugal Khad, Baijnath Temple
- Where to stay: heritage tea estate stays, hotels in town (mid-range from ₹4,000 (about C$60) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
2. Tirthan Valley
Tirthan Valley is a quiet valley on the edge of the Great Himalayan National Park, known for trout fishing, riverside homestays and village walks. Read our Tirthan Valley guide.
- Getting there: about 11 hours from Delhi; bus to Aut, then taxi to Gushaini or Nagini (about 1 hour).
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Tirthan river, Gushaini, Great Himalayan National Park
- Where to stay: riverside homestays in Gushaini and Nagini (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
3. Naggar
Naggar was the old capital of the Kullu kingdom and is home to a 15th-century castle and the Nicholas Roerich art gallery, overlooking the Beas valley. Read our Naggar guide.
- Getting there: about 12 hours from Delhi; taxi from Manali (45 minutes) along the left bank of the Beas.
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Gallery, Tripura Sundari Temple
- Where to stay: HPTDC Castle Naggar, boutique homestays (mid-range from ₹3,000 (about C$45) a night)
- Time needed: 1–2 days
4. Dharamshala and McLeodganj
Dharamshala and its upper town McLeodganj are home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, giving the area a unique mix of Tibetan culture, mountain views and hiking trails such as Triund. Read our Dharamshala and McLeodganj guide.
- Getting there: 10–12 hours by road (about 480 km) from Delhi; by air: Kangra (Gaggal) airport is about 15 km from Dharamshala, with flights from Delhi.
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Tsuglagkhang Complex, Bhagsu Waterfall, Triund
- Where to stay: Hyatt Regency Dharamshala, Fortune Park Moksha (mid-range from ₹4,000 (about C$60) a night)
- Time needed: 3–4 days
Smart tech for the mountains
- Noise-cancelling headphones for flights Buyzello
Compare top noise-cancelling headphones for the long flight to India. - Travel phones and wearables Buyzello
Unlocked, eSIM-ready phones and wearables that work on Indian networks. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Camps and remote homestays in Spiti and Lahaul often have only a few hours of electricity a day.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Kotgarh
Kotgarh is the heart of Himachal’s apple story. American-born Samuel Evans Stokes, later known as Satyanand Stokes, introduced American apple varieties here in the early 20th century, transforming the local economy. Read our Kotgarh guide.
- Getting there: about 10 hours via Shimla from Delhi; drive from Narkanda (about 30–45 minutes).
- Best time: August to October for apple harvest; March to May for blossom
- Don’t miss: Apple orchards, St Mary’s Church, Thanedar
- Where to stay: orchard homestays in Thanedar and Kotgarh (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
6. Manali
Manali is Himachal’s adventure capital, set in the upper Kullu valley beside the Beas river. It is the base for Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang Pass and treks across the Pir Panjal range. Read our Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; by air: Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar) airport is 50 km away, with limited flights; Chandigarh is the more reliable alternative.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow; avoid the monsoon (July–August)
- Don’t miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht
- Where to stay: The Himalayan, Span Resort & Spa (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about C$75) a night)
- Time needed: 4–5 days
7. Tosh
Tosh is a village perched at the top of the Parvati Valley, with views of snow peaks and guesthouses that attract hikers looking for quiet mountain stays. Read our Tosh guide.
- Getting there: about 13–14 hours from Delhi; bus or taxi from Kasol to Barshaini, then a steep 30–45-minute walk or a short drive to Tosh.
- Best time: April to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Village viewpoints, Tosh glacier trail, Cafés
- Where to stay: guesthouses (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
8. Mashobra
Mashobra is a quiet, forested village just beyond Shimla, known for luxury retreats, apple orchards and walks through cedar and oak forest. It is where many travellers stay to enjoy Shimla without the crowds. Read our Mashobra guide.
- Getting there: about 8 hours via Shimla from Delhi; a short taxi ride from Shimla (30 minutes).
- Best time: March to June and September to December
- Don’t miss: Craignano Nature Park, Reserve forest walks, Apple orchards
- Where to stay: Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort, boutique cottages and homestays (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about C$75) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
Internet and power
Speeds vary; carry backups. See our connectivity guide.
Visa considerations
The e-Tourist Visa does not permit employment in India; remote work for overseas employers is a grey area, so check the rules before planning a long stay.
Costs for a month
A comfortable monthly budget is about ₹60,000–120,000 (about C$896–1,791).
Planning your trip from Canada
Air India runs a daily nonstop between Toronto and Delhi on a Boeing 787-9 (from August 2026 schedules), taking roughly 14–16 hours depending on routing. From Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and other cities, most travellers connect through Europe (London, Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam), the Gulf (Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi) or Istanbul. Schedules have shifted because of airspace restrictions, so check the current timetable before you book. Door to door, plan for 20–24 hours from Toronto and 24–30 hours from western Canada. Fares: round-trip economy fares from Toronto to Delhi often range from about C$1,300 to C$2,200, and more from Vancouver or around Diwali, Christmas and the summer holidays. Read our guide to getting to Himachal from Canada for the full journey.
Canadian citizens need an Indian visa, and most holidaymakers use the e-Tourist Visa, applied for online at least four days before travel; our India visa guide explains the process step by step. Provincial health plans such as OHIP and MSP cover very little outside Canada, so buy a policy with medical and evacuation cover (see our travel insurance guide). For cash, cards and UPI, see our money guide, and for staying online, our SIM and internet guide.
What it costs
Typical daily spend per person on the ground, excluding international flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day (INR) | In Canadian dollars | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500–4,000 | C$37–60 | hostel or guesthouse, local food, buses |
| Mid-range | ₹6,000–10,000 | C$90–149 | good hotel, café meals, some taxis |
| Luxury | ₹20,000–45,000 | C$299–672 | 5-star or heritage stay, private car, fine dining |
Prices are converted at about ₹67 to C$1 and rise in peak season (May–June, Christmas and New Year). Our Himachal trip cost guide has a full breakdown.
Travelling responsibly in the Himalaya
Himachal’s mountain communities and ecosystems are fragile. Carry a refillable water bottle (plastic waste is a growing problem on popular trails), stay in locally owned guesthouses and homestays, hire local guides and drivers, and buy crafts directly from makers. Respect village and temple customs, keep noise down at night, and never leave rubbish at campsites or viewpoints. In the monsoon, follow local advice about landslide-prone roads rather than pushing on.
Health and safety basics
Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water, eat freshly cooked food and carry a small medical kit with rehydration salts and motion-sickness tablets for winding roads. Above 3,000 m, gain height gradually and descend if headaches or nausea get worse. The emergency number throughout India is 112. Global Affairs Canada advises Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in India, with stronger warnings for some border areas, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Tech that makes the trip easier
- Best phones and wearables for travel Buyzello
Unlocked, eSIM-ready phones and wearables that work on Indian networks. - Power bank buying guide Buyzello
Understand capacity, Wh ratings and airline rules before you buy a power bank for the trip. - Top-rated wireless earbuds VerdictFox
Light earbuds for bus rides, flights and hikes when headphones are too bulky.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the internet good enough for remote work?
In the main towns and in many cafés and hotels, yes, with fibre and 4G/5G. In remote valleys it is patchy, so always have a backup hotspot.
Where are the co-working spaces?
Old Manali, Dharamkot near McLeodganj and Bir have co-working cafés and spaces; many hostels also have work areas.
Can I work on a tourist visa?
The tourist visa does not permit employment in India; remote work for an overseas employer is a grey area, so check the rules before planning a long stay.
How much does a month cost?
About ₹60,000–120,000 (about C$896–1,791).
What is the best time?
March–June and September–November.