These are the best camping destinations in Himachal Pradesh, chosen for Canadian adventure travellers. From lakes to riversides and ridges, Himachal offers memorable camping.
Best camping spots
1. Chandratal Lake
Chandratal, the ‘moon lake’, is a crescent-shaped high-altitude lake near the Kunzum Pass, famous for its changing colours and night skies. Read our Chandratal Lake guide.
- Getting there: about 2 days via Manali from Delhi; drive from Manali via Atal Tunnel, Gramphu and Batal; the last stretch is a rough track. Usually open June to October.
- Best time: June to September
- Don’t miss: The lake, Kunzum Pass, Stargazing
- Where to stay: seasonal tented camps near Chandratal (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 1–2 days
2. Kareri Lake
Kareri Lake is a shallow glacial lake below the Dhauladhar ridge, reached by a beautiful two-day hike through forests and along the Nyund stream. Read our Kareri Lake guide.
- Getting there: about 11 hours from Delhi; taxi from Dharamshala to Kareri village or Ghera road head, then hike.
- Best time: May to June and September to October
- Don’t miss: Kareri Lake, Kareri village, Nyund stream
- Where to stay: camping and homestays in Kareri village (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
3. Jibhi
Jibhi is a small village in the Banjar valley with wooden homestays, a waterfall, forest walks and easy access to Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake. Read our Jibhi guide.
- Getting there: about 11–12 hours via Aut from Delhi; bus to Aut, then local bus or taxi to Banjar and Jibhi.
- Best time: March to June and September to November; winter for snow
- Don’t miss: Jibhi waterfall, Chehni Kothi, Jalori Pass
- Where to stay: wooden homestays, treehouse stays (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
4. 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
Hiking kit checklist
- Portable power stations for camping and road trips VerdictFox
Camps and remote homestays in Spiti and Lahaul often have only a few hours of electricity a day. - Outdoor gear guides Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping kit for treks and road trips. - Power bank buying guide Buyzello
Understand capacity, Wh ratings and airline rules before you buy a power bank for the trip.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Chitkul
Chitkul is the last inhabited village on the Indian side before the Tibet border on the old trade route, with wooden houses, the Baspa river and dramatic mountains. Read our Chitkul guide.
- Getting there: about 2 days via Shimla from Delhi; drive or bus from Sangla (about 1 hour).
- Best time: May to June and September to October
- Don’t miss: Chitkul village, Mathi temple, Baspa riverbank
- Where to stay: homestays and small hotels (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 1–2 days
6. Kibber
Kibber is a high village above Kaza and the base for winter snow leopard tracking, with the dramatic Chicham bridge nearby. Read our Kibber guide.
- Getting there: at least 2 days by road from Delhi; drive or bus from Kaza (about 45 minutes).
- Best time: June to October; winter for snow leopard tours
- Don’t miss: Chicham bridge, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Village homestays
- Where to stay: homestays (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 1–2 days
7. Solang Valley
Solang Valley is Manali’s adventure playground, with skiing and snow play in winter, paragliding and zorbing in summer, and a cable car to higher slopes. Read our Solang Valley guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; taxi from Manali (30–45 minutes); in heavy snow, roads may be limited to 4x4s.
- Best time: December to February for snow sports; May to June for paragliding
- Don’t miss: Solang ropeway, Ski slopes, Paragliding
- Where to stay: resorts on the Solang road (mid-range from ₹4,000 (about C$60) a night)
- Time needed: 1 day
8. Jalori Pass
Jalori Pass links the Kullu and Shimla districts and is the starting point for two easy hikes: east to Serolsar Lake and west to the ruins of Raghupur Fort. Read our Jalori Pass guide.
- Getting there: about 12 hours from Delhi; drive from Jibhi or Shoja; the road is steep and narrow, and can close after snow.
- Best time: April to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Serolsar Lake, Raghupur Fort, Pass viewpoints
- Where to stay: stay in Jibhi or Shoja (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about C$37) a night)
- Time needed: 1 day
Camping tips
- Bring warm sleeping bags.
- Follow local rules.
- Pack out all rubbish.
- Respect wildlife.
Costs
Organised camps cost about ₹1,500–3,500 (about C$22–52) per person per night including meals.
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.
Responsible travel tips
Tourism is vital to Himachal’s economy, but it also strains water supplies, roads and waste systems in peak season. You can help by travelling outside the busiest weeks, choosing locally run stays, refusing single-use plastic, and carrying out everything you carry in on treks. Ask before photographing people, dress modestly in villages and at temples, and tip guides, drivers and porters fairly: their income is often seasonal.
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.
Hiking kit checklist
- Outdoor gear guides Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping kit for treks and road trips. - Best smartwatches for hiking and travel VerdictFox
A watch with GPS, an altimeter and SpO2 readings is genuinely useful on high Himalayan passes. - Wildcraft Hypadura 35 L review BuyrSkip India
Wildcraft is a popular Indian outdoor brand; see how its 35-litre pack performs.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is wild camping allowed in Himachal?
On some trekking routes, yes, but rules are tightening around fragile meadows and lakes such as Chandratal and Triund. Check locally and use established campsites where they exist.
What is the best camping spot?
Chandratal Lake is the most spectacular, with some of the darkest night skies in India; riverside camps in Sangla and the Parvati Valley are easier and warmer.
When is the best time to camp?
May to October, with June to September best for high-altitude camps and April–June or September–November for lower valleys.
Do I need my own gear?
Organised camps supply tents, mattresses and bedding. Bring a sleeping-bag liner, a headlamp, warm layers and a power bank.
Is camping safe?
Yes, with established operators. Avoid camping on riverbeds in the monsoon, when water levels can rise suddenly.