These are the best road trips in Himachal Pradesh, chosen for American adventure travellers.
Best road trips
1. Shimla to Spiti via Kinnaur
One of the world’s great road journeys, along the Sutlej gorge into the cold desert. Read our Spiti Valley guide.
- Getting there: at least 2 days by road from Delhi; via Shimla and Kinnaur: open year-round, but long (2–3 days from Shimla); foreigners need an Inner Line Permit.
- Best time: June to September for full access; winter trips are possible via Kinnaur only
- Don’t miss: Key Monastery, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komic, Tabo Monastery
- Where to stay: homestays in Kaza, Kibber and Langza, small hotels in Kaza (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about US$26) a night)
- Time needed: 7–12 days
2. Manali to Kaza via Kunzum Pass
High passes and Chandratal Lake. 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 US$26) a night)
- Time needed: 1–2 days
3. Manali to Keylong via Atal Tunnel
A short trip into Lahaul through the 9.02 km tunnel. Read our Atal Tunnel guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; drive from Manali through Solang to the south portal; the 9.02 km tunnel leads to Sissu in Lahaul.
- Best time: Open year-round in most conditions; May to October for Lahaul sightseeing
- Don’t miss: The tunnel, Sissu, Keylong
- Where to stay: stay in Manali or Sissu (mid-range from ₹4,000 (about US$42) a night)
- Time needed: 1–2 days
Travel gear we trust
- Dash cams worth buying VerdictFox
Record mountain drives and keep a record of what happened on narrow roads. - 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. - Motorcycle helmet buying guide for India BuyrSkip India
Renting a Royal Enfield in Manali? Bring or buy a properly certified helmet rather than the one in the rental shed.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
4. Shimla to Narkanda and Sarahan
Apple country and temples. Read our Narkanda guide.
- Getting there: about 9–10 hours via Shimla from Delhi; taxis and buses from Shimla take about 2–2.5 hours along NH5 (Hindustan–Tibet road).
- Best time: December to March for snow and skiing; April to June and September to November for clear views and apple season (August–October)
- Don’t miss: Hatu Peak and Hatu Mata Temple, Apple orchards, Ski slopes
- Where to stay: HPTDC Hatu Hotel, orchard homestays around Narkanda and Kotgarh (mid-range from ₹3,000 (about US$32) a night)
- Time needed: 2 days
5. Dharamshala to Dalhousie
Through the Kangra valley. Read our Dalhousie guide.
- Getting there: about 10–11 hours via Pathankot from Delhi; by rail: Pathankot is the nearest station (about 80 km).
- Best time: March to June and September to November; December to February for snow
- Don’t miss: Gandhi Chowk and Mall, St John’s Church, Panchpula
- Where to stay: Grand View Hotel, heritage hotels (mid-range from ₹4,000 (about US$42) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
6. Kullu to Jibhi and Jalori Pass
Into the Banjar valley. 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 US$26) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
7. Rohru to Chanshal Pass
A remote mountain road. Read our Chanshal Pass guide.
- Getting there: about 14 hours via Shimla and Rohru from Delhi; drive from Rohru via Larot; the road is usually open from about June to October.
- Best time: June to October
- Don’t miss: The pass, Dodra Kwar, Larot
- Where to stay: stay in Rohru or Larot (mid-range from ₹2,500 (about US$26) a night)
- Time needed: 1 from Rohru days
Road trip tips
- Hire experienced drivers.
- Avoid night driving.
- Check road conditions.
- Carry cash and snacks.
Self-drive vs driver
A driver is safer and more relaxing; self-drive requires an International Driving Permit.
Planning your trip from the USA
Air India has operated nonstop flights to Delhi from US gateways such as New York (JFK), Newark, Chicago, Washington Dulles and San Francisco, taking roughly 14–17 hours. Some of those routes have been cut or rerouted because of airspace restrictions, so check the current schedule before you plan around a nonstop. One-stop itineraries are often cheaper and just as practical: via the Gulf (Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi), via Europe (London, Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam) or via Istanbul. Door to door, expect 20–26 hours from the East Coast and 22–30 hours from the West Coast. Fares: round-trip economy fares to Delhi often range from about US$900 to US$1,600 depending on season and city, with October–December and May–June among the busiest periods. Read our guide to getting to Himachal from the USA for the full journey.
US 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. Most US health plans, including Medicare, offer little or no cover in India, 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 US dollars | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500–4,000 | US$26–42 | hostel or guesthouse, local food, buses |
| Mid-range | ₹6,000–10,000 | US$63–105 | good hotel, café meals, some taxis |
| Luxury | ₹20,000–45,000 | US$211–474 | 5-star or heritage stay, private car, fine dining |
Prices are converted at about ₹95 to US$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. The US State Department rates India at Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for the country as a whole, with stricter advice for some border areas, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Our trekking gear picks
- Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Camps and remote homestays in Spiti and Lahaul often have only a few hours of electricity a day. - Outdoor and hiking gear picks BuyrSkip
Trekking poles, headlamps, base layers and water bottles for Himalayan trails. - Airline-safe power banks BuyrSkip
Power cuts and cold weather drain phones fast in the mountains; a 20,000 mAh bank under the 100 Wh airline limit is the sweet spot.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best road trip in Himachal?
The loop from Shimla through Kinnaur to Spiti and back via the Kunzum Pass and Manali is the most celebrated, but it needs 9–12 days.
Can foreigners self-drive?
Yes, with an International Driving Permit and your home licence, but mountain driving is demanding and a local driver is safer for most visitors.
When is the best season?
June to October for high roads; March to June and September to November for lower routes.
Do I need permits?
An ILP for the Kinnaur–Spiti border stretch and a vehicle permit for Rohtang.
How much does a car with driver cost?
₹3,500–6,500 per day (about US$37–68)