Himachal Itinerary: Delhi to Dharamshala, Bir & Manali in 7 or 10 Days (2026)

The classic Himachal circuit for first-timers is Delhi → Dharamshala/McLeod Ganj → Bir Billing → Manali → Delhi, and 7 days is the minimum to do it without spending the whole trip in a car. You get Tibetan culture and the Dhauladhar range in McLeod Ganj, paragliding and monasteries in Bir, and big snow peaks and the Atal Tunnel in Manali. With 10 days you can add Parvati Valley (Kasol) or end via Shimla.

Below is the exact route we suggest to guests, with honest road times. Himachal distances look short on a map, but mountain roads average 30 to 40 km/h, so every leg here is planned around daylight driving. All costs are approx. as of 2026.

The Route at a Glance

Traffic, landslide repairs and weekend rush around Mandi and Kullu can add 1 to 3 hours to any of these legs. Plan to arrive before dark.

Getting from Delhi to Dharamshala

You have three practical options, covered in detail in our how to reach Dharamshala guide:

• Overnight Volvo bus from Delhi (HRTC and private operators). Buses leave in the evening and reach Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj early morning. This is the most popular choice because it saves a night of hotel cost and a day of travel.
• Flight to Kangra Airport (Gaggal), about 13 to 15 km from Dharamshala town. IndiGo and SpiceJet have run Delhi to Kangra flights in 2026, but schedules change seasonally and fog or weather can cause cancellations, so book a flexible fare.
• Private taxi from Delhi, 10 to 12 hours, typically approx. ₹10,000–14,000 one way for a sedan. Our Delhi taxi guide covers rates and the best departure times. You can also book a Kangra airport or Delhi transfer with us.

Rail is possible too: the nearest broad-gauge stations are Pathankot (about 85–90 km away) and Amb Andaura in Una district, but you still need a 2.5 to 3 hour road transfer.

7-Day Himachal Itinerary: Day by Day

Day 0 (night): Leave Delhi

Take an evening Volvo from Delhi (Majnu Ka Tilla and Kashmere Gate are the common boarding points). Pack a warm layer in your hand luggage because buses run the air-conditioning cold and the hills are chilly at dawn.

Day 1: Arrive McLeod Ganj, slow day

Arrive early, check in and sleep for a couple of hours. In the afternoon walk to the Tsuglagkhang Complex (the Dalai Lama Temple) and do the Lingkor kora, the short prayer-flag circuit around it. Our Dalai Lama temple guide explains timings and etiquette. Evening: momos and thukpa on Jogiwara Road; see our Tibetan food in McLeod Ganj guide.

Day 2: Triund trek or Dharamshala sightseeing

If you are reasonably fit, hike to Triund (about 9 km one way from McLeod Ganj via Galu Devi, 4 to 5 hours up). Do it as a day hike or camp if current rules allow; read the Triund trek complete guide or book a guided Triund trek.

Not a hiker? Spend the day on Bhagsu waterfall, Dharamkot cafes, St. John in the Wilderness church and the Naddi sunset viewpoint. More ideas are in our list of places to visit in Dharamshala.

Day 3: Norbulingka, Kangra side, drive to Bir

Check out after breakfast. On the way to Bir, stop at Norbulingka Institute in Sidhbari (Tibetan arts and a lovely garden) and, if you like temples, Chamunda Devi (about 15 km from Dharamshala, right on the Palampur road). Have lunch in Palampur among the tea gardens, then continue to Bir for the evening. Total driving time is only 2.5 to 3 hours, which leaves plenty of time for stops.

Day 4: Paragliding and monasteries in Bir

Bir Billing is one of the best-known paragliding sites in Asia. Tandem flights take off from Billing (about 14 km uphill) and land in Bir; flights typically last 15 to 30 minutes and cost approx. ₹3,000–4,000 as of 2026. Flying is usually suspended during the monsoon (roughly mid-July to mid-September). Book through our paragliding page and read the Bir Billing paragliding guide before you go.

Afternoon: walk the Tibetan colony, visit the monasteries around Chowgan, and have tea at one of the cafes near the landing site.

Day 5: Bir to Manali

Leave by 8 am. The road runs via Baijnath, Joginder Nagar and Mandi, then follows the Beas river through Kullu to Manali. Allow 5 to 6 hours plus a lunch stop. A taxi costs approx. ₹5,000–7,000 one way. Evening: Old Manali and the Mall Road.

Day 6: Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel

Drive through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul, with a stop at Solang Valley for snow activities in winter and ropeway rides when operating. Note that Rohtang Pass needs an online permit for private and taxi vehicles (from rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in, limited daily quota, closed on Tuesdays), and it is usually shut in winter. The Atal Tunnel route to Sissu is the easier, permit-free alternative for most visitors, subject to weather and police advisories.

Day 7: Manali sights, overnight bus to Delhi

Visit the Hadimba Devi temple, Vashisht hot springs and Manu temple, then take an evening Volvo back to Delhi, arriving early on Day 8.

10-Day Variant: Add Kasol or Shimla

Follow Days 1 to 6 above, then choose one of these.

Option A: Parvati Valley (Kasol)

• Day 7: Manali to Kasol (2.5 to 3 hours via Bhuntar). Walk along the Parvati river and to the village of Chalal.
• Day 8: Day trip to Manikaran (about 4 to 5 km from Kasol) for the gurudwara and hot springs, or a short hike to Tosh or Kalga.
• Day 9: Free morning, then evening Volvo to Delhi from Bhuntar or Kasol.
• Day 10: Arrive Delhi.

Option B: Shimla on the way home

• Day 7: Extra day in Manali or Naggar (Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Gallery).
• Day 8: Manali to Shimla (7 to 8 hours via Mandi). A long day; leave early.
• Day 9: The Ridge, Mall Road, Jakhoo temple, and a short ride on the Kalka–Shimla toy train if timings suit.
• Day 10: Shimla to Delhi (about 350 km, 8 to 9 hours) or drop down to Chandigarh for a train or flight.

With 10 days you can also simply slow down: give McLeod Ganj 3 nights instead of 2 and add a night in Palampur. That version is the most relaxing of all.

Reverse Route or Manali First?

Both directions work. Starting in Dharamshala is better if you want an easier first day (McLeod Ganj is lower, around 1,750 to 2,000 m, and less hectic than Manali in peak season). Starting in Manali makes sense in summer if you want to see snow early before the crowds peak at Solang and Sissu.

Where to Stay on the Circuit

For the Dharamshala leg, browse our verified hotels or read best hotels in McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala vs McLeod Ganj to choose your base.

Taxi or Bus Between Stops?

One taxi for the whole circuit is the most comfortable option. A sedan for 5 to 6 days of hill driving typically costs approx. ₹3,500–4,500 per day plus driver allowance and tolls as of 2026; an SUV costs more. It lets you stop at Norbulingka, Chamunda and Palampur without hassle. Ask us through the taxi page or contact us for a fixed quote.

Buses are cheap but slow. Dharamshala to Bir usually involves a change at Baijnath or Palampur, and Bir to Manali needs a change at Baijnath or Mandi. Fine for backpackers with flexible days; tiring on a 7-day plan.

Best Time for This Itinerary

• March to June: Ideal. Pleasant days, clear views, paragliding open, snow still around Solang and Sissu.
• Late September to November: The best overall. Post-monsoon clarity, crisp mornings and fewer crowds.
• December to February: Cold but beautiful; snow possible in McLeod Ganj and certain in upper Manali. Roads around Solang can close after heavy snowfall. See our winter and snowfall guide.
• July to mid-September: Monsoon landslides make this circuit unpredictable, and paragliding stops. If you go anyway, keep buffer days; our monsoon travel guide explains how.

Budget Snapshot

For two people on a mid-range 7-day trip, a rough guide as of 2026: Volvo buses approx. ₹2,000–3,000 per person each way, hotels approx. ₹2,500–5,000 per night, taxi between stops approx. ₹15,000–22,000 total, paragliding approx. ₹3,000–4,000 per person, and food approx. ₹1,000–1,500 per person per day. Our Dharamshala trip cost guide breaks this down further.

Practical Tips

• Do not plan drives after dark in the hills, especially between Mandi and Manali.
• Carry cash; ATMs exist in all four towns but can run dry on long weekends.
• Mobile data is good in towns but patchy on Triund and in parts of the Parvati Valley.
• Avoid starting the Delhi drive on a Friday evening in summer; the Kiratpur and Mandi stretches jam badly.
• Check our FAQ for answers on permits, payments and cancellations.