Road trip - Himachal Circuit
A 15-day road trip through Himachal Pradesh, winding through pine-scented forests, apple orchards, and snow-kissed mountains. From the bohemian charm of Kasol and the quiet orchards of Thanedar to the bustling lanes of Manali and the colonial echoes of Dalhousie, each stop brought its own flavor. We wandered through Tibetan monasteries in McLeodganj, soaked in the serenity of Jibhi, and breathed in the crisp air of Tirthan Valley. A journey of winding roads, cozy homestays, and endless chai breaks—Himachal unfolded like a slow, soulful melody
A 15-day road trip through Himachal Pradesh, winding through pine-scented forests, apple orchards, and snow-kissed mountains. From the bohemian charm of Kasol and the quiet orchards of Thanedar to the bustling lanes of Manali and the colonial echoes of Dalhousie, each stop brought its own flavor. We wandered through Tibetan monasteries in McLeodganj, soaked in the serenity of Jibhi, and breathed in the crisp air of Tirthan Valley. A journey of winding roads, cozy homestays, and endless chai breaks—Himachal unfolded like a slow, soulful melody.
Planning resources
We used a google sheet for our Trip planning and hotel booking tracking. This also helped us project the total cost of the trip. A public version of the sheet will be available for anyone to reference.
Driving route
🚗 Delhi -> Kasauli -> Thanedar -> Jibhi -> Manali -> Dharamshala/McLeodganj -> Dalhousie -> Chandigarh -> Ambala -> Delhi
Note
We are still populating our experience from this trip. You will see details pop here over time
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Hopping over to the North India - Bengaluru to New Delhi
3 May 2024
We kicked off our adventure on a Friday, flying from Bengaluru to Delhi. The plan was simple: land in Delhi at night, stay overnight, pick up our rental car, and hit the road early the next morning. We left for the airport around 2:30 pm, carrying a fair bit of luggage, including a child seat to make the long road trip more comfortable for our younger one. Thankfully, IndiGo allowed it as an extra item without any hassle. The flight was smooth. We kept the kids fed and entertained, and landed in Delhi around 11:00 pm. Our hotel, however, was a disappointment. The listing had made it seem like it was in Aerocity, but it turned out to be in Mahipalpur, in a dingy part of town. Still, since it was just a night halt, we let it slide. We settled in, ordered some forgettable food, and got ready to call it a night. Meanwhile, I headed out to pick up our rental car from RBTS. We had originally booked a Hyundai Exter but were given a Suzuki Fronx instead, same segment and also automatic, so no complaints. Given the late hour, I appreciated that someone was available for the handover. The car was fairly new, with about 22,000 km on the odometer. Apart from a few minor quirks, everything looked good. The RBTS team was helpful when I had some questions. I got back to the hotel, and we all went to bed, ready to begin our road trip bright and early the next morning between 6–7 am
Highlights
- ✅ Rains and pleasant weather
- ✅ Seamless car pickup with RBTS
- ❌ The first hotel for the night
- ❌ Carrying the car seat to Delhi
Photos
High spirits at the Bangalore airport, before boarding the flight
Our ride for the rest of the roadtrip. One that fared Himachal very well and kept us comfortable
Accommodation
Hotel Almati Inn at Delhi Airport
📍 Hotel Almati Inn by R S Global
Misleading pictures and misrepresented location by saying that it is near airport. This is in Mahipalpur and not in Aerocity. Budget hotel and lack of hygiene in the bathrooms. Suspicious linen in the room. That being said the rooms themselves were decently large and we did not have to pay for the extra bed. Food, as expected, was bit underwhelming. Do not recommend
Additional Considerations
Even if you are looking to stay, look for a hotel in Aerocity and verify location
Day 2: Winding into the Hills - A Golden Welcome in Kasauli
4 May 2025
We started at around 7 am from our Hotel. Had a quick breakfast and started our road journey. The first halt was at 10 am at Amrik Sukhdev.
Highlights
- ✅ A smooth drive to Kasauli with temperature dipping down consistently
- ✅ A fantastic food fare at Amrik Sukhdev
- ✅ A Beautiful sunset in the evening
- ❌ Wildfires in Kasauli introducing uncertainity in Gilbert trail trek
Photos
Our first stop on the way Amrik Sukhdev. And their fantastic butter rich tandoori parathas
Amrik Sukhdev, gulabi chai! Looks more beautiful than it tasted. Maybe we are more traditional when it comes to Chai
Entering Himachal after several hours on the road
Trekking to the market in Kasauli
Glimpse of ongoing wildfire in Kasauli on the day we reached
The Kasauli market is painted with these gems!
The Kasauli market is painted with these gems!
Evening trek to watch sunset
The amazing sunset views
The amazing sunset views
The amazing sunset views
Accommodation
Kasauli Exotica
A small budget hotel with a beautiful location. 15 minutes walk to to the Kasauli Market. A bit of a climb. The rooms were small, food was ok the view was great! The service and value for money made it worth the stay. If you are looking for a value for money stay
Places to Eat
Amrik Sukhdev
📍 Amrik Sukhdev, Grand Trunk Road
Famous for their Tandoori Butter Paratha with a much wider selection of fresh fantastic food
Dochi Pizza
Overcrowded Pizza joint. The reviews were great, we didn't have patience to wait and eat. Went next door and the restaurant was fantastic too! Especially dal tadka!
Zaika
Next to Dochi pizza. The Indian food was great! Especially dal tadka!
Additional Considerations
Be prepared for a walk across the Market which was on a tarred road uphill and downhill