Summer holidays is family travel time. This is the time of the year when the mountains of North India come calling and Himachal Pradesh is a clear favourite destination. Lush green landscape against the backdrop of snow capped Himalayas, Himachal is a paradise. There are very few places that can amuse a toddler, a teenager and a septuagenarian alike. Himachal is one such destination where there is something for all age groups. To help you plan your holiday here is a list of Top 10 Things to do in Himachal with Kids.
Top 10 Things to do in Himachal with Kids
Experience Snow at Rohtang Pass
Seeing snow first time is a magical experience for kids. Join them at making a snow man, snow angels or throwing snow balls at each other. Apart from this the drive to reach here is simply spectacular. This pass connects the Kulu Valley to Lahaul and Spiti region in Himachal Pradesh leading to Leh and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. This pass is open only in the summer months and thronged by tourists. The snow point of Rohtang Pass is located about 51 kms north of Manali at the Manali Keylong Highway; at the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas.
Travel in Toy Train to Shimla
Hitch a ride on this UNESCO World Heritage Toy Train to Shimla with kids. This joyride will take you to scenic locales and is one of the best train journeys in the country. Built in 1903, this railway will make you travel back in time. The kids will have a time of their lives as the narrow gauge train chugs its way through mountains and forests. The added excitement for the kids is the tunnel near Barog which stretched for more than a KM. The train journey connects Kalka and Shimla, covers a distance of 96 KMs and consists of 20 stations, 103 tunnels and 800 bridges.
Also Read: 10 Best Family Destinations for Summer Vacation in India
Paragliding at Bir Billing
Just as you approach the twin towns of Bir and Billing, you can see colorful para-gliders lining the sky. This small place is right in the heart of Himachal on the way to Dharamshala. This is one of the best paragliding spots in the country. This will surely make the fantasy of flying come alive. It is a perfect adventure activity for kids which they will always treasure. Kids below 18 can fly with their parent. If you are not an adventure junkie then too you can view the Paragliding World Cup that is held only in Bir Billing.
Visit the Great Himalayan National Park
Located in the Kullu region of Himachal, the great Himalayan National Park is one of the largest and best in the country. Surrounded by snow peaked Himalayas, this National park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1984 this park is home to over 241 different species of mammals, along with 528 species of birds. There are also huge varieties of fish, insects and reptiles. The animals of the Himalayan region are very different than those from plains and this is a great way to teach the kids about biodiversity. The park also boasts of over 832 different species of flora.
Also Read: Top 10 Places to Visit with Kids in Delhi
Learn to Ski
Skiing is another fun family activity. Its full of excitement and surprises. In fact skiing is the signature sport of Himachal. In Himachal Skiing can be done in Solang and Narkanda. The snowy hills of Kufri is another hot-spot for skiing. You need not worry if you know nothing about skiing. In fact, many are first timers.There are institutes here that teach you the basics. All in all it will be a great way to bond with the kids.
Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Nature
The snow capped Himalayas, gurgling water streams and rich wilderness make you yearn for a holiday away from concrete cities. This is the time to get one to one with nature. Himachal is filled with such exotic places that you can make your own nature trail. All you need is good shoes and some snack and you are good to go. This is the best way to let kids experience the beauties of nature.
Also Read: Best Beach Destinations for Families in India
Get Spiritual
Himachal Pradesh is also called Devbhoomi or the Land of the Gods. There are many places of worship like temples, monasteries and gurdwaras in every part of the state. These places of worship are widely visited by people from all over the country. The Hadimba Temple in Manali, Jakoo Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple are not only visited for for religious beliefs but are very beautifully built too. McLeod Ganj near Dharamshala is where the Holy Dalai Lama resides. Hence, there are many world renowned monasteries in the area. The Namgyal Monastery was founded by the third Dalai Lama and is worth visiting to connect with your inner self. The Manikaran Gurudwara in the Parvati valley of Kullu region is regarded as one of the holiest Gurudwaras.
Spend a Day at Khajjiar, the Switzerland of India
A small lake surrounded with myriads of green grass enclosed within the snow peaks of Kailash, Khajjiar is a heaven on Earth. It is aptly known as the Switzerland of India. This place is at an altitude of 1920 meters and is surrounded by lush green Deodar forests. This place is perfect for a family outing. The kids will be delighted to see the activities for them here. There is Zorbing, horse-riding even para gliding. You can even dress up your kid in traditional Kumaon attire for a nominal price.
Go Camping under the Stars
In Cities nowadays, the air is so polluted that the stars are not visible enough. So take this opportunity to go camping at any one of the numerous places in Himachal Pradesh. Solang Valley, Chantratal Lake, Dhundi and Triund are some of the places where you can pitch your tent under a starry sky. Family bonding cannot be better than sitting around a bonfire telling stories and singing songs. This will be a good break from all gadgets and imbibe a sense of simplistic feeling in the kids.
Get Transported to the British Era
Give the kids a taste of the bygone era by taking them to the numerous places that still give away the colonial feel. Himachal Pradesh was the summer retreat of Britishers. The perfect weather and scenic locales were perfect for them so they build many monuments. These monuments are now heritage sites. The architecture is beautiful and will serve as a perfect history lesson for the kids. The Viceregal Lodge, a former residence of the Viceroy of India is now a landmark in Shimla.
Where to Stay in Himachal Pradesh
Citrus Manali Resorts
This is one of the popular hotels in Manali that offer a grand view of the Beas flowing next to it. It is located close to the Mall road and offers all modern amenities. The sound and view of the gurgling Beas with the Himalayas as a backdrop was a deciding factor.
The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
This is our favourite hotel in Shimla. Courteous staff, great property,amazing view, with all modern amenities it ticks all the boxes. The added cherry on the top is the amazing food at its rooftop restaurant.
Club Mahindra, Dharamshala
This property has amazing view of the Dhauladhar Range right from the comfort of your room. It is located mere 5 kms from Dharamshala city. With many activities available for kids, this resort will ensure a perfect family holiday here.
Book Your Stay
Hope you find this post of use to you. Have you already visited any of these places with kids? What was your experience? Do let us know about your experience or if I am missing something, please contact us or comment below and I will update this blog soon. Your comments and/or feedback are most welcome.
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What a great list of things to do in Himachal Pradesh! I haven’t explored much of this region yet – just Kufri and Shimla. But your list has inspired me to visit this land of gods again. Experiencing a ride in Toy Train, exploring more of the wild life in the Great Himalayan National Park, and visiting Khajjar – the Switzerland of India are high up on my list now.