Shimla and Manali at a glance
Himachal Pradesh is the easiest Himalayan holiday from Kerala: fly to Delhi or Chandigarh and drive up to Shimla's colonial town, then on to Manali for Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel and snow. Younger travellers add Kasol and the Parvati valley.
Best time to visit
- April–June: pleasant weather and clear roads — the main holiday season.
- September–November: clear skies and autumn colours.
- December–February: snow around Manali and Shimla.
- July–August: monsoon landslides often block the Kullu–Mandi roads — we avoid this period.
Permits and rules
- Rohtang Pass needs an online vehicle permit under a National Green Tribunal order, with a daily vehicle limit. Rohtang is usually open from about mid-May to November.
- The Atal Tunnel and Sissu do not need a Rohtang permit.
- In snow, police often stop ordinary cars at Solang Nala and allow only 4x4 vehicles towards the Atal Tunnel.
- Overnight camping at Kheerganga is banned — it is a day trek, with nights in Tosh, Kalga or Barshaini.
Getting there from Kozhikode
- Fly from Calicut or Kochi to Delhi, then take an overnight Volvo bus to Manali or drive via Chandigarh.
- Or fly on to Chandigarh (road gateway to Shimla), Kullu–Bhuntar (close to Manali, but weather-dependent) or Shimla.
- By train: the Kerala Sampark Kranti to Chandigarh, then the Kalka–Shimla toy train (a UNESCO World Heritage railway).
Sources
- Incredible India — Shimla
- District Kullu — Rohtang permit (official)
- The Tribune — Camping prohibited at Kheerganga
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time for a Shimla–Manali trip?
April–June and September–November for pleasant weather; December–February for snow. Avoid July–August because of monsoon landslides.
Do we need a permit for Rohtang Pass?
Yes, an online vehicle permit is needed for Rohtang. The Atal Tunnel and Sissu do not need one.
How do we reach Manali from Kerala?
Fly to Delhi, then take an overnight Volvo bus to Manali, or fly to Chandigarh or Kullu–Bhuntar and drive.
Can we camp at Kheerganga?
No. Overnight camping at Kheerganga is banned; it is visited as a day trek with a night in Tosh or Kalga.