Himachal Tour Package from Katra
Travelling from Katra? This 8 nights 9 days plan covers Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Manali and Shimla with stays, a private car and sightseeing, and we help you plan the journey from Katra.
- 8N / 9D
- Dalhousie (1N) + Dharamshala (2N) + Manali (3N) + Shimla (2N)
- Private car
- Breakfast + dinner
About this package
Himachal Tour Package from Katra is a 8 nights 9 days plan covering Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Manali and Shimla. Your stay includes rooms on twin sharing with breakfast and dinner, a private car for transfers and sightseeing, and a day-wise itinerary that you can change to suit your dates, group and budget.
Dalhousie is a quiet colonial hill town in Chamba district, close to Khajjiar, the 'mini Switzerland' meadow. Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj sit below the Dhauladhar range, with the Dalai Lama temple, Tibetan culture and cafe lanes. Manali is a mountain resort in the Kullu valley, and the base for Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel, Hadimba Temple and Old Manali.
Route at a glance
Where you stay, how long you drive between stops and what you see.
| Stop | Nights | Drive from previous stop | Main sights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalhousie | 1 | start | Khajjiar meadow and Kalatop forest walks |
| Dharamshala | 2 | about 4 hours | McLeod Ganj, the Dalai Lama temple complex and Bhagsu Nag |
| Manali | 3 | 7 to 8 hours | Solang Valley, Hadimba Temple, Old Manali and the Atal Tunnel |
| Shimla | 2 | - | Mall Road, The Ridge, Kufri and Jakhu Temple |
Trip highlights
- Dalhousie: Khajjiar meadow and Kalatop forest walks
- Dharamshala: McLeod Ganj, the Dalai Lama temple complex and Bhagsu Nag
- Manali: Solang Valley, Hadimba Temple, Old Manali and the Atal Tunnel
- Shimla: Mall Road, The Ridge, Kufri and Jakhu Temple
- Hotel stay, breakfast, dinner and a private car included
Day-wise itinerary
8 nights 9 days: Dalhousie (1N) + Dharamshala (2N) + Manali (3N) + Shimla (2N). Tap a day to open it.
Day 1 Arrive from Katra and drive towards Dalhousie
Pick-up from Katra (or Pathankot railway station if you travel by train) and drive to Dalhousie, about 4 to 5 hours from Pathankot and longer from Katra. Check in and rest. Evening walk around Gandhi Chowk and the Mall.
Day 2 Dalhousie to Dharamshala
Check out after breakfast and drive about 4 hours (roughly 130 km) to Dharamshala, with a tea stop on the way. Check in and rest. Evening walk in the McLeod Ganj market and cafes.
Day 3 McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu Nag and Dal Lake
Visit McLeod Ganj for the Tsuglagkhang (Dalai Lama) temple complex and the Tibetan market, then Bhagsu Nag temple and waterfall and the small Dal Lake near Naddi.
Day 4 Dharamshala to Manali via Mandi
Check out after breakfast and drive about 7 to 8 hours (roughly 250 km) via Palampur, Mandi and Kullu to Manali, with meal and photo stops. Check in and rest. Evening at Mall Road and the Tibetan market.
Day 5 Naggar Castle, Roerich Gallery and Old Manali
Morning drive to Naggar (about 21 km) for Naggar Castle and the Roerich Art Gallery. Return to Manali for an easy walk to Jogini Waterfall and a slow afternoon in the cafes of Old Manali.
Day 6 Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel
Drive to Solang Valley (about 14 km) for green meadow views and optional paragliding, zorbing, ATV rides and the ropeway. Continue through the Atal Tunnel (about 9 km long) to the Lahaul side if time allows, and return to Manali by evening.
Day 7 Manali to Shimla
Drive of about 7 to 8 hours via Kullu, Pandoh Dam and Mandi, with meal and photo stops. Reach Shimla by evening and check in.
Day 8 Kufri and Fagu sightseeing
Drive to Kufri (about 16 km) for the Himalayan Nature Park, viewpoints and optional horse riding. Stop at Fagu for valley views, then return to Shimla for Lakkar Bazaar and Lower Bazaar shopping.
Day 9 Return journey
Breakfast and check-out, then the drive back to your starting point or to Chandigarh. Travel time depends on the route and traffic, so keep a comfortable buffer before any onward ticket.
Roads and seasons on this route
Himachal roads are open most of the year, but weather decides the day.
| Route | Usually open | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla to Manali via Mandi and Kullu | Most of the year | Landslide-prone in July and August, and snow can slow the road in winter |
| Atal Tunnel and Sissu | Most of the year | Can close briefly after heavy snow; the Lahaul side is cold in winter |
| Rohtang Pass | Seasonal, usually from late spring to autumn | Needs a permit with a daily vehicle quota, and is closed in winter. We plan it only when it is open and the weather is clear |
| Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Khajjiar | Most of the year | Heavy rain in July and August can cause landslides, and Dalhousie and Khajjiar can get snow from December to February |
Road dates change every year, so message us your travel dates and we confirm the current status before you book.
Package price and stay options
Prices are indicative, per person, for two adults sharing a room, with stay, breakfast and dinner, and a private car for transfers and sightseeing. Pick-up from your city is quoted by distance, so message us for the exact figure. Final price depends on travel dates, stay level and group size.
By stay level
| Stay level | Per person | Per couple (2 adults) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget: basic 2-star hotels or homestays | ₹16,300 | ₹32,600 |
| Standard: 3-star hotels (most popular) | ₹22,000 | ₹44,000 |
| Premium: 4-star hotels or resorts | ₹33,400 | ₹66,800 |
By group size
| Group size | Per person (standard) |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | ₹22,000 |
| 4 travellers | ₹20,700 |
| 6 travellers | ₹19,800 |
| 10+ travellers | ₹18,900 |
Peak season (April to June, October and long weekends) is usually more expensive, and the quiet months are usually cheaper. Message us your dates on WhatsApp for today's exact price.
Package inclusions and exclusions
Price includes
- Hotel stay for the nights in the itinerary, on twin sharing (an extra bed is possible for a third person)
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel (MAP meal plan)
- Private AC car for pick-up, drop and sightseeing as per the itinerary: sedan for 2 to 3 people, SUV for 4 to 6, tempo traveller for larger groups
- Driver allowance, fuel, toll tax and parking charges
- Sightseeing as listed in the day-wise itinerary
- Our representative's help on the phone and on WhatsApp during the trip
Price does not include
- Flight, train and bus tickets, unless the plan says otherwise
- Lunch, snacks, drinks and personal expenses
- Entry tickets, ropeway, paragliding, rafting, snow activities and other optional extras
- Permits for foreign nationals and any special permit, when applicable
- Travel insurance, and extra nights or costs caused by landslides, snow or road closures
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
How to reach Himachal from Katra
Getting there
Katra is the base for the Vaishno Devi yatra. Jammu is about 1.5 to 2 hours away by road, and Pathankot, the gateway to Dalhousie and Dharamshala, is roughly 4 to 5 hours.
You are within road reach, so we can arrange a direct car pick-up from Katra, or you can meet us at Chandigarh, Pathankot or Shimla.
What this price covers
- Land package in Himachal, with stays, private car and sightseeing
- Pick-up at the first stop is included; other pick-up points are an add-on (table below)
- Your flight, train or bus fare from Katra is extra, and we can help you book
Ways to reach from Katra
| Option | Journey | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Flight to Chandigarh or Delhi, then private car | flight plus 4 to 9 hours by road | Most travellers; the easiest way to start the land package |
| Train to Delhi, Chandigarh or Kalka, then car | train plus road | Travellers who prefer trains or want to save on airfare |
| Overnight Volvo from Delhi to Manali or Shimla | about 12 to 14 hours | Budget travellers; tickets are booked with the bus operator |
| Direct car pick-up from Katra | quoted by distance | Nearby cities and groups who want one vehicle all the way |
Pick-up options and price add-on
| Pick-up point | Extra on package price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Shimla or Manali (land package) | no extra |
| Chandigarh (airport, station or hotel) | about ₹1,500 |
| Delhi (door-step, station or airport) | about ₹2,500 |
| Direct from Katra | quoted on request, by distance |
Where you will stay
Areas are indicative and the exact property is confirmed at booking.
| Stay level | What to expect |
|---|---|
| basic 2-star hotels or homestays | Clean, basic rooms; bathrooms and hot water can be simple |
| 3-star hotels (most popular) | Comfortable rooms with attached bathrooms, and a room heater in cold months |
| 4-star hotels or resorts | The best hotels and resorts at each stop, with better views and service |
Usual areas: Dalhousie: Gandhi Chowk, Mall Road, Banikhet; Dharamshala: McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu, Naddi; Manali: Old Manali, Aleo, Mall Road side, Prini; Shimla: Mall Road side, Chhota Shimla, Kufri road.
Best time to travel
- Dalhousie: Dalhousie is pleasant from March to June and September to November, with snow possible in winter.
- Dharamshala: Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj are pleasant from March to June and September to November. The monsoon (July-August) is very wet and winters are cold.
- Manali: Manali is green and pleasant from March to June, snowy from December to February, and best avoided in heavy monsoon (July-August) because of landslide risk.
- Shimla: Shimla is pleasant from March to June and September to November. December to February is cold, with a chance of snow (not guaranteed).
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring and summer | March to June | Pleasant days, flowers and green valleys. May and June are the busiest months, so book early. |
| Monsoon | July to August | Rain and a higher chance of landslides, with lower prices. |
| Autumn | September to November | Clear skies and crisp air, a very good time for views. |
| Winter | December to February | Cold, with snow around Shimla, Kufri, Manali, Solang and Dalhousie, and some high roads closed. |
Travel tips for Himachal
- Carry warm layers even in summer, because evenings are cool, plus sunscreen, sunglasses and a light rain jacket
- Carry a valid photo ID for every traveller, and some cash, because ATMs can be far apart in the hills and cards are not accepted everywhere
- Mountain roads wind a lot, so carry motion-sickness tablets and some snacks and water for the long drive days
- Mobile networks can be patchy, so tell family your plan and download offline maps before you leave
- Keep one spare day in your plan, because landslides, snow or a damaged road can delay the journey
- Book onward flights or trains for the evening or the next day after your last night, not the same morning
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of the Himachal Tour Package from Katra?
Indicative prices are ₹16,300 per person for budget stays, ₹22,000 for standard stays and ₹33,400 for premium stays, for two adults sharing a room. The final quote depends on your dates, stay level and group size, so message us on WhatsApp for today's price.
How do I reach Himachal from Katra?
Katra is the base for the Vaishno Devi yatra. Jammu is about 1.5 to 2 hours away by road, and Pathankot, the gateway to Dalhousie and Dharamshala, is roughly 4 to 5 hours. Chandigarh to Shimla takes about 3.5 to 4 hours and Delhi to Shimla about 8 to 9 hours; Shimla to Manali is another 7 to 8 hours.
What is included in this package?
Stay on twin sharing, daily breakfast and dinner, a private car for transfers and sightseeing, and driver allowance, fuel, toll and parking. Lunch, entry fees, activities, permits and personal expenses are extra.
How many days are enough for Himachal?
This plan uses 8 nights 9 days. The road distances are long, so Shimla and Manali together need at least 5 nights, and a wider Himachal circuit needs 9 or more. Ask us for a shorter or longer version.
What is the best time to visit Himachal?
March to June and September to November are the most comfortable months. July and August bring rain and landslide risk, and December to February is cold with snow around Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie.
Can the itinerary or stays be changed?
Yes. Every plan is flexible. Tell us your dates, group size and budget and we will adjust the stays, nights and sightseeing.
Will the plan change with road conditions?
It can. Landslides, snow or a road closure may change the order of days, and we keep to the safest option and tell you in advance.
Is the Rohtang Pass included?
Rohtang Pass is open only in season, needs a permit with a limited vehicle quota, and is closed in winter. We include it only when it is open and the weather is clear, and the permit is extra.
Is the price per person or per couple?
The price is per person for two adults sharing a room. For a couple, double the figure; the tables above also show the price for a couple.