Planning a Himachal tour?

Most foreign travellers fly into Delhi (DEL) or Amritsar (ATQ). From Delhi, you have three options: a 1-hour domestic flight to Gaggal/Kangra airport (DHM), an overnight Volvo coach (12 hours), or a private car transfer with us (10–12 hours including a meal stop). Amritsar is a popular start because the Golden Temple pairs well with Dharamshala — it is a 5–6 hour drive. We organise pickup at any of these airports.

No special permit is required for Himachal Pradesh itself — the main tourist areas (Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Manali, Shimla, Dalhousie, Kullu, Kasol) are all open. An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is needed only for restricted border zones in Spiti Valley (Kaza to Tabo and parts of the Kinnaur side). We arrange the ILP for you during a Spiti tour — bring 2 passport-size photos and a passport copy.

A short, satisfying trip is 4–5 days: Amritsar Golden Temple, Dharamshala, McLeodganj, and a Tibetan monastery day. 6–8 days lets you add Manali and the Atal Tunnel. A full Spiti Valley circuit needs 9–11 days. For Char Dham Uttarakhand yatra, plan 11–13 days. We help you trim or extend any package once we know your dates.

March to June is the cleanest mountain weather — wildflowers, snow on high passes, clear views. July to mid-September is monsoon: green and beautiful, but with landslide risk on hill roads. Mid-September to November is the second peak season — crisp, dry, no rain. December to February is snow season in Manali, Shimla, Dalhousie and Khajjiar; Dharamshala stays mild. Tell us your dates and we tailor the route to what is open.

Yes — most of our work is family travel. For children we use a Toyota Innova Crysta (push-back seats, 7 seats with luggage room), keep driving days short (4–5 hours maximum), and stop for snacks every 90 minutes. For elderly travellers we book ground-floor hotel rooms, skip Rohtang and Spiti high passes, and arrange palki (porter chair) or helicopter darshan at Vaishno Devi if needed.

Seventeen ready packages, plus fully custom holidays. They span Himachal Pradesh (Dharamshala–McLeodganj–Palampur, Manali, Shimla–Manali, Dalhousie–Khajjiar, Spiti Valley, Tirthan–Jibhi, Bir Billing, Kasol–Manikaran, Lahaul), pilgrimage circuits (Vaishno Devi, Naina Devi & Anandpur Sahib, Mussoorie–Rishikesh–Haridwar), and crossover routes into Jammu & Kashmir (Kashmir via Jammu) and Uttarakhand. Starting fares run from ₹6,000 to ₹24,750 for the whole car. You can browse all of them, filter by who is travelling, and search by destination on the Packages page.

The 2-day Bir Billing paragliding tour starts at ₹6,000 — the lowest all-in fare we run, the same entry price as the 2-day Mata Naina Devi & Anandpur Sahib pilgrimage and the 3-day Triund Trek + Dharamshala. These short trips are popular as weekend add-ons or a first taste of the hills before a longer tour.

The 5-day Kullu Manali Honeymoon Special (from ₹12,000) is built for couples — Solang, Naggar Castle, Kasol and Manikaran at an unhurried pace. For something grander, the 7-day Kashmir Extension via Jammu (from ₹24,750) covers Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonmarg. Couples on a tighter budget often pick Kasol–Manikaran, Tirthan–Jibhi or Bir Billing.

Yes. The 5-day Senior Citizens Special — Easy Manali (from ₹12,750) is designed around short driving days, ground-floor stays, push-back-seat Innova comfort and gentle sightseeing — no high passes. Naina Devi & Anandpur Sahib, the Dharamshala–McLeodganj tour, Dalhousie–Khajjiar and the 8-day Family Himachal Triangle also work well for elders. We adapt any route to a slower pace on request.

Yes — these are some of our most-booked trips. Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra via Jammu (3 days, from ₹8,750), Mata Naina Devi & Anandpur Sahib (2 days, from ₹6,000), and the Mussoorie–Rishikesh–Haridwar circuit (5 days, from ₹12,250) for Ganga aarti and the Char Dham gateway. We know the dawn-darshan timings, senior-citizen side entrances, and can arrange palki or helicopter darshan where it is offered.

For scale, the 8-day Family Himachal Triangle (Dharamshala–Dalhousie–Manali, from ₹20,750) is the most complete Himachal loop. For adventure, the 7-day Spiti Valley Circuit (from ₹18,250) crosses high desert and the world's highest motorable villages, and the 4-day Lahaul tour through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu and Keylong is a shorter high-mountain option.

Absolutely. Most groups mix-and-match — add Dalhousie to a Manali trip, slip a Mata yatra into a family tour, or stretch a 4-day package to 6. Tell us your dates, group size, budget and must-see stops on WhatsApp, and we plan the route, the stays and the right car around them.

The fare covers the car and one driver from pickup to drop-off, all fuel, road tolls and state-border permits, and the driver's own lodging and meals. It does not include your hotels, your meals, entry tickets (temple offerings, ropeways, paragliding, helicopter darshan), or local snow-point cabs at Solang and Rohtang where private cars are not allowed. We help you book clean, honest hotels at every stop.

For the whole tour — the car, not per head. Two people or six (in the right vehicle) pay the same base fare for car, driver, fuel and tolls. The final figure depends on which car you need (Etios sedan, Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross or Swift Dzire) and the season. That is why a family often finds a private tour cheaper per person than separate bus or taxi tickets.

By design. Nandini Travels is a small family-run operator, not a booking aggregator — we take the enquiry directly, quote an honest all-in fare, and assign the driver and car personally. There is no online payment and no advance is taken until the plan is locked. The website only collects your booking intent and hands it to WhatsApp so you talk to a real person before any money moves.

Pick a package (or use the booking form), fill in what you know — dates, group, pickup, the cities you want — and tap the WhatsApp button. WhatsApp opens with those details pre-filled and lands on +91 94181 25184. We reply with an honest fare, the assigned driver's name, the suggested car and a confirmed plan. You can also just call.

We quote first and lock it in writing — no surprises after. The starting fares shown are genuine, and your final quote depends only on the car you choose and the season. We never pad the bill mid-trip; delays from flights, weather or road closures are never charged extra — we reschedule.

Yes. Each package page now opens with a swipeable photo gallery from that actual route — real shoots, not stock images — so you can see the stops before you book. The Memories gallery has more candid photos from past tours with our guests.

We accept Indian Rupee (INR) cash, UPI (for Indian bank holders), and bank transfer in INR. Most foreign travellers settle in cash at the end of the trip. There is no advance on this website — we confirm the booking on WhatsApp first and lock the fare in writing.

Exchange USD, EUR, GBP at Delhi or Amritsar before you arrive — rates are better at major-city banks and Thomas Cook than at hill towns. ATMs work in Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Manali, Kullu and Shimla — withdraw before heading to Spiti, Kasol or Tirthan where ATMs are rare and sometimes empty. Bring some small notes for tea, tolls and temple offerings.

Buy an Airtel or Jio prepaid tourist SIM at Delhi airport with your passport — it works across Himachal except in deep Spiti, parts of Chamba and remote Lahaul. International roaming is expensive and patchy. WhatsApp works wherever 4G works. We stay reachable on +91 94181 25184 — voice and WhatsApp — through the whole trip.

Tipping is appreciated but not required. A common tip after a 5–7 day tour is ₹500–₹1500 (about USD 6–18), more if the driver did extra work — early starts, late returns, helping with luggage at multiple stops. The base fare on your invoice already covers the driver in full, including his lodging and meals.

Dharamshala (1,475 m) and McLeodganj (2,082 m) are low and safe for all ages. Manali sits at 2,050 m. Day trips above 3,000 m — Rohtang Pass (3,978 m), Atal Tunnel (3,100 m), Solang glaciers — can affect first-time travellers from sea level. Spiti Valley climbs to 4,551 m at Kunzum Pass and Komic village (4,587 m, world's highest motorable). For Spiti we plan a slow acclimatisation: night 1 at Kalpa (2,960 m), night 2 at Tabo (3,280 m), night 3 at Kaza (3,800 m). Drink water, no alcohol the first night, no smoking on day one.

For Dharamshala–Manali in spring or autumn: layers (T-shirt + fleece + light jacket), comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat, sunscreen 50+, sunglasses for snow glare. Add a heavy jacket, gloves and a wool cap for Spiti, Rohtang or any winter trip. For monasteries and temples: cover shoulders and knees — a light scarf is enough. Pack a small daypack for short walks. We carry bottled water and basic first aid in every car.

Drink only sealed bottled water (Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina) — we keep a stock in the car. Hill town tap water is usually clean but your stomach may not agree. For food, stick to busy restaurants we recommend at each stop — Tibetan momos in McLeodganj, trout in Tirthan, dham (Himachali thali) in Kangra. Avoid raw salads at smaller dhabas and you will be fine.

Yes. Our Spiti and Rohtang cars carry a basic first-aid kit, a small oxygen can for emergency, and we know the nearest hospitals at Kaza, Manali (Mission Hospital) and Dharamshala (Zonal Hospital). We never push the schedule if anyone in the group is showing altitude symptoms — we descend and rest.

Cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering the sanctum at all temples and monasteries — there is usually a stand or a keeper. Leather items (belts, wallets) are sometimes asked to be left outside at strict Hindu shrines (Brajeshwari Mata, Jwala Ji). At Sikh gurudwaras like the Golden Temple and Anandpur Sahib, cover your head — scarves are provided free. Photography is restricted inside the inner sanctum of most temples; outside is fine.

Yes — and it is the highlight of many of our family yatra packages. Brajeshwari Mata Mandir at Kangra opens around 5 AM. Chintpurni and Jwala Ji also do dawn aartis. Our driver knows the timings, the side entrances for senior citizens, and which days are heaviest (Tuesdays, Saturdays, Navratri). For Tibetan culture, the morning chanting at Tsuglagkhang in McLeodganj (the Dalai Lama's temple) starts around 8 AM.

The Dalai Lama gives public teachings on a set calendar — check dalailama.com before you book if a teaching is your goal. Even without a teaching, McLeodganj is one of the most rewarding stops in north India: the main temple complex (Tsuglagkhang), the Tibetan Museum, Bhagsu waterfall, Norbulingka Institute, and the Dalai Lama's residence. We give you a full day and a guide on request.

No. Our drivers speak Hindi and Punjabi; our booking coordinator speaks fluent English. Hotel reception, restaurants and shops in Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Manali and Shimla all speak English. Smaller villages in Tirthan or Spiti may not — your driver translates. Translation apps work where there is signal.

Message us on WhatsApp at +91 94181 25184 or email through the contact link. Tell us your dates, group size, the cities you want to see, and roughly the level of hotel you prefer. We send back a day-by-day plan and one all-in fare in INR within 24 hours, often within an hour during India business hours (IST = UTC + 5:30).

For trips longer than 4 days or during peak season (April–June, October), we ask for a 20–25% advance to lock the driver, car and hotels. For shorter trips, a soft confirmation on WhatsApp is enough until 7 days before departure. Balance is paid in cash, UPI or bank transfer at the end of the trip.

Free cancellation up to 14 days before the start date. Between 14 and 7 days: advance refunded minus any hotel cancellation charges. Inside 7 days: 50% of the advance is non-refundable. We never charge for delays caused by flight changes, weather (landslides, snow closures of Rohtang and Spiti) or medical reasons — we reschedule.

Yes, on request. We have working relationships with mid-range hotels (₹2,500–₹6,000 per room per night, 3-star equivalent) at every stop on every route — clean, parking, warm water, breakfast included. For luxury (heritage palaces, Wildflower Hall, Atmosphere) we book direct and pass the rate at cost. Many travellers prefer to book hotels themselves on Booking.com — that is fine, we just need the addresses.

Yes — we send a GST-format invoice on company letterhead by email after the trip, useful for travel insurance reimbursement, expense reports, or corporate travel claims. Mention the requirement at booking so we register your details properly.

Yes — Himachal is consistently rated among the safest Indian states for women, including solo travellers. Our drivers are vetted, family-known, and have driven hundreds of women travellers over eight years. Hotels we recommend keep good lobby security. Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Manali and Bir all have active foreigner communities and English-speaking cafes if you want a break.

The main highways (Delhi–Manali, Chandigarh–Dharamshala, Kangra–Pathankot) are well-maintained. Landslides happen mostly in July–August monsoon on the Kullu–Manali and Chamba sections. Our drivers have 8–15 years of hill driving each, never drive after dark on hill sections, and check Border Roads Organisation (BRO) bulletins before any Spiti or Rohtang day. If a road is closed, we re-route — no shortcuts.

Every car has the driver's phone, our office phone (24×7), and a list of hospitals on every route. The big hospitals are Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College in Tanda (near Kangra), Mission Hospital in Manali, Indus Hospital in Dharamshala, and IGMC Shimla. For serious cases on remote routes (Spiti, Lahaul), the army has an air-lift facility we have used twice in 8 years. Travel insurance covering India is strongly recommended.

Yes. Driver accommodation and meals are included in the fare. Hotels we book provide a small driver room or a dormitory bed. You never need to worry about where the car is parked or whether the driver has eaten — that is our job.

Five vehicles. Toyota Etios sedan (4 seats, HP 01 DA 1244) — couples and small families. Toyota Innova Crysta SUV (7 seats, HP 01 DA 5392) — our default for families with kids and elders. Toyota Innova Hycross (7 seats, HP 01 DA 0936) — premium long-tour SUV with hybrid engine and recliner seats. Two Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire sedans (HP 01 DA 6216 and HP 01 DA 8142) — comfortable for 2–4 travellers and airport transfers. All AC, hill-tested, cleaned every morning.

Yes — that is our core promise. One named driver, one car, from the airport pickup to the airport drop. Your driver carries your luggage, knows your wake-up time, your tea breaks, what your mother needs at temples. There is no shift handover, no car swap, no surprise on day three.

Conversational English is available on most tours — enough for stops, food, hotel directions and basic chat. For deeper conversation (history, culture, route planning) you talk to our booking coordinator on WhatsApp through the trip — available 24×7 in fluent English, Hindi and Punjabi.

No. All our tours come with a driver. Hill driving is technical — narrow roads, blind hairpins, mixed traffic with trucks and cattle — and most car rental insurance does not cover hill states. A driver is faster, safer and frees you to look out the window.