Formerly Punjab Hill states, Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is mostly mountainous, cultivated valleys and glorious green hill slopes. Himachal ? which means ?the home of eternal snow? ? has the mountains as a steady picture frame over almost all areas. It is spread in the area of approximately 56,019 sq km. Temperatures of Himachal vary from region to region. It is bordered by Indian states of Jammu & Kashmir (north), Haryana (south), Punjab (west), and the international border with Tibet (east).



Himachal Pradesh is a hot destination for tourists. Exotic valleys, glorious lush green hill slopes, snowcapped mountains, chatty streams and the hills of Himalayas greet tourists from all over the world. Full of hill resorts, pilgrimages, adventures sports destinations, rich culture and heritage, festivals and celebrations, and wildlife. attracts wide range tourist traffic to the hill stations. Himachal is also famous for excellent trekking and beautiful hill stations.

Himachal is one of the few places in the world with five distinct seasons. Spring, summer, the monsoon, autumn and winter pack a range of dramatic distinctions into every year. Snow, rain and bright sunshine create a range of options and combinations.

Illustrious tourist destinations and hill stations that covers are followings.

1. Shimla- Queen of Hill Stations (called by the British), Situated in north-west Himalayas, Shimla the summer capital of India before independence is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

2. Palampur- One of the major hill stations in Kangra Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

3. Dharamsala- Blesses with marvelous natural beauty, Dharamsala is well wooded with oak, deodar, pine and other timber yielding trees.

4. Kullu-Manali- Called as ?Himachal's Silver Valley? Kullu-Manali is blesses with natural beauty. When the rays of sun skim over the waters and snows ? or when moonlit beams dance on its surface ? the entire area glows iridescent silver.

5. Dalhousie- A beautiful hill station, Dalhousie is built on and around five hills. It is surrounded by the beautiful panorama of snow capped peaks. With natural beauty, Dalhousie holds a variety of colonial architecture and a variety of sightseeing and activity.

6. Mandi- Situated on the bank of the river Beas, this historic town is known as the town of temples or Kashi of Himachal.

A visit to hill-stations of Himachal Pradesh gives tourists the essence of what Himachal is all about. From superb hill-stations, temples, festivals, exciting wildlife, adventure sports, trekking, natural beauty, culture and heritage there is much to see and experience that attracts the tourist. Himachal is indeed a paradise for tourists. Tourists will hardly find attractions like in Himachal Pradesh elsewhere.

Michael Braganza is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for India like . Now he is rendering his services to http://www.swagattours.com/