Epic Himachal
Destination
Kullu — Valley of Gods
About Kullu
Valley of Gods.
Cradled in the lap of the Western Himalayas, Kullu Valley is the spiritual and adventure heart of Himachal Pradesh. Often called the Valley of Gods, it is framed by deodar forests, the roaring Beas river, and snow-capped peaks of the Pir Panjal range. From ancient temples and apple orchards to glacier crossings and alpine meadows, Kullu compresses an entire Himalayan lifetime into a single valley.
Elevation
1,279 m
Best time
October – June
From Delhi
506 km
From Chandigarh
270 km
Plan your visit
Best time to visit Kullu
Kullu rewards visitors year-round, but each season offers a completely different valley.
Peak Season
Oct – Nov
- →Kullu Dussehra — 200+ deities, 7 days
- →Crystal-clear post-monsoon skies
- →Apple orchards heavy with harvest
- →All roads open, rafting at its best
Book hotels 2–3 months ahead for Dussehra week.
Winter & Snow
Dec – Feb
- →Snow on Bijli Mahadev & Chandrakhani
- →Solang Valley skiing & snow tubing
- →Quiet town, off-season hotel rates
- →Mornings below 0°C — pack heavy woolens
High passes like Rohtang close; lower valley stays accessible.
Spring & Summer
Mar – Jun
- →Apple & plum blossoms on every slope
- →Treks open from late April
- →Hampta Pass & Beas Kund accessible
- →Pleasant days 15–25°C, cool nights
May–June is ideal for families — warm days, blooming orchards.
Monsoon
Jul – Sep
- →Lush green valleys & gushing waterfalls
- →Manikaran and Kasol still accessible
- →Landslide risk on mountain roads
- →Lower trekking routes remain open
Avoid high-altitude treks July–August; inner roads can close.
Getting here
How to reach Kullu
Well connected by air, road and bus from Delhi and Chandigarh.
By Air
~1 hr from Delhi
- →Bhuntar Airport (KUU) — 10 km south of Kullu town
- →IndiGo & Air India daily from Delhi (DEL)
- →SpiceJet connects Chandigarh seasonally
- →Taxi to Kullu town: ₹400–500 (15 min)
Flights cancel in bad weather — build buffer days into your plan.
By Bus (Volvo)
10–12 hr from Delhi
- →HRTC & private Volvos from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate (nightly)
- →Cost: ₹900–1,600 per seat
- →From Chandigarh ISBT: 7–8 hr, ₹450–900
- →Arrives at Kullu bus stand by the Beas river
Book on HRTC or RedBus 2–4 weeks ahead during October.
By Road
9–11 hr from Delhi
- →506 km via NH-44 + NH-3 (Ambala → Chandigarh → Mandi → Kullu)
- →Chandigarh to Kullu: 270 km, ~6–7 hr
- →Shimla to Kullu: 235 km via NH-5, ~7–8 hr
- →Mountain roads from Mandi — avoid driving after dark
Don't drive through Aut Tunnel in the dark during monsoon.
Experiences
Things to do in Kullu
Rafting, trekking, temple circuits, Malana democracy and apple orchards — the valley packs more into one region than most states.
Adventure
White-water rafting
Grade III–IV rapids on the Beas from Pirdi to Jhiri — Himachal's most popular run.
Trekking
Trails for every level
Chandrakhani Pass, Beas Kund, Hampta Pass and Deo Tibba — from meadows to glaciers.
Spiritual
Temple circuit
360+ devatas, Bijli Mahadev's lightning lingam and Kullu Dussehra in October.
Culture
Malana & orchards
The world's oldest democracy, GI-tagged shawl looms and apple-picking in September.
Local Cuisine
Pahari food — hearty, slow-cooked & deeply seasonal
What to eat in Kullu
Flavours of the valley
Most ingredients come from village kitchens and orchard gardens within the valley itself — nothing travels far.
Siddu
Steamed wheat buns stuffed with walnuts, poppy seeds or radish — the valley's most beloved street food, served with ghee and dal.
Chha Gosht
Slow-braised mutton in yoghurt, cardamom and cinnamon. A celebratory dish served at weddings and during Dussehra.
Aktori
Buckwheat pancake cooked at harvest — slightly nutty, eaten with local wildflower honey.
Trout
Farm-raised rainbow trout from the Beas and Parvati, pan-fried in garlic butter. Best at riverside dhabas between Katrain and Naggar.
Sepu Badi
Lentil dumplings in spinach-yoghurt gravy. A winter staple in local homes and traditional Pahari restaurants.
Shopping & Souvenirs
What to buy in Kullu
From GI-tagged hand-woven textiles to organic produce — Kullu is one of Himachal's best craft-shopping destinations.
Kullu Shawls (Pattu)
The valley's signature GI-tagged craft. Bold geometric borders in natural wool — buy from the Government Emporium on Akhara Bazaar or cooperative looms in Bashing.
Kullu Topi
The traditional Himachali cap with a colourful band. Available at Akhara Bazaar shops for ₹150–400.
Apple Products
Fresh apples (Aug–Oct), sun-dried rings, apple jam and house-fermented cider at roadside stalls between Kullu and Naggar.
Wooden Crafts
Hand-carved walnut and deodar bowls, frames and figurines. The market near Raghunath Temple has the widest selection.
Organic Honey & Spices
Himalayan wildflower honey, dried lingri ferns and local rajma — flavours you won't find in any city supermarket.
Where to stay
Hotels in Kullu
Span Resort & Spa
Katrain, Kullu
From ₹12,500 / night
Naggar Castle (HPTDC)
Naggar, Kullu
From ₹4,500 / night
Mid Orchard Cottage
Village Madhi, Naggar, Kullu
From ₹3,500 / night
Looking for a more immersive stay?
Homestays in Kullu — Kath-Kuni houses, home-cooked Pahari meals, village life.
Sacred geography
Temples of Kullu
Beyond the town
Places to visit
Great Himalayan National Park
60 km from Kullu
A 1,170 km² mosaic of glaciers, alpine meadows and rare wildlife, recognised by UNESCO for its ecological significance.
Naggar Castle
27 km from Kullu
A 15th-century stone-and-wood castle that once served as the capital of the Kullu kings, now a heritage hotel with sweeping valley views.
Manikaran Sahib
45 km from Kullu
Sacred to both Sikhs and Hindus, famed for its boiling hot springs along the Parvati river where langar rice is cooked in 5 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Kullu
Epic Himachal Expeditions
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