Introduction
Himachal Pradesh is located in North West in India in the lap of the Great Himalayas . It is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir in the North , Punjab in the West , Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the South and Tibet in the East. This beautiful state is divided into two parts Southern and Northern Himachal. The southern Himachal also known as lower Himachal is as hot as plain areas ,where as upper is Northern Himachal less hot in Summer and extreme cold and heavy snow in Winter.

Himachal Pradesh - the land of eternal snow peaks - takes in the transition zone from the plains to the high Himalaya and in the trans-Himalayan region of Lahaul and Spiti, actually crosses that mighty barrier to the Tibetan plateau. The Kullu valley, with its developed and tourist-oriented economy, can be considered the backbone of the state. Off the east is thew Parbati valley, popular with long stay visitors. In the Chamba and Kangra regions can be found typical British hill stations and small but beautiful temple complexes.

Geography
Himachal Pradesh is dominated by mountains and their associated rivers and valleys. Himachal Pradesh can be easily segregated by its valleys. Lahaul consists of the Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Further east, the Spiti river joins the Sutlej river in Kinnaur and flows all the way to the Punjab. In the west, the beautiful Kangra valley stretches from Mandi to Shahpur, near Pathankot.

Shopping
Kotwali Bazaar and Mcleod Ganj are major shopping areas. Mcleod bazaar has numerous shops selling Tibetan handicrafts including woollen carpets, metalware, jewellery, jackets, handknitted cardigans, gloves etc. 

Trekking
The main trekking areas in Himachal are the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, routes over the passes between the Shimla region and the Kullu valley, the numerous treks out of kullu and select tracks in the Trans-Himalayan regions of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti. Most trekking areas are between 1,500 metres and 6,000 metres.

With well over two hundred and seventy defined trails, the variation in terrain is also enormous. Low scrub-land and paths through paddy fields, give way to trails strewn with pine needles. Then come woods of oak and flowering rhododendron, which merge into forests of Himalayan cedar - 'deodar' - and spruce. On most trails, small pastoral hamlets dot the way. Cunningly hidden between the high mountains, are passes which were once known only to migrant shepherds and dare-all traders. These lead to the fabulous wastes and swift rivers of the arid Trans-Himalaya.

Skiing
Kufri, near Shimla is one of the oldest places in India to be Associated with skiing during winter. Above Kufri, the Mahasu ridge also has good slopes. Comprehensive facilities exist at Narkanda, 64 kms from Shimla. There is a range of slopes, including a beginners run, an advanced slope and a slalom run. Winter and summer skiing are possible in the Solang area near Manali.

Camping
Camping is perhaps the best way of enjoying the wonders of nature given to Himachal and sharing the warmth of its people. You can carry your own gear along or opt for any of the several camps that are pitched in various parts of the state. These camps offer accommodation, catering and a variety of activities like hikes, fishing, nature-tours and rafting. Most of these offer quality facilities and services. Himachal tourism has camps at Sarchu in Lahaul and in addition to built-accommodation, tents are available at Sangla and Kalpa in Kinnaur and at Kaza in Spiti.

Para-Gliding
Riding the warm thermal currents of the air, is perhaps the closest man has ever come to sailing the skies as free as a bird. Almost at will, you dip and wheel high over the hills and valleys. The bald peak of billing, above the Buddhist monastery of Bir in Kangra, has been the venue for five national and three international hang-gliding rallies since 1984. The site is perfect for para-gliding too. This sport is a mix of sky diving and hang-gliding. A fairly recent sport that is steadily gaining popularity, para-gliding is possible at various places in the state. Places where para-gliding is done regularly are - Bundla Dhar near Bilaspur, in the Kullu valley and at Intkali in the Pabbar valley near Rohru.


Mountaineering
Rock climbing is often seen as the basic stage for mountain climbing. Yet it may also be treated as an independent sport, where its most basic level is climbing a rock face, using only hands and feet and a safety rope. The area around Manali, presently forms the core of mountaineering in Himachal. The Beas Kund region and lower reaches of the Hanuman Tibba, the Manali and Shitidhar peaks around the source of the river Beas, and the Deo Tibba area, are suggested for beginners with some experience. The Chandra Bhaga ranges, the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges are an exsiting focus. The state also has several other areas where mountaineering is possible.