27 days in India Itinerary

The small hill station of Pelling draws visitors with its impressive nature and abundance of hotels and resorts.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Mon): take in the spiritual surroundings of Phodong Monastery, admire the sheer force of Rimbi Water Falls, then contemplate the waterfront views at Khecheopalri Lake, then take in the dramatic scenery at Kanchenjunga Falls, and finally take in the views from Singshore Bridge Bungee Jumping.

To see more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Pelling trip planner.

Washington DC, USA to Pelling is an approximately 35-hour combination of flight and car. Traveling from Washington DC to Pelling, you'll lose 10.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 90°F in July, and nighttime lows around 78°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Darjeeling.

The train, the tea, and the hills bring visitors to Darjeeling, one of India's most famous and well-preserved Raj-era hill stations.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Tue): admire the masterpieces at Himalayan Tibet Museum, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Japanese Peace Pagoda, get to know the resident critters at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, then see the interesting displays at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Mahakal Temple, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Observatory Hill.

To find ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Darjeeling travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Pelling to Darjeeling takes 3.5 hours. In July, daytime highs in Darjeeling are 90°F, while nighttime lows are 78°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to Leh.

The former capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh, Leh possesses a historic old town area marked by stupas, monasteries, and traditional mud-brick houses.

Get in touch with nature at Zanskar the Virgin Valley and Nubra Valley. Explore hidden gems such as Photography Tours and Saspol Caves. Next up on the itinerary: take in the natural beauty of Panamic Hot Sulphur Springs, admire the landmark architecture of Stakna Monastery, admire the verdant scenery at Suru Valley, and explore the striking landscape at Moore Plains.

To see other places to visit, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Leh trip app.

Traveling by flight from Darjeeling to Leh takes 15.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Gangtok.

Situated in the eastern Himalayan range, state capital Gangtok combines a modern, resort town style with ancient spiritual beliefs and an impressive natural heritage.

On the 14th (Tue), don't miss a visit to Kyichu Ga-Tsal, then glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, then look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, and finally wander the streets of MG Marg.

For maps, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Gangtok road trip planner.

Getting from Leh to Gangtok by flight takes about 17 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Lachung.

Perched high in the Himalayas, Lachung offers quintessential mountain scenery and small-village hospitality, making it one of India's most beloved destinations.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Wed): admire the verdant scenery at Yumthang Valley, take in the spiritual surroundings of Lachung Monastery, take in the dramatic scenery at Naga Falls, then take in the dramatic scenery at Bhim Nala Falls, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Lachung Monastery.

To see traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Lachung attractions planning site.

Getting from Gangtok to Lachung by car takes about 4.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Sangla.

Close to the Tibetan border, Sangla is a small town rarely visited by foreign tourists.

On the 17th (Fri), identify plant and animal life at Chitkul, identify plant and animal life at Rakchham-Chhitkul Sanctuary, then visit Rakcham, and finally explore the activities along Baspa River. On the next day, look for all kinds of wild species at Trout Farm, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Bering Nag Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kailash Dwar Sangla, and finally head outdoors with Rupin Pass.

For where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Sangla online trip planner.

You can drive from Lachung to Sangla in 44 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 18th (Sat) to allow time for travel to Kullu.

Kullu tourism thrives thanks to the area's temples and majestic hills, covered in apple forests and deodar trees.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Sun): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Great Himalayan National Park.

To see ratings, maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Kullu sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Sangla to Kullu in 8.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) so you can go by car to Manali.

People visit Manali for a number of reasons, but all of them revolve around the landscape.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Bhrigu Lake. Escape the urban bustle at Beas Kund and Keylong. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Beas River, take in the spiritual surroundings of Gayatri Temple, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Friendship Peak, and see Off-Road Tours.

For reviews, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Manali tour planner.

You can drive from Kullu to Manali in 1.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Dharamsala.

The hill station of Dharamsala's reputation stems from its large community of exiled Tibetan Buddhists, including the Dalai Lama.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): admire the verdant scenery at Kangra Valley, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gyuto Monastery, then gain insight at Norbulingka Institute, and finally make a trip to Aghanjar Mahadev Temple. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 24th (Fri): take in the awesome beauty at Triund Hill, get outside with Indrahar Pass, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Kareri Lake.

To find reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Dharamsala trip planner.

You can drive from Manali to Dharamsala in 7 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.