There’s a moment, somewhere between your first sip of chai at a roadside stall and your first glimpse of snow peaks, when you realise solo travel in Himachal is different. You’re not just “on a trip” anymore you’re part of the vibrations of the mountains. The buses are slow, the conversations are warm, and the scenery makes you stop mid-step without even noticing.
Backpackers have been travelling solo in Himachal for a while now, sometimes with nothing but a small backpack, a pair of worn-in shoes, and a Gopro. If you’re planning your own journey, here are seven things I’d tell you to add to your list.
1. Watch the First Light in Chitkul
The road ends at Chitkul. There are only mountains and mountains of silence beyond this final village of India.. The Baspa River is silver in the early morning, the valley slowly awakens with smoke curls from chimneys of stone houses, and the sound of prayers fills the air.
If you’re travelling solo, it’s a one of kind of stillness you can really feel here. If you have a camera with you or take a gopro on rent it’s a perfect sight to capture through your lens in 4K.
2. Trek to Prashar Lake, Mandi
Prashar isn’t just a lake, it’s actually a secret you hike to. The quietness, and the wooden temple on the lake shore make it feel like you’ve stepped into another time of life. The trek is for a first-timer but still feels rewarding when you reach the final hill and see that perfect circle of water right in front of you, catching you off guard.
Pro tip: Let your GoPro on time-lapse as you approach the lake. The clouds here move like they’re telling their own story.
3. Slow Down in Tirthan Valley
The Tirthan River has a way of making you forget about time and exist there forever. You will always plan to stay here for one day but end up spending over 5. When you travel solo, places like this feel like they belong to you and you belong to them.
4. Fly in Bir Billing
Running off a cliff with a parachute strapped to your back might sound insane — but when you’re in Bir Billing, it feels natural. The take-off is smooth, the air is cool, and the view, well, you’ll understand why they call it one of the best paragliding spots in the world. A gopro with you can make a shareable video for you and your friends and a memory well lived.
5. Toy Train to Shimla
It’s slow but it’s perfect. The Kalka–Shimla toy train doesn’t rush you; it just lets you be with ease. The windows frame pine-covered hills, sleepy stations, and indian kids waving at every turn. When you’re alone, you notice more, the smell of rain on wooden sleepers, the way the light changes as you pass through tunnels. Take pictures if you have a film camera with you with platforms like Rentkar, you can get endless options from 360 cameras, film cameras and DSLR on rent if you want something more high quality for breathtaking photos.
Why Solo in Himachal Feels Like Nowhere Else
Travelling alone here is a lesson in patience and presence. You walk slower. You listen more. You eat meals without your phone in yout hand, just watching the world pass by. You also realise how easy it is to connect with locals, with other travellers, and with yourself and the nature.
But here’s the thing: memories are forever with photos that help you bring them back. That’s why I always travel with cameras and gopros. You can also rent drones from Rentkar. Check permissions around the place that you are going to take a drone with you. Lastly, have fun, and enjoy the stillness and vibrations of the mountain till you are here.