Himachal Pradesh is colder than states in the south and west of India throughout the year. Due to the low temperatures in this region, it is important for you to pack heavy sweaters, thermal innerwear, and woolen socks on your trip to Himachal. Bring appropriate clothing to fit the season. If planning to come in winters (November to February), bring heavy woolens like thermals, inner, sweater, jacket, boots, gloves to protect yourself from the cold, and good shoes as you may have to walk on snow. You will need light woolens if coming in September or April. In summers, you may want to bring one jacket to visit Rohtang Pass. For the rainy season, bring light woolens and a portable umbrella or raincoat. Also, sturdy and comfortable walking shoes with a good grip.

When traveling to Himachal, it is always a good idea to have your government-issued ID proofs handy. You may be asked to produce them at any point, but to ensure a stress-free holiday, remember to carry your PAN card, Aadhar card, driver’s license, or any other ID card.

Considering your itinerary and the weather conditions of Himachal when you are traveling there, do pack appropriate shoes. You may have to walk a lot for sightseeing or trekking on hilly terrain, therefore, choose the most suitable walking shoes to bring along.

Remember to carry a first-aid box packed with your essentials medicines. Also, keep a list of emergency numbers and share them with fellow traveling members. Since most tourist spots of Himachal Pradesh may be located away from the main cities, it is advisable that you carry all your personal medication with you. Also, pack medications for mountain-sickness, along with anti-diarrhea drugs and paracetamol to ensure that your holiday is perfect.

Himachal Pradesh is cold and as you know cold air can make your skin feel extremely dry, remember to carry moisturizing lotion with you. Kids are generally more prone to dry skin due to cold weather; therefore, it is essential to carry your personal favorite moisturizer. The same goes for sunscreen lotion. Snow reflects sunlight and even intensifies it, so it’s helpful to wear sunscreen when you head outdoors.

In order to be able to capture all the breathtaking sights you come across in Himachal, remember to bring your camera and enough batteries to keep it powered on your trip.

Having your phone turned off while traveling to a new place can be worrisome. Remember to pack a fully-charged power bank along with your phone’s charger so that your phone is on throughout the day when you are on the go. Make sure you have enough cash in hand if you plan to travel to remote places in Himachal since they may not be having ATMs in close proximity. Pack at least one pair of trekking shoes in case you decide to venture outdoors.

Always remember to take permissions while visiting religious temples and historical places. Ask before taking photographs and recording videos. Many temples don’t allow shoes and leather belts in the premises, so please remember to follow the instructions.

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Keeping it clean is the moral responsibility of every citizen that lives or travels here. Always keep a separate bag for garbage and trash and put them in garbage bins only. Plastic bags are banned in Himachal Pradesh so don’t bring any with yourself. Instead, you can get jute bags for carrying your food items. Help to keep Himachal clean and green.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) permit is required only for vehicles (commercial or private and not bearing Himachal Pradesh license plate) and not required for tourists. Only limited vehicles are permitted per day to Rohtang Pass. Hence, it is advised that you book your trip in advance, as permits are limited and are issued online on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can ask your tour operator to book it for you. Also, Rohtang Pass is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance of roads and infrastructure.