Top 10 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Shimla and Manali

Top 10 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Shimla and Manali

You can make Shimla Manali tour, and visit both these hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla and Manali have some of the most instagrammable places in India. So you should make certain that you have included these places in your Shimla Manali tour plan. You will miss these places if you haven’t included them in your tour. These places are incredibly scenic. The landscape views from these places will amaze you. You will be enticed to take selfies and pose for photographs at these places. These places are also very popular tourist attractions. Read all about them below.
 

Instagram-worthy spots in Manali	Instagram-worthy spots in Shimla
Rohtang Pass	Christ Church
Solang Valley	Jakhoo Temple
Hadimba Temple	Kufri
Naggar Castle	Green Valley
Hampta Pass	Viceregal Lodge

 

Instagram-Worthy Spots in Manali

Rohtang Pass

Most tourists plan their Shimla Manali tour in December. This is when they can view the snowfall and do adventure activities. Summer is also a peak tourist season in Himachal Pradesh. But nothing can compare to the allure of the winter snow. This high-altitude mountain pass is situated at 3978 meters or 13000 feet. At this height, snow is seen everywhere, from mountain tops to the valleys. The Rohtang Pass landscapes are ideal for landscape photography.

Photography Tips for Rohtang Pass

Try time-lapse photography landscape photography and videos at Rohtang Pass. You should take a wide-angle lens and hand-held gimble for stabilization. Try to set the camera so that it captures the moving clouds and variations in sunlight. Light and shadow will play a great role in your photos and videos.

The best time to visit Rohtang Pass

You can make travel arrangements for the Shimla Manali tour between May and October. Rohtang Pass will be open at this time.
 

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Manali
Leh Manali Highway, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India	2-3 hours	50 km

 

Solang Valley

Solang Valley is bound to keep you asking for more! This valley is stunningly beautiful in the summer and in winter months. Summer is best season if you want to view the greenery and forests. But winter is truly the best time to view the snow and do snow activities. You can try skiing, ATV rides, snowboarding, paragliding, and other adventure sports. Solang Valley is the best spot for such types of thrilling things. Snow carpets the valleys, mountains, and treetops. You can play about in the snow and make snowman sculptures.

Photography Tips for Solang Valley

We highly recommend you take a vlogging camera so that you can take photos of your paragliding adventures. DSLR cameras work best for scenic landscape and portrait shots. You can take a mobile phone that has a high-quality camera for photography. You should take captivating photos of the snow landscapes of Solang Valley.

The best time to visit Solang Valley

If you want to do snow activities then you should try and plan a Shimla Manali tour from December to February. Summer (May to June) is perfect for trekking, and paragliding. Autumn season (September to November) is also good for such activities.

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Manali
Between Solang Village and Beas Kund	2-3 hours	12 km

 

Hadimba Temple

This is an ancient temple in Manali and its name is Hadimba Devi Temple. It has a Himachali architecture and wooden construction. Locals have a deep faith in this temple and its deity. The deity of this temple is Hadimba Devi, who was a demoness but married to Bhima, the Pandava brother. You will love the location of this temple, as it is located amid dense deodar forests. The surrounding natural beauty is so wonderful that you will feel like taking innumerable photos and videos with your smartphone. You can take yak rides here and take videos of your activity.

Photography Tips for Hadimba Temple

You must take a camera with a macro lens so that you can take photos of the detailed carvings. You can take landscape photos here also, but go for cultural photo-shoots as they will make good Instagram content. You can make good use of the sunlight from the trees and highlight the natural surroundings. Try to take bokeh photos of the temple with the background being in a blur.

The best time to visit Hadimba Temple

May is the best time when you can make a Shimla Manali tour plan and visit this temple. Early morning and evening are the best time to visit the temple.
 

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Manali
Regency Road, Siyal Rd, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131	1-2 hours	1.4 km

 

Naggar Castle

Tourists who visit Manali also visit the town of Naggar. This town is near Kullu and Naggar Castle is the most famous attraction in the town. Those who love architecture will also like taking photographs of Naggar Castle. The castle was once, the residence of Raja Sidh Singh, who was the king of Kullu. Today there is a small museum in the castle. Photography lovers can take pictures of the Himachali architecture of Naggar Castle. The town of Naggar is also ideal for street photography. You can post these pictures on your Instagram and also make it your Facebook profile.

Photography Tips for Naggar Castle

Make a vlog about the culture of Naggar. Shoot the daily life of the locals of Naggar and visit interesting places. You can shoot videos of Naggar town and its locals interacting with you. This tour of Naggar Castle will reveal the life of Himachal to your followers, and it is something that they had not expected

The best time to visit Naggar Castle

You can make a Shimla Manali tour from March to June and from September to November. This is the summer and autumn season in Himachal. There will be ample greenery and a pleasant climate for sightseeing.

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Manali
Patlikuhal - Naggar Rd, Patlikuhal, Naggar, Himachal Pradesh 175129	1-2 hours	22.8 km

 

Hampta Pass

The Hampta Pass Trek is considered to be a very famous trek in Manali. You can do this trek in 5 days. The trek passes through several valleys, pastures pass and forests. This is a great opportunity for you to photograph the tall peaks of Indrasan and Deo Tibba. The sight of Chandratal Lake will thrill you. In summer, Hampta Pass trek will reveal the greenery all around. The pastures, valleys, and mountains are bathed in a green carpet.

Photography Tips for Hampta Pass

You can photograph the green valleys of Manali and the contrasting landscape of Spiti Valley. Take a powerful DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens for landscape photography. Deo Tibba and Indrasan Peak along with Chandratal Lake are the perfect photography subjects. You can make a vlog of your camping experience and share it on your Instagram page.

The best time to visit Hampta Pass

You can make a Shimla Manali tour plan from June to September. Hampta Pass is closed for trekking during the winter months of November to May.

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Manali
Between Kullu Valley and Lahaul Spiti Valley	5-6 days of trekking	15.1 km

 

Instagram-Worthy Spots in Shimla

Christ Church

This is an old British-era church in Shimla. It is in fact, the second-oldest church in North India. Apart from the cultural visit, you can come here for a photo-shoot also. You can take spectacular photographs of the Gothic architecture of Christ Church. This church is one of the tourist landmarks of Shimla. If you are a lover of architecture and photography, then you will love coming here. Christ Church is situated on the same road as the Gaiety Theatre and Kali Bari Temple. Both these are also perfect for photography.

Photography Tips Christ Church

Take photos from unique angles so that you can capture the various architectural elements in Christ Church. You can visit Christ Church in the morning hours and take advantage of the soft sunlight and shadows. A smartphone with an entry-level DSLR camera will do just perfect for you.

Best time to visit Christ Church

Plan your Shimla Manali tour from April to June. At this time, you will get perfect weather and sunshine for photography and sightseeing.

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Shimla
The Ridge, Shimla	30 minutes	2.9 km

 

Jakhoo Temple

You should certainly include Jakhoo Temple in your Shimla Manali tour plan. This is a temple of Lord Hanuman and is perched on a hill. You can take scenic photographs of the valleys and mountains from Jakhoo Temple. The temple architecture is wonderful to capture with your camera lens. You can take the best photographs of the tall Hanuman statue. You will find many monkeys here and photograph them. But be very careful of your belongings as they can snatch them from your hands. Jakhoo Temple offers scenic views of the mountains also.

Photography Tips Jakhoo Temple

Visit the temple during morning hours as you will get good sunlight to shoot photographs. Smartphone photography will work if you have a good-quality camera lens. But nothing can compare with a DSLR camera when it comes to portrait photography or landscape photography.

The best time to visit Jakhoo Temple

You should make travel plans to visit Shimla Manali in April-May or September-November. This is when you will get plenty of sunlight to take Instagram-worthy photographs.

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Shimla
Jakhoo Road, Shimla	1.5 to 2 hours	3.8 km

 

Kufri

If you are visiting Shimla, then you must visit Kufri. But make your Shimla Manali tour plan in December if you are planning to visit Kufri. This is because there will be snow everywhere in Kufri. This is a small hill station near Shimla, which is very popular with tourists. Kufri has many theme parks and bird parks. Kids will love Kufri, as they can play with the snow and enjoy the various amusement rides. There are many viewpoints near Kufri which offer scenic views of the snow-covered mountains and valleys.

Photography Tips for Kufri

We recommend you to visit Himalayan Nature Park Kufri Zoo. Here you will spot rare Himalayan birds and animals. Kufri Fun World is also a good place to spend your time with leisure and fun rides.

The best time to visit Kufri

Summer and winter are the best time to visit Kufri. During summer you can do sightseeing and outdoor activities. You can go skiing and snowboarding in the winter season. But you must stay updated on the weather conditions and road conditions when visiting Kufri.

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Shimla
Near Shimla	2 days	16 km

 

Green Valley

This is one of the viewpoints in Shimla, and it is called Green Valley. You will get beautiful views of the valley and mountains from this viewpoint. Green Valley is just as beautiful as its name. The valley is perfect for photography and nature views. You must take your DSLR camera if you want to take high-quality photos of Green Valley. You must make your Shimla Manali tour plan and include Green Valley. There are many viewpoints similar to Green Valley nearby, but this is the best viewpoint.

Photography Tips for Green Valley

Your smartphone camera can take decent photos and selfies at Green Valley. But for high-quality photos, you should pack a DSLR camera. This will be needed when shooting mountain landscapes in high resolution. Selfies turn out best at such a scenic location at Green Valley. So try to pose for selfies with the backdrop of the Green Valley.

The best time to visit Green Valley

April to June is the best time to visit Green Valley. This is the peak summer season in Himachal Pradesh. Autumn season (September to November) is also a good time to visit Kufri. Weather will remain pleasant and tend to touch freezing point during winter time.
 

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Shimla
Between Shimla and Kufri	30 minutes	16 km

 

Viceregal Lodge

You will get perfect photography shots of Viceregal Lodge. This is a historic building in Shimla, and also a tourist attraction. The British built the Viceregal Lodge in 1888 so that they could come here during their summer holidays. You can take magnificent photos and videos of the architecture of Viceregal Lodge. People of Shimla also call this building Rashtrpati Niwas. This is because the Presidents of India used to spend a few days in this building. The lawns are very well-kept and maintained. You can take photographs of the building from a distance.

Photography Tips for Viceregal Lodge

The architecture of Viceregal Lodge is the most striking thing to shoot. You can take selfies and group photos with the background of this façade of Viceregal Lodge. Try to shoot videos of the lawns and the building in one shot.

Best time to visit Viceregal Lodge

You can visit Viceregal Lodge in the summer season (March to June). The months from September to November are also best to visit Viceregal Lodge. You will get plenty of sunshine and good lighting to shoot the building and its surroundings.
 

Location	Duration of visit	Distance from Shimla
Rashtrapati Nivas Chaura Maidan Road, Near, Observatory Hill, Boileauganj, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171005	30 minutes	2.4 km

 

FAQs

Which type of photography equipment should I bring to Shimla and Manali?

You should have a high-quality mobile phone and DSLR camera for shooting photos and videos.

Are there any places in Shimla Manali where photography is not allowed?

You will not find places where you cannot do photography in Shimla Manali. Almost all the places allow photography and videography. But you should honor the local customs and read the rules before you take photos and videos.

What is the best time for photography in Shimla and Manali?

You can visit Shimla and Manali from April to June and from September to November.

Can I visit Shimla or Manali on one trip?

Yes. You can visit Shimla and Manali on one trip.

What is a colder place, Shimla or Manali?

Generally speaking, Manali is colder than Shimla.

To wrap it up

These were the Top 10 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Shimla and Manali. You must also visit other places in your Shimla Manali tour so that you will enjoy more. These places are not only scenic but also worth exploring for their culture. You will take this opportunity to visit old places also like Old Manali on your trip. You will enjoy the mountain views from both Shimla and Manali. There are so many adventure activities you can try here like skiing, trekking, paragliding, etc. Shimla and Manali are very popular destinations in India for photography and sightseeing. You can plan a budget trip also that need not be so costly. But try to visit as many places as you can in Shimla and Manali. It will be a thrilling trip of a lifetime.