Himachal Wale · Trusted since 2017
Shimla · Narkanda · Chanshal Pass — 5N/6D (Offbeat)
4,520 m offbeat pass · Apple country · Pabbar river
5 Nights / 6 DaysStarts from ChandigarhFrom ₹19,999 / pax
Get My Custom Quote →About this tour
For travellers who have done the regular Shimla–Manali loop and want something quieter: Chanshal Pass (4520 m) is one of the highest motorable passes in Himachal but sees a fraction of Rohtang's crowd. The route runs Shimla → Narkanda → Rohru → Chirgaon → Chanshal → Dodra Kwar — a deep dive into Pabbar valley.
Tour Highlights
- Cross Chanshal Pass at 4,520 m — barely any tourist traffic
- Apple orchards of Rohru, Hatkoti and Chirgaon (Aug–Oct)
- Pabbar river drive with offbeat homestays
- Hatkoti Devi temple — 9th-century stone shrine
- Wooden Kullvi-style architecture in Dodra Kwar villages
- Drive through India's longest apple belt
Day-wise Itinerary
Sample itinerary — fully customisable on the enquiry call.
- 1
Chandigarh → Shimla → Narkanda
Drive to Shimla, continue 2 hrs to Narkanda for the night.
- 2
Narkanda → Rohru via Hatkoti
Apple-country drive down to Rohru on the Pabbar river. Hatkoti Devi temple en route.
- 3
Rohru → Chirgaon → Chanshal base
Drive up through Chirgaon, overnight at a homestay near the Chanshal base.
- 4
Chanshal Pass crossing → Dodra Kwar
Cross the 4520-m pass, descend into the remote Dodra Kwar villages.
- 5
Dodra Kwar → Rohru → Shimla
Long return drive back through the Pabbar valley.
- 6
Shimla → Chandigarh
Easy 4-hr descent to Chandigarh.
What's Included
- Comfortable hotel stay (3-star / handpicked properties)
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- Private AC vehicle for all sightseeing and transfers
- Pickup and drop from your arrival point
- All toll taxes, parking, fuel and driver allowance
- Local market visits and free time at every stop
- 24×7 on-trip support from the Himachal Wale team
- GST included — no hidden charges
What's Not Included
- Airfare or train fare to / from the starting city
- Lunch and any meals not mentioned in inclusions
- Monument / sightseeing entry fees and adventure activity charges
- Personal expenses (laundry, calls, tips, mineral water)
- Any expense due to road blocks, landslides or weather changes
- Anything not explicitly listed under inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
+When is Chanshal Pass open?
Chanshal Pass is open mid-June to October. The road is unpaved and 4×4 is essential — we deploy Mahindra Thar / Scorpio class vehicles, not regular sedans.
+Are there hotels at Chanshal?
No hotels — only basic homestays in Chirgaon, Larot and Dodra. We use the best vetted family-run options. Hot bucket-water, simple Himachali meals, no Wi-Fi. This is a true offbeat trip.
+What happens after I send the enquiry?
A Himachal Wale trip advisor calls you during business hours, checks your travel dates, pickup city, group size, hotel preference and must-see places, then sends a written itinerary with an exact price. You can compare it, ask for changes, and book only when the plan feels right.
+Is the callback free or do I have to book immediately?
The callback and first itinerary quote are free. There is no pressure to pay on the call. We first help you finalise the route, hotel category, cab type and travel dates; payment is needed only when you approve the final written package.
+Can I customise the itinerary shown on this page?
Yes. The itinerary is a strong starting plan, not a fixed group departure. You can add nights, reduce long drives, upgrade hotels, change the pickup city, add Sissu/Spiti/Amritsar/Kasol side trips, or choose a slower family-friendly version. We rewrite the package around your group.
+What is included in the price shown here?
The starting price usually covers hotel stay, breakfast and dinner, private cab transfers, sightseeing, tolls, parking, fuel, driver allowance and GST. Adventure activities, entry tickets, lunch and personal expenses are quoted separately so there are no hidden surprises later.
+How much advance payment is required?
A 30% advance usually confirms the booking. The balance can be paid before departure through UPI, bank transfer or our online payment gateway. You receive the package details, payment schedule, cancellation terms and support contacts in writing.
+Is the vehicle private or shared?
Packages are planned with a private cab for your group unless clearly mentioned otherwise. For 2 pax we usually suggest a Dzire / Etios, for 3-4 pax an Ertiga / Innova, for 5-6 pax an Innova Crysta, and for larger groups a Tempo Traveller. The exact vehicle is confirmed before booking.
+Are these tours safe for families and senior citizens?
Yes. We adjust hotel altitude, drive length, sightseeing pace and vehicle type for families with children or senior citizens. If a route is seasonal or physically demanding, our advisor will tell you clearly and suggest a safer alternative.
+When is the best time to travel?
Most lower Himachal circuits work well from March to June and September to December. Spiti, Ladakh, Chanshal and Manali-Leh are seasonal and depend on pass openings. Share your month of travel and we will recommend the safest route window before you book.
Get a route, hotel and cab quote today
Share your travel month, pickup city and group size. A Himachal Wale advisor will call during business hours, tune the route around your pace, and send a written package with hotel category, cab type, inclusions and final payable price.
- Free expert callback and written quote
- Hotels, cab and route customised to your group
- Clear inclusions, GST and payment schedule before booking