Kullu valley the most charming and beautiful valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. The valley runs north to south of this river and is 80 km long and about 2 km at its broadest. Yet with awe inspiring glens and mossy meadows encircled by the rushing streams and meandering brooks, flung east & west, a fairly wide area is open to the tourists, the trekkers, the mountaineers, the artists and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat & dust of the plains to breathe the exhilarating air of the Himalaya and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated mountain scenery. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colorful handmade shawls and Kullu caps.

Kullu (1230m) was once known as Kulanthapitha - the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalaya and by the banks of the shining river Beas lay the fabled Valley. Kullu got its first motorable access only after independence. The long centuries of seclusion have however allowed the area to retain a considerable measure of its traditional charm.

The Silver Valley has nature's treasures that lie carelessly scattered as flowers. This wealth nestles by every tree in the splendid forests, bursts forth in the blooms and in the fruit of every orchard. There is pleasure in every step you take in these enchanted valleys and in every gurgle you hear in the clear mountain streams.

The National Park with an area of 754 sq. km. is located in Kullu District and has the representative area of temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It has some the virgin coniferous forests of the State. Vast areas of alpine pastures and glaciers cap this park. This area has many important wildlife species of Western Himalayas, like Musk deer, Brown bear, Goral, Thar, Leopard, Snow leopard, Bharal, Serow, Monal, Kalij, Koklas, Cheer, Tragopan, Snow cock etc.

A high meadow fringed by deodar trees.

At a distance of 58 km south of Kullu, Banjar is an excellent spot for trout fishing in the waters of river Tirthan.

- Situated on the bank of Parvati River, Kasol makes a good holiday destination. 42 km from Kullu charmingly located on an open space which slopes down to the broad expanse of clear white sand at the Parvati River. The place is well known for trout fishing.

The central and the widest part of the valley, Katrain (1463 m) is 20 km from Kullu on way to Manali. Apple orchards and trout hatchery lend charm and prominence to the place. It is also famous for bee keeping and Govt. trout farm at Patilkulh.

16km Away from Kullu, the sight is ideal for spending a quite holiday in solitary splendour and for holding youth camps. There are a large number of orchards in this part of the valley. Devi-ri-kothi and mul Kihar are now preserved in the museum.

1,230 m

5,503 sq.kms

3,81,571

Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade

March to June for relaxation and visiting the places of sight-seeing and enjoy short and long excursions as well as climbing and river rafting

July and August

September to November for trekking, climbing, sight-seeing and river rafting

December to February- snow-skiing and heli-skiing in Manali and above

Cotton and tropical in summer and heavy woolen in winter

Kullu is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Shimla, Dehradun, Pathankot, Dharamsala & Dalhousie etc. Regular direct buses ply between these stations including deluxe, semi-deluxe and air conditioned buses during tourist season.

Nearest convenient rail heads are Kiratpur and Chandigarh on Broad Gauge and Jogindernagar on Narrow Gauge from where Kullu can be reached by road.

Kullu is connected by Indian Airlines and Air Deccan with Delhi & Shimla. The airport is at Bhuntar, 10km from Kullu.