Kid-Friendly Itinerary To Himachal Pradesh

If you are looking to escape the pollution, unbearable October heat or simply answer the call of the mountains with a unique family-friendly travel experience then this is where you continue to read on! 

When my son Dev turned four I knew this was a perfect time to take in the beauty of snow-capped scenic views and breathe in the crisp fresh air of Himachal Pradesh. This article will tell you everything you need to take this trip with your child –from preparing them to the perfect itinerary. 

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Start by telling them about the trip:

My talk with Dev went something like this: “Dev, mumma is planning a backpacking trip to Dharamshala. Do you know where it is? It’s in Himachal Pradesh. Would you like to see the mighty snow-capped Himalayas?” During the course of our many conversations about our trip, I also told him it is going to be very very cold and that we would, perhaps, encounter snowfall.

Since ours was a shoestring budget, I didn’t want to lie to him about where we would be staying. I chose to be open and honest about staying in village homes, helping the locals and told Dev that he would be playing with the village children and sharing mealtime with them. I explained to him that transport was going to be a problem and that we’d be on foot a lot. I explained that we would explore the area through hikes and treks, and of course, supplemented our discussion with a few images I had on my phone. After talking about the place, I finally asked him if he would like to join me.

It’s important that children know their parents trust them with certain things. I believe it helps build confidence and even teaches them to be responsible. And so, after we had booked our tickets, packed our bags and were mentally prepared, we set out on our little adventure.

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The road less travelled:

We were scheduled to leave at 8.30 pm on the Mumbai to Amritsar-bound train via Golden Temple Express, a two-night journey, 

Since we had some time before our tourist vehicle was ready to take us to Dharamkot, we spent the Day visiting the Golden Temple. Soon, we were on our way. Since it was a rather long journey, we did make a few pit stops to make the most of the majesty that lay in front of us. First, we stopped to pluck some oranges and a few delicious bites while we were at it. Our next stop to stretch our legs was at a small village school. Dev was only too excited to have company in his own age group and was only too excited to play with them. And as we kept ascending, it got colder, and it meant we were all covered up. Finally, we reached our destination and were welcomed by our warm host family—a husband, wife and their three children.

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Homestay at Dharamkhot: 

Our first day after we arrived at Dharamkot was spent exploring our surroundings. Of course, the first thing we did was take a walk around the village to acquaint ourselves. The cold air and high altitude will need some getting used to. While we did walk short distances, for our longer trips to the museum, the Himalayan Yoga Institute or even when it came to paying respect to the Dalai Lama at the Kala Chakra Temple, we used local transportation to get around. Dev had never been as excited to try new things. He loved interacting with the village kids, and they even played games. He fit right in! After our visit, we indulged in the local cuisine and Dev enjoyed a hearty vegetable soup and the chow mein.

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Onward to Rakkar:

We bid farewell to our hosts and set off for Rakkar. And just like in Dharamkot, we were being hosted by a local family for the one night that we were there.

When we finally made it, we were beside ourselves that we chose to be here for just one night. This humble village seemed like it had leapt right out of The Hobbit. It was almost like we had arrived at The Shire. Humble cottages scattered about a stream, and each home had their own cattle and livestock. It was a mesmerising sight, one that will remain with me for a long time. I really did regret not staying here longer.

Just watching Dev interact and be his friendly self, made me want to extend our stay. Dev was completely taken by the village and went off to explore. I was a little nervous when he approached one of the locals working on his farm. But when I saw that Dev had offered to help him, and was eager to learn, I only kept encouraging him further. He fed the goats, helped pick up dried leaves, picked up sticks on his head, helped some women wash clothes in the stream, visited the cowsheds and a whole lot more. He felt like a winner and seemed like he completely belonged there. The locals were only too glad to have him tag along.

The rest of our day went by all too fast. From our rustic lunch to a candle-lit dinner with a simple menu like rice, dal, roti and sabzi, to later huddling around the fire to stay warm, everything was a dream come true.

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Home sweet home:

After a rather bittersweet farewell, we made our way to Pathankot station. Since it was quite a distance away, we did take one last chance to savour the flavours of Himachal Pradesh, and sampled some of the famous momos at a local eatery. With our bellies full, and huge smiles on our faces, we set off again and soon we boarded our train back to Mumbai, the villages and people left behind. We only had our wonderful memories to comfort us on our way back home.

If there’s one thing I learnt on this journey, it’s that I was never going to underestimate Dev. Yes, I would always be protective, but I would never hinder his curious spirit. What I’ve taken away from this trip is that I would definitely keep travelling with my son. But more than that, I’ve learnt to become a more open and receptive mum and listen to my son more.

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The Travel Itinerary:

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Essentials to pack when travelling with a toddler:

Food:

When travelling to a new place, you might not know whether your child might take to the cuisine easily, especially if he is a fussy eater. To be safe, pack some of his favourites and familiar foods. Energy bars and healthy snacks can also help.

First Aid Kit:

Thermometer, tablets for a cold, cough, upset tummy, allergies, band-aid, cotton and earbuds, antiseptic cream, etc.

Entertainment:

Crayons, colouring book, puzzles, storybooks and a favourite toy.

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