Palampur is a good point of departure for the Kangra valley. The main hub of Dharamshala and McLeodganj is a short drive away. Here you can visit the Tsuglagkhang complex, the official residence of the Dalai Lama and a centre for Tibetan Buddhism.
For walkers, the Triund trek is a popular day-hike starting from McLeodganj. It's a four-hour walk up to a ridge that offers a wall-of-snow view of the Dhauladhar mountain range. It's best done with a local guide.
About an hour and a half from Palampur is Bir-Billing, known as the world's second-highest paragliding take-off point. The flying season peaks in October and November when the thermals are ideal. You can book a tandem flight on the spot for a 20-30 minute ride over the valley.
By air: The nearest airport is Gaggal Airport (DHM) in Dharamshala. However, flights can be infrequent and weather-dependent. The most reliable airport is Chandigarh International Airport (IXC), which is a 5-6 hour drive away but has excellent connectivity.
By rail: The nearest broad-gauge railhead is Pathankot, which is well-connected to major Indian cities. From Pathankot, it's about a 3-4 hour taxi ride to Palampur.
By road: Palampur is well-connected by road from Delhi and Chandigarh. The nearest major road hub is Dharamshala. Expect mountain roads, which are often single-lane with hairpin bends.
The best seasons to visit are from March to June, when the snow melts and summer arrives, and again from September to November, for clear skies after the monsoon. The monsoon months of July and August can bring heavy rain and landslides on National Highways 3 and 21. Winter, from December to February, sees snowfall in the upper reaches of the region.