When do the leaves change in Himachal & Uttarakhand?

A cedar grove called Dhungiri Van Vihar surrounds this 16th-century pagoda-roofed temple above Manali's old town, deodars reaching 60 meters and keeping the forest floor in permanent shade. The conifers stay green, but horse chestnut and walnut along the Beas below turn gold through October.

Don’t miss: 600-year-old deodar cedars · pagoda-roofed 16th-century temple · Beas valley turns gold in October

A UNESCO World Heritage park in the Kullu Himalaya, reached via the Tirthan Valley roadhead at Gushaini, where deodar and blue pine climb to birch scrub and alpine meadow above 3,000 meters. Musk deer and Himalayan black bear move down through the Parkachh meadows as the high grass cures gold each autumn.

Don’t miss: Tirthan Valley roadhead at Gushaini · birch and alpine meadow above 3,000m · musk deer and black bear range

Typically September 1–October 15

The Baspa River valley in Kinnaur, its slopes terraced with Royal Delicious and Kinnaur Golden apple orchards below deodar forest near the old Hindustan-Tibet road. Harvest runs from late August into October, the orchards reddening as roadside stalls sell apples straight off the trees.

Don’t miss: apple harvest late Aug-Oct · Baspa River valley · old Hindustan-Tibet road

Typically October 1–October 31

A 4-kilometer trail from the meadow hamlet of Chopta up to Tungnath, the world's highest Shiva temple at 3,680 meters, through oak and rhododendron forest with maple scattered near the ridge. Post-monsoon skies clear in October and the meadows around the trail turn a distinct gold before the temple closes for winter.

Don’t miss: world's highest Shiva temple, 3,680m · oak, rhododendron and maple forest · 4km, 3-4 hour climb from Chopta