Down the Beas valley
From Kullu, the road follows the Beas south past Bhuntar, through the Aut tunnel and the gorge to Mandi, then continues through Sundernagar and Bilaspur, past the Gobind Sagar lake, to Kiratpur, where the hills end. From there, it runs through Rupnagar and Kharar into the Tricity. At about 216 km, much of it on hill roads, the drive takes most of the day. Agree the expected arrival in writing.
Leaving Kullu
Village homes above or below the road mean a carry to the truck, which can take hours. Houses on the highway or in Dhalpur are quicker. Avoid Dussehra week and the apple season's busiest days.
Monsoon risks
In recent years, very heavy monsoon rain has caused floods and landslides on the Beas valley road, closing it for days. From about July to September, check warnings before the moving day and keep a back-up date. The move should wait if the road is closed.
Into Punjab and the Tricity
This move crosses from Himachal into Punjab at Kiratpur, and into Chandigarh, a union territory, or Haryana if you're going to Panchkula. Keep the packing list, invoice and ID handy, and update your records once you've moved. Mohali, Kharar and Zirakpur are full of large apartment complexes; Chandigarh's sectors have kothis and government housing. Our guide to moving to Chandigarh describes the main areas.
Societies and towers
Apartment complexes in Mohali, Zirakpur and Panchkula usually ask for notice, set loading hours and need a lift booking. Ask the association a week ahead; our guide to society NOCs and lift bookings lists what to check.
From cold valley to hot plains
Chandigarh is far hotter than Kullu from about April to June. Keep medicines and electronics in your car. Winter fog can slow the plains section at dawn.
Late October to November and March to April are usually the easiest weeks.
Tourist and apple traffic
Tourist traffic to Manali peaks in May and June and around New Year, and apple trucks fill the valley road from about August to October. Ask the mover to time the drive around these.
Jobs, schools and hospitals
Many Kullu families move to the Tricity for jobs, schools and hospitals such as PGIMER. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Packing for a long hill drive
Hours of bends shift a load. Ask for heavy items low and tied, glass in small padded boxes, and woollens sealed against damp. Keep shawls and valuables with you.
Settling in
Register with your society, ask about water timings and power backup, and plan cooling for the first night in summer. Our guide to address changes after moving lists the records to update.