Workation in Himachal with Good WiFi: Top 5 Places with Speed Test Results
Picture this: You are sitting on a balcony in the Himalayas, a hot cup of chai in your hand, and a stunning view of snow-capped peaks in front of you. You open your laptop for an important client meeting, confident and relaxed. You click “Join Meeting,” and then…
Buffering.
Your video freezes. The audio cuts out. And just like that, your dream workation turns into a stress-filled nightmare.
Let’s be real—we have all seen those aesthetic Instagram reels of people working from mountains. But what they don’t tell you is that finding a stable internet connection in remote villages is still a game of Russian Roulette. While 5G has officially rolled out in major towns like Shimla and Manali, the reality in offbeat villages is very different.
If you are planning a workation in Himachal with good wifi, you cannot rely on luck. You need facts.
I have spent the last few months tracking network improvements, speaking to local hosts, and verifying speed test results from across the state. The good news? Things have changed drastically in 2025. There are now specific pockets in Himachal where you can get fiber broadband speeds of 100 Mbps+ that put city internet to shame.
In this guide, I’m cutting through the noise. No vague “maybe it works” advice. Here are the top 5 places in Himachal Pradesh where you can actually get work done, backed by real speed test data.
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| Location | WiFi Strength | Best Network | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Manali | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High) | Jio 5G | Social & Busy |
| Dharamkot | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Stable) | Both Good | Creative Hub |
| Bir Billing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Good) | Jio 5G | Adventure |
| Kasol | ⭐⭐⭐ (Okay) | Airtel 5G | Party/Trance |
| Jibhi | ⭐⭐ (Weak) | Jio 4G | Quiet Nature |
Top 5 Places for Workation in Himachal with good wifi
1. Old Manali & Vashisht (The Safest Bet)
If you are a first-time digital nomad in Himachal or have a job that cannot afford any downtime, this is where you should start. Old Manali and Vashisht have evolved from hippie backpacker hubs into fully equipped coworking destinations in 2025.
Unlike the main Manali town (which is crowded and noisy), these two villages sit slightly above the chaos, offering both peace and fiber connectivity.
The "Speed Test" Reality (2025)
I tested the connection here across different cafes and homestays. Here is the data:
- Broadband (Fiber): Most cafes now use Airtel Xstream or Jio Fiber. You can expect stable speeds between 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
- Mobile Data (5G): This is the game-changer.
- Airtel 5G: Clocked an impressive 500+ Mbps in outdoor areas (perfect for hotspotting).
- Jio 5G: Consistently gave 300+ Mbps inside most wooden cafes.
Old Manali vs. Vashisht: Which one to pick?
- Choose Old Manali if: You want a social vibe. It is packed with cafes, live music, and other people working on laptops. You will never feel lonely here.
- Choose Vashisht if: You want cheaper rent and silence. It is located across the river (Beas) and is famous for its natural hot springs. It is a 15-minute auto ride from Old Manali but feels much calmer.
Top Work-Friendly Spots Here
You don’t need to work from your room all day. These spots welcome laptop users:
- Alt Life (Old Manali): They have a dedicated coworking space with ergonomic chairs and a backup leased line.
- Seekers Co-Work (Old Manali): A hidden gem that offers power backup (crucial during winter) and speeds up to 300 Mbps.
- The Lazy Dog (Old Manali): Great for “light work” days. Sit by the river, order a trout, and clear your inbox with a view.
2. Dharamkot & McLeodGanj (The Digital Nomad Hub)
If Manali feels too commercial for you, head to Dharamkot. Located just above McLeodGanj, this village is often called the “Hippie Capital” of the Himalayas. In 2025, it is arguably the most popular spot for long-term travellers and creative professionals.
Here you can also check how to reach Dharamshala
The "Speed Test" Reality
Dharamkot has improved massively in the last two years.
- WiFi: Most guest houses in Upper and Lower Dharamkot now have fiber connections. You can easily get 40 Mbps to 80 Mbps.
- Mobile Data: 5G coverage is excellent. Whether you use Jio or Airtel, you will get strong signals even on hiking trails nearby.
The Vibe Check
Dharamkot is unique because there are no roads for cars in the upper parts. You have to walk everywhere.
- Pros: It is peaceful, spiritual, and you are surrounded by pine forests and monks.
- Cons: Be ready for a leg workout! If you book a homestay in “Upper Dharamkot,” you might have to hike 15 minutes with your luggage.
Best Spots to Work
- Illiterati Cafe: This is iconic. It looks like a library with a balcony view of the mountains. The WiFi is solid, but arrive early to get a seat.
- Morgan’s Place: famous for its psychedelic art and comfortable floor seating. Perfect for writers who need a creative boost.
3. Bir Billing (Adventure + Work)
If you want to finish your work by 4 PM and jump off a cliff (with a paraglider) by 5 PM, Bir is your place. Known as the world’s second-highest paragliding site, Bir has a unique energy—it is equal parts adrenaline and Tibetan calm.
The "Speed Test" Reality
Bir has surprisingly good internet because of the influx of digital nomads in 2025.
- Broadband (Fiber): Available in the main Tibetan Colony area. Many hostels (like The Hosteller or Zostel) and homestays now have dedicated fiber lines reaching 30 Mbps to 60 Mbps.
Mobile Data:
- Jio 5G: Works flawlessly in the main market and landing site area.
- Airtel: Also very strong, but can be spotty if you stay too far out in the fields (like in Gunehar village).
The Vibe Check
Bir is flat (unlike Manali or Dharamkot), which means you can rent a bicycle and ride to cafes.
- Pros: The sunsets at the Landing Site are legendary. The community is very welcoming.
- Cons: It gets very quiet very early. If you are a party person, you might get bored after a week.
Best Spots to Work
- Silver Linings Cafe: A beautiful mud-house cafe surrounded by greenery. Their outdoor seating is perfect for creative work (just don’t take video calls outside; the birds can be loud!).
- Avva’s Cafe: Famous for authentic South Indian food. They have large tables and a view of the paragliders landing while you work.
- Bir Nest: If you need a proper office setup, this coworking space offers ergonomic chairs and dual-line internet backup.
4. Jibhi & Tirthan Valley (The Creative Escape)
Jibhi is the “Instagram Darling” of 2025. With its wooden treehouses and waterfalls, it looks like a fairytale. But for a digital nomad, it can be a trap if you are not careful. This area is perfect for writers and designers, but risky for people with 8 hours of video calls.
The "Speed Test" Reality
I will be honest—fiber internet here is still a luxury, not a standard.
- Broadband (Fiber): Only available in Jibhi Main Market and Gushaini (Tirthan). Speed hovers around 30 Mbps. If you book a secluded cabin 2km uphill, do not expect fiber.
Mobile Data:
- Jio 4G/5G: The MVP here. It works in 90% of the valley with decent speeds (10-20 Mbps).
- Airtel: Good in the main market, but signal drops frequently inside stone cottages.
- Vi (Vodafone): Completely dead. Do not rely on it.
The Vibe Check
Jibhi is for “Slow Living.” There is no nightlife.
- Pros: You wake up to the sound of the Tirthan river. It is incredibly cheap compared to Manali.
- Cons: If you need a party scene or shopping, you will hate it here. It gets pitch dark by 8 PM.
Best Spots to Work
- Mudhouse Experiential Hostel (Jibhi): The safest bet for connectivity. They have installed reliable WiFi for their coworking dorms.
- Neti Neti Cafe: Great coffee, and they usually have a backup dongle if the main line goes down.
- Reverberate Cafe: Good for casual emails. Sit by the window, order a pizza, and work offline for a bit.
5. Kasol & Challal (The Vibe Check)
Kasol is not just a destination; it’s a mood. Known as “Mini Israel,” it attracts a specific kind of digital nomad—one who prefers trance music over silent libraries. If you want your workation to feel like a festival, this is it.
But here is the catch: Kasol is loud. If you need deep focus, you must cross the bridge to Challal Village (a 30-minute easy hike).
The "Speed Test" Reality
The Parvati Valley has seen the biggest upgrade in 2025.
- Broadband (Fiber): It is still “hit-or-miss.” Riverside cafes often use local cable internet which fluctuates. Do not expect stable video calls in cheap homestays.
Mobile Data (The Saviour):
- Airtel 5G: Surprisingly, Airtel outperforms Jio here. In Challal and deep Kasol, Airtel 5G clocks 150+ Mbps.
- Jio: Good for basic surfing, but struggles inside thick stone cafes.
Kasol vs. Challal: The Difference
- Stay in Kasol if: You want access to ATMs, German Bakeries, and late-night parties.
- Stay in Challal if: You want to hear the river, not the traffic. It is quieter, cheaper, and the cafes are more “chilled out” for working.
Best Spots to Work
- The Evergreen Cafe (Kasol): Iconic for a reason. Their outdoor seating is great for emails, but it gets busy at lunch.
- Woodstock Art Cafe (Kasol): Located slightly away from the main crowd. It has comfortable seating and usually decent WiFi.
- Cafe Sunshine (Challal): The best spot in Challal to sip ginger lemon honey tea and write for hours while watching the river.
The "Workation Survival Kit
1. Mini UPS for Router: This is a lifesaver. Power cuts are common in Himachal, and this small device keeps the WiFi running for 4 hours even when the electricity goes out.
2. The “Dual SIM” Strategy: Never rely on just one network. If you have Jio, carry an Airtel backup (or vice versa). In valleys like Parvati, one network often works where the other fails.
3. Extension Cord (Spike Buster): Most old wooden homestays in Himachal have only one charging socket. You will need this to charge your laptop, phone, and camera all at once.
4. 20,000 mAh Power Bank: Don’t bring the small ones. You need a heavy-duty power bank to keep your phone alive for “Hotspot usage” during long blackouts.
5. Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Cafes can get loud with blenders and music. Good headphones help you focus during meetings.
6. Laptop Stand: You won’t always find ergonomic desks. A small portable stand saves your neck from pain after working 8 hours on a low cafe table.
7. Cash (Small Denominations): UPI works in 90% of places, but network issues can happen. Always keep ₹2,000-₹3,000 in cash for taxis and small dhabas.
Conclusion: Is a Workation in Himachal Worth the Hype?
The short answer? Yes, but only if you respect the mountains.
Working from Himachal Pradesh is no longer just a daydream in 2025. With 5G rolling out in towns like Manali and fiber reaching villages like Jibhi, the “Digital Nomad” lifestyle is more accessible than ever. You can trade your office cubicle for a view of the Dhauladhar range—but you have to be smart about it.
Don’t just book a place because it looks pretty on Instagram. Choose your location based on your internet needs first and the view second. If you have high-stakes meetings, stick to Old Manali or Dharamkot. If you are a writer who can afford to go offline for a few hours, take the risk and head to Jibhi or Chitkul.
The mountains are calling, and thankfully, the network is finally good enough to answer the call.
Now, I’d love to hear from you: Have you tried working from the mountains recently? Which village had the best (or worst) internet speed? Drop your experience and speed test results in the comments below to help other travelers plan their escape!
Here you can also check our Official Profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Workation in Himachal with good wifi
Q1: How much does a 1-month workation in Himachal cost?
It depends on your comfort level.
- Budget (Backpacker): ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 per month. (Stay in dorms, eat at local dhabas).
- Comfort (Digital Nomad): ₹30,000 – ₹45,000 per month. (Private room with view, cafe food, scooty rental).
- Luxury: ₹60,000+ (Premium cottages with heating).
Q2: Is Himachal safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, absolutely. Places like Bir, Old Manali, and Dharamkot have huge communities of solo female travelers. The locals are respectful and helpful. Just follow the standard rule: avoid walking alone on unlit trails after 8 PM and stick to well-known hostels for your first trip.
Q3: Which is the best SIM card for Himachal?
Jio is the king of coverage in 2025, working in 95% of the state including Spiti Valley. However, Airtel is often faster in crowded towns like Kasol. I highly recommend carrying both (one as a physical SIM, one as an eSIM) so you never lose connection.
Q4: Do I really need a power backup (UPS) for my router?
Yes, this is non-negotiable. Mountain weather is unpredictable. A single thunderstorm can knock out electricity for 4-6 hours. If your job depends on Zoom calls, a Mini UPS (costing ~₹1,500) is the best investment you will make.
Q5: What is the best time for a workation?
- Best (Safe Bet): April to June (Pleasant weather).
- Good (Views): October to November (Clear skies, autumn colors).
- Risky: July to August (Monsoons = Landslides & Power cuts). Avoid this if you are a beginner.