Mini Switzerland of india

 Culture Trip for Android

The Best Offbeat Destinations to Visit in Himachal, India

Chitkul Village | © Vishalnagula / Wikimedia Commons
Chitkul Village | © Vishalnagula / Wikimedia Commons
Photo of Poonam Binayak
Poonam Binayak
India Writer11 September 2017

Himachal Pradesh should be on the bucket list of every traveler. When it comes to exploring this ‘Abode of Snow’, many flock to the famous hotspots, like Kullu-Manali, Shimla, Dalhousie, McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala. But if you like to take the road less traveled, there are hidden gems tucked away in this northern Indian state that will enthrall you with their unblemished natural beauty, picturesque landscapes and serenity. Here’s a rundown of some of the best offbeat destinations to visit in Himachal.

Barot

Adventure, wildlife, nature, serenity and spectacular view of the Himalayas – what more do you need for a holiday? Encircled by lush deodar forests and the majestic Himalayas, Barot is situated on the banks of the Uhl River and offers plenty of outdoor activities, foremost of which is angling for trouts. Another popular activity is trekking through the scenic forest trails into the mountains, which are home to a variety of flowers and herbs that have healing properties, as well as enjoying the bird’s eye views. Across the Uhl River lies the Dev Pashakot Temple in which resides the local deity of rain. Also, visitors can spot a variety of Himalayan wildlife—including the Himalayan black bear, kasturi deer, ghoral, leopard, pheasants and more—at Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary.

Barot, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh

Chitkul

Snow-laden mountains, lush green vegetation, mustard fields and apple orchards are the highlights of Chitkul, the last inhabited hamlet near the Indo-China border. The potatoes and peas grown here are some of the finest in the world—and expensive, too. In the temple resides the 500-year old deity of Chitkul, plus this village happens to be the final point of the popular Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama (the abode of Lord Shiva), so pilgrims stop at the temple and worship the goddess of Chitkul. The town experiences cold, harsh winters, so pack accordingly.

Chitkul, Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh

Baspa river flowing through Chitkul | © Sukanya Ray / Wikimedia Commons

Shoja

This tiny hamlet nestled in the Seraj Valley is unspoilt by commercialization. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of snow-covered mountains or go for a walk to the Waterfall Point, just a kilometre from Shoja, and get drenched under sheets of cold water. Serolsar Lake is a must-visit spot that offers a mesmerizing sunset view; the walk there is equally scenic, traversing the Jalori Pass, which is covered in lush oak trees.

Shoja, Himachal Pradesh

Rakchham

Between Chitkul and Sangla, at an altitude of 3048 meters, Rakchham is surrounded by lush forests and snow-capped mountains. There isn’t much to see in this tiny hamlet, but the peaceful setting and scenic beauty make it a perfect spot for those looking for a few days alone in nature. There are two temples dedicated to Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. You can also spot plenty of mountain animals here, like the Himalayan black bear, musk deer, blue sheep, goral and brown trout.

Rakchham, Himachal Pradesh

Rakchham | © Shivya Nath / Flickr

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

All about ladakh| best places to visit in leh ladakh | facts |Cold dessert

Image
  Home     Destinations    Leh-Ladakh LEH-LADAKH Set amidst the epic Himalayas, Ladakh is a rustic and heavenly beautiful travel destination. The rugged valleys and mountains, winding roads coupled with the vibrant cultural life maintain the exuberance and charm of this region. The iconic Magnetic Hill, the turquoise coloured Pangong Lake, the confluence of two mystical rivers, ancient and awe inspiring monasteries and the highest passes are a few of the marvelous attractions of Leh and Ladakh in general. The wide array of trekking routes will satiate your soul and enrich the senses. The moon like desert mountains continue to be an exceptional destination for adventure seekers and admirers of Buddhism and phenomenal mountain vistas. So, pack some travel essentials with you to explore the most enthralling destination of India and bring back souvenirs of endless memories with you Hotels Holiday Homes Things to Do Restaurants Travel Forums Flights Package Holidays ...
Read more

How to live a good life #must#trending#healthy#lifestyle

Image
  “It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.” “Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.” “When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it’s a sure sign you’re getting old.” You may know Mark Twain for some of his very popular books like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He was a writer and also a humorist, satirist and lecturer. Twain is known for his many – and often funny – quotes. Here are a few of my favourite tips from him. 1. Approve of yourself. “A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.” If you don’t approve of yourself, of your behaviour and actions then you’ll probably walk around most of the day with a sort of uncomfortable feeling. If you, on the other hand, approve of yourself then you tend to become relaxed and gain inner freedom to do more of what you really want. This can, in a related way, be a big obstacle in personal growth. You may h...
Read more

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Beijing, China |world tour

Image
  Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Beijing Beijing, only eclipsed by Shanghai in terms of size, is not only the political center of China - a position it has held for more than 800 years - it also plays an important role in the nation's cultural, economic, scientific, and academic life. Located in the northwest of the North China Plain, not far from the western slopes of the Yanshan mountains, Beijing - still sometimes referred to as Peking - is a great place from which to explore this dynamic country due to its dense network of road, rail, and airline connections with other major cities Beijing itself has no shortage of unique sightseeing opportunities . It is home to some of the  country's best-known tourist attractions , including a section of the famous  Great Wall of China  at  Badaling Pass . Among the city's many historical and cultural points of interest are the Imperial Palace, Beihai Park, Coal Hill Park, and the Heavenly Temple, most of them within th...
Read more