Local, Authentic & Responsible
Of snow-capped mountains and smokey lore, Himachal Pradesh is so much more than hill stations with colonial hangovers. There're legends to be followed through Shimla's mall road and Old Manali's cobbled streets, ancient lore to be listened to and nirvana to be attained.
Of snow-capped mountains and smokey lore, Himachal Pradesh is so much more than hill stations with colonial hangovers. There're legends to be followed through Shimla's mall road and Old Manali's cobbled streets, ancient lore to be listened to and nirvana to be attained. Here is a short one-week version to explore the same.
On the darker side of the mountains, Jibhi, unlike Gushaini in the Tirthan Valley, retains its green cover during the usually dry and hot months of the year. A small hamlet dotted with a few guest houses, terraced mountains and a clear mountain river, Jibhi is an ideal spot for anyone who wishes to spend a few days in peace with nature.
Beautifully nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Sangla is a scenic mountain town that is located close to the Tibetan border. Chitkul village is the last inhabited village before the Indo-Tibetan border. Know what's it's like to be in the borders from villagers, their culture, traditions, hardships and the simple joys that make it all worthwhile. The Kamru Fort is a perfect place to get a glimpse of artistic legacy of the past. The fort is set at a picturesque location and offers beautiful views of the Sangla valley, streams, and apple gardens. Placed on the left bank of Baspa River, the stunning Batseri village can only be accessed by foot. Find unique handicrafts, handmade shawls, Kinnauri caps and much more.
A drive from the capital of Himachal Pradesh with pit stops at Kinnaur and culminating at Spiti is one of the most exhilarating road trips one can take. The last Indian village, the over-arching mountains, the buckwheat fields makes Kinnaur a paradise for the nature lovers. With pristine lakes and some of the worlds’ highest inhabited villages, Spiti leaves you with picture-postcard memories of barren desert and precariously perched monasteries set against a backdrop of clear blue skies. Sparse population and awesome trekking opportunities offer a feeling of unexplored remoteness in an area yet untouched by tourism. At incredible altitudes with stunning landscape, often compared to Ladakh before tourists took over, Spiti makes a fantastic road-trip destination. Let's un[travel] Spiti and witness some of its remotest villages, valleys, national parks monasteries and a crescent shaped lake.
A slice of heaven in the midst of some seriously spreading urbanization around the area, Manali offers that perfect mix of cultural serenity in a rapidly growing town. Once a sleepy village lying on the way to Manikaran, Kasol is now a huge destination for backpackers and travelers from around the globe. Hot springs, riverside eateries, and smoky cafes ensure that your days here in Manali and Kasol are trippy and nights stay happy.
The Dalai Lama, little Tibet with nuns and monasteries, a spectacular international cricket ground where the bowler seems to 'run in from the Himalayas', this and so much more to un[travel] in Dharamshala. Literally bursting at the seams with everything Tibetan, from momos to monks, there are Tibetan souvenir shops around every corner and nirvana-searching souls of every known nationality. Pack your bags to un[travel] essential Mcleodganj and share a piece of its culture with a topping of adventure.
Bir is an out and out beauty. Tea gardens, golden wheat fields, monasteries, temples, stupas and paragliding - all in a single village. The thicketed mountains in the periphery have narrow dirt roads that are great for some mountain biking and small peaceful hikes to the beat of the chirping birds. Talking about hikes, the tea plantation around Bir are also a great place for some romantic strolling. Owing to the presence of a large flat land and high mountains, Bir is considered to be one of the best places in the world for paragliding. Infact the 2015 Paragliding World Cup was held in Bir-Billing and it was a sight to behold. On a clear day, one can witness numerous coloured gliders criss-crossing the sky. The monasteries here receive fewer visitors as compared to their counterparts in more populous areas.
Places located at sub-3000 metres are best visited in the months starting from late September right until March. At higher altitudes, the snow-bound passes open by June and is considered the best time to visit up until late September. Snow arrives by October and there are high chances of the passes becoming inaccessible.
Air
Rail
Road