Himachal Pradesh is much more than hill stations with colonial hangovers, with its snow-capped mountains and smoky lore. Legends can be followed through Shimla’s mall road and Old Manali’s cobblestone streets, ancient lore can be heard, and nirvana can be attained. Tirthan Valley, with its trout-filled rivers and Narkanda’s snowy slopes, attracts a sizable crowd all year. Mcleodganj ticks every box on your favourite destination checklist, from momos to monks.
The Most Alluring Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh IN 2021
1. Sunrise Yoga in Bir
Even if you’re visiting this fascinating mountain village for trekking or thrilling paragliding (Bir hosts international events on a regular basis), there’s no better way to start your day than with a sunrise yoga session. There is much to learn from a yoga expert, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, and there is no better place to learn than here in the mountains. The unrivalled tranquillity of scenic Bir makes this a one-of-a-kind yoga session.
2: Take a hike from Old Manali to Solang Valley.
Stroll through the bazaars of Old Manali, stopping for a bite of yak cheese at any of the eateries along the way, then on to rustic cafés and junk jewellery shops with traditional wooden Himachali houses beyond. Continue onto Goshal, Shanag, and Burua villages, passing through sprawling orchards along the way. The stony path through Burua would then take you across Solang-Nallah to the wide open fields of Solang Valley. In the winter, this is a popular skiing destination; in the summer, you can get your fix by zorbing down green meadows.
3. Sangla Chitkul
Chitkul, the last Indian village before the Tibetan border, is known for its natural beauty and charming architecture. Chitkul is a day-trip village from Sangla, with spectacular views of the Baspa valley and quaint wooden houses. Chitkul is famous for its rather expensive potatoes and is surrounded by lovely golden buckwheat that is covered in snow for 6 months of the year (October to February). Chitkul, with a population of slightly more than 600 people, has some very friendly residents who are always eager to interact with visitors. Learn more about life in this high-altitude border village, including its culture, traditions, hardships, and sim.
4. A beautiful drive from Manikaran to Tosh by car
Kasol’s popularity as a hippie haven with stunning vistas, the gushing Parvati river, hot springs, and quaint villages surrounding it has a lot to do with it being the destination of choice in Himachal. Drive through Manikaran to Tosh for firsthand experiences of the scenic climes and spiritual prowess that this land possesses. The ancient village of Manikaran, known more for its gurudwara and allegedly healing-powered natural hot springs, is interesting because of the influence both Guru Nanak and Shiva have had on the area. The drive here is dotted with small waterfalls and offers spectacular views of the Parvati Valley. Gentle tourists sit in small smoky cafes, watching local children with curious eyes.
5: Ride a Bike Around McleodGanj
Set out on mountain bikes after a hot cup of masala chai for a first hand experience of Mcleodganj’s winding roads through tea gardens and villages. A quick 4 kilometre detour off the main road will take you to tea gardens that appear out of nowhere. Riding downhill through green tea fields on rough tarmac to a small village beyond. The road steadily climbs from here, making pedalling easier and allowing for some amazing photos of the surrounding landscape with majestic mountain backdrop. Make a pit stop at the charming café along the way.
6. Spiti’s monasteries
Explore ancient thangkas, musical instruments, and weapons going back to 900 AD as you walk by gently wafting flags and stupas. Gompas and monasteries are a big part of historical Tibetan influence in Himachal, from the architectural masterpiece that is Kye Monastery in Spiti to the ancient Kardang Monastery in Lahaul to Dhankar Monastery in Spiti. Listen to the echo of the dung-chen and cymbals as monks in masks dance during the Cham festival in July and August to rediscover tranquilly and spirituality.
Wrap-up
Himachal Pradesh is one of those Indian states where there is something for everyone all year round. Given the amount of driving required, pack as light as feasible.