Top Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh

Nestled amidst the undulating Himalayan Mountains, the Himachal Pradesh state offers some quite interesting holiday options to tourists from all around the world. Lush greenery, floral meadows, snow-clad valleys, picturesque hill-towns, several attractions, pleasant climate and free-flowing streams, variety of flora and fauna are major crowd pullers. Himachal Pradesh is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in India.

You can indulge in a number of activities during your visit to serene Himachal Pradesh, that has something to offer to everyone.  This blog enlists the top places to visit in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Dharamshala

Dharamshala - surrounded by a massive beauty of the nature

Located at a distance of about 17 km from the Kanga Valley, the mesmerizing Dharamsala or Dharamshala has the snow-clad Dhauladhar range in its backdrop. The serene environment and lush greenery spread all around makes it the perfect option for nature lovers who wish to spend quality time in seclusion.

The abode of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, this place has a number of tourist attractions including Kunal Pathri temple, War Memorial and the Kangra Art Museum. Dharamshala has been blessed with natural beauty of peaks, deodar and pine forests etc and the amazing climate that cannot be summed-up in words.

2. Kullu Manali

Kulu Manali hill Station View

Kullu Manali can truly be termed as one of the most popular hill stations of the state.  Placed in the Kully Valley, both these places are just 40 km away from each other. Kullu Manali boast of being covered with lush valleys, enchanting floral meadows, apple orchards, gardens and various attractions. Raghunath temple, Hidimba Devi Temple, Bhrigu Lake, Bijli Mahadev temple are some of the major attractions here. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you are several option to partake in such as river rafting in Beas River, para-gliding, zorbing, more. have a peaceful vacation.

3. Shimla

The verdant landscape and surroundings makes Shimla a perfect honeymoon getaway

The summer capital of the British India, Shimla is the capital of the state and a very well-known hill town. Known as ‘Queen of Hill Station’, it is placed at an altitude of 7000 feet above the sea level. This beautiful place still boasts of colonial and neo-gothic architecture, a major attraction. During your tour to Shimla, you can visit the Ridge road, the Mall road, Jakhoo temple, Summer Hill, Baijnath temple and the old Christ Church. Get some mesmerizing views of the sunset and sunrise from the Scandal Point and Observatory Hill.

4. McLeod Ganj

Sneak Peek of McLeodGanj

Placed at an elevation of 2982 meters, McLeod Ganj is a suburb in Dharamshala. The exquisite Tibetan culture and craft and Buddhism prevalent here attract a decent number of tourists, every year. The beauty and serenity spread all around are ideal for enjoying a memorable vacation. Do not forget to get your hands on carpets, clothes and exotic Tibetan handicrafts when visiting McLeod Ganj. Bhagsu Falls, Hanuman ka Tibba, Namgyal Monasteery, Triund are some of the main tourist attractions here. You can also partake in trekking here.

5. Spiti

About a few meters away from the fertile Lahaul Valley, Spiti is a remote place, which is pushed away against Tibet-Ladakh border and so is also known as ‘The Middle Land’. Spiti was described as ‘A World within a World’ by Rudyard Kipling. The easiest way to arrive at this barren yet beautiful valley is through Manali and the best time is between the months of June and mid-October. A challenging path, this place is of particular interest to the mountain bikers as well as motorcyclists. It is a desert mountain valley with Buddhist culture in the north-eastern part of the state.

6. Dalhousie

Spread over 5 hills- Kathlog, Potreys, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun, Dalhousie boasts of being an unspoiled hill station of the Dhauladhar Ranges, which is placed on the banks of River Ravi. Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary, Khajjiar Lake, Satdhara Falls, Dainkund Peak, Chamunda Devi Temple and Bhuri Singh Museum are the major attractions here. A number of structures here reminds one of its popularity during the British Raj. Placed at an altitude of 2036 meters, Dalhousie has been named after the British Governor General, Lord Dalhousie.

7. Kufri

splendid view of the surrounding hilly area from Kufri

Placed against the mighty Himalayan Ranges, Kufri is a popular spot for skiing, hiking, tobogganing, horseriding as well as trekking. Just 18 km from Shimla, it lies at an altitude of 9000 feet above the sea level.  Blessed picturesque scenery and pleasant climate, Kufri can be visited between the months of April and June. It is also famed for offers some excellent views of the snow-covered Mahasu Peak. Indira Tourist Park and the Himalayan Nature Park are two of the attractions here. If you love seclusion, you will love Kufri.

8. Kasauli

A View of terrace farming Kasauli

Covered with dense woody forests, the tiny hill town of Kasauli is located at a distance of around 77 km from Shimla. Retaining the cobble-stone beauty from the British times, Kasauli looks beautiful with its variety of tree-Juniper, Oak, Horse Chestnut and Chir pines. Money Point, Baptist Church, Sri Baba Balaknath temple, the Anglican Church and the Mall road are the main attractions here. You can buy some interesting knick-knacks from the Tibetan stalls here. Kalka – Kasauli, Jabli – Kasauli and Garkhal – Kasauli are some of the very popular trekking routes.

9. Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass is the very well-known road route that connects the region of Leh-Ladakh with the rest of India. It is around 51 km away from Manali on the route leading to Leh. Every year, Rohtang Pass is open between the months of May and November. A high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayan Mountains, this pass offers great views of the surrounding beauty. Perched at a height of 3979 meters, Rohtang Pass is known in the form of a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh Valley.

10. Khajjiar

Lying in the Chamba district of the Himachal Pradesh state, the tiny hill town of Khajjiar is around 24 km Dalhousie. The Dhauladhar Ranges in its backdrop make a mesmerizing view.  Sitting on a small pleateau, this beautiful hill town is placed at an altitude of over 6500 feet above the sea level. In 1992, Willy T. Blazer, Vice Counselor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland termed Khajjiar as ‘Mini Switzerland of India’. Khajjiar Lake and Khajinag temple are the main attractions.

[ Also check out the Top Places to Visit in India ]

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