5 Lesser Known Places Of Himachal Pradesh

 5 Lesser Known Places Of Himachal Pradesh

With Manali full of tourists, your plans to escape the mountain must have been stalled. But there is much more to Himachal Pradesh than the famous tourist places. The state is filled with historic towns and villages, waterfalls, forest trails, rivers, parks, and picnic spots, all overlooking the majestic mountains. Here are some of the lesser-explored places where you can go to escape the crowds and enjoy your vacation. These places are very less explored places in Himachal Pradesh. You can call them the hidden gems of Himachal Pradesh. Following are some of the lesser-known places to visit in Himachal Pradesh The following are some of the most beautiful and hidden places to visit in Himachal Pradesh:

Palampur

Palampur is like a paradise for adventure lovers. You can enjoy rafting, paragliding, mountain trekking or skydiving which makes for a memorable experience of life. There are unexplored destinations in Palampur that offer a peaceful and serene environment to tourists. You can whet your adventure appetite by paragliding in Bir and explore the lush green forests which look really amazing while trekking in Triund. One can feel the Tibetan culture with the wonderful artefacts available at Tashi Jong Monastery. Adding to this, you can make your journey to various famous temples like Baijnath Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, and many more.

You can go to Palampur instead of Dharamsala, here you will find less tourist crowd. 35 km from Dharamsala, this quiet town has huge tea gardens as far as the eye can see. A tea bush was first brought to the city in 1849 from Almora. Soon after, Palampur became a centre for European tea planters, who set up their gardens across the city. A crystal clear stream called Nergal Khad flows near the town, making it a perfect setting to enjoy a peaceful picnic while dipping your toes in the cool water. Nearby, there are several cafes and eateries in Negal Park, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Dhauladhar range. Saurabh Van Vihar Nature Park is another favourite picnic spot with opportunities for bird watching, boating as well as bouldering.

  

With thousands of tea gardens and beautiful deodar forests surrounding the city, Palampur is a popular city in Himachal Pradesh located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Palampur was a part of the local Sikh kingdom which later caught the eye of the British and soon it turned into a ground for trade and commerce. His presence can be seen with the beautiful Victorian-style Havelis and palaces.

The weather conditions in Palampur are moderate which makes it a year-round destination for visitors. You can undertake your journey either during the summer i.e. between March and June when the weather conditions are mild and you can undertake your peaceful journey or the early wintertime i.e. between November and February when the conditions are pleasant And it is not very cold in this region. Since winters are freezing in Palampur, avoid visiting during the peak time of winter.

Chail

Along with Shimla and Kufri, Chail is also known as the Golden Triangle of Himachal Pradesh. It is a beautiful hill station that is free from the huge crowd that visit Shimla and consequently allows travellers to enjoy the charm and beauty of the place in its relative peace.

Situated at an altitude of 2,250 meters in Chail, you will be in the company of clouds, pine trees and magnificent deodars. The beauty of the hill station is due to Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, who converted the village into his summer retreat when Lord Kitchener was denied entry to Shimla. The Maharaja's vacation home - Chail Palace - is now run by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and is open for visitors to visit and stay. When visiting, visit the Chail Cricket Ground - the highest cricket ground in the world, at a height of 2,444 metres. Chail Sanctuary is home to Sambar, Goral, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Langur and Cheer Pheasant, making it a paradise for wildlife lovers.

Chail is an attractive hill station which is located about 63 km away from Shimla. Situated in the Shivalik region of Himachal Pradesh, Chail is basically spread over three hills – Sadh Tiba, Pandewa and Rajgarh. It is spread over an area covering 72 acres of land and overlooks the valley of river Sutlej. The weather of Chail remains pleasant throughout the year and hence not only tourists but locals also visit the place. In addition, it also brings to the fore beautiful and elegant views of the enclosed rural side. Looking at both Shimla and Kasauli, Chail used to be a small hill village that underwent a transformation in the year 1893.

The lush green outdoor areas, the dense cover of deodar and deodar trees and the breathtaking scenic beauty along with the stunning views of the mountains make Chile one of the most important tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh.

Naggar

Naggar is a wonderful amalgamation of architectural styles—be it ancient Naggar palaces, Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, or even picturesque wooden houses. The whole place is steeped in that chic artistic vibe that attracts art lovers from all over. It houses several art galleries and museums which are important stores of local customs and collectables and are a must-visit.

Naggar is one of the few fascinating places in Himachal Pradesh that is famous for its kaleidoscope beauty that has managed to remain untouched and elusive. Wherever you look as you walk the winding trails filled with pinecones and deodar trees, you get wavy views of the snow-capped mountains and the thumping sounds of the Beas River. Some British officials in their 18th-century writings have even compared Naggar to Switzerland, how beautiful it is!

    

The courteous and warm-hearted locals never fail to invite visitors to their homes for a cup of tea or local Pahadi food. The place is also famous for its variety of cuisines ranging from the Mediterranean, Italian, Tibetan to others.

Known as the gateway to some of the best and most interesting treks in Himachal Pradesh, Naggar is a paradise for trekkers and hikers as well. This is where you can explore Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass, Bhrigu Lake, Hampta Pass, and many other routes.

Naggar, the capital of the state of Kullu, is situated on the banks of the Beas River. Naggar Castle was built in the 16th century by Raja Siddha Singh of Kullu and even survived a major earthquake in the region in 1905. Now, it has been converted into a heritage hotel with a terrace restaurant overlooking the Kullu Valley. The hotel also houses the Roerich Museum, which houses a collection of rare paintings by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich. Visit the Tripura Sundari Temple – a pagoda-style temple built entirely of deodar wood or the Gauri Shankar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. If you want to learn more about the city's history, spend some time exploring the weapons, paintings, photographs, and art at the Uruswati Himalayan Folk Art Museum.

Sangla

The Sangla Valley is located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is considered one of the most beautiful valleys of the country. In Tibetan, the word Sangla means "Path of Light" which refers to the valley that receives sunlight during the day. To reach here, tourists have to go to Delhi or Chandigarh. From Delhi, Sangla Valley is more than 500 km away. From Chandigarh, it is around 350kms. Whichever city you choose to visit Sangla, you will have to pass through Shimla. It is 6-8 hours away from Shimla. Visitors were restricted prior to entering the area as it was located close to the Tibetan border; 25 years and this valley have been explored by many enthusiasts. Spread over an area of ​​more than 40 km, it is a spectacular sight to behold. Snow-capped mountains surround you and you get to see the Kinnar Kailash peak. Baspa river flows through the valley and hence it is also known as the Baspa valley.

 Like Spiti, the Sangla Valley used to be closed to visitors till the 1990s. Now, there is so much to do and see in this beautiful valley. With the Baspa River flowing in the region, there are several campsites along the river that come with an array of adventure sports such as river crossing, rock climbing and rappelling. Spend a quiet day fishing for trout – which is available in abundance in the river – in the company of pine and walnut trees. However, be sure to follow the catch-and-release method and get prior permission from the Department of Fisheries. Trek overlooking the Kinnaur-Kailash peaks, visit temples and Tibetan wood carving centres or spend a lazy afternoon strolling through apple orchards and lying on the grass in the Sangla meadows.

Narkanda

Each season brings different shades of beauty to Narkanda, completely changing its aura. Thus, the city can be visited throughout the year. Due to the frequent snowfall during the winter season, the city remains covered with plush sheets of white snow and looks surreal. During the season, the minimum temperature drops to -8 °C at night. Whereas, at other times of the year, the dense forests of deodar, oak, rhododendron and deodar add a vibrant charm to its mountainous landscape. The temperatures are pleasantly cool in summer, adding a romantic vibe to the atmosphere. Overall, with a plethora of exciting adventure opportunities, sightseeing, lush greenery and luxury holiday resorts, Narkanda is the perfect choice for your next vacation in the mountains.

    

While Shimla was the summer capital of British India, Narkanda has something to offer throughout the year. Its hills are filled with vast apple and cherry orchards. Satyanand Stokes- an American who brought apple cultivation to Himachal Pradesh started growing apples in Narkanda. There is also the picturesque Tanni Jubbar Lake and mixed forests of deodar, deodar and blue deodar. The city changes completely during the winter season. Covered with a blanket of snow, it becomes a skiing and winter sports destination. At 3,400m Hatu Peak is one of the most popular ski slopes in the area, surrounded by a thick forest of maples, conifers and oaks.

Major places of interest in Narkanda include a beautiful lake called Tanni Jubbar Lake and Hatu Mata Temple, a revered Hindu temple. There are also some convenient places that are visited by photography enthusiasts to capture the essence of Himachal Pradesh in picture frames. Apart from these quite exciting places for tourists and travellers, Narkanda is also a perfect option for thrill-seekers. Whether you are a trekking or skiing enthusiast, this city has great opportunities for you to satisfy your adrenaline junkie. A holiday in Narkanda gives trekking enthusiasts a chance to climb Hatu Peak, the second-highest peak in the Shimla district, which has an altitude of 3400 meters.

All of the above destinations are the most beautiful and less explored places in Himachal Pradesh where you will enjoy nature at its best and will enjoy quality time with your loved ones.

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