Upcoming

Best time to visit

October to May

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Khajjiar

State

Khajjiar, often called "Mini Switzerland", is a small grassy meadow located in the picturesque Chamba valley. It is an important picnic spot whose quiet environs beacon the tourists traveling between Dalhousie and Chamba. It is also referred as the "Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh".

History

The history of Khajjiar is linked to the rulers of Chamba. The local Rajput rulers ruled Chamba valley in the 6th century ad and made it their capital city. This region became the part of the Mughal Empire in the medieval period and later came under various Sikh kingdoms. Finally, it was taken over by the British. It became a part of the state of Himachal Pradesh when it came into being on April 15, 1948.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is at Gaggal, in Kangra (180 km).

Rail: The nearest railhead is at Pathankot (120 km).

Road: Khajjiar is connected by road, and is 26 km from Delhi and 24 km from Chamba.

Attractions

Beautiful Journey
Going from Dalhausie to Khajjiar is a soothing experience as you drive through the beautiful Bakrota Hills. As you keep on going, after some time, you enter the 'Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary' and you also see the beautiful 'Lakkad Mandi'. The whole journey is enjoyable because the road leads you through the magnificent 'Deodar' forests. You can easily notice the deep quietness in the environment which adds to the beautiful experience of the entire journey to Khajjiar.
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STD Code

01899

Topic

Best time to visit

May to November

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Lahaul

State

Lahaul, one of the two (other being Spiti) remote Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh lying on the Indo-Tibet border. It is often regarded as a midway point en route to Leh and the Indus valley,
is a vast area of high mountains and narrow valleys bounded by Ladakh to the north, Tibet to the east, Kinnaur to the southeast and the Kullu valley to the south. Lahaul is also a fascinating area for Buddhist art and culture and the monasteries are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, wood carvings and golden images of the Padmasambhava.

History

Lahaul and Spiti were brought together to form a new district of - of Himachal Pradesh in 1960. Earlier, these areas were a part of the Kangra district of Punjab.

The people of Lahaul and Spiti follow a mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism, with a culture that is deeply influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Once part of the Maharaja of Kashmir’s empire, Spiti was later exchanged for certain areas in Kangra. Buddhism spread along the Spiti River, extending its influence up to Tibet. In the 10th century AD Rinchen Zangpo, the Great Translator travelled from Tibet across these lands during the rule of the Guge kings of Tibet. Under his tutelage, several important monasteries came up in Lahaul – Spiti, which still continue to follow a pure form of Tibetan Buddhism. Down the ages, the people of Lahaul and Spiti have retained trade and cultural links across the border with Tibet and with neighbouring Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir. At the crossroads of important trade routes, the Hindustan-Tibet road passes through this district and is the lifeline of its people. Due to the inaccessible terrain, the entire region remained insulated from external influences, untouched by modern life. Only after roads were built by the Indian Army to patrol India’s border with China did the area start receiving visitors. The pristine landscape and the timelessness of the habitations have spellbound all those who ventured across the high mountain passes to enter this far-away land.

Accessibility

By Air: Kullu and Shimla are two closeby airports that are well connected to other parts of India.

By Rail: The nearest railheads from Lahaul & Spiti lie at Shimla and Pathankot.

By Road: Manali is well connected by road to all part of the country. From Manali, buses and taxis are available to reach anywhere in the Lahaul and Spiti valley between May to October on the basis of opening and closing of the Rohtang Pass, the entranceway to the valley.

Shopping

While travelling in Lahaul & Spiti, tourists must not forget to visit the Keylong market, which is famous for carpets, Kullu shawls and caps. For best products and affordable rates visitors can shop from state government owned shop besides local shops. Himachal Emporium, Local Self Help Group and Bhuttico are some of the government recognized shops located in the market.

If you''re venturing out to shop during your stay at Lahaul and Spiti definitely visit the Keylong market which is famous for shawls, caps and carpets. Don''t forget to bargain for the best prices!

Accommodation

The major towns in the valley including the sub-divisional headquarters of Keylong and Kaza have State Tourism Department’s Tourist Bungalows besides several private hotels. Smaller settlements including Kibber and Tabo have PWD bungalows, private hotels and rooms in the local monasteries besides tented accommodation with reasonably good facilities.

Topic

Upcoming Hill Stations

Best time to visit

June to October

Famous For

Monasteries, Villages, Adventure

Read more about Lahaul

Kyelong

State

Keylong, lying on Indo-Tebetan Border, is situated on the main trade route between the Rohtang and Baralacha passes above the Bhaga river. The place is cut off from the outside world from November to April, due to heavy snowfall at Rohtang Pass. It faces the famous Kardang Monastery, the largest and most important monastery in Lahaul, of the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which is on a slope across the river from Keylong. It is an oasis of lush green fields and willow trees, water streams surrounded with beautiful brown hills and snow dressed peaks.

Accessibility

By Flight : Nearest airport is Bhunter, 165 km from Keylong.
By Trackways : The nearest railhead is at Jogindernagar, 280 km away. This connects Keylong to all the parts of the India.
By Roadways : Keylong is at a distance of 115 km from Manali. Due to heavy snowfall the Rohtang Pass remains closed from November to June. Buses, Taxis are available from Manali. HPTDC also provides regular buses to Leh via Keylong during season.

Shopping

Himachal Pradesh emporia has its branch at Keylong. Among its collection are the handicrafts of Himachal and Lahaul–Spiti.

Keylong is famous for fruits, rugs (namdas), footwear, tweeds, shawls, natural oils (olive and almond), metal craft, silver jewellery, bamboo products, woolen jackets and pullovers.

Keylong is the perfect place for shopping in Lahaul and Spiti. Woolen shawls, carpets, baby shawls, mufflers, ponchos, stoles, caps and handicrafts are the most preferential buys for tourists in Keylong. Keylong markets also include Angoors and pashmina shawls along with warm and classy woolen jackets and silver jewellery. The most frequented markets of Keylong are Himachal Emporium and Bhuttico. Here you can get quality products at affordable price. Himachal Emporium is sited in the mall Keylong; whcihc is popular for its handicraft and handloom materials. Bhuttico market is famous for its woolen garments and is located near D C office of Keylong.

Accommodation

Keylong has more to offer in terms of accommodation than any other place in Lahaul. Try the PWD rest house and the Tourist Bungalow run by HPTDC. The other reasonable hotels in Keylong are Lamayuru, Gyespa Hotel, Dekyid, and Hotel Gang Steng. Hotel Snowland is a little more expensive. You could even put up at one of the Swiss cottages.

There are some tourist facilities including a Circuit House, a P.W.D. (Public Works Department) Rest House, a Sainik Rest House, a Tourist Bungalow, and a number of small hotels.

The town has more to offer in terms of accommodation that any other place in Lahaul. You can try the PWD rest house and the tourist Bungalow run by HPTDC. The other economical hotels in Keylong are Gyespa Hotel, Lamayuru, Dekyid and Hotel Snowland and Hotel gang steng. You can even stay at one of the Swiss cottages.

District

Lahaul and Spiti district

Topic

Best time to visit

June to October

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Pragpur

State

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dklein/2211273785/

Pragpur is a heritage village, ideally suited to explore the Kangra valley. The area has several streams that drain into the river Beas. Many places of historic, religious and cultural importance are with in easy reach.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport to Pragpur is at Shimla, which is about 77 km from Pragpur. Taxi and Jeep services are available from Shimla to Pragpur at a rate of about Rs 1800. Shimla is connected to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata by air. International travelers can get connecting flights from Delhi, which is 425 km away from Pragpur.

Rail: Una is the the nearest railhead to Pragpur., which is nearly 60 km away. Taxi fare from Una station to Pragpur is about Rs 1200. Una is connected to other railway stations in India by regular train services.

Road: Pragpur is well linked with many cities like Chandigarh, Manali, Shimala and Amritsar by private luxury buses and also by state owned public transport bus services.

Getaways

Kangra

Shopping

Pragpur is famous for shopping. Tourists can shop through the city of Pragpur for shawls and silvery items. It has an old-fashioned market where one can see many silver smiths who can very quickly alter the trinkets as per the individual desire and taster.

The weavers in this village, many in number, make shawls and blankets to order and tailors will make up dresses overnight. Beautifully embroidered shawls in Pragpur are appreciated world-over and lots of people visiting here never forget to take these shawls.

Things to do

Trekking: The countryside is ideal for low-level treks and walks. The hilly terrain and small forests in Kangra offers lots of physical activity. The scale of the Himalayas makes them the ultimate trekking destination.

One can trek through the exalted beauty matched with overwhelming remoteness. Countless exciting trekking options wait for those willing to explore. Those interested in nature study and bird watching will get their fill. Trekking around the Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake offers the visitors a nice experience to remember forever.

District

Kangra

STD Code

01970

Topic

Termperature

Summer 14 to 20°C, Winter -5 to 23°C

Best time to visit

Apr - Sep

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Palampur

State

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benrue/3755236620/

Palampur, popularly known as the tea capital of North India, is a beautiful hill station located in the Kangra valley, near the Dhauladhar ranges. The place derived its name from the word 'Pulum', meaning plenty of water and was once a part of the local Sikh Kingdom and later came under the British rule. It is a fascinating spot in the Kangra Valley, surrounded on all sides by tea gardens and pine forests.

History

Palampur got its name from the word pulum that means abundant water. It was a part of the local Sikh kingdom and later came under the British rule.

Palampur once formed a part of the local Sikh Kingdom but later it came under the British. The hillstation has some fine colonial architecture built during British times. Palampur came into being when an Englishman, Dr. Jameson who was the Superintendent of Botanical Gardens introduced the tea bush from Almora in 1849. The bush thrived and so did the town which became a focal point of the European tea estate owners. Since then the Kangra tea of Palampur has been known internationally acclaimed.

Accessibility

Air: Gaggal is the nearest airport to Palampur. Gaggal is about 35 km away from Palampur. Taxis are available from Gaggal to Palampur with a fare of about Rs 750. Gaggal is connected to Delhi and Mumbai by air. International travelers have to get flight connection from Delhi, which is 535 km away. Tourist taxi charges about Rs 10000 from Delhi to Palampur.

Rail: Broad gauge and narrow gauge are available nearby to Palampur. Maranda railway station 2 km away from Palampur is the nearest narrow gauge railway station. Nearest broad gauge railway station is Pathankot, which is 115 km away from the town. These stations are connected to other major railway stations. Taxis are available from the railway stations to Palampur.

Road: State owned public transport regular bus services are available from Palampur to major cities like Mandi, Pathankot, and Dharmshala. Public bus fare is less than Rs 2 per km.

Shopping

You can do quite a bit of it at Palampur! You simply must buy the delicate Kangra tea at Bharmour or the many factory outlets just outside Palampur. Other good buys are Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, woollens, thangka paintings and prints.

Though Palampur is not noted for its shopping activity, but still it has a lot to offer. The hunt will definitely begin with tea. Since it is illustrious as a tea state, so it is doubtless fact that the most important buy here will be the tea leaves. You can buy some in the markets or at Tea co - operatives Society's gigantic processing plants that you will come across while driving into the town. Other important things that you should not miss buying will be the local handicrafts and souvenirs, local handiwork, Tibetan carpets and winter clothing.

Go to Andretta, an Artist's village, from where you should buy recherches pottery. There is Andretta Pottery and Crafts Society from where you should buy artistic items. Another wonderful halt for shopping will be the Tashijong Monastery, where you can buy carpets with delicate weaves, Buddhist Thanka paintings and Tibetan artifacts.

Accommodation

Palampur has both budget and up market accommodations to chose from. One can check out Sai Garden Holiday Resorts and Country club and Taragarh Palace.

District

Kangra District

STD Code

01894

Topic

Termperature

Summer 8 to 30°C, Winter -10 to 10°C

Best time to visit

March to November

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Naldehra

State

Naldehra, nestled between the beautiful lofty ranges of the Himalayas, is a hill resort near Shimla that remained unnoticed till the beginning of this century when the then British viceroy, Lord Curzon, discovered it. The place got its name from the Nag temple (or Dehra of the god Nag) which lies bang in the centre of the course. The golf course is one of the most gorgeous stretches of land in Naldehra.

Accessibility

Air: Jubarhatti Airport in Shimla is the nearest airport. Airport is located at a distance of 53 km from Naldehra and taxi costs about Rs 1200 from airport to Naldehra city. Shimla is connected to Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar and Mumbai by regular flights. Delhi is the major international airport providing the connection to Shimla.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Kalka station, which is 118 km away from Naldehra, and Kalka is well connected by rail with other major cities in India. Taxi fare from Kalka to Naldehra is about Rs 2000.

Road: Bus services are available from Naldehra to many nearby cities, including Shimla (30 km) and Mashobra (22 km).

Shopping

Not too much to shop for in Naldehra. If you are here during festival time, hand woven shawls, caps and local handicrafts will be available in plenty.

District

Shimla

STD Code

0117

Topic

Termperature

Summer 15 to 20°C, Winter -4 to 14°C

Best time to visit

April to June

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Nalagarh

State

Nalagarh, Gateway to Himachal Pradesh, is a beautiful hill station founded in 1100 AD by the Chandela Rajputs who were patrons of art and architecture. It was a princely state during the British rule, known for its forts and kinu fruit orchards.

History

Nalagarh is a gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India, 300 km of north Delhi and 60 km from Chandigarh. The Fort which was built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand is located on a hillock at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik hills beyond the Sirsa river.
In the early twentieth century, Nawalgarh was one of the Simla hill states, under the government of the Punjab. The country was overrun by the Gurkhas for some years before 1815, when they were driven out by the British, and the raja was confirmed in possession of the territory. Grain and opium have, in the past, been main agricultural products.
Nalagarh was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs who originated from Chanderi in the Bundelkhand region of central India. Various other rajputs then inhabited this place including Tomara, Rathore, Parmar, Pawar, Panwar, Chauhan, Bais. Many have now stayed back as farmers in the Chikni Sirsa Valley.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport to Nalagarh is Chandigarh, which is about 55 km away from Nalagarh city center. Chandigarh is well connected by air with Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Srinagar. Airport to Nalagarh taxi charge is about Rs 900.

Rail: Ghanauli, which is 21 km away from Nalagarh, is the nearest railway station. Ghanauli is well connected by rail route to other major cities including Delhi, Howrah, Ambala, Mumabi and Kalka. Ghanauli to Nalagrah Taxi charges about Rs 400.

Road: Nalagarh is well connected by other cities in the state and also to Chandigarh by state transport bus services. A/C deluxe and semi deluxe buses are available to Nalagarh from many cities nearby including Delhi and Chandigarh.

Things to do

Fishing: The adventurous people can enjoy the fishing at the Gobind Sagar Lake. Production of high quality fish fauna is the main feature of this Gobind Sagar Lake. Fish fauna in Gobind Sagar mainly includes Carp and catfish. Many other fish varieties are also seen here.

Tourists are allowed to do fun fishing, in a restricted way. This is really a great experience for enthusiastic tourists. Fishing is organized seasonally for visitors.

Nalagarh Resort arranges for fishing at Rs 100/- a day.

Boating: The tourists who visit Nalagarh can have the great enjoyment of boating in Gobind Sagar Lake. From the boundaries of the boat, one can feast the eyes upon immaculate flora and fauna and immersed in the fabulous scenery. The massive hydel dam at Bhakra formed the Gobind Sagar on river Sutlej and is named after the great Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

The Lake has emerged as a most important spot for boating and water sports. This place offers a wide range of facilities and training courses for water sports like swimming and boating.

Ropar barrage is an ideal location to have boating. The boating in this lake and barrage will be an unforgettable experience.

District

Solan district

STD Code

01795

Topic

Termperature

Summer 24-38°C, Winter 4-20°C

Best time to visit

Sep - May

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Nahan

State

Nahan, located on an isolated ridge in the Shiwalik hills, is a well laid-out picturesque town known for its cleanliness and dust free streets. The city was established by Raja Karan Prakash in 1621. It is believed that the city derives it name from the Nahar saint who once lived here. Apart from natural scenic locations, Nahan is known for many ancient temples and places of pilgrimage.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airports are Dehradun and Chandigarh. Chandigarh, which is about 100 km away from the city center, is well connected by air to Amritsar, Leh and Delhi. Dehradun is 65 km away from Nahan. From Delhi, one can reach anywhere in India and abroad. Taxis are available from the Chandigarh to Nahan and costs about Rs 2000.

Rail: Nearest railway station is Ambala, which is at a distance of 100 km from Nahan. Ambala is well connected to all major cities in India. There are regular train services from Delhi to Ambala. Taxis are available from railway station to Nahan and costs about Rs 2000.

Road: There are different kinds of bus services are available connecting Nahan with other cities, including Chandigarh. State owned buses are cheap and private deluxe buses charge generally Rs 4 per km.

Getaways

Renuka

Accommodation

Accommodation is not much of a problem since it is not half as crowded as some of the other hillstations. You can stay at the Nahan Grand View, Hotel Yamuna, Keshav Guest House and Black Mango. For those traveling with limited resources, there is the PWD Rest House and the Circuit House as well.

Attractions

Bawan Dwadashi Festival
Bawan Dwadashi Festival held every year in September is a famous festival of Nahan. Fifty two idols of the local Gods are carried in possession to Jagannath Temple where they are floated ceremoniously in a pool and worship is offered. ''Gugga Peer Fair is another well-known festival that is celebrated in Nahan to mark the honour of Gogaji also known as Gugga, a folk deity of Rajasthan.

Things to do

Fishing: If the art of stealth and cunning with the rod and spinner is your forte then Nahan and its ponds and river basin are the perfect place for you to spend eons. A great catch of Trout and Mahaseer is the prize one can die for, for that is exactly what the ardent fisher does.

Surprisingly the most renowned Brown and Rainbow Trout are found in abundance and one just needs the correct spot and patience to acquire the perfect catch. A nominal fee is being charged (around Rs 100/- per rod) by the gaming authority who permit the fishing activities. Beware of the local fishermen and their boys who wait for your spinner to get stuck in the rocks and expertly return it for a good tidy sum.

Trekking: If mountains, valleys, rivers and forests inter mingle to form a collage of colors and beauty, can an ardent nature lover remain indoor for long. Nahan offers some of the best treks in the country the most spectacular being that of the 3,650 meter high Choordhar peak.

Amazing geographical diversity with low rolling hills, snow clad peaks, deep gorges and valleys, wide river basins and enchanting forests make the well traversed as well as exploration treks a must have experience. The green alpine paddocks, mountain slides and some gentle walks sprinkled in between the hardship make these treks a special treasure. Mountaineering and rock climbing also come as an added bonus for the adventure lovers. The treks start from day hikes to ones that last a fortnight.

District

Sirmaur District

STD Code

01702

Topic

Termperature

Summer 35-40°C, Winter 0-17°C

Best time to visit

Throughout the year

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Kufri

State

Kufri, famous for its trekking and hiking trails, is a tiny picturesque hill station located near Shimla and was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal. The place is famous for winter sports and also known for exquisite nature parks and picnic spots. It also has a Potato Research Station. Due to its proximity to the hill station of Shimla makes it an important place to visit. The tourists can see the majestic panoramic views of the verdant valley and the snow clad foothills of Himalayas. A horseback ride to explore the awesome hilly regions will be an experience in Kufri.

History

The region around Shimla including Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British 'discovered' it in 1819. The British made Shimla their summer capital in 1864 and it remained so until 1939. As Shimla gained importance, Kufri also began to be recognized as an important place to visit near Shimla.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport to Kufri is Jubbarbhatti Airport at Shimla at a distance of about 19 km. Regular flight is available from this airport to Delhi. Taxi services are available at the airport and taxi charge from airport to Kufri is about Rs. 300. International travelers can avail connecting flights at Delhi.

Rail: The nearest railhead is at Shimla in narrow gauge rail route and Broad Gauge railway station is at Kalka.

Road: Kufri is linked with Shimla, Narkanda, and Rampur by road. Travelers can Also Hire Taxis from Shimla to reach Kufri.

Getaways

Shimla

Attractions

Sports Festival

It is a unique and exciting festival celebrated in the month of February. It is organized by the Himachal Tourism where many courses for beginners are organised. However, the skiing competition is the main highlight of the festival. Highly skilled skiers flock to this place to participate in the event.

Things to do

Horse and Yak Safari

Tourist can explore the natural beauty of Kufri on a horse or Yak safari. It is truly an interesting and adventurous way to explore any place.

Skiing: Skiing in Kufri is a highly entertaining adventurous sports tempting the adventurous tourists to participate. In winter, thousands of travelers flock to Kufri to engage in Skiing in the snow capped slopes of mountainous regions of Kufri. Skiers from all over the world visit this place.

A winter sports festival is held every year in Kufri in the month of February. Adventurous tourists, specifically skiing enthusiasts participate in this festival. All facilities for undertaking skiing are available in Kufri. Tourists can get basic training for Skiing from various providers in Kufri.

District

Shimla

STD Code

0177

Topic