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15 Offbeat Destinations in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its beautiful landscapes, historical sites and adventurous places. The state is blessed with amazing mountains, dense forests and high altitude lakes that makes it a dream destination for the nature lovers.

In addition to this, Himachal Pradesh has some offbeat destinations which are less explored by tourists but still very much worth visiting. It will give you a look at some of the best places to visit that are starkly different from the mainstream tourist spots.

Considering all these factors we have compiled a list of 15 interesting places which are suitable for both honeymooners and adventure seekers.

So, here's a list of best offbeat places to visit in Himachal:


1. Tirthan Valley

2. Shoja

3. Kangra Valley

4. Narkanda

5. Malana

6. Kheerganga

7. Chitkul

8.Chindi

9.Pabbar Valley

10.Dodra Kwar

1. Tirthan Valley

Meghalaya Wildlife

The Tirthan Valley is a unique place in Himachal Pradesh that is known for its amazing landscapes and beautiful valleys. This valley is located in the Shimla district and it is a popular tourist destination.


The Tirthan Valley is home to many different types of flora and fauna. The valley is also known for its hot springs, which are considered to be some of the best in India. It's a great place to visit if you are looking for a scenic and peaceful vacation. The valley is also a perfect getaway to spend time if you are looking for some hiking and exploring.


Best time to visit Tirthan Valley: The best time to visit the valley is from February to April. However, the weather in the valley can be unpredictable so you can also visit it anytime in this period.


How to reach Tirthan Valley: The nearest airport to Shimla is at Chandigarh, which is about 22 km away from the main city of Shimla. The second nearest airport is at Pathankot which is around 17 km away from Shimla. The best way to get to Tirthan Valley is by hiring a car or taking a taxi as there are a few private vehicles that ply on the roads.

2. Shoja

Offbeat Destinations in Himachal Pradesh

Shoja is a small village located in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is said that the place was once a palace of the rulers of Kangra dynasty. The palace has now been turned into a museum.


This beautiful village is nestled between lush deodars, conifers and bamboo forests which makes it a perfect place to bird watch or go for a day trails nearby. Jhalori pass, Serolser Lake, Raghupur Fort, waterfall point are a few places that one can visit.


Best time to visit Shoja: The months of October to December and March to May are good times for visitors. It is also recommended that you visit this place during the festive seasons, such as during Deepawali or Christmas.


How to reach Shoja: You can take a bus or a private cab from Shimla or Manali.

3. Kangra Valley

Offbeat Destinations in Himachal Pradesh

Kangra Valley is one of the most picturesque and breathtaking regions in Himachal Pradesh. The region is known for its natural beauty, fascinating history, and abundance of wildlife. 


If you’re looking for a trip that is offbeat and unique, then the Kangra Valley is definitely the place to go. This valley is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in India, and it is also known for its active lifestyle and culture.


The Kangra Valley is famous for its largest and oldest forts in the Himalayas named the Kangra Fort built by the Katoch rulers. This region offers picturesque hiking trails and skiing slopes. There are also many waterfalls and caves located here that you can visit.


Best time to visit Kangra Valley: During the winter season, which runs from November to March. The weather in mid-winter is best here, and the weather also stays warm throughout spring and summer.


How to reach Kangra Valley: The nearest airport is in Bilaspur. From there, you can take a bus or a cab to get there.

4. Narkanda

Offbeat Destinations in Himachal Pradesh

Narkanda is a small village in Himachal Pradesh that is known for its ancient temples and scenic beauty. It is also one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Himachal Pradesh.


Narkanda is a beautiful place to visit, and it has a lot to offer tourists. The village is home to several ancient temples, including the Chandi Temple and the Pahari Temple. The villages surrounding Narkanda are also worth visiting. These villages are home to scenic roads, beautiful lakes, and interesting historical sites.


Best time to visit Narkanda: The best time to visit Narkanda is from March to May. The weather in Narkanda during this time of the year is warm. The temperature during this time ranges from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius. 


How to reach Narkanda: There are several ways to reach this place from Delhi. Some people travel by road and bus. There are also flights available from Delhi to Shimla and then a cab can be taken to Narkanda.

5. Malana

Meghalaya Weather

Malana is a small village located in the Pin Parvati region in Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is famous for its natural beauty and unique culture. The village of Malana is located at an altitude of 3,700 metres above sea level. The village is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers. The village has a population of around 2,000 people, many of whom are traditional yak herders.


This village has intrigued the world with its history and culture. People here were living in seclusion, shunning the outsiders and even the government until the past few years. Now, you can visit the village but outsiders are still not allowed to touch Malanis and their temples.


Best time to visit Malana: Malana can be visited any time of the year. But, avoid visiting during the monsoon as the trek can be very dangeorous.

How to reach Malana: Malana is a remote village and therefore isn't connected to roads. You can take a bus to Kasol and then start trekking up to Malana, which should take around 4 hours.

6. Kheerganga

Meghalaya Tour

Kheerganga is a waterfall located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The waterfall is known for its unusual shape and beautiful surroundings.


The waterfall is located in a remote area, so you will need to hike approximately 10 kilometres to get there. The hike is definitely worth it, as the scenery at Kheerganga is breathtaking.


If you are looking for a relaxing weekend trip, Kheerganga is the perfect destination for you. The waterfall is surrounded by lush forests, and it has a number of camping sites available if you want to stay overnight.


Best time to visit Kheerganga: October to March.


How to reach Kheerganga: Kheerganga, again like Malana, cannot be reached by a car. You take a bus till Barshaini and then trek towards Kheerganga.

7. Chitkul

Meghalaya Trip

Chitkul is the last inhabited village of India, near the Indo-China border. It is known as the most beautiful village of the Baspa Valley in the Kinnaur district of Himachal. It has a population of about 30 families. The village is virtually inaccessible and is known for its mesmerising beauty. It also has the distinction of being one of the most remote villages in India.


Best time to visit Chitkul: The best time to visit Chitkul is in winter. It will snow almost the whole month of October without fail. Also you can have a good time in summer too, if you are lucky and there is no cold wave. But it takes nothing out of its magnificence then because the village is full of snow-capped mountains all around.


How to reach Chitkul: Chitkul can be reached by taking a bus from Rekong Peo or Manali, and then another bus to Chitkul.

8.Chindi

Meghalaya Trip

Chindi is a small village in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It lies on the banks of river Sutlej and is famous for its apple orchards. The villagers here grow apples and sell them to other parts of India, including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

There are many things you can do in Chindi. You can climb up an apple tree and pluck an apple off its stem by hand! The adventurous ones could also swim across Sogana Lake which offers great views all around during winters when there's snowfall at higher altitudes.

Best time to visit Chindi: The best time to visit Chindi is during spring and summer season, between April and May when the weather is pleasant and the place looks beautiful with all its greenery.

How to reach Chindi: To reach Chindi village, you can take a bus or a private cab from Shimla towards Kufri. It takes less than an hour to reach the village.

9.Pabbar Valley

Meghalaya Trip

Pabbar Valley is a valley located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. It has become a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty and religious significance. The valley is known for its temples, shrines and wildlife.

When you visit Pabbar Valley, you'll be able to see the beautiful Himalayan Mountains as well as several ancient temples and shrines. You can also enjoy visiting some of the local wildlife that lives in this area such as monkeys and peacocks.

It is known for its temples and shrines that are situated there. The temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is also known as Pabbaram Devta. The most famous shrine here is called Pabbar Mata Temple where people go to worship the goddess of fertility and motherhood. It’s believed that this temple was built during the reign of King Anangpal Dev (AD 901-929), son of Raja Sahil Varman who ruled Kashmir at that time.

Best time to visit Pabbar Valley: The best time to visit this place is during springtime (March to June), when you can enjoy a clear blue sky and fresh air without getting chilled because of low temperatures. If you want to get away from your busy life for a while, then head towards Pabbar Valley!

How to reach Pabbar Valley: There are several ways to reach Pabbar Valley. The nearest railway station is Ropar, which is around 4 hours away from Shimla. From Ropar you can either take a bus or hire a cab to reach there. If you prefer traveling by car, it will take another hour to reach the valley from Ropar. From Chandigarh, it'll take you around 6-7 hours of driving to reach Pabbar Valley since there are multiple routes available for reaching this destination.

10.Dodra Kwar

Meghalaya Trip

Dodra Kwar is a small village located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is about 58 km from Shimla and is considered to be one of the most scenic spots of Himachal Pradesh. The village is It’s a serene destination, surrounded by pine trees and snow-capped mountains.

The village boasts of beautiful landscapes, rustic architecture and an unforgettable view of the Himalayas from Dodra Kwar Temple.

Dodra Kwar was once known as Surya Nagar or Sun City, as it was popular with travelers who came here to see sunrises and sunsets over nearby peaks like Naina Peak (7,819 m), Kolahoi Peak (6,110 m) etc. There are several religious places in Dodra Kwar too such as Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Ram Mandir Jogindernagar etc.

Best time to visit Dodra Kwar: The best time to visit this place would be during the months between May and September when there are less people visiting this place and you can enjoy your vacation without any distractions or disturbances like traffic jams etc., which occur during peak tourist season (June-September).

How to reach Dodra Kwar: From Manali, you can reach Dodra Kwar by road or bus. If you choose the former, then you should take a taxi from Manali to Dodra Kwar. However, if you are travelling on public transport, then you will have to catch a bus from Manali to Rohtang Pass and then another one that takes you all the way to Dodra Kwar via Lahaul Valley.

When is the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh?

Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful and rugged state in North India. It is a popular tourist destination, and there are many different reasons to visit. However, the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh depends on what you are looking for.


If you are looking for adventure, hiking trails and scenic vistas are best visited during the summer months. The weather is hot and sunny, and there is plenty of activity to be had. The winters are also a good time to visit, but make sure to pack your down jackets.


If you are looking for relaxation and beauty, Himachal Pradesh is a great place to visit any time of year. The state has plenty of beautiful lakes, valleys, and peaks to explore. The people are warm and friendly, and the culture is unique.



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