Whenever the majority of the travellers are talking about Himachal Pradesh they are referring to the crowded Mall road in Shimla or the snow cap mountains in Manali. However, there are offbeat locations that most of the tourists do not visit and are usually found outside these famous attractions. Be it an adventure seeker or nature lover, these less-known destinations are what you will find to make your visit even more fascinating. When you are going out on a vacation with a Shimla-Kullu- Manali Travel Package, you must have these little treasures on your list!
We will unveil in this post some hidden places that lie in the hills of Shimla and Manali, which are ideal to those who seek to venture out of the mainstream.
Burj of Hidden Treasures of Shimla.
Chadwick Falls -The Delightful Mystery of Shimla.
Chadwick falls are a peaceful waterfall, that is only 7km away in the main town of Shimla, and is surrounded by the pine trees. The waterfall appears enchanted in monsoon and at the beginning of autumn. It is the right place to go when you need to have a picnic without the commotion of the city.
It is a tip: go in the morning when the sun is peeking through the foggy trees- a view that comes right out of a dream!
Mashobra- An Alternative to Busy Shimla.
Mashobra is just 12 km away and it is renowned due to its apple orchards, cedar forests, and serenity. You can either go trekking, mountain biking or just admire the serene Himalayan landscape. Contrary to the Mall Road that is busy, Mashobra provides the room to breathe and enjoy the nature.
What to Miss: The Craignano Nature Park, where one gets to see panoramic view of the valley and solitary trails.
Naldehra – Golf Amid the Hills
Naldehra has one of the most beautiful golf courses to offer in India, a place surrounded by snow-white mountains and pine trees. It is a secret resort of people who enjoy combination of sport and picturesque view.
It is a good time to visit the place during April- June when it is sunny and the fields are flowering.
Fagu - The ideal Sunset lovers place.
Fagu is a little village just 20km away and it is as though nothing has changed in the last century. It provides stunning sunsets, picturesque apple orchards as well as peaceful country walks. This location is the best place to be when one is on a honeymoon and also to take pictures.
Something secret in and around Manali.
Sethan Valley an untold winter wonderland.
Sethan Valley is a small and quiet and Buddhist village located around 12 km away in Manali, which transforms into a snowy heaven during the winter period. It is perfect when it comes to snowboarding, skiing and local Himachali lifestyle. Not many tourists visit the place making it even more unique.
Stay Tip: Select a homestay that is warm so that one can experience the Himachali hospitality.
Jana Waterfall A Slice of Local Life.
Jana Waterfall is one of the best secrets of Manali that lie hidden in the distance of Naggar. It is an awesome place to take brief hikes surrounded by apple orchards and pine trees. Even the neighboring village has tasty local cuisine- do not forget the piping hot siddu and rajma-chawal!
Hamta Pass Adventure Meets Serenity.
Hamta Pass trek is a memorable experience to trekkers and other adventure lovers who can relate the Kullu Valley and Spiti through the Hamta Pass trek. It is a scenic route filled with glaciers, alpine meads and wildflowers. This is where you want to be in case you want to feel the Himalayas like being in its close proximity. High Season: June- September to have clear trails and beautiful weather.
Vashisht village- Hot springs and spiritual vibrations.
Vashisht Village is only 3 km away in Manali, and has old temples as well as natural hot water springs whose healing power is believed to be to work. You would have an opportunity to have a shower at the public baths or just, have a rest and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Bonus: Have lunch in the local cafes - good food and a good view!
Kasheri Village- Himalayan Peace and Ancient Heritage.
About 10km out of Manali, Kasheri boasts of a 10 th century old temple of Lord Shiva and a serene place that seems like a million miles away the tourist bustling circuit. The village is ideal to the culture loving persons who wish to take a glimpse of the Himachal heritage.
Unbeat Stops Manali to Shimla.
On the ride between the two towns, you can stop by the following underdog attractions:
Tirthan Valley: This place is perfect to go trout fishing, camping along the river, and going on nature walks.
Shoja: This is a small village situated on a mountain with the best views and comfortable guesthouses.
Jibhi Waterfall: This is a hidden waterfall that is an ideal place to stop and have a shower.
These will surely make your Shimla-Kullu-Manali Travel Package an average vacation into a great Himalayan trip.
Tailor Made Shimla Kullu Manali Travel Packages.
When using packages in booking your holiday, you should consider booking packages that allow you to venture outside the normal tourist circuit. A lot of the travel agencies have also added offbeat destinations such as Mashobra, Fagu or Sethan valley- which provide the tourist with a more enriching experience of Himachal. Search packages that contain:
Bendable schedules consisting of travel days locally.
Posh accommodation in home stays or boutique hotels.
Guided treks or nature walks
Travel to more actuarial places.
Final Thoughts
The city of Shimla and Manali are no doubt amongst the most frequented hill stations in India, yet their unexplored areas bring something quite exceptional to the place peace, authenticity and adventure. Traveling on path off the popular tourist trails will enable you to reach the true spirit of Himachal, the people, the scenery, and the culture.
It is high time to begin planning and selecting the most appropriate Shimla- Kullu- Manali Travel Packages that will lead you out of the rut. It can be the serene beauty of Fagu or the snow filled wonders of Sethan Valley, these gems of hidden beauty will leave your trip a memorable experience that will go through Himalayas.
