5 Must Visit Off-beat Places in Himachal Pradesh

5 Must Visit Off-beat Places in Himachal Pradesh

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When I suggest travel plans for my loved ones including family and friends I do ask them lots of question to get to know what they are looking or expecting from their vacation or travel. It helps make a memorable trip of their lifetime. Some of these queries definitely include –

“Are you tired of being visiting the same old commercialized, tourist flocked, complete hustle-bustle like Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, Dharamshala etc? Do you feel like going to some quite, secluded and peaceful place where you can spend quality time with your family, friends and nature? Do you believe in off the beaten track travel and love to explore new places? “

Well, many a times I get a positive reply for most of such queries and every other person (who travel frequently) now a days is looking out for some quiet, peaceful, less commercialized and non-touristy place to spend their valuable vacation.

Himachal Pradesh itself offers variety of such off-beat places but many of them take at least two days to reach from Delhi/NCR. However, I would try to enlist below my top 5 favorite off-beat places in Himachal Pradesh that can be reached in a day’s time from Delhi/NCR, if you are OK with traveling about 12-14 Hrs a day (usual time for Manali / Dharamshala / Dalhousie). You can go through them below and I hope you can give them space in your next travel plans –

1. Tirthan Valley

If you haven;t been to Tirthan Valley then I am sure that you have not experienced nature in its purest form. Surrounded by Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), this beautiful valley situated besides Tirthan River is an awesome place to relax in the lap of mother nature. It tops my list of some off – beat places in Himachal Pradesh and I love this valley most in the whole Himachal region. If you haven’t got a chance to visit it, then the best time to do so will be in coming Spring season next year. Though the Tirthan Valley is open all round the year but its beauty magnifies to greater magnitude with blooming flowers all round the valley in Spring season. If interested, for more details you can always check the complete Travel Guide for Tirthan Valley

Tirthan River at Night, Tirthan Valley

2. Pabbar Valley

Pabbar is one of the most enchanting valley in Himachal Pradesh yet isolated from the tourist rush as of now. It offers some awesome panoramic views along with tones of nature walks/hikes in the dense orchards and forests all along the valley. You can also experience a wide range of activities like camping, trekking, fishing, and other adventure activities are also gaining attention including rafting and paragliding. You may have heard about the names of Rohru, Shelapani, Karapather or Chansal Pass and they all come under Pabbar Valley region. So, in all honesty before this “becoming popular” destination gets polluted by the maddening tourist rush, high end commercialization and goes off the off – beat travel places list, do give it a place in your next travel plans to Himachal Pradesh. I am sure you will love every bit of it. You can read about the route details and directions at the link: Trip to Chansal Pass – Rohru – Chakrata | Itinerary & Road Conditions

Lucky to Spot this Rainbow in Pabbar Valley while coming down from Chansal Pass

3. Chindi, Karsog Valley

Chindi is yet another off–beat place in Himachal Pradesh that offers an inspiring set of beauty, peace and calmness. Once, you reach Chindi you have all the time in the world to rejuvenate, relax and spend some quality quite moments with your loved ones. You have ample of hikes around in the dense orchards and there are several temples than can be explored around Chindi. You can also visit Karsog Valley situated just below Chindi which also offers some really lush green wide views of the mountainscapes. If lately, you had some “not so good” time with your better half or you had great time with him/her but still want to make it better by listening to each other or you yourself want to introspect few things about yourself then Chindi is an ideal place for you. For more details on an itinerary, you can check Itinerary for Shimla, Chindi, Karsog and Kullu Valley. Also, you can read about my experience to Chindi at the link:Chindi – Abode of Calmness in Himachal | Family Trip

A Golden Sunset at Chindi, Himachal

4. Daranghati

Daranghati near to Sarahan, is one of the remotest and unexplored passes in Himachal Pradesh situated just above Daran Village. It is famous for Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary but nothing can be taken from the jaw-dropping beauty it offers you. Since, Daranghati is near to Sarahan (which itself offers nice beauty and peace) and lacks too many accommodation options (just two as of now), it can always be covered as a day trip from Sarahan. However, one day camping at Daranghati is highly recommended to feel the nature in its best form. The general route to Daranghati goes through Mashnoo (alternate routes are also there) and for cars it is almost an off-road type of experience. If you plan to visit in hatchback or sedan then I guess you need to have some really good driving skills, caution and very careful driving to run on this adventurous plus narrow road. If you are especially a rider or driver who loves to enjoy some adventurous roads to reach a secluded place for ultimate relaxation then you should definitely plan a trip to Daranghati very soon. You will not be disappointed at all. Even, if you drop Daranghati then Sarahan (entrance to Kinnaur Valley) itself offering some picturesque beauty and peace, is worth a place to visit.But, going to Sarahan will just give you peace nothing much exotic. (For just Sarahan, read more in comments by doodlings though via email)

A view enroute Daranghati

Photo Credits:Vikas Shokeen

5. Barot

Barot has been on my to-travel list for a long time and yet I haven’t been able to include in any of my travel plans. Barot is another off the beaten track destination in Himachal Pradesh that is yet to gain attention of the general tourist. It has some wonderful terraced fields, thick cedar forests and range of outdoor activities on offer for the tourist. The Uhl river flowing next to Barot Village mostly on both sides adds every bit of its unique beauty. So, if you love serenity, some nature walks, or you are a backpacker or love to do some angling then do not hesitate by any means to place Barot village in your upcoming travel plan. You can read all about Barot in the comprehensive travel guide:Delhi to Barot Village, Himachal – Travel Guide

Silky Waters of Uhl River near Barot Village

Conclusion

All these off-beat places can be visited from Delhi/NCR in a day’s time and you can enjoy a complete vacation of 3 to 4 days at any of these places. You can check with me for an itinerary and other details for these lovely off the beaten track travel places in Himachal Pradesh.

So, after going through the complete list which one will you place in your next travel plan? Please share your thoughts, reviews, suggestions and experiences as comments. I would be looking for to them… till then Happy Traveling.Guide