Top 6 Offbeat Places in Himachal to visit this summer

Are you bored of hearing the same hill station names when you think of a trip to Himachal? Not any more. We are travel lovers and will acquaint you with the best-kept secrets of the Himalayan state. Here are the top 6 offbeat places in Himachal that you should consider instead of the usual Himalayan town route.

Offbeat Places in Himachal

1.Barot Valley 

Drive 2 hours north of Mandi district and you are in Barot, a tiny hamlet nestled in the Barot valley. When you start from Mandi towards Barot, you will cross other places like Jogindernagar and Ghatasani on the way. As the bus meanders its way through the mountains, you will find yourself reaching higher and higher as you reach Barot. Get ready to be mesmerized as the village looks straight out of a travel magazine. The village lies on the banks of Uhl river. Barot is pretty small and can be explored on foot entirely. Take the visible foot trails and just set out to take in all that this beautiful valley has to offer. Across the river lies Pashakot temple which is believed to be the abode of the deity of rain. Majestic Himalayas surround Barot on all sides and the pleasant smell of freshness and vegetation will transport you to another land altogether.

2. Chitkul, Kinnaur

Have you heard of the last ‘dhaba’ on the Indo-China border? If you haven’t, you definitely must visit it once. Located in Kinnaur district Himachal Pradesh, Chitkul is literally the place if you want to visit something on the edge. Chitkul lies almost 250 km from Shimla and is easily accessible from all major cities. Take a bus or hire a taxi from Shimla to reach Chitkul, a village by the Baspa river. The village is mostly snow-covered except in summer. It is famous for apple orchards,  Buddhist inhabitants, and some attractions like remnants of old forts. Enjoy your lunch at ‘Hindustan Ka Aakhri Dhaba’ located right on the border and a major attraction now. The original population of the place is hardly 300 to 400 and they love travellers and visitors.

3. Shoja

The tiny village of Shoja lies in Seraj valley, 70 km south of Kullu district. Untouched and unspoiled by civilization, Shoja will astound you with its evergreen vegetation, blooming flora, and serenity. This is ideally one such offbeat place in Himachal Pradesh, which we imagine when we think of a surreal life in the mountains, away from the hustle. You can walk down the village or go on a small hike to visit nearby places like the Jalori pass, Waterfall Point, Serolsar lake, and more which are located at just 4 to 5 km walk from the village.

4. Rakchham

Rakchham lies between Chitkul and Sangla, at an altitude of 3048 meters, and surrounded by lush forests and snow-capped mountains. Although there isn’t much to see in this tiny hamlet when you think of attractions, if it is the authentic Himalayan life you want to experience, then this is the place. You can visit with your friends for a break or come on a solo trip to reflect on your inner self, Rakchham will never disappoint. You can also spot plenty of mountain animals here, like the Himalayan black bear, musk deer, blue sheep, goral, and brown trout.

5. Janjehli 

Better known as the gem of Mandi district, Janjehli is blessed with a wealth of natural splendour and unblemished landscapes. Located around 10km southeast of Mandi, Janjehli is the place for a little bit of adventure, and one of the lesser-known offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh. You can go camping, cycling, hiking or long trekking at 3300 m high. The lush green forest surrounds the village which makes it a hidden gem and a not-to-be-missed destination on your next visit to Himachal. If you are looking for an alternative to the usual trekking route of Bhuntar and Kasol, this is it.

6. Sainj

Nestled around 35 km southeast of Bhuntar is the Sainj village, home to Great Himalayan National park. The village is tucked atop the serpentine Himalayan mountains that are snow-covered except in summer. The place is a great escape from the pollution of cities as well as the usual tourist hotspots of Himachal. Visit Sainj, to witness Parvati valley as it was before the burst of civilizations. You can go for a trek to the Great Himalayan national park or to the waterfall. The village is blessed with nature’s best artistic skills as you can find Swiss-style meadows with horses when you trek down, making you forget you’re in India. The lush vegetation and the tranquility are breathtaking.

These are just a few of the offbeat places in Himachal out of a long list of unexplored places. Between these places, there are several other villages and hamlets which you can visit and make the best of your time in Himachal. These places are easily accessible from hotels in Shimla and Mandi making them ideal for solo as well as group travellers.

Your stay is fully protected with our Treebo Hygiene Shield Explore these unspoiled places rather than the usual tourist route on your next holiday.