As the tagline suggests, someone has very aptly tagged Himachal Pradesh as Unforgettable Himachal– The land that emits nothing but peace and warmth to the mind and soul. In Spite of being a hub of tourists, this gem of a state also has regions that are tucked away for the traveller who mostly takes the path not chosen by many!
Snuggled between the Himalayan Mountains, this state doesn’t have only the mountains call but also invites voyagers from all over the world to bask in tradition, peace, nature and culture. With the presence of magnificent monasteries, gleaming lakes and pristine valleys, this place is surely going to mark your offbeat travel as a memory for a lifetime. Because that’s what the place is and what it does- Unforgettable Himachal. So here we offer you the best Offbeat Destination in Himachal Pradesh which is hidden from the plain sight and are for the Offbeat traveller in you.
- Malana
Rural is usually considered old and boring but in the beauties of Malana, you surely might have a change of heart and perspective. What you will wonder about is the existence of the village that has been so old and ancient that it has been a matter of wonder till date. Adding to the surprises, this village is said to be home to the people who have descended since so long that it is said to be home to the descendants of Alexander the great himself and the history doesn’t just halt there- It has taints of culture from the greeks and would surely make you fall into a good chat with the locals!
- Tirthan Valley
This hidden valley often termed as the “Gem hidden in the Himalayas” is the purest form of culmination of nature. Cupped calmly yet luxuriously among the hands of the Great Himalayan National park , this astounding valley adjacent to the Tirthan River is surely an Offbeat destination and a perfect spot to spend time in the lap of nature – Sustainability and solitude! With trekking trails, waterfalls and the river itself is just an offbeaten wonder to gaze at.
- Chitkul
What fact is going to push you to go to this place first would be that this village near the Indo-Tibet border perching at the height of 3450m is the last spot you can travel without a visa in India. Draped in snow, the hills are surely a dropped wonder. What more is that there are orchards of apples, mustards and also potatoes. It surely is a go to Offbeat destination in Himachal for people interested in Organic farms and a bit of unpredictable climate changes for a challenging and an adventurous trip.
- Pabbar Valley
One of the most underrated valleys in the state of Himachal is the Pabbar. Paving the way with inviting apple orchards and dense forests that emit nothing but lush greenery and also contains some of the highest production of apples that go on to the state, country and beyond the seas too- So you should know how special the fruits are and along with this it also has a magnificent view of the snow line and makes a real good spot for camping and trekking along ! With the Chanshal pass that’s higher than the Rohtang pass it surely is going to give you a great challenge making your way through this offbeat Destination in Himachal Pradesh!
- Thanedar
This probably might sound like another orchard luxury but wait there’s more. Along with the delights of apples and cherries, this place offers you the luxury of privacy and intimacy in its resorts in the woods that surely are going to make the love birds love this place and spend some memorable time in the silence of peace! With the Tani Jubbar Lake and the Hatu peak, the place falls no less in offering magnificent views and also boasts itself of being home to The St. Mary’s Church- one of the oldest churches in the country that’s gonna fuel the ancientness of the place too!
- Shoja
Making its name for the Serloskar Lake, this offbeat destination in Himachal, could be one of your best choices for viewing sunsets of a lifetime. You’d actually be surprised that a sunset among the mighty mountains could be this surreal and we are sure that you can’t get enough of it. A refreshing bath or a bask in the sun or a walk during the setting sun- All of them are surely going to brighten up your day and time you’re here in the abode of Unforgettable Himachal.
- Barot
If you’re done with exploring the wild orchards, come down to experience culture and wilderness. Grab an opportunity to lay your eyes on the fantabulous and unbelievable wildlife and culture that blooms here which is carefully preserved for the ones who explore. While there is the Uhl river that flows along subtly and fostering the people and the wildlife, it also has offbeat spots of fish hunting. As a cherry on the cake, the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary happens to be just in the right place and is home to the Himalayan Goral and also Black bears from the Himalayas. With trekking trails shadowed with the vast canopy of the deodar trees, this place surely something to be on your offbeat travel bucket
- Gushaini
Another beauty sprawling in the proximity of the Tirthan River is Gushaini. Popularly named as the Trout Country due to the abundance of Trout fish- making it a perfect hotspot for a relaxing fishing day out. With the facility of mobile tents, move effortlessly with shelter on your back and camp on the banks of the Tirthan river! To upgrade the exploratory aspect, you could move further 20km to the National Fantastic Himalayan park that specialises in providing shelter for 30 species of animals and 300 species of birds and we recommend you to explore the park by opting to hike through the lush green cedars groves and enjoy the melancholy of nature !
- Kheerganga
It is an offbeat destination in Himachal Pradesh, where the legendary deity of hindu mythology once meditated at this very place and the holy ganges flowed from the magnificent himalayas and the Ganges is as white as the clouds and so sweet that it gives an impression of the famous Indian desert named “kheer” for real- Hence the name. Along with this, the valley of Parvati is surely going to leave you in awe. With the calmly drooling meadows forested with pine trees and a couple of cascades with little towns that add up to making up your journey special.
- Prashar Lake
Perched at a daunty altitude of 2730m, the place makes its name into this offbeat destination in Himachal Pradesh list, due to its natural entanglement that contains beauties like the sloppy meadows, a really eye feasty view of the Snowclas Dhauladhar ranges and the lake is studded with the jewel like floating island in it! In the month of June “Saranauhali” fair takes place which is attended by large number of locals from Mandi and Kullu Districts.With a surprisingly calm and soothing feel by just taking a walk around the lake is a matter of mystery and also a unique experience to be felt.
- Shoghi
Wondering how a small suburban town made it into the list? This scenic hill station has its ground on an altitude of 1790m and lies under the vast surrounding of lush oak and rhododendron trees. What makes this spot visit worthy is the climate and a view of the Himalayas that is calm and soothing and not harsh and windy. With camping spots and trekking trails you’ll also happen to cross ancient shrines and temples that hold different deities and carvings and wall paintings depict events from the Hindu mythology!
- Kalpa
What’s better than a view of a mountain range? A village alongside the Sutlej and the himalayas in the backdrop! This stunning rural hub is a cove of wondrous temples and breathtakingly peaceful yet jaw dropping monasteries! With the Kinnaur-Kailash range always in front of your eyes, it just makes the trip better and better even if you’re not in any activity- just being there, breathing and gazing at the clouds kissing the mountains with undisturbed and calm and serene atmosphere is just the way offbeat destination is supposed to be!
- Fagu
Having its feel in shimla, this place is considered the best looking out for a seasonal offbeat adventure. Perched dauntily at a high altitude of 2500m , visiting this high haven is heavenly. Once you experience this place when it snows – you would totally feel the essence of an other worldly climate presence. The clouds seem in the reach of hand just above and make the destination seem like a paradise on earth.
- Narkanda
Himachal not only offers just greenery and mountains. It also offers you snow that you can set foot on! Pump up your adrenaline in the skiing slopes of Narkanda. The white smooth slopes of snow under the bright sun and the cool breezes only make it more enjoyable and surely exciting. This surely is a spot for all the Gopros and Candids you could get the best of- Play with the snowballs or ride em- The more the better!
- Kangra
Another jewel of the Himachal that boasts a mountain range and a river in its proximity- The valley of Kangra has the Beas and the Dhauladhar range in its vicinity and what more? It has a surprisingly abundant presence in the Hindu mythology! The holy texts present Kangra as “Devbhumi” or “Land of the Gods”. The scope of pilgrimage and spiritual tourism is considerably evident and it surely makes a good pair alongside the offbeat trips as a complementary exploration alongside the camping and the trekking. The Jwala Devi temple known for its eternal flame and the Masroor rock cut temple are some of the miraculously existing temples that have their holy mentions in the Mahabharata!
CONCLUSION
There is fun in going to the already known and namely places but the hidden away places are always full of surprises that are offered only to the traveller who years to dig more and travel deeper into places that are not yet taken by all! And what’s better than an offbeat destination that can offer you peace away from the hustle and bustle from the chirping of people? Only nature and Himachal offers you the best of it…
