Himachal Pradesh synonymous to “Land of snow”, is a plethora of beauty and a glimpse of heaven on Earth. With spotless white mountains stretching wide on the bright green lands and emerging crystal clear rivers surrounded by dense forests, this land is a complete visual treat and a dream vacation destination for everyone whether it be couples, families, explorers, experience seekers or history geeks. While Himachal Pradesh is a ”Destination for all seasons and all reasons”, the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh if you are planning a holiday tour, will be the summer season. The months stretch out from March to June and form September to December.
Besides the scenic beauty and the heavenly vibes of the place, Himachal is also rich in terms of culture and history. One can find a number of temples, gurudwaras, monasteries, churches and ancient buildings as old as the colonial times.
Here is a list of top 20 things to do and tourist places to visit in Himachal Pradesh
1) Spiti – Tabo – Kaza
Land of a number of the most divine Buddhist destinations as well as most widespread tourist destinations, Spiti valley is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. The best places to visit in the Spiti valley are the Millenium Monastery, Gue mummy or Dhankar Monastery, rock carving at Tabo and the Pin valley National Park. The best things to do at the Spiti valley are hiking to Angla and Phela- nomadic plains on the hills north of Tabo, going for a traditional photoshoot at Nadang Lhakhang and attending the cultural show with local food and tea.
2) Mashobra
Dotted with deodar trees through and through, Mashobra is one of the must visit places in Himachal Pradesh if you are done with the tourist places of HP. The best things to do in Mashobra are exploring the jungles while trekking, camping, bridwatching and indulging yourself in adventure activities like river rafting, zip lining and rappelling.
Must read: Top 50 must visit places in India you should not miss.
3) Palampur
Sprinkled with Tea gardens, Palampur is an ideal place for a family trip with easy accessibility and a number of accommodation options. The best places to visit in Palampur are the Tea gardens and zoo of Palampur known for its bewitching beauty and tranquility.
4) Kinnaur
Known for its apples, Kinnaur is often called the ”land of Gods” and is one among the famous places in Himachal Pradesh. The best time to see Kinnaur is between June to September. This northeastern land of Himachal Pradesh is blessed with a vibrant cultural scenario and majestic snow-clad mountains. The best things to do in Kinnaur are savoring the Tibetan delicacies at Tibetan cafeteria, spending some serene time beside the Nako lake and going on a heritage trail. The best places to visit in Kinnaur include the Kamru Fort, Nako Gompa and hamlets.
Must Read: Top 20 tourist places to visit and things to do in Mussoorie
5) Shoghi
Bestowed with picturesque landscapes and the great variety of flora and fauna, this small town of Shoghi is among the best things to see in Himachal Pradesh . This town is the epitome of serenity and personalized beauty. The best places to visit in Shoghi comprise of beautiful ancient temples for activities full of adrenaline along with mouth-watering fruits.
6) Tirthan Valley
This versatile place will definitely be a paradise for you whether you are a nature lover or a adventure lover with its beautiful delights. With its own share of the larger Himalayas and views of the Tirthan river, the best things to do in a place like Tirthan Valley are not limited to just fishing and sightseeing. Besides its large influx of foreigners, the Tirthan valley is a green path that leads to small villages nearby and offer a magical environment. The best place to visit in Tirthan valley if you are planning a trip is the Great Himalayan National Park.
7) Narcanda
With its scenic beauty and apple orchards, this town, located 2700 meters above sea level, attracts a lot of tourist throughout the year. Narcanda’s alpine forests and towering hills can be one the best of things to see in Himachal Pradesh. The Tannu Jabar lake is the best place to visit in Narcanda while the best things to do in Narcanda include trekking, skiing and rock climbing.
8) Barot
Barot with its unexplored landscapes and pristine destinations, can be called the heart of HP. Though Barot is not known to many people, there are a lot of things to do in Barot like recreational trekking, camping and fishing. The best place to see in Barot can be the Hydropower project, Shanan as old as 1920s, built to utilize the hydropower potential of the Uhl between Barot and Joginderagar.
9) Chamba
Famous for its temples and caves, Chamba is known for its pristine beauty and solitude amidst the Himalayas. It offers splendid views if Pir Panjal range, Zanskar and Dhauladhar range in backdrop. The best places to see in Chamba are the Bhuri Singh Museum, Sui Mata temple, Champavati temple.
10) Mandi
Also known as Varanasi of hills, Mandi, located at the junction of Kullu and Dhamshala, is covered with a canopy of pine and deodar trees. The best places to visit in Mandi are the 81 temples of this place that give it the name Choti Kashi. Lying on the banks of river Beas, and a home to Prashar lake, Pandoh dam, Rewalsar lake and Jalori pass , this place offers you a range of best things to do in Himachal Pradesh.
11) Bir Billing
The Mecca for adventure activities in Himachal Pradesh, Bir Billing is located on the western side of Himachal Pradesh and has a refreshing climate. The best things to do in Bir Billing include experiencing some adrenaline rush by paragliding in the beautiful Himalayan valleys and camping in the amazing weather and safe surroundings. The best places to see in Bir Billing include the gorgeous Buddhist monasteries in Bhattu, Choggan and Chauntra Bhattu colony located in center of the forest, the Palampur Tea Cooperative where you can attend a free tour to see the tea making process and the beautifully carved 13th-century Vaidyanath temple devoted to Lord Shiva.
12) Malana
Ideal for trekkers, solo-travelers and anyone who wants to disconnect from the world, Malana is the best place to visit in Himachal Pradesh. Situated near the Kullu Valley, Malana provides spellbinding views of the Deo Tiba and Chandrakhani crests. It is indeed one of the best tourist places in Himachal Pradesh. The best things to do in Malana include enjoying some stimulating weather in this gorgeous village which is also called the little Greece of India, the panoramic scenes of the snow clad Himalayas from Chanderkhani pass and capturing the mesmerizing beauty of Kheer Ganga valley along with trekking through spectacular forests and across Alpine pastures with tremendous views.The best place to see in Malana include the pilgrim center Manikaran which has a hot water spring. If you get to visit this wonderful place, don’t forget to be a part of regional festivals in Malana village, with its idiosyncratic culture and customs.
13) Nahan
A hidden gem of Himachal Pradesh nestled in the lofty Shivalik range, overlooking lush green fields, Nahan is a piqturesque yet unexplored town. The best places to visit in Nahan are the Rani Tal lake and Jaitak fort.
14) Bhuntar
Encapsulated with lush greenery, national parks and religious sites, this is the ideal place if one wishes to escape the maddening tourist crowds and prefer the lesser known and quaint spots with absolute peace and solitude. Ideal for both solo travelers and friends trips, this place offers a great deal of best places to visit in Bhuntar like The Great Himalayan National Park, Bijli Mahadev temple and the Dechen Choekhor Buddhist Monastery.
15) Bilaspur (HP)
India’s first planned hill station, Bilaspur is a hill town near Shimla, famous for its forts and Gobin Sagar lake which is an artificially made lake on Sutlej river. Ideal for a family trip or a gang tour, this place is worthy of spending a day of your vacation with its splendid beauty. The best places to visit in Bilaspur are Kanan Pendari Zoological garden, A.S Fun Water Park, Wonder World theme park.
16) Tattapani
Derived its name from tatta and pani, meaning hot water; Tattapani is a quaint village located 60 km away from Shimla. This hidden paradise is famous for for hot sulphur spring and a Shiva’s cave. Shiva caves are popular amongst the locals and foreigners alike due to the famous tales of miracles associated with them. It offers a range of best things to do in Tattapani like rafting, camping and trekking. With all these, this place becomes a good spot for spending some time of your holiday if it’s a family tour.
17) Shoja
If you are looking for some peace and solitude on your trip, you can plan a getaway in this quaint little village that has untouched beauty and is a pure hidden gem . The village is dotted with several temples and deodar forests surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains. Ideal for a solo trip as well as a family tour and worthy of spending at least a day of your vacation, this place has a wide variety of best places to see in shoja like the Jalori pass, Seruvalsar lake, Manimahesh Lake, Chehni Kothi and Raghpur fort.
18) Naggar
Known for its natural beauty, this mesmerizing town in Kullu offers a picturesque sight and offers a wide range of best of things to do in Naggar like trekking and camping with numerous adventurous activities. The best places to see in Naggar include the popular folk art museum and a hot spring that attract a number of visitors to this serene place.
19) Arki
Arki is another serene town located in Solan district.The best place to visit in Arki is a magnificent fort that backs to the 18th century. This place proves why it is always the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh. With beauty at its peak throughout the year, this place offers the best camping location and a great holiday spot.
20) Sarchu
Sarchu is considered to be a prominent location where one can find various accommodation options in the form of tents. Lying on the highway between Leh and Manali, the district of Sarchu in Himachal Pradesh has been established at aheight of 4,290 meters. Camping in this beautiful location surrounded by Himalayas will be a great travel experience for sure. Ideal for both nature lovers and adventurers, this place deserves at least 2-3 days of your holiday trip. The best things to do in Sarchu are trekking and camping and is ideal for the months from February to April.
Thanks for sharing the blog with informative content. I love to read blogs written by you and your services. Keep sharing!