Off to Himachal for the Long Weekend

There’s much more to Himachal Pradesh than Shimla and Manali. Ideal for a long weekend getaway from North India, Himachal has many secret gems waiting to be explored. Here are some that we recommend:

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Barog

On the way to Shimla, in Solan district, lies the calm little hill town of Barog. With its lush green environs, panoramic views of high peaks, Barog is a great place to spend a nice relaxing weekend.

Things to Do:

• Located on the route of the famous Kalka-Shimla Toy Train , Barog has a quaint Scottish-style Railway Station that you must visit.
• The Choor Chandini peak, bounded by Pine trees, is also a major tourist attraction in the area.
• Nacchna and Habban are amongst many picnic spots in and around the town of Barog.
• Drive a little out of town and you could visit Dagshai (7 km), which was a cantonment for the British Army,
• Solan (8 km) and the Solan Brewery (11 km) are also worth a visit.
• Jatoli (15 km) is famous for the Vishal Shiva Temple.
• Dolanji Bon Monastery (18 km) is a thriving and active centre for all branches of Tibetan traditional learning.
• The Karol Guffa (17 km) is considered to be one of the world’s longest and the oldest caves in the Himalayan region, with legends dating back to the Mahabharata. 

Route Planner: Distance from Delhi: 300 kms (5 ½ hours by road).

Stay: The Pinewood (HPTDC), Barog Heights Hotel, Pine Drive Resort and Korinns Hotel.

Eat: Spencer Restaurant dates back to the British era. Here you must try the Vegetable cutlets. Other places worth visiting area the Fast Food road side café run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism,The Pinewood Hotel and Barog Heights Hotel.

Chail

Above Shimla, at a height of 2,250 metres above sea level and overlooking the Sutlej valley, Chail is located in the midst of scented forests of Chir Pine and majestic Deodars. Come dusk and you can see the lights of Kasauli and Shimla shimmering below! The Maharaja of Patiala was in awe of the destination and developed Chail as his capital after being banished from Shimla by the British.

Things to Do:

There are not many things to see in Chail, which is perfect when all you want to do is just relax.

• The Maharaja of Patiala was a great Cricket player and captained the Indian Cricket team; it is not surprise then that Chail has a cricket ground! This happens to be the highest cricket ground in the world and there are plans to develop it into an International Cricket stadium, like the one in Dharamshala.
• The vast forests around Chail, covering over 110 square kilometres, have been declared as a sanctuary for wildlife and forests. The Oak and Deodar forests along with the grasslands make the surroundings a haven for wildlife including leopards, monkeys, black bear, wild boar, deer and other animals.
• Sidh Baba Ka Mandir is a popular religious spot. Legend has it that this was the original site for the palace but a sidh (saintly person) appeared in the king’s dream and told him it was the place of his penance. The Maharaja decided to move his palace to another site and built a temple in its place.

Route Planner: Distance from Delhi: 350 km (6 ½ hours by road).

Stay: The best place to stay would be at the Maharaja's Palace, spread over 75 acres. The property has been converted into the Palace hotel, where all guests are treated like royalty. You can choose to stay in the Maharaja Suite or the Diwan room, but if you prefer to stay amidst nature then go with the log huts. If you are unable to get a booking at the Palace, there are other hotels to stay as well.

Eat: All hotels in Chail offer excellent food, so get ready to satiate your taste buds.
 

Nahan

Located at an altitude of 932 meters, Nahan is another lovely Himachali hill station. It is situated on a ridge in the Shivalik Hills and overlooks green fields, including a lovely Golf course.

Things to Do: 

• Walk around or take a boat ride on the Renuka Lake (38 km), visit the Jaggannath Temple and the Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Suketi Fossil Park (21 km) is the largest of its kind in Asia. On display are life-size models of Pre-historic animals, made of fibre glass, dating back to the Jurassic period. Their fossils were actually discovered in this park.
• Paonta Sahib (45 km) is a sacred town built in memory of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, where he set foot (paonta). You must visit the peaceful Gurudwara.
• You could also visit Dhaula Kuan (20 km), Giri Nagar (27 km) and the Balasundari Temple (23 km).

Route Planner: Distance from Delhi: 255 km (4 ½ hours by road).

Stay: There are many options for stay in and around Nahan. Writers Hill, Grand View Resort and Black Mango Resort are a few options. There are places to stay near Renuka Lake or Paonta Sahib as well.

Eat: Hotel Grand View has a couple of good restaurants serving Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine.
 

Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

Located in the Kangra valley, this beautiful hill station is a Coniferous haven, surrounded by snow-capped mountains on three sides. Known as ‘The Little Lhasa in India’, it is the abode of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Dharamshala has also recently come onto the sports map with the picturesque International Cricket stadium.

Things to Do:

• You must visit the Norbulingka Institute; it is also a nice stay option. The institute is dedicated to handing down Tibetan cultural traditions through education, training and employment. You can take a tour of the institute, attend the classes and buy the exquisite objects of art produced there.
• The whole town of Dharamshala has a peaceful air and the Tibetan markets are fun to explore.
• Other interesting places are the Kangra Art Museum in Kotwali Bazaar, Kunal Pathri Temple and the Tea Gardens en route, and the War Memorial – a tribute to soldiers of many peacekeeping missions and the 1947-48, 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars.

Route Planner: Distance from Delhi: 488 km (9 hours by road). There are direct flights to Dharamshala also.

Stay: There are a number of stay options fit for all budgets. Surya McLeod, New Varuni House, Pause Dwelling Palace, Norbulingka Institute and Villa Paradisa are names of just a few.

Eat: From home-cooked meals consisting of Momos and Thukpa, to delicious gourmet food and desserts – it’s all available here! Some of the recommended places are Mandal Coffee Shop, Tibet Kitchen, Carpe Diem, Lung Ta, and Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen.
 

Bir and Billing

Bir and Billing are located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Kangra valley, about a 3-hour drive from Dharamshala. These beautiful towns have become world famous for aero sports, meditation and eco-tourism.

Things to Do:

• Ready for some adventure? Time for an adrenalin high! Bir and Billing make an excellent combination and have been rated as one of the best paragliding sites in India. Located at a height of 2,290 metres, Billing is a great place to start paragliding, touching down at Bir (1,400 metres), an ideal landing ground surrounded by tea plantations.
• In case the weather is not good for paragliding you could take long walks through tea gardens, a village, along the river and forest.
• Bir is also known for its Buddhist monasteries, which are worth a visit.

Route Planner: Distance from Delhi 500 km (9 hours by road). You could take a flight to Dharamshala and a taxi from there.

Stay: Bir has the Bhawani Guest House and many home-stays. The Tibetan Colony (south of Bir) has guest houses including Chokling, Dzongsar, Emaho, Palden and Hotel Surya Classic; and  resorts like Bir Resort and Colonel’s Resort.

Eat: Four Tables has great pizzas, Norling  is best known for its pastas and salads, Friends Café serves Tibetan Fare, Hotel Surya and Ghornala Resort are some of the other good places to eat.

Tip: If you plan to travel by road, make the best of the time available and leave home early to beat the traffic and get to your destination faster.