The cliché choices when planning a Himachal trip — Shimla, Manali, McLeodganj — are cliché for good reason. They are beautiful. But they are also packed, expensive, and increasingly congested. Here are six underrated alternatives.
1. Tirthan Valley
Seven hours from Chandigarh, at the edge of the Great Himalayan National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The Tirthan River runs through it, trout fishing is excellent, and village stays are peaceful. Stay at homestays in Gushaini or Sai Ropa.
2. Jibhi
About 30 minutes from Tirthan. Wooden cottages, a tiny waterfall walk, and café-meets-mountain-view spots. Visit Jalori Pass nearby. The Serolsar Lake trek from the pass is a gentle 6 km round trip.
3. Spiti Valley
Cold desert terrain in the rain shadow of the main Himalayan range. Monsoon is paradoxically the best time to visit. Highlights: Key Monastery, Chandratal Lake, Dhankar village, and Komic — one of the highest motorable villages in the world.
4. Kasol and Tosh
Use Kasol as a base and walk further. Tosh is a small village with views of the Parvati Valley. Magic Valley is a 1-hour walk from Kasol — a peaceful alternative for staying overnight.
5. Chitkul
The last inhabited village on the Indian side of the Indo-Tibet border, in Kinnaur. At 11,320 feet, the Baspa River alongside. The drive from Shimla via Sangla is 8-10 hours on roads that demand respect.
6. Bir Billing
One of the world’s best paragliding sites. Multiple monasteries including the impressive Palpung Sherabling. A vibrant café scene built around its expat and traveller community.
Practical tips for monsoon travel
Check the latest road status on Himachal PWD’s Twitter before you leave. Build at least one buffer day into your trip. Avoid driving in the mountains after dark. Choose homestays over large hotels. The best window for the underrated places is late September to early November.
Klik News Travel