Himachal Tourism

Besides, Manali there are many other beautiful sights in Himachal. At the insistence of my cousin, I have just returned from a short trip to Khajjiar. Here are a few lines about Khajjiar.

Khajjiar is located at a height of 6400 feet above sea level. It is so breathtakingly beautiful that it is often called the Switzerland of India. Khajjiar is actually a large grassy meadow, with a small lake fed by glacial waters and ringed by acres and acres of dense pine forests. Tourists love to take pony rides around the meadow.

All this makes Khajjiar your ideal getaway.

I really enjoyed Khajjiar. It is so beautiful ... very often in my dreams those tall pines float by ...

Thanks for bringing the memories of Khajjiar alive.

Grassy meadows, deep pine forests and the icy peaks of the Himalayas in the distance – what more can you ask for. Wait there is more – to complete the picture Khajjiar also has a nine hole golf course. No wonder, golf enthusiasts make it a point to combine a vacation with their passion for golf at Khajjiar each summer.

Khajjiar is located almost midway on the Dalhousie-Chamba road. The best time to visit Khajjiar is between February and April when you have pleasant weather. You can easily get a booking at the numerous well appointed private hotels at Khajjiar.

I would like my fellow Ilites to describe their experience of Khajjiar as well as other tourist spots of Himachal Pradesh.

Dear Sanjam
I liked your article about Khajjiar. Another interesting must- visit place is Kalpa which is at an altitude of 9052 ft above sea level. Kalpa offers a stunning view of the Kinnaur –Kailash range. The mountain range is said to be the winter home of Lord Shiva.

The nearest railway station is Kalka. There are taxi and bus services from Shimla which is only 260 kms away. Kalpa is only 14 kms by car from Reckong Peo, the district headquarters of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

A nice write up! Both Khajjiar and Kalpa will be on top of my visit to Himachal the next time round!

Yes, I visited Kapla a few years ago. From Delhi, we took the Kalka Mail upto Kalka. We stayed in Shimla for a few days and then proceeded to Kalpa by taxi.

The entire snow clad Kinnaur- Kailash mountain range looms up in front of you and the view is fabulous. Man feels so small before the enormity of mountains. At sunrise and sunset, the whole range lights up as the peaks catch the rays of the sun. It is a spectacle beyond words.

Thank you, Sushma.

Today, Kalpa offers a range of options for tourists who would like to explore the outdoors. This includes fishing, hiking, trekking and river rafting in the Baspa and the Sutlej. The more adventurous can sign up for mountain cycling, biking and even jeep safaris.
Kalpa is located on NH 22. On your way to Kalpa, stop over at Recong Peo, the district headquarters. The place is famous for its monastery.

It is true that Himachal has plenty of tourist destinations. My son has just returned from a biking expedition to Karsog near Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. The pictures are so pretty, that I am planning to visit Karsog myself.

Karsog is located just 100 kms from Shimla in the Mandi District of the state. Karsong is a sleepy little town and my son and his friends used the town as a base to explore the scenic country side. The area has everything from snow clad mountains in the distance to pine tree forests, rolling hillsides and small wayside hamlets. What adds to the beauty are the numerous hilly rivers and streams in the area.

Hi Bandana

Karsog is all what you have described and much more. The area is criss crossed by the three rivers – Sutlej, Beas and the Tirthan and their many tributaries
The area has many famous temples. One of the best known is the Temple of Mamleshwar. According to local legends, the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built by the Pandavas during their exile. Other temples include the Kamaksha Mata, Shikari Mata and the Chindi Mata.
If you are thinking of traveling to Karsog, you have to reach Kalka by train. There are many trains from New Delhi including the Kalka Mail. You can also take a bus upto Mandi from ISBT, New Delhi.

Another great destination in Himachal Pradesh is Chitkul. The place is justly famous for its picture- pretty beauty. Located at an altitude of 11,400 feet, Chitkul is in fact the last habitation in the Sangla valley. Also called as the Baspa valley because of the fast flowing Baspa river, the picturesque hamlet is dotted with apricot, apple, cedar, chilgoza pine and bhojpatra trees covering the slopes on either side.

Chitkul is a favorite with die hard trekking fanatics because several famous trekseither originate or pass through Chitkul. With a population of just about 600 odd people, the tiny hamlet is a must - visit for those city folk for whom the great mountains, verdant vales and the fresh mountain air hold an allure all their own.