Himachal Pradesh off the beaten path
Are you traveling in northern India and want to get off the hummus trail but don't know where? Visit our website to find out about the best places you might not know about!
Weather in Himachal Pradesh
12°C Nearby airport
Cochin International Airport.
Nearby train station
Shimla
Featured Destinations
Where do you go to get off the beaten path in northern India and see new places?
If you've come to travel in northern India, and specifically in Himachal Pradesh, you've probably heard the names Dharamsala, Manali, Parvati. These are the main and most beloved places for Israelis in this beautiful mountain state in northern India, and not for nothing, they earned their status thanks to the combination of the landscapes, the locals who know Israelis and speak Hebrew, the developed tourism, the delicious and familiar food. But some people would prefer to diversify and go to places where tourism has not yet taken over, and you won't find signs in Hebrew and slang everywhere. You'll be happy to know that there are plenty of such places around the familiar places, the amazing Himachal Pradesh is full of villages and pastoral valleys in the heart of the amazing landscape, with countless magical hiking trails. Some of them have managed to remain true authentic gems that have not yet been discovered by Israeli travelers.
Some of them can even be easily integrated into the itinerary and on the way to the next destinations, and serve as perfect stops on long and exhausting journeys.
Some of them can even be easily integrated into the itinerary and on the way to the next destinations, and serve as perfect stops on long and exhausting journeys.
Recommended destinations Dharamshala region
Nadi – Nadi is a village adjacent to Dharamkot (an easy hour's walk away), and is well-known to Israelis, but the vast majority come for a day trip to drink chai in front of the snowy mountains that are hidden from Dharamkot and do not stay there. Therefore, we suggest that travelers who are interested in a different experience and quiet and peaceful days but do not want to stray too far from the hummus trail, spend a few days in Nadi. The village has a wide variety of guesthouses and hotels of all levels.
Sally – Sali can't really be called a village, it's just a few houses of the local population, most of whom have lived there for many years, in the absolute middle of nature. There are green hills all around, rice fields, forests, streams and waterfalls. Sali has one special homestay called FREEDOM VALLEY, it's the home of a special woman named Madhu who hosts travelers with joy and great love, and makes everyone feel at home. Right outside the house flows a small, clear stream, perfect for bathing or sitting quietly reading a book. There are also options for hiking and trekking, or just wandering the paths that go up into the mountains and forests. Sali is about a two-hour drive from Dharamsala, a taxi ride costs around 2000 rupees.
Kareri – Kareri is another tiny village and is about an hour from Dharamsala on the way to Sali. Karerihas a unique and beautiful landscape of agricultural terraces and endless green carpets. It has several guesthouses, and even a new guesthouse from THE HOSTELLER chain, known throughout India, which has high-quality hosts, many tourists and a pleasant social space. Around Kareri there are several popular trekking options, the most famous is the trek to Kareri Lake, a two- or three-day trek to the beautiful Kareri Lake.
Kangra – Kangra is the main city in Kangra district, located about an hour and a half from Dharamsala, and its most popular attraction is Kangra Fort - the remains of a very ancient fort from about 3,500 years ago that has undergone many wars and conquests.
Palampur – Palampur is a hill station, a mountain town in Kangra district (the same district as Dharamsala) about an hour and a half drive from Dharamsala on the way to Manali and Parvati. It is especially known for the tea fields that surround it, which create a special and pastoral landscape with particularly pleasant aromas. Palampur exports high-quality tea to all parts of the country.
Bir – Bir is a town about two hours drive from Dharamsala, on the way to Manali and the Parvati Valley. The town is set against a vast and stunning landscape and is therefore the most famous place in India to do paragliding and is known as the paragliding capital of India, which is an experience in itself. In addition, Bir is a great place to practice Buddhism and meditation because in 1960 it became a colony of Tibetan refugees and as a result there is a special Tibetan atmosphere, and Tibetan restaurants and shops.
Chamba – While there are places known for their spectacular views, and there are places known for their ancient culture and tradition, Chamba is the perfect blend of the two. Chamba district/valley is located next to Kangra district and for some reason it has not yet been assimilated for hummus, and it is not clear why. Chamba is the capital of the beautiful green valley, and it was once used as a resort town for British soldiers and therefore looks accordingly, it has European building and architectural features and many very interesting ancient historical temples. Chamba temples are a well-known and popular spot for Indian believers from all over the country and are a very common pilgrimage point. Apart from the town of Chamba itself, there is a lot to do in the area, mainly hiking between villages and valleys, visiting local family homestays or staying in a campsite, and countless options for hiking and trekking. In the village of HAT there is Sanji's homestay, who hosts travelers with great love and generosity in his house facing the mountains. Getting there requires a two-hour climb, but the view is worth it. Getting to Chamba is done from Dharamsala, it takes about five hours and you can travel by taxi or bus.
Recommended destinations Manali and Parvati region
Mandi – Mandi is a city on the way between Manali/Parvati and Dharamsala, and is therefore a particularly convenient stopover. It is an Indian city that has developed rapidly and is now modern, developed and very well-kept. It is located on the banks of a river and is named after an Indian sage who used to meditate and pray in the area many years ago, and therefore has great historical and religious importance and many temples can be found there, and these are the main points of interest in it. In the center of the city is the Sunken Garden – a large park with manicured lawns and a square with a clock tower in the center. Mandi is located about three hours from Kassel and Manali, and about five hours from Dharamsala.
REWALSAR LAKE – Lake Ravalsar is a lake located very close to Mandi. The lake is located between the green mountains and has great religious importance for all the major religions in India – Hinduism, Sikhism, and especially for Buddhists who believe that Guru Riponcha, the spreader of Buddhism in Tibet, came to practice Buddhism and meditation in the lake. As a result, a small tourist town has sprung up around the lake, full of restaurants and guesthouses, Hindu and Sikh temples, and two Buddhist monasteries that also have guesthouses. Lake Ravalsar is a perfect spot for those looking to escape to a less known, special and pastoral place, and it is still on the way between Manali and Dharamsala.
Bhunter – Bhuntar is an Indian town that makes a very convenient stopover because it is exactly halfway between Manali and the Parvati Valley, about an hour and a half drive each way, and is home to the area's airport. Like Mandi, Bhuntar is located down a green valley, on the banks of a river, and has many temples.
–Jibhi – Jibhi is a stunning and sweet village with charming and kind locals, located about a three-hour drive from Manali and the Parvati Valley and is a gateway to the beautiful green Kinnaur Valley. Jibhi has become a particularly popular tourist destination for Indian tourists over the years, which has turned it into a well-kept village with a wide variety of guesthouses, hotels and homestays, and excellent restaurants. For some reason, it has not yet become a strong favorite for hummus and it is really not clear why, it is a place with an evergreen and breathtaking view, clear pools and waterfalls and many options for hiking and trekking.
REWALSAR LAKE – Lake Ravalsar is a lake located very close to Mandi. The lake is located between the green mountains and has great religious importance for all the major religions in India – Hinduism, Sikhism, and especially for Buddhists who believe that Guru Riponcha, the spreader of Buddhism in Tibet, came to practice Buddhism and meditation in the lake. As a result, a small tourist town has sprung up around the lake, full of restaurants and guesthouses, Hindu and Sikh temples, and two Buddhist monasteries that also have guesthouses. Lake Ravalsar is a perfect spot for those looking to escape to a less known, special and pastoral place, and it is still on the way between Manali and Dharamsala.
Bhunter – Bhuntar is an Indian town that makes a very convenient stopover because it is exactly halfway between Manali and the Parvati Valley, about an hour and a half drive each way, and is home to the area's airport. Like Mandi, Bhuntar is located down a green valley, on the banks of a river, and has many temples.
–Jibhi – Jibhi is a stunning and sweet village with charming and kind locals, located about a three-hour drive from Manali and the Parvati Valley and is a gateway to the beautiful green Kinnaur Valley. Jibhi has become a particularly popular tourist destination for Indian tourists over the years, which has turned it into a well-kept village with a wide variety of guesthouses, hotels and homestays, and excellent restaurants. For some reason, it has not yet become a strong favorite for hummus and it is really not clear why, it is a place with an evergreen and breathtaking view, clear pools and waterfalls and many options for hiking and trekking.
