Are you looking for the best offbeat destinations in Himachal to avoid crowded and bustling places like Manali, Dharamshala, Kasauli, Shimla, Kasol, Kufri, and Solan?
If yes, you are at the right post. This blog post will tell you about the 13 most beautiful offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh that are less crowded. You can find everything from popular temples to adventurous activities at these places.
According to the report on Statista, in 2022, around 746 thousand tourists arrived in the Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh in India. This report clearly shows the popularity of offbeat places, like Lahul and Spiti in Himachal among tourists.
Read this blog post until the end to learn about Himachal’s best offbeat destinations.
1. Parashar Lake
Parashar Lake is one of the best trekking, hiking, and camping spots. It is located at a height of 2700m above sea level. It is known for its eye-blessed, dense forest and snow-clad view.
People mainly come here with friends, but it is also an excellent spot for solo travelers. Parashar Lake’s crystal-clear water makes it the best picnic spot; from it, you can view beautiful valleys.
- Key attractions – Parashar Lake and View of Dhauladhar
- Best time to visit – April to July
- How to reach – By Airplane (Bhuntar Airport), By Bus from cities, like Delhi, Chandigarh, etc.
2. Arki
Few people know Arki, but it is among the best offbeat destinations in Himachal Pradesh. It was the capital of the princely Hill, Baghal, and is among the smallest towns in Himachal Pradesh.
Arki is mainly known for its outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, sightseeing, etc. It is also the land of Temples, such as Baniya Devi, Lutru Mahadev, Bhadrakali, and Jakholi Devi.
- Key attractions – Outdoor activities, Lutru Mahadev, Baniya Devi, and Bhadrakali Temple
- Best time to visit – May to July
- How to reach – The nearest airport and railway station is Shimla
3. Kaza
Kaza is one of the most developed towns in Spiti Valley and the capital and regional headquarters of Spiti Valley. It is known for its festivals, adventure activities, and Sakya Tangyud Monastery.
You need at least five days to explore Kaza. It would be best to visit Kaza in summer because, in heavy winter, snowfall occurs here, during which all the roads are blocked.
- Key attractions – Sakya Tangyud Monastery and Kaza Main Market
- Best time to visit – April to June
- How to reach – You can reach Kaza by public transport, but air transport is the easiest way.
4. Fagu, Among the best offbeat places near Shimla
Fagu is one of the best offbeat places near Shimla. It is about a fifty-minute drive from Shimla. The people of Fagu say that Fagu gets its name because of Fog and snow.
It is known for apple orchards, natural beauty, and snow-covered mountains. It is the perfect place for adventure lovers and an excellent destination for honeymoons or couples.
Nowadays, Fagu is better than Shimla because Shimla is going to be crowded every day, and that’s why most people go to Fagu or Chail to escape Shimla’s hustle-bustle.
- Key attractions – Apple gardens, Snow-covered mountains, and honeymoon destination
- Best time to visit – October to January
- How to reach – The best way to reach Fagu is by plane; the nearest airport to Fagu is Shimla Airport.
5. Tirthan Valley, Among the most famous offbeat places in Himachal
Tirthan Valley is an excellent destination for trekkers, hikers, campers, and nature lovers. It is located 1600 meters from sea level in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, and is the perfect weekend spot.
It is mainly known for its Tirthan River (Holy River), Glaciers, Spring season, and the most famous eye-blessing view of the Great Himalayan National Park. You need around two days to explore this hill station.
- Key attractions – Tirthan River and Great Himalayan National Park
- Best time to visit – March to July
- How to reach – You can reach Tirthan Valley via bus, car, and plane, but the best way to reach It is via road.
6. Barot
Barot is a charming small village located in the valleys of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Barot mainly attracts trekkers, hikers, paragliders, road trip lovers, campers, etc.; it is also known for its trout fishing.
Barot is known as Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary, home to black bears, pheasants, and gorals. It is also ideal for backpackers, solo travelers, and families. The exciting thing about Barot is that there are very cheap accommodation options.
- Key attractions – Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary, Trout Fishing, and Adventure activities
- Best time to visit – March to July
- How to reach – The best way to reach Barot is via air, and the nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport
7. Chanshal Pass
Chanshal Pass is one of the best offbeat places near Shimla. It is around 180 Km from Shimla with an elevation of 3,750m. It is mainly for its Chanshal Pass Trek, which is among the best treks in Himachal.
People mainly come here for trekking and to get the fantastic view of Chanshal Pass; honestly, the view from Chanshal Pass is breathtaking. You need only one day to go to Chanshal Pass.
- Key attractions – Chanshal Pass Trek and Breathtaking view
- Best time to visit – Throughout the year
- How to reach – You can reach Chanshal Pass via all transport methods, but it would be best to go to Chanshal Pass via road.
8. Pabbar Valley
Like Chanshal Pass, Pabbar Valley is among the best offbeat places near Shimla, just 80 km from Shimla. It is also a hidden place or an untouched area in Himachal Pradesh.
Pabbar Valley is rich in Oak trees, apple plantations, lush green valleys, rivers, crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, and other natural attractions. It mainly attracts adventure lovers, explorers, and travelers.
- Key attractions – Oak Trees, Apple Plantation, Scenic Views, and Adventure spot
- Best time to visit – March to July
- How to reach – Surprisingly, the best way to reach Pabbar Valley is via bus.
9. Malana
Malana is an old village in the Kullu and one of the oldest democracies in the world. The people of Malana believed they were Sikandar’s descendants (Alexander).
Malana is known for its best treks, hills, and weather. The most famous is its Malana Cream, which grows only in Parvati Valley. Malana is also an excellent place to escape from daily life.
Malana is a silent and less crowded place; it is best to visit when you feel tired or want to escape the city’s hush-hush.
- Key attractions – Malana Cream and Malana Trek
- Best time to visit – May to July
- How to reach – You can reach Malana by any means of transport, and the most recommended method is by plane.
10. Nahan, Among the best offbeat destinations in Himachal Pradesh
Nahan is known for its panoramic views, lush green valleys, and unique historical stories. It is also the trade center of agricultural produce and timber.
People come here to see Temples like Kalisthan Temple, Triloknath Cave Temple, and Shivji Temple. Nahan also attracts nature lovers, boaters, and paragliders.
- Key attractions – Shivji Temple, Triloknath Cave Temple, and Kalisthan Temple
- Best time to visit – August to October
- How to reach – Only a road transport service is available in Nahan.
11. Kheerganga
Kheerganga is located 3,000m above sea level and is one of the most famous spiritual spots in Himachal Pradesh. It is also famous for trekking, camping, and hot springs.
It is also among the best trekking destinations near Delhi and Chandigarh. Kheerganga is also known for its Lord Shiva Temple, located at the top of the Khherganga mountain.
The Kheerganga trek is the best and easiest for beginners. You need to trek 12 km to reach Kheerganga, which takes five to six hours.
- Key attractions – Hot springs and Lord Shiva Temple
- Best time to visit – March to July
- How to reach – You can reach Kheerganga via all transport methods, and the most recommended method is by road.
12. Sainj, Among the best offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh
Sainj is an excellent offbeat place in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. It is ideal for trekkers, campers, nature lovers, and paragliders who want to meet new travelers.
The view from Sainj is breathtaking, making it among the best offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh. People mainly come here to see Sainj Village, Pudrik Rishi Lake, and the Meadows of the Shangarh (Sainj).
- Key attractions – Sainj Village, Pudrik Rishi Lake, and Trekking Spots
- Best time to visit – December to February
- How to reach – The best way to reach Sainj is by bus or car.
13. Gushaini
Many of you have not heard of Gushaini before. But it is the best place for trout fishing, trekking, climbing, fishing, and river rafting.
Gushaini is a tiny village in Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh, covered with rivers and greenery. It is home to 300 species of birds and many waterfalls and streams.
- Key attractions – Trout Fishing, River Rafting, and Trekking
- Best time to visit – April to October
- How to reach – You can reach Gushaini via plane, bus, and car, but the best way to go is via plane.
Conclusion on the best offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh to visit.
It’s all about the Himachal’s offbeat destinations. From paragliding to trekking, fishing to kayaking, relaxing to boating, and skiing to camping, you can do all these activities in the above-mentioned places.
Still, there are a few offbeat places in Himachal left that we have not included here because not all of them are worth visiting. But the places mentioned above are the best and worth your visit and money.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bag, call your friends, and explore Himachal Pradesh like never before through the above-mentioned places. Don’t forget to share your experiences in the comments.
Thank You.
Frequently asked questions regarding Himachal Pradesh’s offbeat destinations.
Below are the answers to the most asked queries on the internet by people regarding Himachal Pradesh.
Q1. What are the best offbeat places in Himachal near Chandigarh?
1. Fagu, Kaza, Chindi, Sangla, and Sainj are the best offbeat places in Himachal near Chandigarh.
Q2. What are the best offbeat places in Himachal for snowfall?
Kalpa, Barot, Narkanda, and Khajjiar are some of the best offbeat places in Himachal for snowfall.
Q3. What are some of the best offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh near Manali?
Gulaba, Jogini Waterfall, and Hamta Valley are the best offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh near Manali.
