Himachal Pradesh: One breathtaking Scenery After Another!
As you stand on the balcony of your hotel room or at the lawn of your cosy cottage, the crisp wind blows through your hair, chilly winds kiss your face, and with a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the breathtaking view of the hill town washes away all your grief. Unlike other seasons, winter has this unique capability to completely transform Himachal and create an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
While not every destination is suitable for winter, for those that are, there is probably no better time to visit. There’s something special about visiting Himachal during winter. Narnia fans, you’ll find this to be a treat.
Himachal Pradesh has always been a favourite travel destination for backpackers with a strong affinity for mountains and wilderness. During winter, the state gets covered with thick layers of snow, making it a popular snow tourist destination.
There are numerous hill stations to visit during the winter month of December, such as Shimla, Manali, Barot, and Kalpa. Himachal Pradesh, with its tranquil environment and serene atmosphere, is one of the best places to go for travellers and couples as well. So, let yourself be seduced by this mini-Narnia.
Now all you need to do is keep this list on hand and decide where you wanna land this winter. Isn’t that easy?
Best Places to Visit in Winter Season in Himachal Pradesh
1. Shimla
2. Manali
3. Prashar Lake
4. Sainj Valley
5. Jibhi
6. Bir Billing
7. Kalpa
8. Khajjiar
9. Sangla
10. Barot
1. Shimla
Winter is a time when some places in Himachal look their most natural, Shimla is one of them. In winters it’s nothing less than a paradise. As a winter destination, Shimla is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh for sightseeing, thrilling activities, tasty food, comfortable accommodation options, and a full-fledged Mall Road for shopping. But what makes Shimla so unique is the heritage architecture coupled with the snowy peaks.
What to do-
1. Go trekking
2. Camp under the stars
3. Birdwatching
4. Cycling
5. Shopping at the famous Lakkar Bazar
Where to go- Visit the ViceRegal lodge, Christ Church, Jakhoo peak, and the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies for sightseeing, Mall road, Lakkar Bazar, and Tibetan market.
2. Manali
There is an abundance of spectacular valleys in Manali, which are crisscrossed by the Beas river and filled with lush forests of oak, fir, deodar, and pine. Fresh meadows and streams of water make this an ideal place for newlyweds to begin their new life together. It is certainly a sight to see these places as they are surrounded by mountains and have stunning architecture. Make sure you visit Manali if you’re in Himachal during winters.
What to do-
1. Riverside Camping
2. Skiing
3. Paragliding
Where to go- Visit the temples like Hadimba, Manu, and Shiv temple devotees. As for history lovers, you can explore forts like Naggar and Kuthar. Brilliant options of gushing waterfalls like Jogni falls and Rahala Falls that flush out of haphazardly placed rocks. You can also catch sights of sprawling meadows, terraced farming, and fruit orchards. Together, these sights give the town a dazzling appearance.
3. Prashar Lake
This lake’s beauty is unmatched during winters, and this alone should be enough to motivate you to pay a visit to Parashar Lake this winter. The Winter season in Himachal is the best time to explore this hidden gem and it is one of the best places to go in Himachal during winter. One can say it is the lowest temperature place in Himachal Pradesh during winters so make sure you don’t sacrifice the warmth just to look stylish. Just layer up.
What to do- There is absolutely nothing you can do at the lake! Lakeside, you can enjoy the beauty, calmness, and serenity of the valley. Admire the unique flora and fauna surrounding the lake. Let the cool breeze and the hushed whispers of the icy mountains soothe your soul. Unwind and revitalize yourself.
Where to go- There are many temples to hop between, including the Panchvaktra Temple and Arya Samaj Mandir.
4. Sainj Valley
The Sainj Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a hidden gem that lies in the lap of the Himalayas. There is no better place to visit in Himachal Pradesh for trekkers than Sainj, as the trail leads to the Greater Himalayan National Park. In spite of being in such close proximity to popular tourist destinations like Kullu and Manali, this quaint hamlet receives relatively few visitors. In winters, the sprawling meadows in Sainj are covered in occasional snow, which enhances the beauty of the area.
What to do-
1. Hike from a village called Raila to a waterfall
2. Explore the scenic villages
3. Visit the Great Himalayan National Park
Where to go- Pundrik Lake, which is surrounded by tall trees and grasses is one of the most beautiful lakes in Himachal. If you’re here, seeing the lake will definitely do justice to your trip.
5. Jibhi
On the banks of the gurgling Tirthan River, Jibhi, a tiny hamlet nestled in Tirthan Valley, is a hidden gem of Himachal Pradesh. Known for its captivating beauty and stunning landscape, this quaint town provides a refreshing retreat from the mainstream hill towns. With its picturesque nature trails, Jibhi is known for its beautiful location in the lap of the Himalayas, which becomes a holiday paradise in December when the region is covered in snow. In winters, snow blankets every apple orchard and backyard, which makes everything look magical.
What to do-
1. Trout Fishing
2. River Crossing
3. Trekking
4. Rock climbing
5. Trekking and camping
Where to go- Serolsar Lake, Jibhi waterfall, head towards village Shaini Kothi.
6. Bir Billing
With the pleasant and salubrious weather of December, visiting Bir Billing is well worth the trip. Popularly known as the “Paragliding Capital of India”, Bir Billing is blessed with natural beauty and a beautiful landscape, making it a popular paragliding site. Flying amidst the snow-clad Himalayas would be an unmatched feeling and experience altogether. In winters the upper region of this town receives snowfall, allowing you to experience a paragliding excursion that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
What to do-
1. Paragliding
2. Camping
3. Trekking
Where to go- The Bir Road market will satisfy your shopping needs, leisure walks along the lake will relax you, a trip to the Himalayan Film school will get you in the mood for Tibetan food, and the sunset in Bir will leave you feeling serene as the sun sets in the sky.
7. Kalpa
The heritage village of Kalpa is little known, you will be awed by the rising sun’s crimson hands touching the snow-covered mountains in the morning. Kalpa is mainly known for its apple crop. Do you know what that means? A lot of apple trees! From Reckong Peo, for 7 km, you are surrounded by apple orchards and pinewoods. These serene hills are perfect for those looking for an offbeat location in the desi hills. In peak winter, the temperature drops to -5, one of the lowest temperatures in Himachal Pradesh. Between all the ice drops falling from the sky and the soft sunlight, the town glows in winter.
What to do-
1. Trekking to Identical Villages
2. Short Walks Amidst Nature
Where to go- Narayan Nagani Temple, Hu-Bu-Lan-Car Gompa, Suicide point, Sapni Fort, Baspa River.
8. Khajjiar
As much as Khajjiar is renowned as the ‘Mini Switzerland of India’, it feels like a bit of heaven during winters. Nestled amidst the snow-capped mountains Covered with a thick sheet of snow, Khajjiar is no less than a fairytale in winters. In case you’re a snow sweetheart you can’t afford to miss visiting this place in winter.
What to do-
1. Paragliding
2. Zorbing
3. Trekking
4. Camping and Hiking
Where to go- Kalatop wildlife sanctuary, Dainkund peak, Khajji nag temple, Lord Shiva statue.
9. Sangla
Situated in the heart of Kinnaur valley Sangla is one of the best tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. During winters the magical snow showers make this place a wonderland. As you sip in your coffee and open your door to the balcony the stunning views of snowy peaks are an experience for life! The relaxing scenery will stamp your memories of Himachal. So what are your thoughts now? Are you coming?
What to do-
1. Snow trek
2. Off-roading
3. Camping
4. Hiking, Fishing,
5. Angling, and Skiing
Where to go- Sangla Buddhist Monastery, Kamru Fort, Chitkul, Bering Nag temple, and Batseri village.
10. Barot
Widely known as trekkers paradise Barot is an untouched valley that’ll keep you enthralled from the beginning to the very end. A hidden gem of the Mandi district, this utterly beautiful place is also a part of the Uhl river valley. There is something for everyone in the Barot valley — the aroma of freshly prepared mustard oil, the sound of Uhl running along its banks, the feel of the exquisitely embroidered shawls, and of course, the sight of the beautiful landscape.
What to do-
1. Walk Around the Uhl River
2. Trout fishing
3. Camping
4. Trekking
Where to go- Chuhar Valley, Nargu wildlife sanctuary, and Lapas Waterfall.
We are sure that after reading this blog, you wouldn’t have to roam around looking for tourist places in Himachal Pradesh with a map. Your hunt to go on a trip to these best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh in December ends right here. Surely one of these winter destinations is calling your name. So, if you want to walk amidst snow and at the same time experience the snow showers, it’s the right time to get your tickets done.
Happy winters!
