Destination Guides
Himachal has a lot more to offer than Manali and Shimla on a long weekend. A short detour off the main routes gets you to valleys that feel like they haven't changed much in decades. Here are five spots worth the extra driving time.
The last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibet road in the Baspa Valley, and one of the most peaceful places you'll find in the state. Wide valley views, apple orchards, and a river running right through the middle of it. Roads can close early due to weather, so plan for a possible overnight rather than a rushed day trip.
Twenty minutes from the more commercial Kullu-Manali stretch and a world away in feel. Trout streams, wooden guesthouses, and the entry point for the Great Himalayan National Park. The hike to Serolsar Lake through deodar forest is an easy full-day option for most fitness levels.
A quiet trout-farming valley on the Mandi side of the Kullu ranges, still largely off the tourist circuit. Good for a slow two or three days: short walks, river-side sitting, and very little else on the agenda by design.
One of the most distinctive villages in India, with its own local governance and customs that predate most of the region's modern history. If you visit, follow local etiquette closely: do not touch village property or temple structures, and always ask before photographing people.
A short detour past Reckong Peo on the way to Chitkul, with what might be the best Kinnaur Kailash range views in the state, especially at sunrise. Worth a night if your route already passes through Kinnaur.
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