The biggest and busiest part of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is a land of wonderful experiences. If summers showcase a greener, colorful portrait, winters make it a snowy wonderland with holiday celebrations and warm vibes. From its colonial architecture to the breathtaking natural landscape with different views in every season, you can pretty much find everything in Shimla.

However, there’s more to the state capital than you could imagine. Surrounded by scenic locales of hills, valleys, forests, and mountain peaks, the neighboring areas of Shimla are equally charming and worth every visit.

Here are a few must-visit places around Shimla that will make your Himachal vacation worthwhile.

Kasauli

When you are driving from Chandigarh to Shimla, Kasauli will be on the way. With its quintessential Himalayan beauty, the town serves as the gateway to Himachal. The Chandigarh to Shimla distance can be covered easily in under four hours so you can easily stop at Kasauli and explore its beautiful landscape and the other adventures the town has to offer. Take a walk through the beaten path of Gilbert Trail or spend some time at the sunrise and sunset points to capture different views of the high-altitude sun.

If you want a little dose of Kasauli’s history, then walk around the town and stop by the Christ Church and its clock-tower, known for its Gothic architecture. The elevated pavilion of HawaGhar offers panoramic views of the mountain ranges and the town below and is a great spot for photos. To unwind, head to the KasauliBrewery, the oldest scotch distillery in Asia and needless to say, is quite popular among travelers.

Chopal

Tucked between Shimla and Dehradun, the Himalayan hamlet of Chopal is as quaint as it could get. The charming enclave dotted with pine and deodar forests in the Upper Shimla region is known for endless adventure opportunities for seekers of thrill and ultimate Himalayan experience. But the most highlighting feature of Chopal is in its apple orchards. In fact, the village is home to the best quality of apples found in Himachal. If you happen to travel in the harvest season, do take an orchard tour and admire the luscious red fruits and apple-based delicacies, made on the farms.

For trekking enthusiasts, Chopal is the place to be. The famous Churdhar trek starts from here and is considered to be one of the most challenging. Even if you cannot make it to the peak or not up for the daunting trek, you can still explore Khirki, Reyuni, or Chharki for the uninterrupted and magnificent views of perpetually snow-capped mountains.

Mashorba – Shimoga

At only a 13 KM drive from Shimla town, you will find the lush grasslands of Mashorba. On your way, you can stop by Shimoga, which is equally beautiful. With alpine meadows and cedar forests, Mashorba is Himachal’s best-kept secret. You can even plan a day’s trip from Shimla and spend time trekking through the woodlands, river rafting or zip-lining, or camp overnight along the river banks.

If you are into wildlife or love bird watching, you can plan for a tour in early spring or late winter months and spot some of the most exotic birds and animals of Himalayan wildlife.

Naldehra

If you have never visited the English-Scottish countryside and always imagined what it would be like, Naldehra will make you feel right there. The picturesque Himalayan town is steeped in its British heritage and still exudes the colonial vibe. With the classic chalets, log cabins, and other heritage properties, surrounded by grassy meadows and rolling hills, Naldehra is a picture-perfect holiday destination. But one aspect of the town that makes it unique is its oldest nine-hole golf course. Established in the early 1900s, it is the world’s highest golf course sitting at 2044 meters. You can explore your golfing skills or simply take a walk through the woods and admire the greens.

Chail

At about a 45KM drive from Shimla, Chail is like a breath of fresh air, in all manners. The densely forested zone is home to the rarest and most endangered Himalayan avifauna. The woodlands are the breeding grounds of the Chir Pheasants, the native Himalayan bird and commonly found in this area. If you are on a dedicated bird watching tour, you can also spot the grey-winged Blackbird, Himalayan Bulbul, Black Headed Jay, Golden Eagle, Grey Headed Flycatcher, Slate-Headed Parakeet, and/or the Blue Capped Redstart. Hike through the mystic trails, lined with alpine trees, wildflowers, rhododendrons, and evoke the wanderlust in you, capturing every frame of Chail’s untainted beauty. If you are planning a long trek from Shimla through Chail, then also stop by the quiet little village of Shogi.

How to plan your travel

The best way to explore these places is to make Shimla your base and plan a day trip or two/three-day trip from there. Shimla is best reached from Chandigarh. You can fly down from any city and book a cab for your travel. The taxi fare from Chandigarh to Shimla is cheap and you can even extend your rental for the rest of the trip, while you hop from one place to another. Once you reach Shimla, you can either plan a backpacking trip through each of these places or choose destinations as per your time availability. But first, find the best way to travel to Shimla.

Author

Neha Singh is a full-time writer cum blogger with a keen interest in making friends and penning articles on any topic under the sun. She believes in living life to the fullest and is on a constant lookout for new skills that she can acquire.

Published: 2019-10-14 20:25:28