off the beaten track in HP.

jennifericous

any nice spots other than the main towns in HP?
i plan on going to them too. i want to see manali, vashist, shimla, jari, kasol.
is there anywhere else i should include? and what are they like?
Jenn xx

Dr Funkenstein

You thought about Malana, Jenn?

You can't get much more off the beaten track than that. I'm definitely going to give it a go next time in HP. Hardly the most welcoming place in India, by all accounts, but it sounds fascinating.

Have a read of lonelyaztec's excellent article about it and see if that grabs your interest.

Another bit of HP I've yet to explore is Lahaul and Spiti. High altitude passes, Tibetan gompas, unbelievable scenery and about as remote as you like. That might grab you, too.

Oh man, I miss Himachal Pradesh. I'd give my eye teeth to be there now.

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SHIMLA

You should include Kasauli, Chail, Manikarn, Mandi, Raison, Katrain and Naggar too.

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jennifericous

great guys,
i read about malana, it sounds a bit strange. but strange is good! and since im a politics student id be very interested to see how their own system of government operates.
shimla, ive never heard of kasauli, raison, or katrain. have you ever been there? whats the story with them?
i think that HP looks and sounds like one of the nicest places in india. it looks beautiful and there looks to be lots to keep you busy, or not be busy at all and just chill out!
Jenn xx

jennifericous

oh i just read that article. i would really love to visit malana, it sounds so interesting, and well im attracted by the wonderful dope. but a 10 hr trek....ive never trekked. someone let me in on a secret though, trekking is just walking! lol
even so, dont know if id be able to handle that. pity though. i might befriend a trekker in jari and ask them to sample the dope and let me know!
Jenn xx

gs_uppal

Add either Kaza or Keylong, both around Manali. You can visit these places if your going before November

goamit

Its a good post

does any one know of guest houses in Nako and Tabo and phone numbers of some guest house owners also if any permits are required and where to obtain them from.

Regds
GOAMIT

kaushiks

I have been thinking of a certain 'off beat' place. Near palampur in Himachal, there is a slight trek followed by a cable car up to a mountain top called barot. On top of the mountain, there is a PWD guest house. There is nothing else except that rest house. I have seen that top from below. I can only imagine how it would be staying there. If you really mean off beat, you should try something like this.

gs_uppal

Use this Link for searching Rest houses
http://himachaltourism.nic.in/hotdir/hotkhoj.asp
About the permits -
The Kinnaur and Spiti tribal area of Himachal Pradesh have been opened to tourists and foreign nationals. While going via Shimla and Rampur, Indian and foreign nationals can go up to Lippa bridge near village Morang. Thus Kalpa,Recong-Peo and Sangla Valley can be visited by Indian and foreigners without any restrictions. While going via Manali, Indian and foreign nationals can visit the whole of the Lahaul up to Leh on one side and up to Kaza on the other side without any restrictions or prior permission. To travel beyond Lippa Khud in Kinnaur, to Kaza in Spiti one requires an inner line permit which can be obtained from the following offices.

District Magistrate-Shimla, Recong-Peo(Kinnaur), Kullu, Keylong (Lahaul), Sub-District Magistrate-Shimla, Rampur, Kalpa, Nichar, Keylong, Udaipur and Additional Deputy Commissioner Office in Pooh and Kaza.

Foreign nationals can travel with permits issued by these authorities only when they are travelling in a group of four or more persons with a pre-drawnthrough a recognized travel agent. However Indian can move in smaller groups or individually.

dhananjay

Hi,
Manali, Dharamshala, Shimla, Dalhousie, That is not all about Himachal .... sure would recommend starting from Shimla ..... Matiana, Thanedar, Baghi, Hatkoti (Kuppar), Kullu Sarahan, Batahad, GUSHAINI, Shoja, Gada Gushaini, Jhanjheli, Chindi, Lake Parashar, Jhatngiri, Barot, Paragpur, Andretta, Palampur ...

For Nako and Tabo ... the monastery is the best at Tabo and Nako .. I believe someone is setting up camps there .. No permits for Indians and for foreigners permits can be had from either Rekong Peo or Shimla after the form has been filled by a REGISTERED TOUR OPERATOR ONLY .. no fees required though the operator might charge a lil fees MAX 50/- suggested ... some even go to charge 300/- and it should be free when you book a tour ....

Cheers,
Dhananjay

AvidTrekker

For the road journey between Jangi and Sumdo permits are issued in a day by DM at Rekong Peo. My relatives visited Spiti in May 2004. Army check post checked only foreigners for permits. Indians were never checked for both the directionsof travel.

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SHIMLA

Kasauli is a cute and charming hill station easily accessible from Chandigarh and reached after a detour from Dharampur on the Kalka-Shimla highway.

Raison and Katrain are two jewels in Kullu valley. Raison is the scene for activities like river rafting on the Beas and ballooning; while Katrain offers a quiet stay amidst fruit orchards.

Yes, I've been to all these places and stayed overnight at Kasauli and Katrain.

dhananjay

Hi,
Raison is an amzing place .... The river is good and quiet here .... only to be rattled by earth shaking noises of The Essential Indian Family Holidaying .... Worth a trip in August - September ... not now ... Shimla seems its been a while since you have been there .... Kasauli another great place for walks and resonating silence ... these days only to be broken by some imbecile from nearby Chandigarh/Ludhiana whose idea of relaxation is to gobble 6 beers/patiala pegs and make noise .... again best visited in August September .....

Cheers,
Dhananjay

SHIMLA

Two summers back.

Don't tell me THE holidaying Indian families have reached there too !!

Rob_The_Pom

How about Kalpa?
Beautiful, quiet, restful and wonderful.
The Auktong Guest House provides astonishing views and you don't even need to get out of bed.
As I hope these show....

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...cat/500/page/1

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...cat/500/page/1

Cheers

RTP

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