Do offbeat destinations attract you? Are you among those who get lured by solitude. If that fresh puff of air, a refreshing cup of coffee and a backdrop of snow-covered peaks are your dream destination for a holiday, Narkanda places to visit itinerary needs to be a part of your wish list.

Vast expanse of green landscape, sprawling orchards, forests of oak and deodar is what makes Narkanda a dream destination for anyone in love with nature.

Image Courtesy: Image by punit sharma from Pixabay

Narkanda Places to Visit

Hatu Peak

Well, you might not climb Mount Everest anytime in your life, but you can certainly make a roundtrip of one of the highest peaks in Shimla district. Hatu Peak is at an altitude of 11,152 feet and you will be transformed into a different world just 70 km from Shimla. The region has thick cover of Pine and Oak Forest, and you can also bump into brown bear any time, if you get a bit offtrack. There are also some camping locations on the way to Hatu Peak and in case you are in a group, camping in the wild can also be a possibility. This peak is among Narkanda places to visit and should be part of your trip.

The peak also held significance for rulers during earlier days as it was a natural fence between states and watch could be kept over the enemy easily. At the top of Hatu Peak lies, the Hatu temple, which is dedicated to wife of King Ravana, Mondadori.

Image Courtesy: Image by punit sharma from Pixabay

Next to the temple is a stove shaped stone which also holds religious significance as it is said that Pandavas used this for cooking purpose during their exile to this region.

The peak is also popular among adventure travelers as it is used as ski slope during winters. The peak is at a distance of 7Km from Narkanda and can be accessed by car too. Many people take this 7 Km trek which passes through oak, cedar forest and provides an opportunity to explore this wild side of Himachal Pradesh. Hatu Peak is definitely on the top when it comes to Narkanda places to visit list.

Tani Jubbar Lake

12 Km from Narkanda lies the Tani Jubbar Lake another of Narkanda places to visit. This is an artificial oval shaped lake which will surprise you with its shrillness and tranquility of the place. The lake has a paved pathway, and you can also take a round of the lake. The backdrop of the lake has snow covered peaks which adds a unique flavor to the entire scenario.

At a height from the lake lies the Nag Devta temple which is popular among local people. Prayers to the serpent God are offered in this temple. Another unique specialty of the place is fair at this location which is held annually and in case you happen to be here during this time, you will be able to explore the local culture of this region in its true essence.

Mahamaya Temple

Among the Narkanda places to visit list is Mahamaya temple which is dedicated to Goddess Kali. This temple is at a distance of 7 Km when you drive down from Narkanda on NH22. Panoramic views of the surrounding Apple Orchards also add a distinct vibe to the place, and you will find many tourists and locals alike in the temple complex which makes the vibe of the place truly amazing.

Stokes Farm

At a distance of 14 Km from Narkanda is another worth visiting location. This is the Stokes Apple Farm which is located in a small village named Thanedar and is among Narkanda places to visit.  This farm is a legacy of Samuel Satyanand Stokes who introduced Apple in Himachal Pradesh from United States. Had it not been for his dedicated efforts, the people who were small farmers at that time would not have transformed into big landlords over the period. If you have an interest in knowing about Apple cultivation and understand its different techniques, guided tour is also available here. You will get to know about sustainable agriculture techniques and will return back as a learned professional.

 Narkanda Hotels

Since Narkanda is a tourist location, you will find a range of budget and luxury options to stay here. Among budget Narkanda hotels are The Hosteller Narkanda and The Wonderland Cottages and Café which offer a good ambiance are worth for the penny spent.

If your budget is on a bit higher side, you can also opt for Tethys Himalaya Ski Resort which has some great user reviews and is also a personal recommendation and you must relax here once you complete your Narkanda places to visit trip.

Narkanda Weather

While summers are cooler here, winters can be extremely tough and Narkanda weather should be checked in advance when you plan a visit to this region. Temperatures can get to a low of -4 degree during extreme winters while it is comfortable range of 25 degree during summer months.

Shimla to Narkanda Distance

The major town that falls while on the way to Narkanda is Shimla. After spending few days in Shimla and exploring the region, you can think of heading to Narkanda. Shimla to Narkanda distance is 71 km and can be covered in 2.5  to 3 hours in a personal vehicle.

The small town of Narkanda has its unique vibe and if you have an interest in exploring the cultural richness of the region, Narkanda will not disappoint you. Every local has his own tale to tell and you can chat on a cup of tea with old locals at any tea shop in this small town which has transformed from a stopover town until two decades ago to a bustling tourist hub which has been getting popular with tourists since it receives a fair share of snowfall every winters! Explore Narkanda places to visit and relish this expereince.

Featured image courtesy: Image by Jeevan Singla from Pixabay