I was born & broughtup in himachal & now settled in chandigarh . During my 20 years stay at himachal I discover many remote places which tourists still not aware, some of these places are more scenic than manali, which is favouite tourist destination & most plus point about these places are that these places are still not commercialize . **I want to share some of these places which are on the way to manali, tourist can addon these places to their trip:
1: Prashar Lake: The beautiful Prashar Lake is located high in the mountains, at an altitude of more than manali, I can tell you that this lake is more scenic than lakes of switzerland( Please must see the photos of these places in my profile) . It is a large lake with a pagoda-shaped wooden temple on its edge. This lake like Riwalsar contains floating islands. A large fair takes place here in June when Mandi and Kullu people to the number of more than five thousand gather together; wool and blankets are largely sold.
Its location is on the way to manali, when u reach mandi, there is a diversion to prashar lake, it is just 40 Kms from Mandi . Only 1 PWD Govt. Rest House with 7-8 rooms is at prashar booking of which has to be made from mandi only, no hotel, so u can go there for day sightseeing also .
2: Barot: This as another very scenic & remote hill station on the way to manali developed by britishers . Its beauty is just like manali but only difference is that there are very few tourist & not crowded at all . A trout breeding centre, makes it a wonderful place for angling. Across the river Uhl is the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary-home to the Ghoral, Himalayan black bear and a variety of pheasants. A trek route through thick forests links Barot to Kullu.
Visit to this place is is must for people on long vacation & want to see remote & interior himachal . This place is 40 kms from Mandi & there is diversion from mandi to this place on pathankot national highway . Few hotels, home stays & 2 PWD Govt. Rest houses, which are completely made of woods near dam, are available for tourists .
3.Janjehali: This is another remote hill station in very interior of himachal . This place is very famous for trekking lovers. It has all the elements that make it a paradise for trekkers. It offers paths under thick deodar forests, beautiful scenery, water falls and springs .Road to this place is little bit narrow, but when u reach this place you will forget the hardship in reaching this place . This place is advisable for young bachelors only as there is accomadtion problem . It is also 45 kms from sundernagar .
- Shoja & Jalori Pass: Shoja is a perfect getaway from Kullu. If you are looking for a break from the routine holiday of heritage, beaches and wildlife, Shoja is the place to be in. with nature at its ultimate best, Shoja is an upcoming hill station in Himachal Pradesh, which is fast gaining popularity because of its beauty, climate and limited tourist pressure. The village offers the tourists with the an unobstructed view of the entire Kullu Valley, mountains covered with snow, rivers and streams.
At a distance of 5 km from Shoja is Jalori Pass, where you can go either by car or walk. While at Shoja, you would love to visit the Raghupur Fort, which would be an inviting break from the nature.There is a hamlet called Aut, before kullu, You take a left turn there and begin your drive through the hills to reach the destination we talk about .
While going to this place, most of the time you ve to drive in 1st gear, so people who don’t ve hill driving experience should avoid driving at this place .
Bijli Mahadev: This place is at kullu & just opposite on the other bank of river beas at hill top & you can get whole kullu balley view from here .
Rewalsar:
About 25 Kms from Mandi, on Mandi-Hamirpur road, Rewalsar is famous for Buddhist monastery, Gurudwara and temple, as well as picturesque landscape also. Famous Buddhist Monk Padma Sambhava, visited this place during his ‘yatra’ to Laddakh and Himalayan areas. Rewalsar lake lies about 24 kms. from Mandi. is at 4, 000 feet about main sea level. It is situated in a cup
of the hills of considerable natural beauty. The water of the islands ascribed to the sanctity of Padma Sambhava who completed his ‘Tappasaya’ in Rewalsar during this period.
Tourist who are looking for budget hotels can also stay in PWD rest houses which are available at all remote places & there location is ultimate, mostly rest houses are Britishers time bungalows & are open for tourist just by paying Rs 300 nominal room rent, food prepared by attendant, is also available in these rest houses .
*Useful link for booking to these rest houses is:
*https://hppwd.gov.in/Rest%20Houses.htm & https://himachalecotourism.com/rest_houses.html
Hope tourists visiting Manali definately get benefited from this .
Er. Ajay