By:Meetanjali Sood
Himachal has been blessed with some of the most spectacular valleys, snow clad mountains and beautiful hill stations. The state has always been very popular with domestic and international tourists form around the globe.
Traveling to Himachal is not very expensive and could be a great travel experience for honeymooners. There are many options in Himachal that could give couples their best possible time ever.
One such destination for couples to unwind their adventure is the village of Naddi in Dharamshala. One can reach this beautiful village from Mc. Leodganj either by taking the road route which takes about 30 minutes or the trekking route which is about 3 kilometers from here.
Weather here is like that of any other hill station and hence the place is very hot during summers but evenings are cool and mild where as winters are very severe and temperatures usually go below zero. The best time to visit Naddi is from February to the first week of April. There are reasonably good hotels, lodges and home stays all along the main road to Naddi.
This small hamlet is located at a height of 7,152 feet and has the most magnificent views of the Dhauladhar mountain range on one side and Kangra valley on the other. The place is a perfect gateway for newly weds and families with beautiful attractions like View Point, Sunset Point and Eco Point. A nice idyllic walk along the cornfields around the village is perfect for those who want to relax and feel rejuvenated. Another attraction close to Naddi is the Dal Lake and Tibetan children’s village. The newly made Dal Lake is spread over a wide area covered with lush green trees and the backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar mountains that sets an example of nature at its best. A grand fair is held every year in the month of September near the lake that attracts tourists and locals from around the valley.
Located within the serene and breathtaking scenery of beautiful hills is a small town of Fagu, which remains green through out the year. It is surrounded by rich flora and fauna and is a very popular tourist spots around Shimla. The place happens to be perfect for nature lovers as it is full of places and spots near by to relax and add to innate pleasure.
Fagu has western Himalayas in the north and Shivalik hills in the east whereas places like Shimla and Kufri are also in the proximity. The place is more known for its sweeping green fields. The spender, charm and serenity of Fagu could be a surprise for honeymoon couples. The best time to come here is during the beginning of winters when the temperatures remain pleasant for sight seeing or else during the months of April and May when evening are generally breezy. The valley has got open patches, orchards, terrace fields, and forests of deodars and spruce. Apart from sight seeing some other things that can be done here are walks, hikes and long drives around Fagu-Bekhalty-Mashobra stretch.
Banthia Devta temple dedicated to the local devta is just another attraction of the town as it presents an example of art and culture of the locals. One of the very beautiful picnic spots of Fagu is Katir, which is just 13 kilometers from here and remains crowded with tourists and locals through out the year for camping activities.
Kullu has always been a traveler’s choice and the village of Gushaini in Tirthan valley is known by the name of the trout country, as it happens to be a popular place for trout fishing. The place can be reached via private vehicles but only experienced drivers can drive to Gushaini, as the roads here are very steep. There are small hotels, private lodges and home stays around Gushaini with all the modern amenities. Some good options for lay over at Gushaini are Forest Guest House at Sai Ropa, Camp Himalayan, Himalayan Trout House and Tirthan Adventure Camp.
The best time to visit this place is from February to June and from September to November as it has the most favorable weather conditions for sight seeing and other activities. The place gets heavy rainfall during monsoons and so anybody traveling here should be cautious of landslides. Although winters may be chilly but then it offers you a chance to indulge in winter sports as well.
The Great Himalayan National Park is one of the primary attractions of the region and is a home to different species of mammals and birds. With its rich biodiversity this park is favorite among researches, trekkers, botanists and wild life enthusiasts. The village of Shoja, which is about 20 kilometers from Gushaini, can be best explored by walking through the thickest and natural groves of woods and is ideal for those who are interested in spending time with nature. Trout fishing can be done at Nagini, which is just on way to Gushaini. Permit for trout fishing can be easily arranged with the help of local authorities. Other activities that can keep the honeymooners occupied here are village hopping, trekking, rappelling and camping.
