Kullu - India's Winter Capital

Kullu is located in the central part of the state of Himachal Pradesh in the northern region of India. It is located amidst the Himalayas at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level at the confluence of Beas and Sarvari rivers. It is 240 km north of Shimla. The weather in Kullu is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters in India are cold (November-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. For the people who live in the areas having extreme type of climate, the months from March to April provide the best time to visit the valley and escape from scorching heat. Kullu is famous for its colorful Dusshera Festival, so you can visit Kullu in the month of October - December.

The hills of Kullu in winters have all the ingredients for adventure packed with extreme winter sports, excitement and thrills and lots of unexplored valleys, towering peaks and snow-capped mountains and glaciers. A splendid combination of flora & fauna and vast tracts of virgin snow awaits you.


Kullu Attractions

Raghunath Temple
Dhalpur Ground
Bajaura
Jagannathi Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi
Bijli Mahadev


Travelling To Kullu

The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is 10 km south of Kullu. The nearest railhead is at Jogindernagar (95 km). Kullu has a good road link with Shimla, Delhi, Chandigarh, Mandi, Manali, Manikaran, Naggar, Bajura, and Dharamshala. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.

Shimla - Truly, A Magnificient Winter Destination Of India

The British empire in India might not exist now, but its echoes can still be heard in Shimla located at an altitude of 2130 m above sea level. As the summer capital of the British in India, it was one if the prime focus of British Government at that time. Today, its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of India's most popular hill resorts. Surrounded by pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests in the Himalayan region, it offer a perfect destination for tourist. One can witness splendid colonial edifices, quaint cottages with a variety of shopping, sport and entertainment spots. Truly a magnificent winter destination of India.

Travel Information

The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 km away. Shimla is connected to Kalka by an enhancing narrow gauge railway line - where even a quiant rail-car plys. By road, Chandigarh is 117 km, Manali is 219 km, Chail is 45 km and Delhi is at a distance of 370 km. From Delhi, the driving time is about eight hours. From Delhi, Manali and Chandigarh, luxury coaches and taxis ply to Shimla.

Climate

In winter, the temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy woollens are required. Summer temperatures are mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.

Attractions In And Around Shimla

The Ridge : This large open space in the heart of town presents excellent views of the mountain ranges.

Lakkar Bazaar : Popular for its wood crafts and souvenirs, this is just off the Ridge.

Jakhu Hanuman Temple: No visit to the state capital Shimla is complete without visiting Jakhu Hill. This hill looms over Shimla town and is the geographical nucleus. the Hanuman temple at the top of Jakhu hill is the highest point in town. The steep climb is rewarding for the fine views it offers over the surrounding valleys, out to the snow capped peaks and over Shimla it self. the temple is only 2 km from the Ridge but it could be an hour walk for a person not used to mountain climbing. the temple is one of the most favored spots for tourists apart from pilgrims. There are many monkeys around the temple, but surprisingly they don't attack people. Pilgrims offer them eatables which they readily accept. The approach to the temple is through a dense forest of deodars, though many find the climb tiresome. Ponies are available for a to and fro ride to the temple.

St. Micheal's Cathedral : This dressed - stone church with fine stained glass has a cruciform design. It is located just off the Mall, below the District Courts.

The Glen : At 1830 m, this is a thickly wooded ravine through which a stream flows. It is a popular picnic spot.

Annandale : Surrounded by a thick deodar forest this large glade has an ancient temple on an edge.

Bhargaon : Approached either past the cemetery below St. Edward's School, or through

Tutikandi: this village have splendid examples of traditional Himachal architecture.

Chamba - An unusual winter destination of India

When you desire an extraordinary break from the banal hill station theme, turn your searchlight towards Chamba, a beautiful Himalayan town just 50 km from Dalhousie. Chamba bloomed as the past capital of the Pahari Rajas; it was named after King Sahil Varman’s daughter Champavati. Nowadays it is the quintessential valley town, renowned for its myriad temples, forests and pleasing hill folk.

Chamba is strewn with elaborately sculpted temples lidded by steeples in the shikhara dash. The shrines are devoted to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The 10th and 11th century temples of Laxmi Narayan and Hari Rai are peculiarly embellished and popular with pilgrims and sightseers alike.

At 915m, Chamba rises above the River Ravi as it rages by, leaving abundant valleys and compact deodar forests in its wake. The forests are flushed with rich wildlife - ibex, marmot and snow leopard haunt the upper reaches above the snow line, and musk deer, brown bear, leopards and wild boar in the lower elevations. Mountain birds such as the partridge and pheasant flit across the valley. Beautiful waterfalls and streams crumble down the mountainside and at every curve, the valley’s beauty seems to grow.

The Chowgan, a huge grassy field, is the centre of town life - the gathering point for all things religious, political and social. The Gandhi gate on the Chowgan’s south-west face was built to commemorate Lord Curzon’s visit to the town in 1900. Other interesting places are the Akhand Chandi Palace, now a museum and the Bhuri Singh Museum that houses a collection of ancient Chamba artefacts and manuscripts.

Many a trek into the Himalayas is launched from Chamba - through Bhaderwah to Kashmir, through the Sach Pass into Pangi Valley and to other peaks in the Dhauladhars, Peerpanjal and Laskar mountains. Bharmaur (65 km), the ancient capital of Chamba, is a popular village that can be accessed by road. The Gaddi tribes lead their goat and sheep to pasture at Bharmaur in summer. While in the area, visit the sacred Manimahesh Lake where thousands have a holy dip around Janamashtami.

Chamba is bound to bowl you over with its scenic beauty, temples and its sense of tranquillity.

Try it , you’ll like it.

Best time to visit Chamba: Summer - April to October - is quite the best time to be here; the weather is pleasant barring the monsoon months of July and August. Summer temperatures range from 8°C at night to 39°C during the day, while winter temperatures drop to freezing - between 10°C and 1°C. Cotton clothes and light woolens are fine for summer, but heavy woolens and snow clothes are required in winter.

How to reach Chamba: Chamba is 580 km from Delhi and120 km from Pathankot, the closest railhead. The nearest large airports are at Jammu and Amritsar, both 245 km away, from where buses, taxis and tourist vehicles are available. Dalhousie is just 50 km away from Chamba. Within Chamba, you can move around in taxis, jeeps, buses and minibuses.

Accommodation in Chamba: Himachal Tourism and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam have deluxe rooms in town. There are private hotels, motels and guesthouses where you can get low and medium budget accommodation. Tariffs range from Rs 400 upwards. Book in advance, especially during tourist season.

Narkanda

The scenic Narkanda hill station settled at an altitude of 2700 meters, cracks a stunning view of the majestic ranges of Himalayas. Narkanda hill station is at a distance of 60 kilometers from Shimla. It is an idealistic pickup for people who desire to relax in an undisturbed and tranquil location, far away from the bustling city life. The place is famous for its apple and peach plantations. The dense forests are always successful in attracting tourists who enjoy each and evThe scenic Narkanda hill station settled at an altitude of 2700 meters, cracks a stunning view of the majestic ranges of Himalayas. Narkanda hill station is at a distance of 60 kilometers from Shimla. It is an idealistic pickup for people who desire to relax in an undisturbed and tranquil location, far away from the bustling city life. The place is famous for its apple and peach plantations. The dense forests are always successful in attracting tourists who enjoy each and every moment walking in the dense thickets of the slopes. The Narkanda hill resort near Simla should be visited in case you are visiting Shimla.

The best time to visit Narkanda is during the winters. You are recommended to carry a good stock of woolen clothes as it can get really cold high up in the hills. Narkanda has its own skiing resort and is a hit among tourists who come to visit this place. The skiing resort was started in the year 1980 and has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, it is one of the most well known skiing resorts in India.

There are many places near Narkanda that are worth the visit. Situated at a height of 2000 feet above Shimla is the Hattu peak. It can be reached in an hour by trekking. You can also visit the Hattu Mata temple that is located over here. The Hattu peak is famous for its skiing activities and hiking and is teaming with adventure seekers during winters when it snows, making the place look like a white wonderland.
ery moment walking in the dense thickets of the slopes. The Narkanda hill resort near Simla should be visited in case you are visiting Shimla.

The best time to visit Narkanda is during the winters. You are recommended to carry a good stock of woolen clothes as it can get really cold high up in the hills. Narkanda has its own skiing resort and is a hit among tourists who come to visit this place. The skiing resort was started in the year 1980 and has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, it is one of the most well known skiing resorts in India.

There are many places near Narkanda that are worth the visit. Situated at a height of 2000 feet above Shimla is the Hattu peak. It can be reached in an hour by trekking. You can also visit the Hattu Mata temple that is located over here. The Hattu peak is famous for its skiing activities and hiking and is teaming with adventure seekers during winters when it snows, making the place look like a white wonderland.

Garhwal

Garhwal himalayas is one of the most popular trekking destinations in India. Every year thousands of tourist came here for trekking and other adventure activities.

The beauty of Garhwal hills is picture perfect, a fusion of high mountain valley and lakes, of many streams and among India's greatest rivers. Carmine rhododendron blooms and scarlet flame of the forest blossoms are luminous in jungles of dense green, while the faith of an old people has kept alive a lifestyle that dates back by several centuries. In other words the Garhwal hills are a vertible paradise for trekkers.

Garhwal, is a region and administrative division of Uttarakhand state, India, lying in the Himalayas. It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by kumaon region and on the west by Himachal Pradesh state. It includes the districts of Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi.

It is believed that Garhwal was named so because of the fact that it had 52 Garhs of 52 petty chieftainships, each chief with his own independent fortress (garh). Nearly 500 years ago, one of these chiefs, Ajai Pal, reduced all the minor principalities under his own sway, and founded the Garhwal kingdom.

Garhwal Himalaya has several wilderness trails through dense forests of Deodar, cypress, oak, pine and rhododendron that harbor a large variety of Himalayan faunas. These lead to lush verdant valleys and undulating green meadows carpeted with alpine flowers in summer. The blue and emerald lakes, majestic waterfalls, meandering rivers, rich thick forests, incredible mountains, green valleys and a wide range of flora and fauna including birds and butterflies, provide a glorious combination. The legendary Ganges, Yamuna and many rivers originate in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Gulmarg - India's perfect winter sports destination

Gulmarg, the most exotic ski resort in the Himalayas, has been a favoured winter sports destination in India for many years. Gulmarg’s known visual aspect, premier location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the prime hill resorts in the country, in addition to Pahalgam and to some extend Sonamarg in Kashmir.

While Gulmarg is an all-weather resort with refreshing summer meadows and pastoral scenes to keep the camera busy, the main reason to come here, at least in winter, is the off-piste, deep-powder, long-run skiing and snowboarding. The Himalayan resort of Gulmarg is one of the newest and increasingly popular ski destinations. Head here for the world’s highest gondola ski lift and eye-popping views.gulmarg gondola heights Google Map of Gulmarg

Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country’s premier ski resort in the winter.

Take a Hike!

All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction and SrinSome of the best slopes in the country for beginners and intermediate skiers are available at Gulmarg. Skiing equipment is available on hire from the Ski-Shop. In winter Gulmarg's natural slopes and inclines turn into the country’s premier skiing resorts. Not all tourists who visit in winter come for skiing - some simply are there to watch the skiing or to enjoy a holiday in the snow. Many of these are infected with the excitement of the skiers, and have donned their first pair of skis within a short while of their arrival.

Among the multitudes of slopes, there are a few which are serviced by ski lifts. Most of the skiing becomes centred on these slopes, which are specially suited to beginners and intermediate level skiers, with ski runs ranging from 200 m to 3kms, instructors are available for both levels.

As in the summer, when each individual sets his own pace for a holiday, so also in winter, skiing can be as adventurous as the holidaymaker can want. There are a number of slopes, not serviced by ski lifts, of varying lengths and gradients.

Each of these is quieter than the immensely popular ones with skilifts. Advanced skiers often trek in the snow for several hours to the very top of Apharwat peak, to make a descent lasting no more than 30 minutes. And now, with the operation of the Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car, it has become all the more convenient for skiing enthusiasts, as they can gain a ski run of nearly 3 kms with the help of this cable car which goes up to Kongdori.

There are a host of snow sports at Gulmarg at this time of the year. Tobogganing, the most popular among them requires no skill. No skill is required - a flat wooden board is taken up the hill and is allowed to descend downhill. There are also snow scooters and snow bobbing, neither requiring special skills.agar is another. It’s a popular day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it as a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises gently towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields.

Winter Sports In Gulmarg

Some of the best slopes in the country for beginners and intermediate skiers are available at Gulmarg. Skiing equipments are available on hire from the Ski-Shop. In winter Gulmarg's natural slopes and inclines turn into the country’s premier skiing resort. Not all tourists who visit in winter come for skiing - some simply are there to watch the skiing or to enjoy a holiday in the snow. Many of these are infected with the excitement of the skiers, and have donned their first pair of skis within a short while of their arrival.

Among the multitudes of slopes, there are a few which are serviced by ski lifts. Most of the skiing becomes centred on these slopes, which are specially suited to beginners and intermediate level skiers, with ski runs ranging from 200 m to 3kms, instructors are available for both levels.

As in the summer, when each individual sets his own pace for a holiday, so also in winter, skiing can be as adventurous as the holidaymaker can want. There are a number of slopes, not serviced by ski lifts, of varying lengths and gradients.

Each of these is quieter than the immensely popular ones with skilifts. Advanced skiers often trek in the snow for several hours to the very top of Apharwat peak, to make a descent lasting no more than 30 minutes. And now, with the operation of the Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car, it has become all the more convenient for skiing enthusiasts, as they can gain a ski run of nearly 3 kms with the help of this cable car which goes up to Kongdori.

There are a host of snow sports at Gulmarg at this time of the year. Tobogganing, the most popular among them requires no skill. No skill is required - a flat wooden board is taken up the hill and is allowed to descend downhill. There are also snow scooters and snow bobbing, neither requiring special skills.