Narkanda, a popular tourist spot in Himachal Pradesh, is beautiful. Generally, the stunning view from the top of the Himalayas’ snow-covered mountains and the green forests of its foothills is breathtaking. It lies at 2708m above sea level on the Hindustan-Tibet Road.
What is the popular tourist spot in Narkanda?
Skiing
Narkanda’s ski history dates back to 1980 and the picturesque hill station has attracted many ski enthusiasts ever since.
Here, HPTDC organizes elementary alpine skiing classes during peak winters. Certainly, there are many options for equipment and other essentials. It is home to some of the most skilled skiers in the country, and thus this makes it a trendy destination for beginners.
Trek to Hatu Peak: A Popular Tourist Spot
Hatu is an excellent place for adventure seekers and spiritual seekers. Hatu Peak is famous for its 7km hike. You will trek through a forest with conifers high up along the trail, such as blue pine, deodar, and fir. Oak, rhododendron, and walnut trees will be visible. Make a stop near Gujjar kotha to see the little pond on your way up the peak.
Hatu’s main attraction is a small, stove-like figure. The people believe that the Pandavas used it during their exile to cook food. Either you return to Narkanda the same day, or you can camp at the summit and enjoy a star-filled night.
Hatu Mata Temple:
The Hatu Mata Temple, perched on the Hatu Peak’s long ridge, is one of the most revered and most visited temples in Himachal Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to King Ravana’s widow Mandodari and holds great religious significance for locals. You will be rewarded with stunning views of lush alpine forests and tranquil vibes if you visit this place. To the north, a shelter offers 360-degree views over the snow-capped Himalayan mountains.
Mahamaya Temple: A Popular Tourist Spot
You can find Mahamaya Temple, a temple of Goddess Kali. It is in Kacheri at a small distance from Narkanda in other words, a bit ahead of Narkanda. It was the kings of Sundarnagar who got it built. The temple’s Himachali architecture and aesthetics will leave you speechless. After you have sought blessings from God, go to a quiet place where you can meditate and contemplate.
Perfect time to go
Winter is the best season to see Narkanda’s most beautiful scenes. The hilly hamlet receives good snowfall between December and January, and it can snow even in February. Narkanda is a popular spot for snowboarding and skiing, and thus you can also experience the thrill of skiing and snowboarding from January to March.
Thanedar is a must-see if you plan to travel in the summer. Primarily, the people visit Thanedar, home to beautiful apple orchards, between June and September. These months are when Narkanda and the surrounding areas experience a bumper harvest of apples.
Visit Narkanda’s lush valleys in spring between April and May to see them. But one can also plan summer vacations in May and June. I do not recommend Monsoons as the region is prone to landslides, and traffic jams can cause real problems. If you are looking for a more relaxed vacation, August and September are the best months to visit Narkanda.
Things to know
Narkanda has good connectivity to New Delhi, and regular buses are provided by the HRTC as well as private bus operators. Depending on traffic, it will take approximately 9-10 hours to reach Narkanda. If you prefer to travel in your vehicle, you can take the route to Ambala via Panipat Karnal, Karnal, and Pipli.To reach Narkanda, you’ll need to take NH22 from Shimla. It takes only two hours to reach Narkanda.
You can also reach Narkanda by train from Kalka, the closest railhead. Most importantly, Kalka has good connections to major Indian cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, and one can arrange taxis to Narkanda easily. Private and state buses also run between Shimla and Narkanda in regular and deluxe classes.
How to get around
To explore Narkanda’s neighborhoods, hiring a taxi from Shimla is best.Narkanda is a great place to drive on and has good roads. You can also visit the nearby areas by regular HRTC buses.
The Victory Tunnel is near Shimla Mall Road if you’re traveling in your vehicle. Continue towards Sanjauli after crossing the Lakkar Bazaar, and continue on the NH-5 towards Mungar and Kufri.
Driving to Narkanda by Shimla from Shimla is the best part. You can stop at picturesque hilly villages along the way. These include Kufri and Fagu as well as Theog.
