Beyond Shimla and Manali, Himachal has valleys that most itineraries drive straight past. Here are seven we keep returning to.
Most Himachal itineraries cover the same three towns, and there is nothing wrong with that — Shimla and Manali are popular for good reasons. But the state has far more range than the standard circuit suggests, and a few extra hours of driving opens up valleys that feel genuinely remote.
Start with Tirthan Valley, a couple of hours past Aut. It is green, quiet, and a base for the Great Himalayan National Park. Stay in a riverside homestay, walk to the waterfall at Serolsar, and do very little else.
Then there is Chitkul, the last inhabited village on the old Hindustan–Tibet road. The last stretch of road runs beside the Baspa river with snow peaks on both sides. Go in late September if you can — the valley turns gold.
Barot, in the Mandi district, is a trout-fishing valley that almost no one includes. It is the sort of place where the highlight of the day is a walk along the river and a long lunch.
Shoja and Jalori Pass for views of the Dhauladhars without the Manali crowds. Kalpa, above the Sutlej, for one of the clearest views of Kinnaur Kailash in the state. And Prashar Lake, a small high-altitude lake with a floating island and a three-storey temple beside it.
The practical note: these places involve longer drives and smaller properties. Build in buffer time, accept that the road will be slower than the map suggests, and you will be rewarded.
If you want any of these worked into a trip, send us your dates. We will tell you honestly which ones are worth the drive for the season you are travelling in.
