If you are looking forward to a quaint and offbeat mountain holiday sometime soon, give the serene Thachi Valley in Himachal Pradesh a chance. By Karan Kaushik
Travel guide to Thachi Valley
The Destination
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There’s a reason why Himachal Pradesh holds a special place in the hearts of travellers. The picturesque state leaves you spoilt for choice with its stunning explored and unexplored places. While hill stations like Manali and Shimla continue to remain the all-time favourite destinations of tourists, there are places like Thachi Valley that are still largely untouched by tourists. And thankfully so.
Blessed with lush apple orchards, picturesque meadows, quaint hilly hamlets, and age-old Himachali temples, the charming Thachi Valley is perfect for those looking to take the road less travelled. From camping to paragliding to trekking, the valley also provides a plethora of activities for adventure lovers.
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You may plan a three-day trip to Thachi Valley. On the first day, cover the Ropa Pond site and Panala Village. The next day, you can explore important attractions like Thachi Bithu Narayan Temple, Hadimba Peak, and Chanjwala Peak Grassland. The last day could be spent visiting the Saponidhar Grassland and Ashu Ali waterfall.
Things to do in Thachi Valley
Pundrik Rishi Temple
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Before embarking on the trek from Barchad to Chanjwala Peak, visit the Pundrik Rishi Temple. Located near the enchanting Ropa Kund pond, the temple features pagoda-style architecture. It is dedicated to Sage Pundrik and draws pilgrims from nearby areas.
Thachi Bithu Narayan Temple
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This is the most popular spot in Thachi Valley. The temple is known for its 11-headed idol of Lord Vishnu. It’s located at a kissing distance from the Thachi bus stand.
Hadimba Peak
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Your next stop should be the Hadimba Peak, which can be reached through a beautiful trail dotted with apple orchards and terraced fields. The peak boasts the Hadimba Temple, perhaps the most popular spot in Thachi Valley. The temple is a fine specimen of traditional Himachali temple architecture and offers stunning views of the valley.
Chanjwala Peak
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Trek to the Chanjwala Peak to treat your eyes with mesmerising views of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. Located at a height of 9,800 ft, the peak is about 5km from the Hadimba Temple. Don’t expect your usual touristy maggi and chai points here. It’s as undisturbed as they come.
Saponidhar Grasslands
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Start early on your last day in Thachi Valley and trek to the unexplored Saponidhar Grassland. The trek to the grassland takes you through thick jungles, lovely meadows and beautiful apple orchards. From Saponidhar, you can head to the Ashu Ali waterfall before reaching Aut for your return journey.
Paragliding
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In the mood for some adventure? Head to the paragliding site at Spaini Top, located 8km from the Thachi bus stand. It’s an unexplored site but experts opine that it’s one of the best paragliding sites in India. On offer are 360-degree views of the majestic Seraj valley. Also, it’s much more affordable than paragliding in Bir-Billing. For more information, call +91 – 82788 06725 or email at thachivalleyparagliding@gmail.com.
Where to stay
Even though Thachi Valley has not made its mark on the tourism map of Himachal, it has decent hotels and holiday rentals for a comfortable stay. Thachi Valley Homestay has nice valley-facing rooms. (Contact: +91 – 82199 15640, email: thachivalleyhomestay@gmail.com). The Himkalash Cottage in Seri Village is also a good option with deluxe rooms. (Contact: +91 – 80036 39724).
How to reach
By Air: Bhuntar, at 45km is the nearest airport from Thachi Valley. Taxis are available for Thachi.
By Road: Take a bus for Aut from Delhi. Buses to Manali, Kullu, and Bhuntar stop at Aut. From Aut, you can take a bus to Thachi village. Taxis are also available.
By Rail: Jogindernagar Railway Station is the nearest railhead at 114km.
Karan Kaushik
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