Just a 60 km drive away from Shimla lies an exciting, less explored town, Narkanda. With calmer scenery, higher reaches, and many things to do in Narkanda, this place is ideal for those of you looking to take a step away from the usual crowded spots. Narkanda has one of the most vibrant white winters and plenty of summer sunshine, making it the ideal location for a weekend getaway or a full vacation. Narkanda has an abundance of apple orchards, and exploring its lush landscapes leaves you with an amazing experience.
10 Things To Do In Narkanda
With a stunning landscape and the most scenic views, there are many things to do in Narkanda that make it just the right choice for your vacation plans.
1. Skiing at Hatu Peak
Photo: Chirag85 / Wikimedia Commons
During winter, there’s a thick layer of snow covering the grounds, trees, and buildings. You can play with this snow to enjoy various fun winter activities like skiing. The Himalayas are every skier’s paradise, and Narkanda is no different. With the Hatu Peak being as high as 3,400 metres, the skiing experience becomes more thrilling. This vacation spot is the ideal choice for both beginner skiers and seasoned skiers. It’s not only the beautiful grounds and lush forest, but you can also enjoy the view of the mountains covered in snow.
Cost/Person: ₹200 – ₹500
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2. Biking Along The Mountains
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Mountain bike enthusiasts usually flock there because of the region’s diverse terrain and easy-to-difficult tracks. In Narkanda, mountain biking is a popular adventure sport for thrill-seekers like you who want to enjoy the slopes and navigate tough terrains. In addition to offering an excellent workout, biking in Narkanda lets you discover lesser-known areas of the region at your own pace. With the best trails, including trails that go past apple orchards, pine forests, or up to isolated settlements, you can explore different fun biking activities while also absorbing the beauty of nature.
3. Hiking To Hatu Temple
Photo: Himalayanlens / Wikimedia Commons
Are you looking for a serene place to explore hiking? If so, then you should consider the famous Hatu Temple. While hiking up the trail, you may enjoy the calming and picturesque landscapes. The path to Hatu Temple is lined by lush green trees and a beautiful view. Hatu Temple is a place of worship that is rich in history. This temple was dedicated to Mandodari, Ravana’s wife from the Ramayana. The hiking trail is properly marked and provides you a close connection with nature, as well as a scenic view of the surrounding mountain areas.
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4. Snowshoeing Expeditions
One of the top activities that is quickly growing in popularity in Narkanda is snowshoeing. You can move through thick layers of snow without sinking into it. Snowshoeing in Narkanda is a form of hiking that allows you to explore the full range of Narkanda, the serene environment, the snow beds, and the vast landscapes. Many areas in Narkanda can be harder to access whenever it’s snowing. However, if you are wondering what to do in Narkanda with snowshoeing activity, you can explore more and more captivating locations and views.
5. Camping Under The Stars
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If one of your big vacation plans is camping, then Narkanda is the place. The camping experience in Narkanda is generally a mystical one due to the lush meadows and the perfect view of the Himalayan sky. While camping out at night, you can enjoy the peace and cherish the view of the captivating stars. Here, campsites are situated in picturesque areas with breathtaking views of the nearby mountains and valleys. It’s a chance to get away from the bustle of everyday life and re-establish a connection with the natural world.
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6. Paragliding
Photo: Gianluca Miscione / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Among the best activities to enjoy in Narkanda is paragliding. With paragliding, you can cherish aerial views of the entire region, including the snow-capped Himalayan areas. Paragliding offers a chance to fly over mountains and valleys and enjoy picturesque landscapes. For thrill-seekers on vacation, this experience is unmatched.
Cost/Person: ₹2,000 – ₹4,000
7. Exploring Apple Orchards
Photo: Shameela Yousuf Ali / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
For many people living in Narkanda, apple farming is their main source of livelihood. So, there are many apple orchards to explore. Here, you get to learn about the farms and the procedures involved in apple production. Walking through the orchards, learning about the production methods, and, if the season permits, picking apples are all some of the best activities to do here. You can also enjoy fresh apples as well as other hand-made apple products, including juices and jams.
Ideal Duration: 2 – 3 hours
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8. Trout Fishing
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If you are thinking about whether you can go fishing for trout in Narkanda, the answer is a ‘yes’. This place has clean and transparent water with an abundance of trout. If you’re lucky, you can find other fish as well. This location has rivers and streams, which lets you explore the waters and also other activities that you can enjoy there. Tannu Jubbar Lake and Shilaroo Lake are the ideal places to engage in fishing in Narkanda.
Ideal Duration: 3 – 7 hours
Cost/Person: ₹100 – ₹300
9. Birdwatching
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Birdwatching is a major activity in Narkanda, and it is quickly growing in popularity. Many nature lovers and birding enthusiasts like you are drawn to this location due to the many species of birds and the very diverse ecosystem in the area. You may spot Blue Robins, Black Francolin, Himalayan Griffon, large Billed Crow, large Hawk Cuckoo, and many more species. If you’re lucky, you may also spot some migratory birds, along with the diverse local species in the area.
Ideal Duration: 2 – 7 hours
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10. Trekking
Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Trekking is one of the top activities to do in Narkanda. There are hills and picturesque landscapes to complement the views that you can enjoy while trekking. You can trek alone or join a group if you want. One of the many places to trek to in Narkanda is the Hatu Peak. This is a very popular destination due to its spiritual significance. Trekking to Hatu Peak offers you a chance to meditate and reflect. Another path you explore while in Narkanda is the Jalori Pass trip, which starts outside of Narkanda and extends to the Northwest area.
Ideal Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Narkanda is not any location; it is a unique place where adventure meets nature. While exploring Narkanda, there are many options when it comes to things to do in Narkanda. You can enjoy the thrill of discovering new things and exploring the area, and most especially, the peace of being surrounded by nature. If you’re planning that getaway, then pack your bags and plan your trip with TripXL now.
Cover Photo: Punnet Kumar / Unsplash