A Hilltop Homestay with Serene Mountain-views in Shimla

At the convergence of two famous roads, the Ridge and the Mall Road in Shimla is the famous Scandal Point, to the western edge of the convergent point. There are multitudes of stories existing related to the birth of this Scandal Point, dating back to the British regime. One story says that the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh eloped with the daughter of the British Viceroy after meeting at the Scandal Point and thus it got this intriguing name and another set of tales shows that the Maharaja kidnapped young women from Scandal Point. Regardless the umpteen number of stories, this square overlooking the paradisiacal location has ample features to be on the top of the best sightseeing places in Himachal Pradesh’s list.

The Roopkund Lake is situated high up in the Garhwal Mountains in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This lake is of much historical and religious importance. It was also called the Mystery or Skeletal Lake after a large number of human skeletons were found in it in 1942 by a Forest Officer.Following this discovery, a number of scientists visited the lake to find out the reason for the skeletons being there and it was eventually concluded that the skeletons belonged to some pilgrims who were caught unawares in a flash hailstorm.Due to the huge chunks of ice that came with the hailstorm, the pilgrims died due to injuries to their skulls. This story was aired in national and international media and since them the Roopkund Lake has become a popular tourist destination. The trek to Roopkund Lake showcases the best of Himalayan beauty. The trek begins at Lohajung, which is situated at an elevation of 3200 metres and goes on for five days till you reach the lake, which is at an altitude of 5000 metres. The first couple of days will take you through beautiful villages, forests, rivers and Bugyals.The air will get thinner and thinner as you ascend and gain altitude. So it is very important that you are in the best of health and fitness when you set out for this trek. Higher energy levels will allow you to adjust better with the changing environment and enjoy the views offered by the region. Your team leader will also offer you tips on how to cope with the changing levels of the atmosphere.The trekking trail followed during the Roopkund trek coincides with that of the Raj Jay Yatra pilgrimage route. This is conducted during a festival dedicated to goddess Nanda Devi and the residents of nearby village participate in this festival dressed in their traditional attire.Best Season: August - OctoberDifficulty Level: DifficultMax. Elevation: 5020 m

The 2 feet 6 inches narrow gauge that takes the trains through the mountainous stations from Kalka to Shimla has a lot of admirers all over India. Thus Kalka- Shimla Railway secures its place intact among travelers of Himachal Pradesh. The relishing views of the hills and valleys of Himachal Pradesh seem to be more charming while you make a journey in one of the trains along this railway track. It was built in 1898 to connect Shimla with other parts and it is recorded that during the construction of this system, there were 107 tunnels and 864 bridges through the course of the track as well. Though the system is years old, it emerges out to surprise the visitors of Himachal still.

The Milam Glacier is one of the major glaciers in the Kumaon region. It is situated in Munsiyari of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The elevation of the glacier ranges from 5500 metres to 3870 metres and is located at a distance of 15 km from Nanda Devi. The glacier was closed for trekking in 1962, but was reopened in 1994.The best time to visit the Milam glacier is before the monsoons i.e. from mid-March to May. The monsoons set in June, which triggers landslides and roadblocks, making the area dangerous for any expedition.The trekking trail to the Milam glacier starts at Munsiyari. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the Kumaon region and pass through places such as Nanda Devi East Base, Gauri Ganga Lilam, Martoli, Railkot, etc. on your way to the glacier. The glacier originates from the eastern slope of Trishuli and the southern slope of Kohli. The village of Milam is situated near the snout of the glacier. The trek to the Milam glacier is one of the best trails for trekking in India.The Milam glacier has an altitude of 4268 metres and is surrounded by 52 peaks. The Milam glacier serves as an axial point for high altitude treks in India. The entire distance is covered by walking along the banks of the River Gori Ganga. You will pass through dense forests with blooming rhododendrons, chestnut trees, lush green conifers etc.The trekking trail takes you past the Nanda Devi and Hardeol peaks. You will also come across the Ragash Kund, a shepherd shelter and a pond. The trek is a slightly difficult and will test your physical fitness and strength as you gain altitude. The best part of the journey is that you get to view the best of Himalayan beauty amidst majestic mountains and gurgling waters.Best Season: May - SeptemberDifficulty Level: ModerateMax. Elevation: 4268 mBest Deals on Milam Glacier Tour

The Padam Darchcha Valley trek is an exhilarating experience. The trek involves a long trek from Darcha which is situated in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh to Padam, located in the mystical land of Zansak. Besides the thrill and excitement of trekking in the snowy slopes of the Himalayas, the trekking trail allows you to enjoy the beauty of the initial trail from Manali to Leh.You can visit interesting Hindu temples in Manali which speak volumes about the history, culture and traditions of the region. This trek is a beautiful combination of adventure and sight-seeing and hence can be called one of the most exciting experiences of trekking in India.The trek begins at Chalang Tokpa, from where you will move on to Ramjak and Chumikanakpo. The trek from Ramjak to Chumikanakpo will give you a fabulous trekking experience by testing your strength and skills. From here you will move on to Lakong and pass through Kurgiak and Purne before reaching Padam, Leh. The most interesting change that you will notice on reaching the destination is the transformation of the landscape.Best Season: June - SeptemberDifficulty Level: ModerateMax. Elevation: 5080 m

Although this place is meant for all those who hold deep religious beliefs, most of the people visit the place just because they admire beautiful architecture. Location: The cave is located at approximately 5 km from the town of Manali. The place it is situated is Naggar and has most of the tourist attractions in close proximity. You will also find the Kunt Bhaya lake and the temple at just 2 km from here. Highlights: You will love to see the beautiful sight of the snow capped mountains from the place. This site was built during the famous era of Mahabharata. The natural beauty of the cave is very exhilarating and the ambience makes you feel really good. Best time to visit: It is best to visit the place early in the morning as it gets dark quite soon. You might also consider wearing woolen clothes to the place because it can sometimes get too cold.

It is an 800 year old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva of the Hindu religion. The Gauri Shankar temple is built in a Shikhara style architecture which makes it quite popular among the various tourists that visit the place. Location: The temple is located in the Naggar Castle road where you will also find other major attractions of the city. It can be easily reached through a small trek through the famous Naggar Castle. Highlights: It is quite popular for all those who have religious beliefs and are Nirvana seekers. The architecture is something many people love about the temple. Best time to visit: The temple is open from 5 in the morning to 12 in the noon and then it opens again at 4 in the evening till 9 in the night. So you can visit the temple on the given timings. Price: There is no entry fee for getting into the temple.

The Ridge of Shimla is known for organizing several government functions and fairs. It is the key venue for all the major events as well as celebrations that take place here in Shimla. Summer Festival that is the most famous festival is held here at the Ridge. Location: The Ridge of Shimla is an extremely famous tourist attraction that is set in the heart of Shimla. It is situated along the Mall Road that is the famous shopping center of Shimla. Highlights: The Ridge of Shimla is the hub of all the cultural activities of Shimla. Some of the prominent place of Shimla such as the Lakkar Bazaar, Mall, Scandal Point, Jakhoo hill, etc is in close proximity to the Ridge. Best time: Open all round the year but since the Summer Festival is held during the months of April or May, one can plan a visit during these months.