5 places near Delhi to satisfy your Snow – lust
Check out these list of 5 places which are just a couple of hour’s drive away from Delhi but are perfect not only to capture the snowfall and satisfy your snow – lust during winters, but also perfect to escape the scorching Delhi heat in the summers.
Shimla
Shimla also known as ‘The Summer Capital of British India’ is the capital and largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is a district which is bounded by Mandi and Kullu in the north, Kinnaur in the east, the state of Uttarakhand in the south-east.It is unarguably one of the most popular hill stations, buzzing with Indian vacationers all year long and one of the best places to witness snowfall near Delhi.
Traffic is banned from the central part of town, so walking is pleasant – even when huffing and puffing uphill. The long, winding main street, the Mall, runs east and west just below the spine of the hill. South of it, the maze-like alleys of the bustling bazaar cascade steeply down to traffic-infested Cart Rd.
From mid-July to mid-September, Shimla is frequently wreathed in cloud, and in the winters it gets engulfed in a white blanket of snow. It is also home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era which attract a lot of tourists all through the year.
McLeodganj
McLeodganj – Dharamkot is a very popular travel destination in Dharamshala. Being just 250 km (5 hours) journey from Chandigarh and around 475 km (9-10 hours) journey from Delhi, McLeodganj has become a hotspot for weekend trips and is frequented by travellers but usually jam-packed with tourists specially on long weekends.
McLeodganj has a lot to offer to all kinds of travellers alike. First the Triund trek which is a 9 km trek from McLeodganj main square. And it is a foodie’s haven with all kinds of foods and cuisines available in the many cafes spread all over the town and that is precisely why you should do the 24 hour McLeodganj Foodtrail
McLeodganj is best explored on foot and to enjoy the city it is recommended to park your vehicle in the parking lot near the bus stop for the duration of the stay as you witness a fresh snowfall near Delhi.
Manali
Manali is a valley city nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near Kullu Valley. The small yet important hamlet acts as a gateway to Leh, Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir and Lahul and Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
Surrounded by high peaks in the beautiful green Beas valley, with mountain adventures beckoning from all directions, Manali is a year-round magnet. Backpackers come to hang out in the hippie villages around the main town; adventurers come for trekking, climbing, rafting and skiing; Indian families and honeymooners come for the mountain air and a taste of snow on the 3978m Rohtang La pass.
Manali also acts as the base point for a number of High Altitude treks like Beas Kund trek, Hampta Pass trek, Bhrigu Lake trek etc and that is why a preferred spot to enjoy some fresh snowfall near Delhi.
Dhanaulti
Dhanaulti is a hill station located 24 KM from the popular hill town of Mussoorie in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at an altitude of 2286m, and is known for its quiet environs amidst the alpine forests of Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak.
Dhanaulti is unlike other hill stations as it is set in a quiet and a quaint place away from the boisterous places. The fact that it is the nearest among the 5 options makes it very easy to witness some snowfall near Delhi.
The pleasant weather, wooded slopes, invigorating views of the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas make a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere for the tourists.
Nag Tibba also known as the Serpent’s peak located near Mussorie and Dhanaulti, at an altitude of 3,302 m (9915 ft). It is the highest peak in the Nag Tibba range of the Garhwal Himalayas, and is also a popular weekend trekking destination.
Kheerganga
Kheerganga is a must do trek when in Kasol or Manali, India to witness a fresh snowfall near Delhi. Kasol, located in the state of Himachal Pradesh is the hippie paradise with the weed growing freely everywhere. Malana, the magical valley producing the best hash in the world is a half day trek from Kasol. The base point of the trek is Barshani which is 20 km from Kasol and can be reached via private cabs or local buses.
The highest point of this trek is 13,025 feet. Kheerganga is also the first halt if you are going for the Pin Parvati Trek. It’s a 12-14 km trek one way and it is mostly acclivity for the majority of the part. The trail passes through villages, apple orchards and finally through a mountain trail. There are a lot of cafes en route to grab a quick bite and refresh.
Generally the trek is an easy one but during snowfall it becomes a bit challenging as it is all slushy slushy and slippery. The reward of trekking for a distance of 12-14 km is taking a relaxing dip in the hot water springs which are the highlight of the trek.
The springs are sure to relax your muscles and shoo away the tiredness and it is said that the water has some therapeutic properties.