The Himalayas which have nearly Fourteen thousands glaciers are one of the largest continental area under ice. In local language of upper Himachal Glaciers are known as "Shigri". There are some major glaciers of Himachal Pradesh
Bara Shingri Glaciers:
This Glacier is the largest in Himachal Pradesh it falls in the Chandra Valley of Lahaul and feeding the river Chenab. It is 3km wide and 55 km long and it is famous in the world. This glacier was conquered in 1956 by all women mountaineers, in 1958 by Stephenson and in 1970 by Major Baljit Singh of Indian Army. In 1957 Geological Survey of India undertook a study of this glacier. It is surrounded by several peaks 16000 to 21000 ft.
Chandra Glacier:
It is located on the slopes of the main Himalayas in the Lahaul Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh. The river Bhaga originates from this glacier. It is approx.25kms in length.
Bhaga Glaciers:
It is located on the slopes of the main Himalayas in the Lahaul Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh. The river Bhaga originates from this glacier. It is 25kms long.
The Lady of Keylong:
It is situated at an altitude of about 6000 meters. It was named so by 'Lady Elashainghday' about a century ago during British Rule. It remains snow covered round the year. But, in the middle there is seen a dark bare patch of rocks that looks like the figure of a woman, walking with a load on her back. Geological Survey of India has also recorded it as the 'Lady Of Keylong'
Sonapani Glacier
It is only about five and a half km from the confluence of Kulti Nala and has been surveyed twice. First 1906 by Walker and Pascoe and second time in 1957 by Kurion and Munshi from the Geological Survey of India. Sonapani Glacier is visible from the Rohtang Pass.
Gora Glacires:
This glacier is tenanted on the south-facing slopes of the main Himalayan range of Himachal Pradesh. Gora Glacier has receded in the recent past due to a negative mass balance.
Shimla
The Splendid World Of Beauty
Popularly known as the “queen of hill stations”, Shimla mesmerises its tourists with its snow-capped peaks, cascading waterfalls, romantic lakes, beautiful valleys and pleasant climate. The land of Shimla is also dotted with massive colonial bungalows, a testimony to the glorious history of Shimla. Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, the land of gods. Embark on a journey to Shimla and treat your senses to its various fabulous attractions. The best time to explore Shimla is between March-June and September-November. The wondrous Shimla is a famous destination for honeymooners. Walk hand in hand with your beloved and enjoy the pristine beauty of Shimla. Many a couple flock to Shimla throughout the year not only to enjoy the scenic beauty but also to enjoy each others company in a blissful environment.
Attractions Of Shimla
The Ridge Road
It is a wonderful and spacious space in Shimla offering overwhelming views of the mountain ranges. The famous Neo-Gothic Christ Church and the Tudar library are located on the Ridge.
The Mall
It is a great shopping area of Shimla, lined with many shops and restaurants.
A wide variety of handicrafts are available here. The Lakkar Bazaar located here is famous for its wooden objects. It is the best place to shop in Shimla.
Jakhu Hill
Located at an elevation of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak of Shimla. It is famous for its beautiful temple called Hanuman Temple, which is almost a home of monkeys. Although the monkeys don't harm anyone as all they need is some food, visitors are advised to be careful. The temple commands a wonderful view of the city. You can hire a taxi or pony to reach the temple.
State Museum
Housing rare, ancient historic sculptures and paintings of Himachal Pradesh, the State Museum is the right place to acquaint oneself with the history of the state.
Chadwick Falls
Surrounded by numerous deodar trees, the Chadwick Falls offers a very pleasant environment to spend some quality time with nature. There are some temples located near the waterfall, the other attractions of Shimla.
Viceregal Lodge
Popularly known as the Rashtrapati Niwas, Viceregal Lodge is perched on the Observatory hills. It was once the residence of the then British Viceroy, Lord Dufferein. After India gained its independence, Viceregal Lodge served as the summer retreat of the President of India. Today, it is the Institute of Advanced Study.
Adventure sports
Some of the adventure sports one can indulge in at Shimla are trekking, skiing, golfing, river rafting, para-gliding, heli-skiing and fishing. So many options!
Kufri
A Destination For Adventure Sports
Kufri is an amazing destination for those who are inclined towards adventure sports such as hiking and skiing. Kufri is a wonderful hill station located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. The word Kufri is derived from the name Kufer, which literally means pond. It is easily accessible from Shimla as it is only 13 km from it. Kufri was once a part of Nepal and was developed into a tourist destination by the British. Kufri is the perfect place for adventure lovers. The picturesque surroundings, pleasant climate and opportunities for adventure sports make Kufri a popular destination of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists from far and wide come here to explore its tourist attractions. The beautiful valleys and forests of Kufri are visited by many adventure enthusiasts. During the winters the view of the snow-covered mountains in Kufri are simply fascinating. Indulge in a Yak ride in Kufri and spice up your holidays. The best time to visit Kufri is from December to February. During the winter season one can enjoy the charm of snowfall in Kufri.
Attractions Of Kufri
Himalayan National Park
Himalayan National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Rich in flora and fauna, the Park has a good population of avian species. Some of the wildlife spotted here are musk deer, ibex, black and brown bears and pheasants. Enjoy a safari in the Himalayan National Park and satiate your thirst for wildlife.
Indian Tourist Park
Blessed with mind-boggling scenic beauty, the Indian Tourist Park is a wonderful place for photography. Being a famous picnic spot of Kufri, it is flocked by many a visitor.
Mahasu Peak
Mahasu Peak is the highest peak in Kufri, offering breathtaking views of its surroundings. The path leading to the peak is surrounded by wooded forests of spruce and deodar. The Mahasu Ridge offers a great opportunity for skiing. The slopes at Mahasu Peak are best for beginners. During the winters Mahasu Peak gets flooded with adventurous tourists.
Sports Festival
It is a unique and exciting festival celebrated in the month of February. It is organized by the Himachal Tourism where many courses for beginners are organised. However, the skiing competition is the main highlight of the festival. Highly skilled skiers flock to this place to participate in the event.
Horse and Yak Safari
Tourist can explore the natural beauty of Kufri on a horse or Yak safari. It is truly an interesting and adventurous way to explore any place.
Manali
The Valley Of Gods
Encompassed in sheer natural beauty, Manali is a fascinating hill station located in the majestic Himalayan mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Be it adventure, scenic beauty, salubrious climate or rich cultural heritage, Manali offers it all. Perched at an elevation of 2625 m, Manali is a part of Kullu district. It is held in high regard by the Hindus as it was once the abode of the Saptarshi or seven sages. Manali was named after a sage called Manu Rishi who once lived here and inscribed the first constitution of India called "Manu Samriti". The word Manali literally menas "the abode of Manu". It is also one of the choices of Bollywood film makeres for shooting.
Attractions Of Manali
Vashist Village
It is a beautiful village in Manali, flocked by the tourists for its natural hot springs and Buddhist temples. Most of the population of this village consists of Buddhists.
Solang Village
Offering fabulous scenic beauty, the Solang Village is a captivating destination and the credit goes to its “snow point”. You can treat yourself to mesmerizing views of the glaciers and the snow-capped mountain ranges at the snow point.
Rotang Pass
The Rotang Pass promises to enchant its visitors with its celestial beauty. Located at an elevation of 13,050 feet above sea level, Rotang Pass is a destination of unspoiled beauty. Rotang Pass is synonymous with ice and the best time to visit it is June.
Hadimba Devi Temple
The history of this temple dates back to 1553. Its flawlessly carved doorway and four tiered pagoda roof are notable.
Manu Temple
Dedicated to the great sage Manu, the temple is visited by many a visitor.
Manikaran
Known for its hot spring, Manikaran is located at a height of 1700 m. The hot spring is considered sacred because it is here that goddess Parvati, the consort of lord Shiva, lost her earring. It is considered auspicious to take a dip in this hot spring.
Arjun Gufa
There is a legend associated with this Gufa and it goes that Arjuna, one of the pandavas, meditated here to earn Pasupata Astra from Lord Indra.
Adventure in Manali
A Jeep safari is an interesting way to explore Manali. The best route for a Jeep Safari is from Manali to Leh, which remains open only form June to September.
Mountaineering in Manali
Manali offers exciting opportunities for mountaineering. Apart from offering entertainment and thrill, this expedition gives an opportunity to view the scenic beauty of Manali.
Snow Skiing in Manali
The snow covered stretches of Manali are perfect destinations for snow-skiing. The training courses and facilities for snow-skiing are made available by the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Tourists can hire skiing equipments from HPTDC office at a reasonable price. However, indulge in this adventurous activity only if you are physically and mentally healthy.
Spiti Valley
The Abode Of Heavenly Deities.
Perched high in the beautiful Himalayan mountains, Spiti Valley is an enchanting tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. The word Spiti literally means the “middle country”. Endowed with salubrious climate, the valley is famous for its numerous monasteries. In praise of this wonderful valley, Rudyard Kipling, a famous English author, said “it is a world within a world and a place where the Gods live”. This mesmerizing valley receives heavy snowfall during the winters. Majority of the population of this valley follow Buddhism. Sandwiched between the Zaskar and the Great Himalayan ranges, Spiti valley becomes a field of snow during the winters.
The best time to visit Spiti Valley is from June to October.
The rural culture of Himachal Pradesh can be best seen and experienced in the Spiti Valley. The valley is sparsely populated with a density of two persons per square kilometre. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Spiti Valley.
Spiti Valley is dotted with numerous fields where barley, buck-wheat, peas and some other vegetables are grown in plenty. The main Spiti Valley is divided into eastern and western valleys, which are connected with Ladakh and Tibet on the eastern side and Kinnaur and Kulu on the western side.
Attractions Of Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley is famous for its shales (a rock of fissile or laminated structure formed by the consolidation of clay or argillaceous material). These shales or ammonites play an important role in the field of geology. Shaligram, one of the shale formations found here, is the rarest one, and is considered auspicious.
Adventure In Spiti Valley
Mountain climbing, river rafting in the Chanderbagha, rock climbing, angling, para-gliding and trekking are the fascinating adventures tourists can enjoy in the Spiti Valley.
The valley also has some interesting camping sites such as Sarchu, Darcha, Jispa, Gemur, Tandi, Koksar, Sissu and Chota Dara.
Key Monastery
Located on the top of the mountains of Spiti, the Key Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries of Spiti Valley. In fact, it is the oldest and the largest monastery in Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful sculptures of the monastery are noteworthy. The religious training provided in the monastery entails singing, dancing and playing pipes and horns.
Tabo Monastery
Known for its murals, paintings and sculptures, the Tabo Monastery is known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Himachal Pradesh.
