Experience The Quintessential Palampur

Himachal Pradesh

Away from the din and clutter of its more famous and awfully crowded cousins—Shimla, Manali and Dharamsala—lies the blissfully offbeat hill station of Palampur in Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by the Dhauladhar ranges, this sleepy little town is cocooned by pine forests, and features undulating acres of tea plantations. Spend your days here taking lazy strolls, birdwatching, hiking through forested trails to hilltop temples or waterfalls, and lounging around with picnic baskets in nature parks. A visit to the family-run tea plantations is a must to understand the teamaking process. For those with a passion for art, the nearby village of Andretta—a quaint colony of artists, potters and actors—provides the perfect option for a day trip. For adventure seekers, Palampur is conveniently located just an hour away from Bir—the paragliding capital of India.