After three hours journey on a bumpy road finally, we reached Kharapathar. Our hotel, Giriganga resort, was right beside the main road. There was no other hotel nearby. It looked like a stopover hotel to me from the outside, and I was really confused why the guy from HPTDC Office, Kolkata, had suggested this place for a memorable experience.
Anyway, after a smooth check-in, we went one floor down to our room. On the first impression, the room seemed quite nice to me. Then I opened the other door towards the balcony and aptly understood why he suggested this place. Yes, I could spend 2 days just sitting by that balcony.
About Kharapathar
It is a small Himalayan hamlet around 3 hours drive from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It comes on the way to Rohru from Shimla.
Kharapathar is situated at an altitude of 8770 ft from sea level, more than 1000 feet higher than Shimla. Embraced by beautiful hills, lush green forests and apple orchards, this site fascinates nature lovers as well as adventure seekers.
Snow-capped Himalayan peaks from Kharapathar The layers of hills in Kharapathar
This small village is more popular as a halt for a hike to Giriganga, the source of river Giri, just below Kupar peak. Tourists going to Rohru or Pabbar Valley pause here for a short hike through the thick deodar forest.
Kharapathar is also a perfect offbeat destination near Shimla to relax in the middle of pristine nature. Away from buzzing Shimla town and on the way to Pabbar Valley, this quaint Himalayan village is one of the best places to find peace and solitude.
Places to see near Kharapathar
Giri Ganga
Giri Ganga is the place from where the Giri river originates. It is 7 km away from Kharapathar village.
The path goes through the forest. You can walk along this path or hire a private taxi to get there. At the end of the trail, you will find a small water tank with a shrine in the centre. The hike to Giri Ganga starts near the HPTDC resort.
Kupar peak
A hike further up from Giri Ganga will take you to the top of Kupar peak. The surrounding valleys look very beautiful from above. You can also camp there under the starry sky.
Kotkhai Village
Kotkhai is 18 km away from Kharapathar and famous for apple orchards. You can take a walk in a traditional Himachali village while silently observing the age-old rich cultures.
The name Kotkhai is derived from Hindi and Urdu language where the name “Kot” means Kings Palace and “Khai” means depth. Kotkhai was a princely state of British India and was founded around the 12th century AD, by the descendants of Kartar Singh. You can also visit the palace here which is called “Bussa” by the local people.
Jubbal Palace
Jubbal Palace, which was once the abode of the royal Jubbal family, is now a heritage spot. The Jubbal Palace is a hallmark of excellent craftsmanship, famous for its splendid architecture and exquisite citadel. It was built in the year 1930. A part of this palace is now converted into a heritage hotel.
Hatkoti Temples
Hatkoti is a popular pilgrimage site in Himachal Pradesh. There are a group of temples located on the banks of river Pabbar, known as Hateshwari Temple.
The main temple is the abode of Goddess Durga in Mahisasuramardini Avatar. According to history, these temples date back to the period between the sixth to the ninth century. A fair is held at the temple every year in April.
Hatkoti Temples Hatkoti Temples
How to reach Kharapathar
The distance from Shimla to Kharapathar is 85 km.
It takes around 2-3 hours to reach there from Shimla. You can hire a cab from Shimla and take the Shimla-Rohru road via Theog and Kotkhai.
Book your cab from Shimla to Kharapathar
There are also HRTC buses from Shimla, which take 3 hours to reach Kharapathar.
The roads were rough and bumpy. But in recent times a new wider road has been constructed which will make the journey more comfortable.
You can also come from Dehradun via Tiuni and Hatkoti. Dehradun is approx 200 km from Kharapathar.
The nearest airport is Jubbarhati airport in Shimla, which is approx 100 km from Kharapathar.
When to go
The best time to visit Kharapahar is during summer from mid-March to mid-June and during autumn from mid-September to mid-November.
You need light woollens during summer and autumn.
Monsoon is not an ideal time to travel as roads get frequently blocked due to landslides.
Kharapathar receives heavy snowfall during winter.
Where to stay
Giriganga Resort, run by HPTDC, is the only place to stay in Kharapathar. Although outside it looks like a stopover hotel, inside its quite spacious with large rooms and an amazing view of the surroundings from the balconies. The food was also delicious, though the options are limited, expected in an offbeat destination.
Giriganga Resort
Address: Kharapathar, Distt. Shimla (HP) – 171205;
Contact no: (01781) – 251139, 8580976237;
E-mail: giriganga@hptdc.in;
Google Map: Giriganga Resort, Kharapathar
There are a couple of homestays in Kotkhai which is 18 km from Kharapathar. You can also stay in hotels in Jubbal near the Palace.
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Book your trip: Resources
- Flight
Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to book your flight.
- Accommodation
Tripadvisor and Agoda are perfect for booking your hotel. If you want to stay in a hostel, then Hostelworld would greatly help you find one at your convenience.
- Travel Insurance
World Nomads is perfect for travel insurance. You can get comprehensive protection from them. Let them take care of unexpected situations while you concentrate on your trip.
- Package Tour and Activities
You can book a package tour from G-Adventures and Viator. They are a reputed company arranging small group tours and customising them per your requirements. You can also use Get Your Guide to book your private transport, city tours, heritage walks, food walks and other experiences like a cooking lesson or a Yoga session.
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