Norbulingka Institute

Set amid forests of deodar (Himalayan cedar), horse chestnut, walnut and maple, this large, mountainside park features well-maintained gardens with specimens of flora from around District Kangra, an aviary, a zoo, observation towers and a children’s play area. The zoo has large enclosures which house tigers, leopards, hyenas, lions, black bears, porcupines, deer (including musk and sambar) and wild boar .

Chinmaya Tapovan, a modern ashram on the banks of the Bindu Saras, was founded by the late Swami Chinmayananda. The ashram complex is notable for a nine-meter-high statue of Lord Hanuman (the monkey god), a Ram temple and a meditation hall.

Kangra Valley is renowned for its tea plantations. At Palampur Tea Gardens, you can wander by acres of tea shrubs and, in April/May and October, see how the leaves are hand harvested. A small roadside shop sells the highest grade Kangra Green Gold premium orthodox leaf tea.

Thought to date back to 1009 AD, Kangra Fort was built by the Katoch Dynasty and is the largest fort in the Himalayas. Standing on a steep rock in Purana (old) Kangra, and built strategically at the confluence of the Banganga and Majhi rivers, it dominates the surrounding valley. The fort was heavily damaged by the massive earthquake of 1905, but extensive excavations and restoration have been carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Created in the seventh century, Masrur temple complex is situated on top of a 760-meter-high hill range. The site actually comprises fifteen richly carved temples, all of which visitors are free to explore. The main shrine contains three stone images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. Masroor is one of only four rock-cut temples in India, and represents an incredible feat of masonry. As opposed to structural temples, where artisans can shape quarried rock as they please, cutting straight into natural rock means that the artisan is limited in which direction he can work in pursuit of his vision. This site is also maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

At Tata Pani, a branch of the River Beas flows by pebble and sand beaches and makes an ideal spot for sunbathing, picnicking and swimming. Nearby, sulphurous springs emerge from the mountainside and flow into the pool at a small temple, where visitors can take a relaxing soak and benefit from the water’s reputed medicinal properties.

Day excursions cost from 2,000-5,000 rupees, with a choice of air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned taxi. The price is per car, as opposed to per person, with a maximum of four passengers. Larger vehicles for bigger parties can be arranged on request. Day excursions do not include meals, snacks or entrance fees, although we can recommend and transport you to local restaurants and dhabas (a dhaba is the equivalent of a Western roadside café).