Shimla & the Himalayan Foothills

The Himalayan Foothills lying between Dharamsala and Almora remain largely the preserve of the knowledgeable Indiaphile, yet have a powerful lure for the visitor who is looking to get off the beaten track and enjoy uncrowded Himalayan vistas, authentic cultural immersions, wildlife experiences, and the chance to embark on some delightful guided soft treks amongst fragrant pine and deodar forests.

Nestled amidst the foothills of the Himalayas, Shimla is an attractive hill station in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The town is famous for its colonial architecture and scenic beauty, and the cool climate and picturesque vistas make it a popular destination for tourists all year round. Here, you can enjoy a ride on the narrow-gauge’ toy train’ up into the Himalayan foothills to discover the lingering echoes of the Raj in Shimla – the summer capital of British India, once considered to be Queen of the Hills.

To the east of Shimla at Rishikesh, on the banks of the sacred Ganges, witness a splendid ‘Aarti’ (prayer) ceremony and see locals offer their thanks to the river; then search for tiger, leopard, elephant, and bear at the wonderful Corbett National Park. A walk through the foothills of the Himalaya is nearly always lovely. It is a key reason to visit Almora and the Kumaon villages, where several traditional houses have been adapted to enable the visitor to trek in comfort from village to village and discover terraced paddy fields, rushing streams, and glinting snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Further west and to the northeast of Amritsar, Dharamsala lies in the beautiful Kangra Valley and is home to the Dalai Lama. This bustling town has a distinct Tibetan feel and supports the migrant Tibetan community’s quest to preserve their traditional arts, crafts and unique culture. South of Dharamsala, Pragpur and nearby Garli are quiet heritage villages noted for their quaint cobbled streets lined with attractive buildings and handicraft shops.