Himachal Pradesh is a land of rich culture with its unique blend of folk art, music, and dances. Several communities have been settled in the mountain ranges. Exploring these community villages will bring about a new perspective towards understanding this part of India. Himachal Pradesh is blessed with many beautiful scenic destinations that are among the best in the whole of India. These destinations are available as the most popular Himachal tour packages offered by many tour operators.
Solo Travel Destinations in Himachal Pradesh
Solo Travel is no longer a new thing. Every year, you can find many backpackers traveling on their own in Himachal Pradesh. Usually, international tourists can be seen backpacking in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. But in recent years, many Indian travelers have shown their interest in exploring the state of Himachal on their own.
We have compiled a list of the best destinations to explore as a solo traveler who is interested in water sports activities. If you are a backpacker or wish to be one, the following are the top places for water sports in Himachal Pradesh.
Also Read: Must Visit Lakes in Himachal Pradesh
1. Vashisht near Manali
Vashisht Temple, Manali (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Vashist is located near Manali and it is only about 2 kilometers away from main Manali. This area has become popular because of the unique water sport activities in Himachal Pradesh.
Vashisht has become famous for activities such as Canyoning and Rappelling activities. Due to its location near the Beas River, the location is ideal for water sports. These activities are great for challenging yourself and make your solo travel memorable. Canyoning and Rappelling are perfect adventure sports with the right amount of challenge that will boost your confidence.
To guide you for these activities, a professionally trained staff is available who will help you through the process of enjoying these activities safely. The excitement of Water rock-climbing is very unique as these activities are relatively new compared to the other water sports.
Please note that you might spend around 5 hours of your day on these activities. Also, do remember to carry sunscreen and a towel with you for a comfortable experience.
Also Read: Things to do in Himachal Pradesh
2. Tattapani near Shimla
Tattapani Hot Springs, Himachal Pradesh (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Tattapani is slowly developing itself to become one of the top places for water sports in Himachal Pradesh. However, currently, the most sought after water sport is River Rafting. River rafting is a great adventure for Solo travelers as well as for small groups and couples.
Tattapani is located near Shimla and only a few kilometers away from Shimla city. Rafting in the waters of the Sutlej River is an experience worth having. There are various routes that you can choose from for your River-rafting. The best route is usually considered to be around 15 kilometers long and it stretches from Chabba to Tattapani.
The rafting experience takes around 4 hours to complete and it can be a truly enriching experience for a solo traveler. The summer season is the best time to visit Tattapani as it is the most ideal time with the pleasant weather. River rafting remains to be one of the best water sports in Himachal Pradesh. Another water-based activity that tourists participate in is Boating. Both the Paddle boating and motor boating facilities are available for the tourists visiting Tattapani.
Also Read: Snowfall in India
3. Kasol
Kasol, Himachal Pradesh (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Kasol has become a world-famous destination because of its natural beauty and its international popularity. If you are a solo traveler looking for some solace, then Kasol is the best place to visit. After you have experienced the adventurous water sports in Himachal Pradesh, you can find many places to relax in Kasol. However, there are some water-based activities that you can enjoy in Kasol.
Fishing in the Parvati River is a perfect activity for a Solo traveler. Fishing requires patience and is a very relaxing experience. You can find many tourists enjoying fishing near Manikaran and Barshaini area. Although there is a slight learning curve for getting results from fishing but is it a learnable skill. The best time to experience this activity is from April till November.
Another activity that you can enjoy in the beautiful destination of Kasol is the hot bath in the hot springs. Solo travelers can find other solo travelers as well to socialize with.
Also Read: Things to do in India
4. Pong Dam Lake
Pong Dam, Himachal Pradesh (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
The Pong Dam lake is located in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. The Pong Dam Lake is also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar. It is a relatively new adventure sports destination that is slowly gaining popularity in Himachal Pradesh. Pong Dam Lake is a destination with many exciting water sports in Himachal Pradesh. It is located at the banks of the Beas River and is located in the Dehra Gopipur area of Kangra district.
The development of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute for Allied Water Sports has been a key organization contributing to the development of water sports tourism. The major activities that tourists can enjoy are the following.
- Swimming
- Boating
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
There are many training courses available for people who wish to get certified in the training of various water sports. The Pong Dam Lake has also introduced some new water sports such as Jet Skiing and Water Skiing activities. A Solo traveler can enjoy a simple relaxing swim along with various opportunities to experience exciting water sports in Himachal Pradesh.
The area around Pong Dam is also great for photography and bird watching. It is also a great destination for enjoying the natural beauty for relaxation. You can visit the official Pong Eco Village website for further descriptions of the area and nearby attractions.
Apart from Water sports, solo travelers have plenty of options to explore. For adventurous experiences, there are trekking trails, paragliding options, skiing, and many more. For more relaxing experiences, there are many cafés to relax in along with various tourist attractions to explore such as Temples, monasteries, yoga retreats, etc.
Travelling Solo as a trend is on the rise and becoming more popular among the young millennials who wish to experience and explore on their own. Backpacking, Camping, and Trekking are among the most popular activities among solo travelers. This trend is going to grow in the coming years with more and more people finding Solo traveling exciting and rewarding for themselves.
Also Read: Wonderful Places to Visit in India
Benefits of Solo Travel
In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of people traveling solo. Although it might be a scary proposition to travel on your own for some people who have never traveled alone. However, traveling alone can be a very enriching experience.
It is truly a wonderful experience that comes from exploring a new place on your own that is unlike anything else. There are many people out there who talk about the rewards of solo travel and motivate you to do the same. However, there is a subtle fear in everyone about their safety of traveling solo.
There are plenty of reasons to travel alone and you should consider some of the following reasons to get you started on your planning.
No Compromise: Travelling in a group has its perks especially that the company will make you feel safer. But another price you pay is that of compromising your privacy and time for the needs of the group. If you wish to stay at a location for a longer time, then it is highly likely that the other people in your travel group might not want it. In this case, you might lose the opportunity to enjoy your moments.
Socializing: When you travel alone, you get plenty of opportunities to socialize with the locals and meet many interesting people. Usually, when you travel in a group, you tend to stay together in a small group and not much socializing happens as such. Even if one person wants to socialize with the locals, then the whole group needs to introduce themselves as well. Most times, this is not very convenient as all people in the group might need to be left alone.
Explore yourself: The biggest perk of Solo travel is that it gives you a lot of freedom to spend as much time as you would like in a particular place or an activity. This enriches your being from within. It is a great way to relax and know yourself more. Once you have tasted being alone for a while and relaxing into the feeling, there is nothing more valuable than this.
Why Himachal Pradesh is ideal for traveling on your own?
If you have decided to travel on your own and start on your backpacking adventure in the mountains. Then the most reliable and safest option is Himachal Pradesh. Among the solo woman travelers, Himachal Pradesh is ranked among the top destinations to travel alone.
You can find many travel agencies who can help you plan your trip or even suggest the best places you can travel to in Himachal Pradesh. Among the many available Himachal tour packages, you can either choose any existing destination or create your custom itinerary.
Your travel options in your Himachal trip package for backpacking or trekking greatly depend on your interests. If you are an introvert, then visiting monasteries, camping and visiting landmarks in Himachal might be the right thing to do. However, for an extroverted traveler, adventure sports and trekking would be the way to go.
You can find adventure sports such as Paragliding, Skiing, Snowboarding, mountain biking, and adventurous water sports in Himachal Pradesh. These are the most exciting activities that you can explore when traveling alone. Your confidence will boost once you participate in these adventure activities. These activities bring a sense of excitement and fulfillment if you engage yourself in these activities.
For the adventure seekers, the water sport activities in Himachal Pradesh are among the most sought-after activities by solo travelers. There are so many incredible destinations offering exciting water sports in Himachal Pradesh. River Rafting is one of the best water sports in Himachal Pradesh.
