Things To Do In Khajjiar

Popularly known as the mini Switzerland of India, Khajjiar is a picturesque hill town in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful landscape, the lush green meadows surrounded by dense deodar forests and snow-capped peaks, Khajjiar is a dream destination for the tourists. The place feels like a painting created by God in his leisure and blesses its visitors with all of that glory. There is much to indulge in here; so many things to do in Khajjiar. Read on to discover. 

Khajjiar is a lucrative trekking destination for enthusiastic trekkers. There are some mountain trails where you can trek. The surrounding natural beauty makes trekking here a much coveted activity. The sparkling streams, the towering deodar and pine trees, and fresh mountain air makes trekking a rejuvenating experience. It is advisable to take a guide along to prevent any mishaps. It is better to avoid trekking during monsoon as roads can be slippery and there may be incidents of roadblocks.

Sprawled across 12.23 sq km, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is located between Khajjiar and Dalhousie. The dense sanctuary blessed with exotic species of flora and fauna makes Kalatop the perfect destination for safaris. You will come across a number of animals like jackal, Himalayan serow, wild cats, deer, langur, Himalayan black marten, barking goral etc. It is the perfect place for trekking and taking leisurely nature walks.

This is a mesmerising lake set in the middle of a ground surrounded by cedar trees. The adjacent ground and the lake bear a strong resemblance to the valleys of Switzerland. Strolling along these banks of the crystal clear mirror-calm waters surrounded by lush greenery is an extremely refreshing and soothing experience. Because of its jaw-dropping beauty the lake and the surrounding landscape has been a coveted location for many Bollywood movies.

Trees with multiple shoots are very common in Khajjiar. The Pancha Pandav Tree is a similar one, bearing six shoots. It is popularly believed that the five shoots of the tree represent the five Pandava brothers (Mahabharata), while the sixth one stands for their wife Draupadi. The tree is an important sightseeing destination and coupled with its beautiful surroundings, it has become quite a popular picnic spot among tourists.

Located very close to the Khajjiar Lake is the Khajji Nag Temple. Started in 10^th Century AD, the temple was completed in 12^th century. Combining both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, the temple houses the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Hidimba. It is one of the most revered temples of Himachal Pradesh.

Drop into HP State Handicrafts Centre and you will be spoilt for choice. From handmade carpets and wall hangings to rugs, jewellery, furniture and metalwares, you have a wide variety to choose from. You can also pick up some excellent quality woollens and souvenirs to take back home. Another exquisite place where you can shop to your heart’s content is the Tibetan Handicrafts Centre. Bursting with local flavours, the centre has some beautiful specimens of carpets, hangings, shawls and antiques. Shopping in Khajjiar can be a memorable experience.

There aren’t too many options when it comes to eating in Khajjiar and even fewer fine dining options. What you have are some popular street stalls and cafes that offer some deliciously hot noodles and soups that can warm the souls on a cold wintery afternoon. The in-house restaurants of hotels offer multi-cuisine dishes. Some popular eateries in Khajjiar are Prem Restaurant, Alps Restaurant, Royal Treat Restaurant etc.