Renowned as valley of gods, Kullu is a perfect paradise for all nature lovers. This majestic hill station greets its tourists with fabulous open valleys and offers mesmerizing views of the magnificent hills. Enveloped with pine and deodar trees, Kullu is perched at a height of 1230 meters with picturesque lush greenery, river streams, and a pleasant climate. The Great Himalayan National Park, Bijli Mahadev Temple and Jana Water Fall are a few lovely places to visit near kullu. This town is literally a heaven to explore as it is nestled in the lap of nature.
Apart from temples, monasteries and gurudwaras, there are many remarkable places you can discover. There is no dearth of places to see in Kullu as this place is full of scenic nature and stunning attractions. This nature lover’s stop is apt for adventurous activities like paragliding, river crossing, trekking and many more.
Right from bonfires to hiking, this place is a complete package. Also, it is absolutely one of the most impressive tourist places in Kullu with Tirthan Valley closeby. The natural beauty, spirituality and tranquility in this area will definitely make you spellbound.
Top Places To Visit Near Kullu
You are bound to have an invigorating and thrilling vacation as Kullu is one of the best hill stations in India. Plan a tour with your family or friends and explore the finest places in the attractive town of Kullu.
1. Great Himalayan National Park – 8.7 Km From Kullu
2. Raghunath Temple – 360.4 Km From Kullu
3. Bhrigu Lake – 58.1 Km From Kullu
4. Pandoh Dam – 48.9 Km From Kullu
5. Chandrakhani Pass – 28.5 Km From Kullu
6. Bijli Mahadev Temple – 26.4 Km From Kullu
7. Friendship Peak – 48.5 Km From Kullu
1. Great Himalayan National Park
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Whopping an area of 754 square kms with an altitude of 6000 meters, the Great Himalayan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the best tourist attractions in Kullu which encompasses four valleys named Jiwa Nal Valley, Tirthan Valley, Sainj Valley, and Parvati Valley. One can enjoy trekking in these four valleys and admire the scenic and natural beauty to its fullest. April to May & October to November are the best months where one can enjoy bird watching. It is one of the best places to visit near Kullu hills.
Great Himalayan National Park is a perfect place to unwind amidst nature’s tranquil surroundings. Due to its wide range of altitude, it is a home to unique and huge biodiversity. The broad leaved trees, wild roses and open area covered with thick bouncy grasses & ferns, frozen glaciers and rivulets provide a sense of dramatic relief to the visitors.
This park definitely draws attention of many Wildlife photographers as you can find diverse species of animal life here. Snow leopard can also be sighted on the way up to Tirath. Exotic species of fauna like Musk deer, goral, bharal and koklas can be spotted roaming in the lower part of the dense forest. Great Himalayan National Park is one of the best tourist places near Kullu, so add this in your vacation plan right away.
Location: Forest Office Rd, Shamshi, Himachal Pradesh 175126
Best Time To Visit: March, April, May, June and Mid-September, October and November as the weather gets pleasant. Also, there is no snowfall. So, you have better chances to spot wildlife and birds before they go into hibernation mode.
How to reach: Bhuntar Airport is 60 km away from the national park. You can book a taxi directly from the airport or your hotel room to reach the entry gate of the National park. You may also need a special permit from the post to get access to the park.
Must Read: 28 Best Places To Visit In Kullu That Add The Much Needed Charm To A Delightful Stay!
Himachal Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
Head to Himachal to witness lush valleys surrounded by snow-capped hills. Indulge in skiing, paragliding, and other adventure sports. Book holiday packages inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing, and meals to Shimla, Manali, Kasol, Dharamshala, and more.
2. Raghunath Temple
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Raghunath Temple is one of the prime attractions and one of the sought after. It represents the rich culture and heritage of Himachal Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama with his idol placed inside. The locals reveal that this idol is as old as the era in which Lord Rama were born.
Surrounded by lush green environs, this majestic temple is well famed amongst the locals and tourists as it one of the oldest temples in the Kullu valley. This is the most iconic pilgrimage spot and one of the best places to visit near Kullu.
Absorb the peace and spirituality surrounding the temple, and also enjoy the sceneries that are equally appealing. During Dussehra, this temple turns into a place of festivity and is filled with colors all around. Moreover, this place holds much religious importance with its Pahari architecture and design. This is one of the finest places to visit near kullu during winter.
Location: Post office, Sultanpur, 22800
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
How to reach: You can simply take a hike to arrive at the temple by asking directions from the locals.
Suggested Read: 13 Best Places In Manali For Honeymoon Couples
3. Bhrigu Lake
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Just visualize yourself gawking at the blue, oval-shaped lake amidst white snow and that too on the mountains. Isn’t it amazing? If you are truly willing to see this sight, then Bhrigu Lake is the only tourist places near kullu which will fulfill your desire. Sources reveal that several local gods visited this lake to take a dip in its sacred water to purify them. This lake holds great importance as the great Bhrighu Rishi meditated in this area.
Bhrigu Lake is one of the best places to visit around Kullu only if you enjoy trekking. Located at an impressive altitude of 14,000 feet, you will have to put in great efforts to enjoy the awestruck views of Bhrigu Lake surrounded by snow-covered valleys. The route to this oval shaped lake which rests at the top of the mountain passes through verdant meadows. This location is a perfect escape for those who want to move away from the traffic, city life, and pollution.
Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India
Best time: April-October, except monsoon months
How to reach: The trek to Bhrigu Lake begins from Gulaba, a small village located a few kilometers away from Kullu. The only way to reach Gulaba is by taking a shared taxi.
Suggested Read: 7 Vibrant Manali Festivals That Make This Resort Town Even More Amazing
4. Pandoh Dam
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Built with a vision of generating hydroelectric power, Pandoh Dam is an embankment dam constructed on the River Beas. What makes it one of the most famous places to visit near Kullu is the famous man-made lake created by the dam. The spectacular view of water being released from the doors of the dam is a visual treat to one’s eyes. Moreover, rafting at the lower bed of the lake is definitely not to be missed.
Your soul will be rejuvenated by the greenery and picturesque views surrounding the dam. You can lay your eye upon the chirping lovely water birds in the greenish blue waters of Pandoh Dam which is one of the most pleasing views to be watched.
Pandoh Dam is one of the best places to visit near Kullu due to its plethora of attractions such as River Beas, Manikaran Sahib, Solang-Nullah, Hadimba Temple and many more.
Location: Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: April-October is the best time to visit the dam except July-August due to heavy rainfall.
How to reach: You will find a number of buses between Kullu and Mandi. Once you reach Mandi, you can take a walk to the bridge or ask a shared taxi to drop you to the nearest point.
Suggested Read: Kullu Dussehra: A Week-Long Celebration Of Dance, Music, And Culture
5. Chandrakhani Pass
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Explore the beauty of Pir Panjal, Deo Tibba Peak, and Parbati Ranges by visiting Chandrakhani Pass which is placed at an altitude of 3,660 meters in the Kullu Valley. The journey to reach this pass is extremely enchanting and fascinating as you have to go through various extremely popular hilly cultures of Himachal Pradesh. You can feel the thrill in your nerves while you travel through the narrow ridges and trails across the small gushing streams. For this prime reason, people address this Chandrakhani Pass as valley of Gods.
Chandrakhani Pass is a base for more difficult and higher altitude treks. Tourists with a true zeal for trekking and exploring nature will definitely fall in love with this place. What makes this one of the excellent places to visit around Kullu is that it is a true paradise for those seeking natural beauty amongst magnificent mountains and valleys. The evergreen thickets, fertile fields, and clear running water sum up to the beauty of this Chandrakhani Pass which is one of the most outstanding places to visit near Kullu hills.
Location: Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: Mid June-early October. It is the time when the snow melts and the meadows welcome you with blooming pastures.
How to reach: The only way to reach on top of the pass is by trekking. Chandrakhani Pass is a 3-day easy trek. You can tie up with any trek operator to visit the pass.
Suggested Read: 15 Homestays In Manali You Must Consider Staying In For Your Vacay
6. Bijli Mahadev Temple
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Bijli Mahadev Temple is one of the historic and holy temples in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Bijli Mahadev Temple is one of the sacred places to visit near Kullu and is famous for trekking. Enjoy the views of gorgeous valleys surrounding this temple like Parbati, Bhuntar, Kullu and Garsa which are totally captivating.
The untold legend behind this Bijli Mahadev Temple is that Shiva Linga (placed inside this temple) was broken down into pieces due to the impact of lightning. By making use of butter, it was brought back into its original form by the priest. Hence, this temple is one of the most worshipped temples in India.
Be assured of one thing that the sceneries that one witness during the trek makes you feel refreshed instead of tiring. This place is truly charismatic with huge Shiva structure, holy stories of lightning strikes, fantastic surroundings and best sceneries. If you want to experience peace of mind and spirituality then this is one of the amazing places to visit near kullu hill.
Location: Bijli Mahadev Road, Kashawri, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: March to September is the best time to take a trip to the temple as it remains closed during the winter months because of heavy snowfall.
How to reach: Take a bus to Chansari Village from Kullu. The bus will drop you at the footsteps of temple. You can reach Bijli Mahadev Temple by trekking along a 3km path up the stairs which is covered with beautiful pine trees..
Suggested Read: 30 Places Near Manali That Are Perfect For A Dreamy Holiday In The Hills
7. Friendship Peak
Offering endless opportunities for trekking, Friendship Peak is one of the many places to visit near kullu. It is a magnificent mountain positioned in the range of Pir Panjal in Kullu, Himachal. You might have visited almost all the key attractions of Kullu, but this peak is a fascinating destination which has snow all the time. To reach this destination, people need to take the way through Dhundi and Beas Kund.
Friendship Peak is not everyone’s cup of tea as it is high difficulty trek. One requires huge stamina and endurance along with prior experience in mountaineering to conquer this peak. In Friendship Peak trek you have to pass through Solang Valley which boasts several alpine meadows and colorful orchards. Moreover, the thick forest with several species of alpine trees and the gushing streams are a part of this Valley.
Location: Pir Panjal Range, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: June, July, September and October is the best window to plan an expedition on this mountain.
How to reach: Since it is a high altitude peak, the only way to reach here is by trekking and mountaineering.
Further Read: 15 Best Restaurants In Manali That Serve Extraordinary Treats
If you have already visited Kullu Manali in Himachal Pradesh, then consider going offbeat this time. These places to visit near Kullu will make your trip to Manali worthwhile. You can extend a few days to take a tour to these places. Some of these options are mountains treks which would require more days than one. So, plan your itinerary accordingly.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit near Kullu
What are the places to see in Kullu in winter?
There are plenty of places to visit in Kullu during the winter season like Pandoh Dam, Chandratal Lake, Great Himalayan National Park, Friendship Peak, Bhrigu Lake, Raghunath Temple, and Chandrakhani Pass.
How many days are enough for Kullu?
To enjoy a relaxing vacation in Kullu, you must plan a trip of at least 3-4 days. During your holiday, you can enjoy sightseeing, outdoor activities, and check out some nearby attractions.
Can I visit Kullu during the current Covid situation?
Yes, Kullu is one of the safest places to visit during the current Covid situation. However, you need to follow government protocols that include wearing a mask when in public, sanitizing hands at certain intervals, and maintaining social distance.
What are the best places to visit in Kullu for couples?
Tirthan Valley, Great Himalayan National Park, Hampta Pass, Chanderkhani Pass, Beas Kund are some of the best places where couples can enjoy.
What is Kullu famous for?
Kullu is known for its pine and deodar trees, awesome weather and its majestic hills. If you are an adventure enthusiast, then you should definitely explore this area as it boasts a wide range of thrilling activities like river rafting, paragliding, mountaineering, and trekking.
Where is Kullu located?
Kullu is a hotspot for nature lovers is positioned at the banks of the River Beas. Kullu is an open valley stationed between Manali and Largi.
Which are the best months to visit Kullu?
Summer is the most appropriate season to visit Kullu and it exists from the month of March to June. However, this season is said to be most apt for sightseeing and experiencing various adventure activities.
Does Kullu experience snowfall?
Although the minimum recorded temperature of Manali is 3.6°C and the maximum temperature in the day is 16.4°C. Manali and its neighboring places are witnessing snowfall. Talking about the lower areas, Bhuntar and Kullu are experiencing thundershowers.
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A keen observer, an avid reader, a complete foodie, a pet lover and a curious entrepreneur with a vision to empower women. Penning down thoughts and musings come naturally, so, what better way to make a living than do what you love the most. Sujata started off as a content writer and today spearheads a content agency with an all-women team, where each day is about exploring the strength within, overcoming challenges and aiming to scale new heights. Her idea of a holiday well spent is visiting beautiful destinations, experimenting with food and trying out adventure activities.
