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Shimla offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of Delhi and other major Indian cities. For those seeking an even more secluded retreat in the Himalayas while staying at Wildflower Hall or The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla, there are several hidden gems to explore. Discover some of the best places to visit near Shimla, away from the summer tourist crowds. Here are the top three tourist destinations near Shimla.
Annandale is one of the most beautiful tourist places near Shimla, located high up in the Himalayas at 6,227 feet above sea level. Right at the heart of the village is a wide, flat circular ‘playground’ which has hosted cricket and polo matches in the Shimla region since colonial times. More recently, this has been also used as a helipad for elite visitors to resorts near Shimla. Some of the best things to see in Annandale are the views. They are simply breathtaking. You can easily fill a day’s visit with a trip to the Cactus Museum or the Army Museum. Alternately, we would be happy to pack you a gourmet lunch and show you through the deodar forests for a picnic at The Glen. Here, you can rest and enjoy total serenity in the woods beside a stream, before returning at your leisure in a chauffeur driven car to Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Annandale also has a 9-hole golf course, but this is for the exclusive use of army personnel. Should you wish to play a round here, you will need to take official permission from a member of the army personnel. Please contact us for further information if this is something you might be interested in doing during your stay with us.
Annandale is only around 12 minutes by car from The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla and 40 minutes from Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort.
An icon on the skyline of the Shimla region, Jakhoo Hill is one of the more sacred tourist places near Shimla. Standing at 2,438 metres above sea level, this is the highest peak in Shimla and offers fantastic views over the surrounding hills and valleys. Jakhoo Hill is home to a formidable statue of Lord Hanuman, the monkey god and an ancient temple which pilgrims visit to offer prayers and receive blessings of spiritual energy from Hanuman. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman, the monkey God, stopped to rest on Jakhoo Hill, which is why the surrounding area and Himalayan deodar trees are populated with monkeys. The legend is also the reason for the giant Hanuman statue on the crest of the peak. The statue itself stands at 33 metres high, 2,591 metres above sea level, which is 3 metres higher than the statue to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of the must-see places to visit near Shimla especially during the festival of Hanuman Jayanti (dates vary each year), when the birth of Lord Hanuman is celebrated with great revelry by thousands of pilgrims on Jakhoo Hill and in central Shimla, with processions, music and offerings.
Jakhoo Hill is around 5kms from The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla and 11kms from Wildflower Hall, Shimla two multi award winning resorts near Shimla.
A little further out of the way, Narkanda is one of the more remote places to visit near Shimla and is well worth dedicating a day to see. Narkanda can be found on the former Hindustan-Tibet highway, at a height of 2,469 metres above sea level. All around, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Shivalik Ranges dotted with apple and cherry blossoms during the spring months. During the summer months, en route from The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla or Wildflower Hall, you will find farmers selling apples and cherries on the roadside. Should you wish to trek to Hatu peak (3,400 metres above sea level), another one of the loveliest places to visit near Shimla and one of the less visited tourist places near Shimla, Narkanda is the perfect base from which to start, as the trail is around 1 hour from here to the summit and affords amazing views from its hilltop temple. Hatu peak is uninhabited and its summit is of a high altitude, so we would recommend you take a professional guide and have sufficient supplies and equipment with you. Our concierge would be happy to advise you on this. Along the trek to the summit, you will pass through beautiful forests of oak, conifers, maple, poplar, hazelnut and holly trees. In the winter months, Narkanda and the surrounding areas offer fantastic opportunities for skiing, with slopes for beginners and those with more experience who are looking for a challenge.
Narkanda is around 2 hours by car from The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla and 90 minutes from Wildflower Hall, Shimla, an Oberoi Resort.
Take a break from the city and breathe in the fresh mountain air with seasonal offers, delectable Himachali and international cuisine, and the warm hospitality of the hills.
Enjoy an unforgettable Himalayan Vacation at The Oberoi Cecil and Wildflower Hall in Shimla.
