Why Chitkul is India's answer to Switzerland
Himachal Pradesh
,
Chitkul
is known as "
India's Switzerland
," and it is easy to see why. This picturesque village, the last inhabited town on the Indo-Tibetan border, is a stunning representation of nature's unadulterated beauty.
With its rugged snow-capped mountains, green pastures, torrential rivers, and serene atmosphere, it reminds one of Switzerland's landscape.
Secret paradise surrounded by grand peaks and serenity
Chitkul is not a destination; it's an experience that takes you miles apart from the regular tourist spots and dumps you in the lap of nature. By the time you arrive here, the first thing you will notice is the sheer calmness that surrounds the entire landscape. Unlike crowded Indian hill resorts, Chitkul remains untouched by the present-day tourism even now.
Operation Sindoor
Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time
Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand
'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump
Its remote location and non-commercialisation guarantee that it has preserved its natural charm and simplicity.
Nestled among the majestic Himalayan peaks, green forests and vibrant meadows that change colours as per seasons, the village of Chitkul is a green carpet in summer when wildflowers occupy every nook and corner. The winters, then, are an affair of white landscapes that will transport you to a winter wonderland, rather like that of the Swiss Alps.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
The Baspa River passing through the village is also contributing to the bewitching beauty, its crystal blue water flowing over valleys and rolling forest hills.
Chitkul's geography offers a set of trekking opportunities to trekkers. The trek through the Baspa River is highly popular among tourists. The peaceful, pure landscape and the thrilling but effortless routes offer the best way to witness the Himalayas in such proximity.
Besides, the dense forests and pastures around it offer ample space for birdwatching and observing wildlife, thereby making the village more popular among nature lovers as well.
But the beauty of the village lies not only in its landscape; it's also in the unique blend of cultures. Chitkul is a village with a very distinct Tibetan taste, and the inhabitants of the village practice a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. The architecture here, particularly the wooden houses, has a very traditional but rugged touch, just like the Swiss Alpine chalets.
The inhabitants, though courteous and hospitable, are another beauty of the village.
Their unadorned, rural way of life fills you with a nostalgia for a simpler past when life was not so fast and unfettered but closer to nature.
Chitkul's friendly climate, especially in summer, is a respite from the plains' heat. The best time to visit is during the summer season (April to June) when the weather is warm and the landscape is green and verdant.
Winters, while snowy and chilly, also have a beauty of their own for travellers seeking a snowy getaway. Nights in Chitkul are heaven for photographers, with the colours of orange and pink produced by the setting sun creating a magical setting on the snowy summits.
For the adventure-hungry, peace-lovers, and an off-beat offbeat destination away from city mayhem, Chitkul has a slice of heaven to offer. If you want to bond with nature, indulge in photography, or just unwind amidst scenic vistas, this off-the-beaten-path paradise is India's version of Switzerland. It is a place where time comes to a standstill, and one is reminded of life's simple charm.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Mother's Day wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Footfall at Mirzapur's Maa Vindhyasini Temple may cross 1cr mark in 2025'
Lucknow: Footfall at Mirzapur's famed Maa Vindhyasini Temple is likely to cross the 1 crore mark in 2025, shows data from the department of tourism. Data shows that over 64 lakh pilgrims have visited the temple in the first six months of 2025, speaking for a monthly average of over 10 lakh. This is significantly higher than the average monthly footfall of 6.5 lakh recorded in 2024, with the total being 78 lakh. "Though counting is still underway, numbers are expected to touch 10 lakh in July too. And if this trend continues, the footfall may cross 1 crore in 2025," said Jaiveer Singh, tourism minister. Officials said with the temple at the core, other places in Mirzapur are also benefitting from the surge. Take the example of the Ashta Bhuja Temple, which forms an important part of the Vindhyavasini Tribhuja pilgrimage. More than 38 lakh pilgrims who visited Vindhyavasini also visited the Ashta Bhuja Temple. In 2024, the total number of pilgrims recorded at this site was 55 lakh. Indications are that the neighbouring districts like Sonbhadra and Chandauli are also on the list of beneficiaries. "In Sonbhadra, the footfall in Shiv Dwar, which was previously largely popular with kanwariyas, has seen an unprecedented hike in the number of visitors," said a senior officer, adding that the numbers would be disclosed after the Hindu month of Shrawan concludes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Sitamarhi in Bhadoi is yet another example. Principal secretary, tourism and culture, Mukesh Meshram said: "Gone are the days when Mirzapur recorded seasonal tourism surge because the beauty of the rain-fed waterfalls peaked at that time. It is heartening to see people and pilgrims visiting the place all through the year." Director Eco Tourism, Uttar Pradesh Prakhar Mishra, said the surge was a result of concerted efforts made over the past few years. "While on one hand the good sites were flagged and projected, efforts are made to train key stakeholders to promote them in an organised way. The local community was also engaged, and local art and cuisine were integrated to ensure that tourism development was inclusive and employment-generating. As a result, the region is now full of options in village and farm tourism. Mirzapur and adjoining areas also offer options to adventure seekers," he said. Mishra noted that with the inclusion of Salkhan Fossil Park in Unesco's tentative list of world heritage sites will further bolster the efforts and footfall.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Himachal may vanish into thin air if tourist inflows unchecked: SC
. New Delhi: Reminding Centre and the states that earning revenue should not be prioritised over the ecology and environment, Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over uncontrolled constructions and inflow of tourists in Himachal Pradesh, saying the day is not far when the Himalayan state may vanish from the map of the country if remedial action is not taken on time. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadev said that in recent years, the state witnessed many natural disasters, and it is humans, not nature, who are responsible for floods, continuous landsliding of mountains and soil, collapsing of houses and buildings, and road subsidence in which hundreds of people perished. These disasters are man-made and it is not right to blame nature for it, the court said. It appealed to Centre and the state government to intervene and stem the rot on an urgent basis. Revenue can't be earned at cost of environment: SC SC said, 'Nature has given abundant beauty to the state of HP... Taking advantage of this natural beauty, the government started constructing four-lane roads to promote it as a tourist destination. To build these roads, heavy machinery and explosives materials were used according to various reports to cut the mountains, due to which the natural balance of the place has started to deteriorate.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain? Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away Click Here Undo 'We want to impress upon state government and Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of the environment and ecology. If things proceed the way they are as on date, then the day is not far when the entire state of HP may vanish into thin air from the map...,' it said. 'The pace of infrastructure development in Himachal has intensified in recent years, driven by the twin goals of connectivity and tourism... In many cases, hill slopes are cut steeply, unscientifically, without adequate stabilisation measures, and natural watercourses are obstructed or diverted. This not only alters the local hydrology but also makes the terrain more vulnerable to landslides and flash floods. 'The 2023 and 2025 monsoon season, for example, saw widespread devastation in the Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Chamba districts, partly attributed to such unscientific construction. Despite having been an environmentally rich state, its own people are today responsible for such blind pursuit of development, to their own detriment,' the court said.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
HC makes way for accused to leave for Haj pilgrimage
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has allowed a 61-year-old man from Kota, who is facing a criminal trial, to travel abroad for Haj and Umra Jiyarat. The court stated that merely being an accused in a case cannot be grounds to deny his constitutional right to personal liberty. Mohammad Muslim Khan of Kota filed a writ petition challenging the regional passport office's decision on May 7 which denied him a passport for the purpose of undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. Khan is facing trial in a case registered under IPC Sections 498-A and 406. Despite securing a court order on April 16 permitting him to approach the passport office, his request was declined. This prompted another application before the trial court which was also rejected on May 15 on technical grounds. Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, while hearing the petition on July 30, held that the rejection amounted to a violation of the petitioner's fundamental rights. The court emphasised that the pendency of a criminal case does not automatically justify restricting a citizen's right to travel, especially for religious purposes. Counsel for the petitioner, Ajit Kaswa, said that the court quashed the impugned letter from the passport office and allowed Khan to travel abroad for two months, subject to certain conditions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo These include his return by Sept 30, appearance before the trial court upon return, travel restricted only to Mecca and Medina, and surrender of his passport upon his return. The court also issued a directive to all subordinate courts to issue clear and specific orders in cases where accused persons seek permission to travel abroad. Justice Dhand noted that confusion created by vague or technically flawed orders often hinders the passport office from making decisions in such cases. The Registrar General has been instructed to circulate the court's direction among all judicial officers.
