The Hindustan-Tibet Road that was built in 1850 by British Governor-General Lord Dalhousie connects Shimla the capital of Himachal Pradesh to a beautiful small town called “Mashobra”. This town is elevated at 2,146 meters above sea level. The presence of greenery all around combined with a serene atmosphere is what makes this town a perfect tourist destination. This town is also famous for housing one of the Retreat Residence of the President of India called “The Retreat Building”. Mashobra is also known for its beautiful flora and fauna that include vegetation like pine, oak, Himalayan Deodar, and rhododendron while, the wildlife consist of monkeys, baboons, jackals, leopard, and bird species such as partridges, chikor etc. So if you are looking for a complete mind and body relaxation or you are a true wildlife enthusiast then “Mashobra” must be included in your list of “Destinations that must be visited”.
Read More: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DALHOUSIE
How to reach Mashobra Hills?
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Mashobra Hills Map
By train:
The nearest railway station to Mashobra is at Kalka which is located in the state of Haryana. The Chandigarh railway station is the other option that can be used. Both these railway stations provide taxi services to Mashobra.
By road:
There are many private and state bus services to Mashobra that are available from Shimla. There are bus services from big cities like Delhi and Chandigarh too.
By flight:
The closest airport to Mashobra is in Shimla i.e. Jubbarhatti Airport. Frequent flights from major cities like Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Delhi and received from this airport. Taxi services are also provided from the Shimla airport.
Climate and the best time to visit Mashobra Hills
Similar to other regions in Himachal Pradesh, Mashobra’s climate can best be described as “temperate”. The temperature during the summer months(March to May) varying from 8 degrees to 30 degrees. The winters(October to February) are severe and range from 10 degrees to -10 degrees. The rainfall received during the monsoons(June to September) is scanty. The best time to visit this scenic town is from March to September with winters to be avoided due to its extremities.
Places To Visit Around Mashobra Hills
Reserve Forest Sanctuary: It has a large variety of animals and plants that reside in perfect unison. One will come across numerous leopards, musk deer, barking deer, monkeys, and jackals while touring this sanctuary. Bird watchers will encounter birds like pheasants, partridges, and Himalayan Eagles. One can also get a spectacular view of the PirPanjal ranges of Jammu and Kashmir if the weather condition is good. There are plenty of opportunities for picnicking, trekking, and camping at Reserve Forest Sanctuary.
Mahasu Devta Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as the MahasuDevta by the natives, it is a very holy local temple. Here the annual Mahasu Jatara festival takes place which is attended by devotees from across India.
Craignano: Located on the Shimla-Naldehra Highway, this is a lovely villa located at an elevated height offering a great view of the surrounding. Constructed by Italian photographer Chevalier Federico Peliti, it is ideally situated on a cliff and is encompassed by woods of pine and oak with small streams flowing by. The building showcases a colonial architecture with a sprawling garden, stone benches, and night lamps on the premises. There are ample opportunities for angling, rappelling, and rock climbing here.
Wild Flower Hall: Nestled on the gorgeous Mahasu Peak, it is the ex-residence of Lord Kitchener. It is surrounded by pine and green cedar forest. The view of the mighty Himalayas is just breath taking.
Other places of tourist interest in proximity to Mashobra include Kufri, Chail, Shoghi, Kotkhai, Narkanda, Salogra, Jubbal, Barog, Solan, Rohru, Kasauli, and Parwanoo.
Also Read: 5 UNKNOWN HILL STATIONS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH