Foothills of the Himalaya Holidays

Visit the Masroor Rock Temples, one of northern India’s architectural treasures. Carved from sandstone around the 6th-7th century, they’re often called the Ellora of the Himalayas after the giant Hindu cave temples near Mumbai, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Masroor is the only set of monolith rock temples in the whole region – they’re usually found in the south. Although the temples were built for Lord Shiva, villagers started bringing idols of Lord Rama here too. The temples are a real engineering feat, carved with floral, geometric and animal patterns.

The journey to the Masroor Rock Temples takes around two hours from either Dharamshala or Palampur and along the way, you’ll pass through valleys surrounded by sub-Himalayan scenery. As you tour the 15 different temples, your guide will point out the detailed carvings of Lord Shiva’s life. Guests love the view from the Masroor Rock Temples as you’re in the lap of the Dhauladhar mountain range, where the local Gaddi shepherds graze their cattle. It’s particularly amazing at sunset when the sandstone temples change colour in the golden light.

Take a scenic walk to Garli, which was a thriving village in the sub-Himalayan region until India’s independence. The streets here are cobbled and filled with history, you can still see its grand havelis and Italianate buildings, as well as traditional Kangra and Rajput houses with mud-plastered walls and slate roofs. For those who love heritage and architecture, it’s a real treat.

Most of the buildings have been well looked-after, so you can still enjoy the detailed tiling, towers and stained-glass windows. Led by a guide from Judge’s Court, the walk to Garli takes you through the area’s hills and countryside, surrounded by the backdrop of the Dhauladhar Mountains. Along the way, you’ll learn all about life in the sub-Himalayas and the history of the area, from how Pragpur’s medieval water systems work to stories of local residents and the fortress that was used to defend the area. The trail leads all the way to a wonderful hilltop viewpoint.