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Voykit pocket guide · India
Narkanda
Narkanda is a worthwhile day-trip from Shimla or a 1-night stop for apple orchards and a short hike to Hatu Peak; not a base for longer stays.
Narkanda is a small hill town in Southern Himachal Pradesh, 65 km from Shimla, known for its apple orchards, Hatu Peak (3,352 m) and Tani Jubbar Lake. In winter it becomes a skiing resort. Most visitors come for a day or one night to hike and see the orchards, then move on.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (monsoon, landslides risk), Dec–Feb (heavy snow, road closures)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₹3,000–5,000 excl. bed · High ₹6,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire 101 · Ambulance 102
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus Shimla → Narkanda | ₹100–200 |
| Taxi Narkanda → Hatu Peak trailhead | ₹500–800 |
| Tea at a dhaba | ₹20–40 |
| Simple meal (dal, rice, sabzi) | ₹150–300 |
| Apple purchase (per kg) | ₹100–200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- IXC · Chandigarh International Airport
- About 160 km (99 mi), 4–5 h drive; taxis and buses available.About 99 mi (160 km), 4–5 h drive; taxis and buses available.
- DEL · Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi)
- About 340 km (211 mi), 7–8 h drive; overnight bus or taxi.About 211 mi (340 km), 7–8 h drive; overnight bus or taxi.
Typical fares
- Bus Shimla → Narkanda
- about ₹100–200, about 2 h (check)
- Taxi Narkanda → Hatu Peak trailhead
- ₹500–800 (check)
- Shared jeep Narkanda → Thanedar
- ₹50–100 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking covers the town and Hatu Peak trail (about 3 km (1.9 mi) one way). For Tani Jubbar Lake (about 8 km (5 mi)) and Thanedar, hire a local taxi or take a shared jeep from the bus stand.Walking covers the town and Hatu Peak trail (about 1.9 mi (3 km) one way). For Tani Jubbar Lake (about 5 mi (8 km)) and Thanedar, hire a local taxi or take a shared jeep from the bus stand.
See and do
Known for
- Hatu Peak
- Tani Jubbar Lake
- Apple orchards (Stokes Farm)
- Winter skiing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla | Bus from Narkanda bus stand, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
| Thanedar | Taxi or shared jeep, about 20 min | About 30 min |
| Sarahan | Bus via Rampur, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
| Kufri | Bus or taxi via Shimla, about 2.5 h | About 3 h |
Sleep
- Narkanda town centre
- Small hotels and guesthouses near the bus stop; limited options.
- Thanedar
- About 10 km (6.2 mi) away; apple orchards and homestays, quieter.About 6.2 mi (10 km) away; apple orchards and homestays, quieter.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | नमस्तेnamaste |
| How much? | कितना है?kitna hai |
| Where is the bus stop? | बस स्टॉप कहाँ है?bus stop kahan hai |
| I need a taxi | मुझे टैक्सी चाहिएmujhe taxi chahiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Roads can be narrow and prone to landslides after rain; check conditions before driving.
- Winter snow may block the Hatu Peak trail and roads; confirm access locally.
- ATMs are scarce; carry enough cash for your stay.
Narkanda is safe for tourists. The main risks are road conditions (landslides after rain, snow in winter) and altitude (3,352 m at Hatu Peak — take it easy).
One and two days
No timed day plan for Narkanda yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Hatu Peak
- Tani Jubbar Lake
- Apple orchards (Stokes Farm)
- Winter skiing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Narkanda, revision 5289184 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5289184
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/narkanda). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.