Located in Seraj Valley, Shoja is a hidden gem of Himachal Pradesh that offers unmatched beauty of nature’s bliss. Nestled amidst breathtaking Himalayan surroundings, you are sure to find incredible vistas of snowy peaks, mountain slopes lined with Pine and Deodar trees, bountiful meadows, fascinating landscapes and whatnot. Located at a distance of a few kms from the famous Jalori Pass and 66 km from Kullu, Shoja is a weekend getaway for offbeat travelers and solace seekers.
This Himalayan paradise is a perfectly unwinding place where holidaymakers can spend endless days basking in serene environs and indulging in exciting activities like nature walks, trekking, camping, bird watching, fishing, photography etc. One of the highly recommended places to visit in Himachal Pradesh, Shoja must be on every traveler's wishlist as it has unique experiences to offer.
Best Time to Visit Shoja
Climate in Shoja remains moderate all through the year, however, the best months to visit this Himalayan destination would be anytime between April to June and then September to October. During this time of the year weather is perfect and pleasant for sightseeing and other activities.
History of Shoja
Shoja was initially a part of the standalone Kullu dussehra region. Later in the year 1966, Kullu was merged in Himachal Pradesh and was officially entitled as the separate district. It was during this time, Shoja came into the limelight, however, due to inaccessibility it stayed offbeat. Since then various development projects by the tourism department of Himachal Pradesh are carried out to make Shoja a prominent tourist spot of the region as it has all the potential to charm the travelers with its enchanting beauty.
Places to Visit in Shoja
Shoja is a quaint hamlet where you can enjoy an uninterrupted vacation. With a handful of places to visit in Shoja listed below, you are sure to have an unforgettable laidback time. Check out the top 5 places to visit in Shoja.
1. Jalori Pass
One of the most promising vantage points near Shoja, Jalori Pass is a haven for trekkers and nature lovers. It is about 5km away from the hilltown, so you can either take a short stroll or simply drive up to the stop point. From there you have to trek uphill through the dense forest for about an hour to grab a breathtaking view of the mighty Himalayas and gorgeous valley from the hilltop.
2. Raghupur Fort
Perched at an altitude of 3540 mts, Raghupur Fort is a historical landmark of the region that is totally worth visiting. Trek to this fort takes about 2 hours from Jalori Pass and on the way, you can catch the fascinating views of Himalayan highlands and its serene surroundings that are completely pollution free.
3. Waterfall Point
Just around 1 km away from Shoja, the Waterfall point is yet another gorgeous tourist spot near this offbeat place where paying a visit is totally worth it. Right from grabbing the enchanting view of cascading waterfalls to savoring the serenading vibes, this waterfall oozes beauty with its gushing streams.
4. Serolsar Lake
5 km from the Jalori pass, Serolsar Lake near Shoja is where you can plan a day picnic. Apart from enjoying the pristine view of this miniature lake and oak woodlands, you can also visit the divine Budhi Nagin temple which is in the vicinity of the lake.
5. Tirthan Valley
Not too far from Shoja, Tirthan valley is another gem that is unmissable on your trip to this Himalayan hamlet. Known for the Great Himalayan National Park, visiting this stunning valley will acquaint you with the unique ecosystem of the region. You can also enjoy trout fishing in Tirthan valley.
How to Reach Shoja
Despite serving as a link between Shimla and Kullu districts, this Himalayan destination remains less explored and away from the hustle and bustle of these two prominent hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. Reaching Shoja from different cities is quite easy as the neighbouring regions have good connectivity with different means of transportation.
- Nearest Metropolitan City. Delhi
- Nearest Airport. Bhuntar Airport. Kullu
- Nearest Railway Station. Joginder Nagar Railway Station
- Distance from Delhi. 473km
By Air
The nearest aerodrome to Shoja is Bhuntar Airport located in Kullu Manali that gets direct flights from Shimla, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Pathankot and New Delhi. After deboarding at the airport, you can hire a cab or get into the Himachal Pradesh state bus to reach Shoja.
- Distance from Bhuntar Airport. 75 kms
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Reach Shoja
By Rail
The nearest railhead to Shoja is Joginder Nagar Railway Station that has direct trains from adjoining regions. From there you can hire a taxi or get into a state bus to reach Shoja easily.
- Distance from Joginder Nagar Railway Station. 144 kms
By Road
Shoja is well connected via state highways with numerous buses plying to and fro. You can also drive down to Shoja easily from various cities of India.
- Distance from Kullu. 66 kms
- Distance from Shimla. 150 kms
- Distance from Shoghi. 157 kms
- Distance from Kandaghat. 185 kms
- Distance from Dharamsala. 215 kms
- Distance from Chandigarh. 238 kms
FAQs Related to Shoja
Q. Is Shoja worth visiting?
Shoja is a quaint village in Himachal Pradesh that has an undeniable charm. Despite being less explored, it's a highly recommended destination for the offbeat travelers, nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts who look for something unique.
Q. Does Shoja have snow?
Being at high altitude, Shoja is cold during winter months, however, there is a light sheet of snow which melts in a few days. So ideally, it has little snowfall in comparison to other snowfall destinations in India.
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