Places to visit from Basunti

Masroor

Sculpted out of a rock and cave complex in a remote area of the Kangra valley, Masroor has the only surviving rock shrines in northern India.

This stunning 7th century monolithic structure has 15 richly carved and ornamented rock temples to explore.

Nominated as a potential World Heritage Site, Masrur is less than two hours from Basunti. A visit to Masroor can be combined with a visit to Nagrota Surian.

McLeod Ganj

Home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, McLeod Ganj at 6,500ft is like no other hill station in India. It is a vibrant mix of Hindu, Tibetan and Gaddi culture with temples, monasteries and bustling markets.

Situated at the foot of the Dhuala Dhar mountain range it offers great views of the mountains and the beautiful Kangra Valley. This trip can always be extended to include a day trek to Triund or a chance to explore in depth the area and its shopping opportunities. The scenic and picturesque 2.5 hour drive passes through Dharamsala, the regional capital of Himachal Pradesh.

This trip can also be combined with a visit to either Kangra Fort or Nurpur (famous for its Kulu Shawls) and can include an overnight stay in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, or the nearby villages of Naddi and Dharamkot.

Bathu Temples

This spectacular deserted complex of 8th Century Hindu temples was submerged by the lake waters in the 1970s. Each year as the lake levels recede the temples slowly emerge at the edge of the corn fields. The temples are usually accessible from late February until mid June. They can be reached in approximately two hours by car or boat.

Pragpur

As India's first heritage village, Pragpur provides an authentic taste of old India with its communal pond, cobbled streets and traditional village houses with beam and plaster walls.

At the edge of Pragpur sits Judge’s Court an old colonial mansion, once the family home of the district judge and now a heritage hotel sitting in manicured grounds.

Pragpur is approximately two hours drive from Basunti. Visit for the day, shop in the village market and explore the old cobbled paths and by-ways. Can be combined with a visit to see the murals at Dada Siba.

Ranseer Island

Ranseer island is a beautiful day trip on a local fishing boat about 60 to 90 minutes row away depending on the season. With its deserted colonial administrator’s house, where the garden is still tended, it provides an excellent picnic spot with great birding opportunities and the chance to swim, fish, explore and even spot the occasional rare, native black buck. Local fishermen row you there and back - though you can volunteer to take the oars. This trip has become a real favourite among Basunti visitors. The more intrepid (and fit) can swim the 1.9 miles (one-way) and be rowed back.

Kangra Fort

A spectacular ruined fortress dating back to the 9th century, Kangra Fort was once the seat of power in the Kangra valley. Strategically situated at the cross roads of major routes and rivers, with two streams forming a natural moat, it has stunning views from its impressive citadel of the snowclad Dhuala Dhar mountain range to the north.

Nagrota Surian

While the grounds of Basunti attract many varieties of bird (one intrepid spotter counted nearly 200 in three days) the wetland at Nagrota Surian, approximately a two-hour drive away is noted for its huge concentrations of wildfowl including up to 10,000 bar-headed geese, almost 50% of the world population of this endangered species.