HPTDC The Hatu is a mid-altitude hotel situated in Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh, 7 km from Hatu Peak. Managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, the property serves as a no-frills base for exploring the forested heights that dominate the Sutlej valley.

Why choose HPTDC The Hatu

• Strategic position just 7 km from Hatu Peak (3,400 m), one of the region's most accessible and well-known summits.
• Official institution managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Office, a mark of administrative reliability for international travelers.
• High-altitude forest setting in an area renowned for its deodar cedars and, in winter, snow-blanketed landscapes.
• On-site restaurant and bar, essential amenities in a locality where dining options are limited.

Atmosphere and setting

Narkanda sits at approximately 2,700 meters elevation, along the road connecting Shimla to Kinnaur. The hotel nestles into this mid-mountain environment where the air is crisp, temperatures remain cool for much of the year, and Himalayan ranges unfold across the horizon.

The building, functional rather than ornate, prioritizes basic comfort at altitude: heated rooms, warm restaurant, room service. The spirit remains that of a mountain lodge run by a public agency, emphasizing practicality over luxury.

The rooms

The hotel has 16 rooms. Each features a television, vanity mirror, and electric heating—essential at this elevation. Attached bathrooms provide both hot and cold water.

Services and dining

• Bar and restaurant serving Chinese and Continental cuisine
• Room service
• On-call doctor service, valuable in an isolated high-altitude location
• Internet access (fee applies — verify at booking)

The restaurant menu follows the standard HPTDC formula: North Indian dishes, Indianized Chinese options, and simple Continental fare. It's the most practical choice for dinner after a day of hiking or driving.

Location and access

The hotel is located in Narkanda, in Shimla District. Key reference points:

• Shimla Airport: 81 km, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours by road
• Hatu Peak: 7 km, reachable by vehicle then on foot
• Kalka Railway Station and Bus Stand: approximately 150 km, allow half a day for travel

Access is almost entirely via the national highway that passes through Shimla. Winding roads are expected, and conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter during snowfall.

What to see and do nearby

• Hatu Peak: panoramic summit at 3,400 m, crowned by a carved wooden temple dedicated to Hatu Mata, reachable from Narkanda in a few hours of hiking.
• Stokes Farm: historic orchard founded by Samuel Stokes, instrumental in introducing apples to the region.
• Tannu Jubbar Lake: small sacred lake nestled in forest, about ten kilometers away.
• Narkanda ski slopes: skiable in January–February depending on snowfall, one of northern India's few active ski stations.
• Kotgarh: perched fruit village, renowned for its apple orchards and views over the Sutlej valley.

Incorporating HPTDC The Hatu into your journey

Narkanda fits naturally into an itinerary connecting Shimla to Kinnaur or Spiti, as a high-altitude stopover between the foothills and the upper Himalayas. To craft a coherent itinerary, explore our travel ideas in India or compare with other properties such as Woodville Palace Hotel in Shimla, Wonderland Tourist Camp, or Red Earth.