Renuka Lake
lake · 1 h 15 min from Paonta Sahib
1 night · 2 daysFirst visitClassicrelaxed
Two days in Paonta Sahib — gurdwaras, Simbalbara and Renuka Lake
A two-day Paonta Sahib plan: the town's three gurdwaras on day one, then Simbalbara National Park and Renuka Lake, Himachal's largest lake, day two.
A second day added to the one-day plan, reaching Simbalbara National Park, a national park with a Sal forest, and Renuka Lake, the largest lake in Himachal Pradesh. Day one covers the town's own three gurdwaras — Gurdwara Paonta Sahib, Gurdwara Kavi Darbar and Gurdwara Tirgarhi Sahib — day two leaves town for both proper day trips. See also when to visit and how to reach Paonta Sahib.
Photos: Sahil Dhiman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Sahil Dhiman (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
Anyone with two full days in Paonta Sahib who wants both the town's own gurdwaras and a genuine day trip to Renuka Lake and Simbalbara.
Day by day
Day 1
Gurdwara Paonta Sahib, Gurdwara Kavi Darbar and Gurdwara Tirgarhi Sahib
The town's own three gurdwaras, all tied to Guru Gobind Singh's four and a half years here.
- 08:00Gurdwara Paonta SahibThe town's central gurdwara, on the riverbank, with a golden palanquin and a museum of the Guru's own weapons and pens.
- ↓ a short walk10:00Gurdwara Kavi DarbarClose by, marking the site of the Guru's own poetry court — still a venue for poetry competitions today.
- ↓ 22 min by road · 13 km12:00Gurdwara Tirgarhi SahibNear Bhangani Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh's forces fought the 1688 Battle of Bhangani, along a genuinely scenic stretch of the Yamuna.
Day 2
Simbalbara National Park and Renuka Lake
The two proper day trips out of town — a national park with a Sal forest, and the largest lake in Himachal Pradesh.
- 09:00Simbalbara National ParkA national park with a forest of Sal trees, also called Col. Sher Jung National Park, established in 1958 and expanded in 2010.
- ↓ 1 h 21 min by road · 48 km13:00Renuka LakeThe largest lake in Himachal Pradesh, a Ramsar site since 2005, tied to the Parashurama-Renuka legend.
Getting there
Paonta Sahib is reached from Dehradun by car or bus — about 47 km and 46 minutes by road. See the hub guide for the full arrival table.
Where to stay
Paonta Sahib works as a base for both days — Simbalbara and Renuka Lake are round trips, not overnight moves.
Know before you go
- Start day two reasonably early — Renuka Lake alone is about 75 minutes each way by road.
- Boating is typically available at Renuka Lake; carry cash, as card payments are unreliable this far out of town.
- Simbalbara's Sal forest is best in the cooler months — carry water regardless of season.
Places on this route
Other ways to do it
All Paonta Sahib itineraries →
Questions people ask
Is Renuka Lake worth the drive from Paonta Sahib?
Yes — it's the largest lake in Himachal Pradesh and a Ramsar site since 2005, tied to the Parashurama-Renuka legend. It's about 75 minutes and 44 km from Paonta Sahib, a genuine day trip rather than a quick stop, and boating is typically available once you get there.
What is there to see at Simbalbara National Park?
A national park with a forest of Sal trees, also called Col. Sher Jung National Park, established in 1958 and expanded in 2010. It's about 16 minutes and 12 km from Paonta Sahib, much closer than Renuka Lake, so it fits easily into the same day's driving.
Can I visit both Simbalbara and Renuka Lake in one day?
Yes, though it makes for a full day rather than a relaxed one — Renuka Lake alone is about 75 minutes each way, so budget real time for the driving, not just the stops themselves along the way. An early start makes the difference between rushed and relaxed.