Hi! Some unconventional and offbeat destinations you can explore in Himachal Pradesh:
1. Malana
2. Pabbar Valley
3. Shoja
4. Jalori Jot
5. Daranghati
6. Naggar village- Jagatsukh
For the commute:
1. By plane: If travelling by air, you can take a flight to any of these three airports Kullu-Manali Airport, Dharamsala Airport and Shimla Airport
2. By train: Kangra Valley Railway station. The most scenic route to Shimla via train is taking the Kalka Shimla Toy train.
3. By Road: Road is the most efficient and also flexible way of travelling in Himachal Pradesh.
You can also take a HPDTC bus as it is cheap and convenient
If you want to take a car, you should be comfortable driving in hilly terrains. If you are not experienced, then it is better to hire a taxi.