From Wikitravel

Dalhousie is a hill resort town in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh in India at 32.53° N 75.98° E.

[edit] Understand

2039m above sea level, with an average elevation of 1954 metres (6410 feet), Dalhousie is spread over 13km. Lord Dalhousie founded the town of Dalhousie because its fresh and peaceful atmosphere and healthy surroundings enchanted him. The English visited this place for their vacations. The bungalows here are all made in the English style. Situated in the Dhauladhar mountain range on 5 mountains Dalhousie has thick forests of pine and deodar trees. Many picnic spots can be found here.

Dalhousie is a quiet hill station with little night life, best suited for people who want to de-stress, like the quiet serene atmosphere and for honeymooners, ideal for long walks picnics and treks. Not recommended for people who want discos, malls and mutiplexes. While there is plenty to do, see and experience Dalhousie exuberates an old world charm and seems like it hasn't quite caught up with the rest of the world yet.

Weather: it is usually warm in the morning and afternoon in June-July and gets cold early in the evening and quite cold at night, pack wollens and jackets, t-shirt's can be worn in the day time while the sun is out. The weather gets quite cold if it rains.

[edit] Get in

The trip to Dalhousie is a long one if you are heading in from Delhi. It usually involves either taking an overnight train to Pathankot (about 10 hours) and then a 2 - 3 drive from Pathankot to Dalhousie.

Among the many ways to Dalhousie the three more frequently used ones are

• Delhi -> Pathankot -> Dalhousie
• Delhi -> Chandigarh -> Dalhousie
• Delhi -> Amritsar -> Dalhousie

There are frequent bus service from Dalhousie to Pathankot, Chamba, Delhi, Dehradun, Dharasala etc. There is a daily bus at 7.00 pm for New Delhi.

75 km from Dalhousie is Pathankot. There are regular trains from Pathankot for Various places of India like as far as Mumbai, Pune and Kerala.

Nearest airport are

• Pathankot at 75 km. with one flight from Delhi to Pathankot and back, however, in case of fog it gets canceled.
• Jammu at 180 km. There are regular flights from Jammu to Delhi and many other destinations.

Taxi charges for Dalhousie-Pathankot are about Rs 800. In February 2008, for a single day return trip from Pathankot, we, 8 of us, paid Rs 2,125 for Qualis vehicle (an SUV). This included toll, permit, parking fee, driver bata fuel, tax etc.

[edit] Get around

Main mode of transport is a car or motorcycle, it can get very cold in the evening so a car is recommended. Pony rides are available in G.P.O and Khajjiar but this is mostly a recreational activity rather than a functional one. The ponies are called khachars a cross between horses and donkeys - don't expect thorough bred horses. Walking around Dalhousie is an good option but to see Khajjiar and Chamba you will have to use some kind of transport. Taxis to these destinations are easily available from the Main market.

[edit][add listing] See

• G.P.O. - the main market is popularly called G.P.O beacuause of the post office.

• Tibetan Market - A market run by Tibetans has all kinds of knick-knacks ,electronics and toys mostly from China.

• Khajjiar - a stunning valley with a spring in the middle, while being quite beautiful, it gets littered with trash in the peak season of July when a massive amount of tourists come. Known as the 'Switzerland of India' for the meadowy look.

• Dainkund walk - a gentle slope walk near a Air Force base in Dalhousie leads to a Hindu temple.

• Alah water tank - the main water tank in the area holds 100,000 gallons.

• Upper Bakrota - The highest area in Dalhousie has a number estates, a residential school and an army barracks at the top. The area is circled by a road which is called the Bakrota walk, it is on the way to Khajjiar and ends at the Alah water tank. It was the preferred destination of the landed gentry of Punjab during the Raj. Now populated by similar residents from the new India. Some of the houses are worth seeing but are mostly on private gated estates.

• Kala Tope Rest House - on the way to Khajjiar at the toll barrier for Kala Tope, a road to the left of the barrier leads to the government rest house, a nice quiet spot and a great place for a picnic. The 3 km route through dense pine forests from Lakkadmandi to Kala Tope is simply exhilarating.

• Ganji Pahadi walk - (Ganji means bald, Pahadi means hill) it is called ganji pahadi because there are no trees on the summit of the hill and it looks like its got a bald patch at the top, you can ask a local how to get there, it is a long walk at least and hour long but quite pleasant.

• Subhash Chowk - (Chowk means intersection) this is the spot where the road from the bus stand makes a cross road between two roads to G.P.O and the one coming in from the bus stand. It is also a fairly active market, second to GPO.

• Tibetan handicraft center - 3km from G.P.O on the way to Khajjiar on the left is a slip road leading to this center. It contains great carpets and other handicrafts. You will have to ask a local if the center is open to visitors at the time of your visit.

• Church - right next to post office and police post in G.P.O.

• Chamba - Is a major district town a little distance away from Dalhousie and is the seat of the former Princely State of Chamba. Has a number of attractions including a major museum, restaurants etc.

Ask the locals for more detailed directions and advice about these places Dain Kund, Upper Bakrota and Ganji Pahadi are the lesser known but quite long and enjoyable walks, pack a picnic basket there are a lot of open empty spots where one can sit and enjoy a meal and a good view.

[edit][add listing] Do

Dalhousie is known for its great valleys, High mountains ranges. The Places like Panchpula is known for trekking. There are waterfalls, places to trek or places to sit down relax and feel the nature. It is 5 km from GPO Dalhousie Chowk. Going there is easy by bus, taxi, etc. But going on foot is a marvellous experience. This Place Registered its Name in History. As here Lies Memorial of Amar Ajit Singh (Uncle of Saheed Bhagat Singh)

• Go to the Tibetan market and have a look around just for fun.
• Enjoy long walks carry an umbrella if its cloudy.
• Picnics are the thing to do in Dalhousie.
• Have a barb-be-que if your hotel has the facilities to do so.
• Star Gaze the sky is exceptionally clear in Dalhousie at night (bring your binoculars/telescope).
• Enjoy a ride on the ponies in khajjar.
• Trek its a fantastic place to trek.
• Go see the site's ask the locals - there are a lot of places not covered in this wiki.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are dozens of shops in the main market. The Tibetan market is a market run by Tibetans has all kinds of knicknacks, electronics and toys mostly from China. D.C Khannah local general store for everything from paint to everyday things; ask a local for directions.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There are quite a few restaurants the better ones are usually in the hotels themselves. Kwality restaurant is one of the oldest is located in G.P.O its not the most sophisticated place but is usually full and serves great dosa and Indian food there are lots of small eating places in G.P.O and Khajjahr.

• Nepoli Restaurant (Gandhi Chowk).  edit

• Quality Restaurant (Gandhi Chowk). only in summer.  edit

• Shere Punjab (Gandhi Chowk).  edit

• Dawat Restaurant, Hotel Mount View (near the bus stand).  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

There is a liquor store in G.P.O and bars in the hotels, but no pubs as such.

• Hotel ManiMahesh, Bus Stand

• Vatika Restaurant (4 km back, on the way)

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are various hotels available please book your room in advance in July it also helps to enquire about the condtion and facilities available in the hotel, guest house's and some houses are available on rent. The houses are more expensive but better maintained and more luxurious, hotels differ in pricing the more expensive ones have better views and more services offered, one can have a look around to find the type of accommodation needed.

• Hotel Monal, ☎ +91 9816463388, +91-01899-242362 (info@hotelmonal.com). Centrally located,on the most peaceful & beautiful side of Dalhousie,with all the modern amenities,personal balcony for complete privacy. Also recommended by world renowned travel logs. Rs 400-1600.  edit

• Hotel Mount View, ☎ +91 9418010822 (info@mountviewindia.com). Terraces overlooking Pir Panjal Ranges, Bathri Valley and the Dalhousie Cantt, landscaped gardens. Restaurant Davat, terrace eatery. Conference hall for 200 people. Bar, health club, games room. edit

• Sagrika Resort (on the Mall at Court Road), ☎ +91-9418040660,+91- 1899-240489 (Sagrikaresort@hotmail.com, fax: +91 1899-240660). Centrally located. The main market is at the doorsteps. Well-furnished, wall-to-wall carpeted rooms with EPBX, hot and cold running water, color TV, room service. Refreshing garden. Rs1200-1500 (super-deluxe room).  edit

• Teddy's Lodge, york cottage , upper bakrota ask for teddy singh (upper bakrota , near allah water tank half a km walk up to upper bakrota from the water tank) (teddysahib@hotmail.com), [1].  edit

[edit] Get out

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