Spread out over the five hills of Kathlog, Potreyn, Terah, Bakrota and Bhangora, Dalhousie is popular hill station that was founded by Lord Dalhousie in 1850 as a summer retreat. Rich in colonial architecture, the town preserves some beautiful churches. A veneer of Tibetan culture has added a touch of the exotic to this serene destination. The cool climate of the town has a lot of summer visitors.
Marvelous forest trails overlook vistas of wooded hills, water falls, springs and rivulets. In the distance, River Ravi meandering its course adds to the panorama. Mighty Dhauladhar ranges with perennially snow capped peaks complete the horizon.
Attracted to the healing charm of the hill station, freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose stayed on for many months at Dalhousie in 1937. The spring water fed Subhash Baoli and Subhash Chowk are named after him.
The town’s main markets – The Mall Road is a good place to shop for woollen Himachali shawls, Chamba rumals, traditional jewellery, Tibetan handicrafts and other items. Dalhousie is 54 km from Chamba.
Languages spoken
People engaged in tourism trade understand and communicate in English and Hindi.
Clothing
Being a hill station Dalhousie has pleasant weather in spring and autumn. In summer it does get a little hot and cotton clothing is most suitable. Winters are cold as the hill stations does receive heavy rounds of snow. Heavy woollen clothing is required to stay cozy.
Air: The nearest domestic airport to Dalhousie is Gaggal Airport ( Kangra) which is 110 km away.
Rail: Nearest train station to Dalhousie is Pathankot, 87 km away.
Road: Dalhousie is well connected by road. Public and private transport services are available for Pathankot, Amritsar, Delhi, Shimla and other cities. There are regular bus services for Chamba, Bharmaur and other destinations. For customised travel, taxis are readily available.
| Places to visit | Distances from Dalhousie (Km) |
|---|---|
| Chamba | 54 |
| Shimla | 325 |
| Delhi | 562 |
| Amritsar | 199 |
| Chandigarh | 313 |
Shopping at the Mall Road
The nerve center of this beautiful town – The Mall Road, is the shopping and socializing hub of the hill station. One can buy souvenirs and memorabilia, craftwork, woollen shawls and Tibetan handicrafts.
St. Patrick’s Church
On Military Hospital road stands the St. Patrick’s Church, largest of all the churches in Dalhousie. Built in the year 1909, the dressed-stone building is in good condition. The church is at a walking distance from Gandhi Chowk.
St. Francis Church
The St. Francis Church, a Catholic Church built in the year 1894, was made from the public contributions and that from army and civil officers. The church has some good stonework and the coloured Belgium glass facade is very beautiful. The chruch is at a walking distance from Subhash Chowk.
St. John’s Church
The oldest church in town, St. John’s Church was built in 1863, has a chapel with nice paintings of St. Peter and St. John. The Protestant church possesses a library with a good collection of books about Dalhousie. At a walking distance from Gandhi Chowk, the church is part of the towns colonial heritage.
Subhash Baoli
A comfortable walk from the town’s main post office gets to this fresh water spring. Along the way are some panoramic views of snow capped mountains that has a lot of walkers take to the pathway. The Baoli (well) is named after freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose who for many months in 1937 stayed at Dalhousie. The guest house where Bose stayed during an illness and was cured by the medicinal water of the spring, now serves as a retreat.
Panjpula Waterfall
Scenic Panjpula, 6 km from Dalhousie, is a confluence of mountain streams whose waters are believed to have medicinal properties. Over these streams are five bridges built, giving the place its name. For the sheer sight of water flowing, it is a nice picnic spot. At Panjpula there is a memorial of Sardar Ajit Singh, a revolutionary freedom fighter who lived in town.
Satdhara Falls
On the way to Panjpula are the Satdhara Falls formed by the confluence of seven spring streams. These waters are said to have therapeutic properties. The waterfall is a place to be at during monsoon season in July – August, when the water gushes at its prime.
Bakrota Hills
The 5 km uphill walk to Bakrota Hill passes through the natural splendor of Dalhousie dominated by thick deodar, pine and oak forests wrapped in an morning mist, if you set out early. Dominating views of the township and neighbouring hills make the walk worth the effort taken to get up there. In winter, when the hills are under a snow cover, a overview from Bakrota is spectacular.
Bhulwani Mata Temple, Bara Pathar
Near the Dalhousie town, on the way to Kalatop, is the Bhulwani Mata temple at Bara Pathar. In July, every year, a fair is held at this scenic location that has natives and tourists partake in the festivities. Bara Pathar is only 4 km from Dalhousie.
Bhalei Mata Temple
On a high spur of Bhalei, a temple for Bhadra Kali as the destroyer of evil was built by Raja Pratap Singh Varman in the 16th century. For the spring and autumn navratras, many pilgrims make their way to pay obeisance at the Bhalei Mata temple and the place wears a decorative look for the religious festivities. The temple at Bhalei is 40 km from Chamba, 25 km from Salooni and 35 km from Dalhousie.
Dining
Some of the finest restaurants and places to dine are located on the Thandi Sadak and Garak Sadak in Dalhousie. Not to miss ones include Sher-e-Punjab Dhaba which is famous for its North Indian food and the Café Dalhousie restaurant that’s known for its South Indian and Chinese. Kwality restaurant is another dining option to be considered for its ambiance and fast food options.
Transport
To enjoy a stay in Dalhousie, it is best to commute by walking through the pathways to all scenic spots that can be easily reached. Taxis are readily available for all places of interest. Public transport bus services are also available to most places.
Hospitals
Dalhousie is equipped with good medical facilities. There is a government Civil Hospital, a Military Hospital and well run private clinics that meet the needs of tourists visiting the popular hill station.
| Season | Months | Average Temperature |
| Summer | March – June | 18°C – 27°C |
| Monsoon | July – September | 9°C – 18°C |
| Winter | December – February | 3°C – 11°C |
Minjar Fair, Chamba
Minjar Fair, the main festival of Chamba, is held at the sprawling Chaugan ground in July/August. Celebrating nature’s bounty, the farming community prays for a good harvest by offering the first sprouting corn silk, locally called ‘Minjar’, to divine River Ravi for the occasion. The celebrations go on for a week. Stalls selling local crafts and produce are put up and for the evenings cultural performances that draw large crowds are held.
Manimahesh Yatra, Bharmaur – Chamba
The simplicity, grandeur and intense belief system of Bharmaur valley can be witnessed during the holding of the Manimahesh Yatra in August/September. This festival is held after Janmashtami. The Yatra is an arduous and difficult trek to the scenic mountain lake (altitude 4190 meters) lying at the foot of the commanding Mount Kailash at Manimahesh. At Bharmaur, 35 km short of the lake, the nomadic Gaddi tribesman hold a fair that goes on for six days.
| STD Code | 01899 |
| District Tourism Development Office, Chamba | 224002 |
| Tourist Information Centre, Dalhousie (Chamba) | 242225 |
Khajjiar
Often compared with Swiss mountain meadows, Khajjiar is a wide grassy clearing around a pond with a thick cedar forest. A few meters from the pond is the temple of Khajji Nag that dates back to the 12th century AD.
This scenic spot is 24 km from Chamba and 22 km from Dalhousie. More than a road journey, an easy and comfortable trek to Khajjiar from Chamba brings you up close with nature to make it a memorable experience.
Chamera Lake
On the route from Chamba to Dalhousie, the lake of Chamera Dam backwaters have developed into a popular getaway. Water sport activities of boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and fishing are recreational and fun filled escapades to indulge in. To end a day one can sit back and enjoy the splendour of a sunset as the calm waters reflect vivid colours. The Chamera dam built on River Ravi is 25 km from Dalhousie.
Dainkund Hill Top
Overlooking the grasslands of Khajjiar, Dainkund is the highest mountain among the hills around Dalhousie. From an altitude of 2755 meters the views are wide and a photographer’s delight. To ascend to the mountain top, a diverting road from an intersection at 13 km from Dalhousie on the road to Khajjiar leads to Diankund peak.
Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
The higher hill range of Khajjiar forms the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, ideal for trekking and excursions out into the wilderness. Sheltered wildlife found in the sanctuary are the Himalayan black bear, leopard, ghoral deer, monal pheasant and others. Summers are pleasant but winters can pound Kalatop with heavy snow that at times can pile to a heap of over five feet. Kalatop is 13 km from Dalhousie.
Chamba Jot
High over the valley, overlooking the town, the hilltop ‘Jot’, 30 km from Chamba has commanding views which attracts a lot of visitors. In winters the Jot receives heavy snow. In summer, paragliders use the spot as a take-off point to glide their flight into the valley. Nearby is a small temple of Pohlani Mata. The scenic meadow of Khajjiar, 20 kms away, is an easy grade trek from the Jot.