Chail
Discover Chail
Chail is a village and hill station in Southern Himachal Pradesh, India at a height of 2,250 m above sea level. It was built as a Summer Capital by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh when he was exiled from Shimla by British Lord Kitchener. Besides being a tourist hotspot—for which reason whatsoever, Chail features one of the more important military schools in India, the Rashtriya Military School up the hill towards one of the world's highest cricket grounds. At the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, Chail is just 45 km away from Shimla, surrounded by thick deodars and at a higher altitude. Chail is a resort. It has several historically tourist attractions. It was built by the Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh as his Summer Capital, and the residents here are basically from the Pahadi Community. Chail is higher than Shimla, in the Shiwalik region and surrounded by tall tree forests of chir and deodar pine.
What to Experience in Chail
Taste of Chail...
Himachali Kadi is a special dish that everyone must try, otherwise, Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes are also available. Most accommodations in town will offer food, so it is easy to find something. A few dhabas offer typical Himachali Cuisines at reasonable rates—try the one at the "locals-only" entrance to the Chail Palace. For drinking, apple and plum wines, kiwi squashes and fresh handmade pickles are a few of the specialities of the Himachal Government-approved outlet in Chail. There are sufficient options to choose from, including many mountain resorts, even though budget options like hostels in Manali, Rishikesh and Dharamsala will be hard to find here, especially out of low season (September 14th to May). Rooms in Chail range from ₹200–25,000. The rooms in the center near the bus station start at ₹700–1,000 in low season. Many places are a few kilometres away and require transportation, best to book online and request transport. Many stray dogs (compared to the amount of villagers) roam the few street of Chail. Stay distant and do not engage. The area dialling code for Chail is 0179. From overseas, dial +91 179 XXX-XXXX.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are about 5-6 daily buses running the 38 km (2½ hr) from and to Shimla's IGMC Bus Station in each direction 8AM–4PM, for ₹92 (as of Aug 2023). During the weekend the amount of buses drops, but there are at least the 8AM and 2:30PM buses going in each direction. Also, there are hourly buses 8AM–5PM connecting Kandaghat, which lies at the main Shimla-Chandigarh highway. Kufri is the nearest roadway connecting Chail and Shimla, which is 29 km away. The nearest airport is Shimla Airport in Jubbarhati, which is 45 km away from Chail. The airport in Chandigarh is 120 km away via Kandaghat. Kandaghat is the nearest train station on the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla railway. Kalka, 86 km away, is on the broad gauge railway line connecting to Delhi. The next nearest stations are in Chandigarh. Chail can be explored easily on foot. Also, further away sights are great for a half-day hike or stroll. Nearby villages connect with local bus services 7AM-7PM....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Chail can be explored easily on foot. Also, further away sights are great for a half-day hike or stroll. Nearby villages connect with local bus services 7AM-7PM. Himachali Kadi is a special dish that everyone must try, otherwise, Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes are also available. Most accommodations in town will offer food, so it is easy to find something. A few dhabas offer typical Himachali Cuisines at reasonable rates—try the one at the "locals-only" entrance to the Chail Palace. For drinking, apple and plum wines, kiwi squashes and fresh handmade pickles are a few of the specialities of the Himachal Government-approved outlet in Chail. There are sufficient options to choose from, including many mountain resorts, even though budget options like hostels in Manali, Rishikesh and Dharamsala will be hard to find here, especially out of low season (September 14th to May). Rooms in Chail range from ₹200–25,000.
Where to Stay
There are sufficient options to choose from, including many mountain resorts, even though budget options like hostels in Manali, Rishikesh and Dharamsala will be hard to find here, especially out of low season (September 14th to May). Rooms in Chail range from ₹200–25,000. The rooms in the center near the bus station start at ₹700–1,000 in low season. Many places are a few kilometres away and require transportation, best to book online and request transport. Many stray dogs (compared to the amount of villagers) roam the few street of Chail. Stay distant and do not engage. The area dialling code for Chail is 0179. From overseas, dial +91 179 XXX-XXXX.
Money & Budget
Himachali Kadi is a special dish that everyone must try, otherwise, Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes are also available. Most accommodations in town will offer food, so it is easy to find something. A few dhabas offer typical Himachali Cuisines at reasonable rates—try the one at the "locals-only" entrance to the Chail Palace. For drinking, apple and plum wines, kiwi squashes and fresh handmade pickles are a few of the specialities of the Himachal Government-approved outlet in Chail. There are sufficient options to choose from, including many mountain resorts, even though budget options like hostels in Manali, Rishikesh and Dharamsala will be hard to find here, especially out of low season (September 14th to May). Rooms in Chail range from ₹200–25,000.
Language & Talk
Languages spoken in Chail include Hindi, Pahadi, Punjabi and English. There are about 5-6 daily buses running the 38 km (2½ hr) from and to Shimla's IGMC Bus Station in each direction 8AM–4PM, for ₹92 (as of Aug 2023). During the weekend the amount of buses drops, but there are at least the 8AM and 2:30PM buses going in each direction. Also, there are hourly buses 8AM–5PM connecting Kandaghat, which lies at the main Shimla-Chandigarh highway. Kufri is the nearest roadway connecting Chail and Shimla, which is 29 km away. The nearest airport is Shimla Airport in Jubbarhati, which is 45 km away from Chail. The airport in Chandigarh is 120 km away via Kandaghat. Kandaghat is the nearest train station on the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla railway.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Many stray dogs (compared to the amount of villagers) roam the few street of Chail. Stay distant and do not engage. The area dialling code for Chail is 0179. From overseas, dial +91 179 XXX-XXXX.
Glimpses of Chail
white and brown house near green trees and mountains during daytime
KUFRI, INDIA
An idyllic setting to relax and rejuvenate at Chail Palace, Himachal Pradesh, India
Kali ka Tibba Mandir
gray concrete road between green trees under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
the sun is setting over the mountains and trees
the sun is setting through the trees in the forest
Sunlit green leaves on a dark tree branch
A vibrant red flower bud about to bloom
white and brown house near green trees and mountains during daytime
KUFRI, INDIA
An idyllic setting to relax and rejuvenate at Chail Palace, Himachal Pradesh, India
Kali ka Tibba Mandir