Dalhousie (India)
Discover Dalhousie (India)
Dalhousie is a hill resort town in the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh in India at 2000 metres (6400 feet) altitude. Dalhousie is a quiet hill station with little nightlife, best suited for people looking to de-stress and like the quiet, serene atmosphere. It is a good destination for honeymooners, ideal for long walks, picnics and treks. It is not recommended for people who want discos, malls and multiplexes. While there is plenty to do, see and experience, Dalhousie exudes an old-world charm and it almost seems like it hasn't quite caught up with the rest of the world.
What to Experience in Dalhousie (India)
Taste of Dalhousie (India)...
There are quite a few restaurants; the better ones are usually in the hotels themselves. Kwality restaurant is one of the oldest, is located at G.P.O, is not the most sophisticated place, but is usually full and serves great dosa and Indian food. There are lots of small eating places at G.P.O. and Khajjiar. You can also try out some momos, a type of dumpling that is hugely popular with tourists). There is a liquor store at G.P.O. and bars in the hotels, but no pubs as such. There are various hotels available. Please book your room in advance in July; it also helps to enquire about the condition and facilities available in the hotel. Guest houses and some houses are available on rent. The houses are more expensive but better maintained and more luxurious. Hotels differ in prices: the more expensive ones have better views and more services offered; one can have a look around to find the type of accommodation needed.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Dalhousie (India) into what it is today.
Lord Dalhousie founded the town in 1854 because its fresh and peaceful atmosphere and healthy surroundings enchanted him. The British acquired five hills — Kathalagh, Potreyn, Terah (now called Moti Tibba by the locals), Bakrota and Bhangora — from the ruler of the Chamba State for developing the area as a sanatorium; in return, his taxes were reduced. The project originated with Lt. Col. Napier, then Chief Engineer of Punjab; (‘afterwards Lord Napier of Magdala”). Dr. Clemenger of the 49th Native infantry did the surveying. In 1851 a spot where the Dayan Kund Ridge (now Dain Kund) breaks in to spurs was selected for the project and Kathalagh was identified for the construction of Convalescent Depot. The British visited this place for their summer vacations, and the bungalows are in an English style. The modern town is situated among the five hills, facing the Pir Panjal range of snow-capped and pristine mountains, surrounded by thick forests of pine and deodar trees. It is usually warm in the morning and afternoon in June–July, gets cold early in the evening, and is quite cold at night: pack woollens and jackets; T-shirts can be worn in the daytime while the sun is out. The weather gets quite cold when it rains. In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing when heavy woollens are required. The summer temperature are mild and light woollens / cottons are recommended. The trip to Dalhousie is a long one if you are heading from Delhi....
Climate
It is usually warm in the morning and afternoon in June–July, gets cold early in the evening, and is quite cold at night: pack woollens and jackets; T-shirts can be worn in the daytime while the sun is out. The weather gets quite cold when it rains. In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing when heavy woollens are required. The summer temperature are mild and light woollens / cottons are recommended. The trip to Dalhousie is a long one if you are heading from Delhi. It usually involves taking an overnight train to Pathankot (about 10 hr) and then a 2–3 hr drive from Pathankot to Dalhousie. The options for overnight trains are Delhi-Pathankot or Delhi-Chakki Bank train. Chakki Bank is only 4 km away from Pathankot which gives you the pleasure of being on train at right time (around 21:00) and being in Chakki Bank at morning (06:30) There are frequent bus services from Pathankot to Dalhousie, which cost ₹70, as well as one bus a day from Delhi.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe trip to Dalhousie is a long one if you are heading from Delhi. It usually involves taking an overnight train to Pathankot (about 10 hr) and then a 2–3 hr drive from Pathankot to Dalhousie. The options for overnight trains are Delhi-Pathankot or Delhi-Chakki Bank train. Chakki Bank is only 4 km away from Pathankot which gives you the pleasure of being on train at right time (around 21:00) and being in Chakki Bank at morning (06:30) There are frequent bus services from Pathankot to Dalhousie, which cost ₹70, as well as one bus a day from Delhi. A taxi from Pathankot costs between ₹800 (unofficial) to ₹1,350 (official taxi). There are also local buses to Kangra, Dharamsala (07:15, ₹155), Khajjiar and Chamba. For example, a local bus from Kangra to Dalhousie will cost only ₹150/- per ticket and will give some best scenic views on the way. You will also get a chance to interact with local people on the way who are nice....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The greatest activity in Dalhousie is on and around the three-level malls which were laid in the early 1860s for promenades, carriages, horses, dandies, etc. these roads and the steeper by-lanes which connect them to the bus-stand are still the arteries of the town. The malls around Moti Tibba and Potreyn hills are the most popular with tourists as the two are level and most of the business activity and hotels are around them. Gandhi Chowk, Upper bazaar. Subhash chowk, Catholic church of St Frances, Sadar bazaar and the Convent founded by an Order of Belgium nuns and their Sacred Heart School are on these two malls. Dalhousie’s third and highest mall was built around the upper Bakrota hill nearly a 1,000 feet above the G.P.O. (Gandhi Chowk).
Where to Stay
There are various hotels available. Please book your room in advance in July; it also helps to enquire about the condition and facilities available in the hotel. Guest houses and some houses are available on rent. The houses are more expensive but better maintained and more luxurious. Hotels differ in prices: the more expensive ones have better views and more services offered; one can have a look around to find the type of accommodation needed.
Money & Budget
There are dozens of shops in the main market. D.C. Khannah local general store has everything from paint to everyday things; ask a local for directions-nearby Hotel Basera on court road Dalhousie. There are quite a few restaurants; the better ones are usually in the hotels themselves. Kwality restaurant is one of the oldest, is located at G.P.O, is not the most sophisticated place, but is usually full and serves great dosa and Indian food. There are lots of small eating places at G.P.O. and Khajjiar. You can also try out some momos, a type of dumpling that is hugely popular with tourists). There is a liquor store at G.P.O. and bars in the hotels, but no pubs as such. There are various hotels available.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Dalhousie (India)
Evenings in Himalayas.
a house sitting on top of a lush green hillside
white and brown concrete building near green trees during daytime
a group of houses on a hill
green trees on mountain under blue sky during daytime
white horses on gray concrete road
a monkey sitting on a tree branch
a hillside with buildings and trees
a house surrounded by trees
person sitting on brown wooden fence under cloudy sky during daytime
Evenings in Himalayas.
a house sitting on top of a lush green hillside
white and brown concrete building near green trees during daytime