Named after the erstwhile Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie or James Andrew Broun-Ramsay, Dalhousie offers a quaint and beautiful hill setting. By Karan Kaushik
Palatial Victorian bungalows, charming cottages, Raj-era churches, and elite boarding schools line its sylvan roads. Take strolls at its three malls. Appreciate the best of Gothic architecture. Hike to Bakrota and Moti Tibba hills. Go on a road trip to Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. Try paragliding at Khajjar. The charming hill station has an impressive array of offerings for the seasoned traveller.
Your handy guide to Dalhousie
Things to do
Explore British-era churches
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Dalhousie has retained much of its past glory and character. The colonial architecture here serves as a window into Dalhousie’s unique history. The hill station is home to five stately churches. St. John at Gandhi Chowk is the oldest. Being centrally located near the GPO, the historic church is hard to miss. The Protestant church was built in 1863 and features gorgeous 19th-century stained glass paintings.
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At the other end of the mall, you’ll find the St Francis Church perched atop a hill at Subhash Chowk. Dating back to 1894, the church boasts intricate wooden ceilings. Then there’s St Patrick’s which is located inside the Boys Vila on Potreyn Road. Another prominent church is St. Andrew’s in the cantonment area. You’ll have to seek permission to visit this one. Dalhousie’s best-preserved church is the one attached to Sacred Heart School, famed for its stained glass altar and French windows.
Adventure sports in Khajjar
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Nestled at a height of 6,43o feet, Khajjar is a gorgeous open meadow picnic and adventure spot. The pine-adorned landscape will remind you of the Swiss Alps. Khajjar is flocked by tourists in the droves. From zorbing and paragliding to getting dressed in traditional Himachali attire for a photo session, it’s winsome for every tourist. The expansive meadow features a tiny lake, a floating island, and the 17th-century Khajinag temple. The main attraction of the meadow, however, is the giant bronze statue of Lord Shiva, which adds to the blissful vibes.
Hike to Kalatop
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Kalatop is a popular hilltop in Dalhousie, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is flocked by mountain lovers for a grand view of the majestic Pir Panjal Range. The hilltop is a part of the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. But don’t expect safaris or guided tours. Visitors are only allowed till the Kalatop Peak. Still, there’s much to look forward to. Visit the Forest Rest House, which was featured in Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha’s Lootera. The landscape features dense coniferous and oak forest with upper reaches dotted by deodars. The wildlife sanctuary can be explored on foot or by car.
Bakrota Hills
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Perhaps the best attraction in Dalhousie, Bakrota Hills is truly majestic with its snow-clad mountains and deep wooded valleys. The Bakrota Mall, a cobblestoned boulevard, offers stunning views of snowclad peaks. Hiking to the hilltop on a rugged pathway lined with oak, pine, and deodar trees is every bit rewarding. The hill is best visited in the winter months starting from November when the hills get covered in a thick blanket of snow and the clear skies provide unobstructed views of the sun-lit Himalayas.
Boating at Chamera Lake
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Boating in the aquamarine waters of the magnificent Chamera Lake is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Located at a distance of 25km from Dalhousie, the charming lake makes for a nice excursion. The lake is fed by the Ravi river and offers a range of activities for tourists. Encompassed by lofty mountains and hilly settlements featuring step farming land, the lake is great for unwinding on a bright and sunny afternoon. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department has also established a water sports sub-centre at the lake.
Satdhara and Panchpula Waterfalls
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Any trip to Dalhousie is incomplete without a visit to Satdhara and Panchpulla. Satdhara is a short downhill walk from Gandhi Chawk. Its water is believed to have medicinal properties. Panchpulla, 1km further on, features two charming waterfalls. The place serves as a nice picnic spot and has small eateries serving tea and snacks. The hanging rope bridge here is Instagram-worthy.
Hike to Dainkund Peak
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To savour the best views in Dalhousie, trek to the Dainkund Peak. It’s the highest peak in Dalhousie and receives maximum snowfall during winters. You may choose to trek, or else there’s a motorable road to the hill too. From the top, you can soak in 360-degree views of the majestic valley dotted with pines and deodars and quaint hill settlements with mud houses. Most people trek to the hilltop to visit the much-revered Pholani Devi Temple. Dainkund also has an Air Force base, which can be seen from the peak.
Where to stay
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Dalhousie has hotels for every budget. Fortune Park by ITC overlooks the picturesque Pir Panjal range. Surrounded by a dense cover of slender pine trees, verdant greens, and enchanting views of the sun-kissed valley, the hotel offers 57 plush rooms and suites. Their all-day dining restaurant Zodiac offers the best of world cuisines. The hotel also features a bar, a swimming pool, a gym, and a spa.
Grand View Hotel near Dalhousie Club features a colonial ambience and offers a restaurant, lounge bar, wellness centre, library, among other facilities. J.K Clarks Exotic at Church Baloon Road also has a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge, and garden. They serve superlative English/Irish breakfast, which can be enjoyed in the hill-facing balconies of their rooms. Free WiFi and private parking are also available.
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The newly-constructed Indraprastha Resort is centrally-heated and offers elegantly-furnished rooms with ensuite bathrooms. They also have a spa, an in-house restaurant, and a bar that serves interesting cocktails. Brij Vila at Silverton Estate, Moti Tibba is a family-run heritage property replete with old-world charm. Hotel Shangri-La on the Mall offers rewarding views of the Pir Panjals. Snow Valley Resorts at The Mall is perfect for families. Zostel Dalhousie is at Subhash Baoli Road, Kholpukar.
Where to eat
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Being a popular tourist attraction, Dalhousie has no dearth of good food. From streetside Maggi, momo, and omelette scooters and stalls to chic cafes and old-school dining restaurants, the hill station offers it all. Among the all-time favourite eateries are Kwality at Gandhi Chowk, Moti Mahal at Subhash Chowk, and Old Sher-E-Punjab, also at Subhash Chowk. Cafe Dalhousie is one of the oldest in town and serves delectable homemade cakes along with Indian, Chinese, and South Indian dishes.
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For a quintessential new-age hill experience, enjoy Maggi and tea at Shiva’s Cafe at Panchpula. Bon-appetit at Gandhi Chowk Mall has nice fries, grills, and roasts. For burgers and chicken delicacies, try Big Chick near G.P.O. Mogas Cafe at Gandhi Chowk Mall offers relaxing vibes and awesome cakes. If you want to unwind over a drink, Illusion Lounge Bar on Church Baloon Road is nice.
Shopping
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Explore the Tibetan Refugee Handicrafts Centre at Lower Bakrota Hill, 3km off Gandhi Chowk. You can shop for gorgeous handmade carpets, Tibetan artefacts, and wall hangings here. Then there’s the smaller Tibetan market near Gandhi Chowk, which will remind you of Delhi’s Palika with shops selling clothes and electronics. Himachal Gift Emporium at Gandhi Chowk sells nice wooden artefacts. Do visit the iconic DC Khanna Store for locally made jams. For woollens, souvenirs, handbags, and more visit the shops around Gandhi Chowk and the Mall.
Best time to go
The months between March and October are pleasant. April, May and June get tend to get crowded. September is the most peaceful time to visit. Winter (Nov-Feb) can be extremely cold. Snowfall happens from December to February.
How to reach
By Air: Gaggal at 106km is the nearest airport. It is connected to Delhi by regular flights. Pathankot Airport is another option at 75km.
By Rail: Pathankot is the nearest railway station. Taxis and buses are available for Dalhousie.
By Road: Regular HPTC and private buses are available from Delhi (565km) for Shimla, Chamba, and Dharamshala. If you wish to travel by car, take the highway to Jalandhar via Panipat, Karnal, Ambala, Khanna, and Ludhiana; catch the highway to Pathankot. Dalhousie can be reached via Dhar, Tunnuhatti, and Banikhet along the state highway after Chakki.
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