Dalhousie is one of the most visited tourist destinations because of its rich culture, heritage, history, natural vegetation, and scenic view. The town is always packed with tourists throughout the year, making it a hot-shot tourist spot. Here you can check places to visit in Dalhousie.
Dalhousie is a quaint little hill station and a hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh. Full of spectacular views and places to explore! A saying about Dalhousie in Hindi means “if you haven’t been to Dalhousie, it is as if you haven’t left your home.”
This small town is famous for its Victorian architecture and English charm. In addition, the area is home to some of the greatest schools and institutions in the country. Long-term stays are popular at Dalhousie. If you like to be surrounded by nature, this is perfect.
If you are looking for a calm and serene place to spend your summer vacation, Dalhousie is the place for you. We have curated a travel guide for your Dalhousie trip, which includes-
- Brief history
- Culture
- Weather
- Places to visit
- Best way to reach Dalhousie.
Keep reading this blog to plan your summer vacation in Dalhousie.
Dalhousie History
Established in 1854 as a cool spot to beat the scorching heat of India, Dalhousie got its name from its founder and the British governor-general of the 19th century, Lord Dalhousie. The British acquired five hills, “Bhangra, Bakrota, Terah (also known as Moti Tibba), Potreyn, and Kathalagh,” from the Chamba district to make Dalhousie a cool natural retreat for summer. At that time, the Chamba district was under maharaja Shri Singh, and he knew opposing Britishers would do nothing well. Hence, he settled by lessening an adequate tax amount that Chamba district honored the British raj.
One of the greatest freedom fighters of India, Subhash Chandra bose, stood in Dalhousie when he was suffering from tuberculosis. He got attached to the place that in his book “the tribune,” he mentioned,
“I hope that after independence, our resource-rich water bodies and health resorts would, in a systematic manner, be developed as health centres, so that we do not have to go abroad for such places to gain health.”
He again came back when the town celebrated 100 years of existence; he stated he would go to Dalhousie over any hill station in India since it’s the best place in terms of beauty, climate, and agreeable surroundings.
Dalhousie is preferred by many more known personalities, such as Rabindra Nath Tagore and Rudyard Kipling.
Culture of Dalhousie
Apart from knowing its natural vegetation and climatic condition, Dalhousie is also known for its rich culture and tradition. Hinduism is the main religion followed in Dalhousie and Christianity, Sikhism and Islam. Although The first language is Hindi, people frequently speak the Pahari language, unlike any other hill station. As Britishers ruled Dalhousie in its early era, you would witness many ancient buildings and churches in colonial architecture. There are many handicrafts preserved here since the mid of 6th century, so Dalhousie has many things stored to make your trip unforgettable.
Best time to visit Dalhousie
Since Dalhousie is a hill station, it is blessed with pleasant weather throughout the year. The best time to explore Dalhousie is between March and June when the temperature lies between 18-29 degrees Celsius.
July to September drops the temperature between 11-23 degrees with moderate rainfall and landslides, making it avoidable.
Winters in Dalhousie are all about chilly nights, snowfalls, and hails with temperatures between 1-10 degrees Celcius, sometimes lower than that!
Places to visit in Dalhousie
You may easily enjoy pleasant evening walks while seeing the sunset in the valleys of Dalhousie. However, if you do want to check out some of the local attractions and activities, here is a list of the Dalhousie tourist places and things to do in Dalhousie:
1. Khajjiar Dalhousie
Khajjiar is a hill station situated at the height of 6,500 ft above sea level in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India, located approximately 24 km from Dalhousie. It is a beautiful green meadow and is also known as the mini Switzerland in India, known for its scenic views. Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh is a popular tourist attraction and is one of Dalhousie’s top places to visit. With grazing cows and picnicking families, enjoy a beautiful visit.
The weather in Khajjiar changes throughout the year, with distinct seasons providing travellers with unique experiences. Tourists should visit during the summer months, when the Khajjiar weather is nice and acceptable for outdoor activities, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C.which is ideal for sightseeing, trekking, and other adventure activities, making it the greatest time for travellers to visit
2. Chamera Lake
On the Ravi River, the Chamera Dam or Chamera Lake in Dalhousie supports the region’s hydroelectric power plant. Mountains surround the lake, offering views of the Pir Panjal range. The scenic journey along the lake to the water activities is breathtakingly beautiful. The lake, however, is around 60 kilometers from Dalhousie. You must visit to witness this amazing beauty.
The summer months are ideal for visiting Chamera Lake View Point, but the winter months can provide a unique and enchanting experience. Overall, Chamera Lake View Point is a must-see for everyone who wants to appreciate the beauty of Chamera Lake and the surrounding mountains.
3. Ganji Pahari
Despite its sparse foliage and small population, the Ganji Pahari in Dalhousie is a popular picnic place. The wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains with their snow-capped peaks makes this hill a tourist magnet. Over the gloomy terrains, it appears as a silver sheet.
This tiny hill is located right outside Dalhousie, just a few kilometers from the Bakrota hills, and is a great hike. The name ‘GanjiPahari’ literally translates to ‘bald hill.’ It gets its name from the fact that the hill is absolutely devoid of any flora. There are no trees in this area. Interesting. Isn’t it?
4. Garam Sadak
You cannot skip a visit to this place! This is Dalhousie’s most famous walkway. Garam Sadak is one of two roads that run parallel to Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk or Subhash Baoli. This is a lovely pathway with lush vegetation on both sides. Large trees totally enclose the path, but there is sufficient light to pass through.
‘GaramSadak’ means ‘warm way’, and the name comes from the mild and comfortable climate found here, instead of the rest of Dalhousie or the entire Himachal Valley. This contrasted environment, particularly in the GaramSadak, is that it receives direct sunlight, which is sufficient not only for the daylight but for the entire day. There is no better spot to walk if you enjoy walking.
5. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most popular wildlife preserves. The area is well-kept, with lush green meadows and soft grass. The sanctuary was established in 1958, and the river Ravi that runs through it is the most remarkable feature. The sanctuary runs from Dalhousie’s original height to the opposite side of the valley, covering the entire valley. This lovely stretch of deodar and fir forests is about 800 meters above sea level.
The weather in Kalatop is nice from March to June, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C, making it the best season to visit for outdoor activities. The winter months of October to February are perfect for winter sports aficionados due to the cold temperature and snowfall. The Kalatop weather at this time of year produces a winter wonderland, transforming the place into a popular vacation.
6. Chamba
Stay at Chamba to enjoy little-explored nature at its best. Chamba is a town in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, famous for its ancient temples, rich culture, and handicrafts. It is a popular tourist destination for its annual Minjar fair held in the month of Sawan. Chamba is also famous for its Pahari paintings and handicrafts and is home to various flora and fauna unique to the region.
How to reach Dalhousie by road?
The most convenient and good choice for seeing the scenery and roads to Dalhousie is to take the bus. Dalhousie is well connected to Delhi, Pathankot, Chamba, and Khajjiar by road.
Booking a ticket from Delhi to Dalhousie is easy at zingbus.com. You can book your online bus tickets from Delhi to Dalhousie on our website or mobile app. Also, get information about the buses that travel from Delhi to Dalhousie. Book a Volvo or luxury coach by selecting seats during the booking process; you will get an option to choose seats according to your need in each category of vehicle available. Don’t wait any further. Book your tickets now!
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