Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a popular hill station in India known for its pleasant climate and scenic beauty. Of the many north Indian tourist places, Dalhousie is a balance between beauty of nature and simplicity of living. The place would remind you of the glory of British rule. Unspoilt charm, culture and spirituality, snow-capped peaks and superb sightseeing spots make Dalhousie a perfect tourist destination.

This cool place is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is about 1970 metres above the sea level. This place is named after Lord Dalhousie who was part of the British regime in India. The travel guide of Dalhousie specifies the highlights of this place as the long walks through winding roads, the stays in European style bungalows and views of the mountain ranges through the forests of fir and deodar.

Throughout the year or winters (A perfect season to enjoy the snow).

The must visit places in Dalhousie are places primarily of scenic beauty that soothe the eyes. One should not miss the experience of visiting Subhash Baoli Spring, Satdhara Falls, Panch Pulla and the below mentioned places.

Eateries in Dalhousie serve all types of Indian food. There are some restaurants that serve Continental and Chinese cuisine as well. Visit the old and famous Kwality restaurant for all types of Indian food. You can try momos as well. Other restaurants like Dawat, Neopoli and Sher-e-Punjab are also good. You can find lots of shops at the Tibetan market serving authentic Tibentan food.

Dalhousie has a host of shops for interesting shopping experience. Tibetan stores house typical Tibetan goods, Chinese goods (especially electronics) and also woollens. You can also shop from the well-known Tibetan Handicraft Centre, or the G.P.O. You can get more information on the shopping areas from a tourist guide of Dalhousie

You must reach Pathankot Airport, by air and then travel about 86 km. to Dalhousie by bus or taxi. If you are planning to reach Dalhousie by train, you need to reach Pathankot from Delhi and then travel about 81 km. by road. There are buses from Dharamsala, Kangram Khajjar, Jammu, Pathankot and Chamba that not only make you reach Dalhousie, but also allow you the opportunity of enjoying the scenic beauty on the way. To move around the town and for sightseeing in Dalhousie, you can either take buses, shared taxis, or rickshaws. But it might also be a good idea to walk to understand the town more closely. For comfortably moving around, you can also choose to hire a cab.

Khajjiar: There are several picturesque places that we generally see on calendars. Khajjiar valley, popularly known as “Switzerland of India” is located around 20 km. from Dalhousie. It is a preferred tourist spot for its streams, lake and forests. Dharamsala: About 120 km. away from Dalhousie is the holy abode of Dalai Lama (the Tibetan leader), Dharamsala. It is also known for the beautiful landscapes, Kangra Art Museum, Bhagsu Falls, trekking and shoppers' haven called Kotwali Bazaar. McLeodganj: The imposing hill station of McLeodganj is about 120 km. away from Dalhousie. It is not only a tourist spot, but is also a place to understand and learn about the Tibetan and Buddhist culture. Jammu: Located about 171 km. away from Dalhousie and well known for its mountains and temples, Jammu is a treat to the eye with attractive surroundings, lakes and remnants of the Harappa civilization. Manali: Situated at a distance of about 347 km. from Dalhousie, Manali is a place for adventure sports. With facilities to participate in skiing, paragliding, rafting, rock climbing, and bungee jumping, some people consider Manali to be a great honeymoon destination. More tourist information is available in the tourism centres. Chamba : Oneof the major districts in this area, Chamba (about 42 km. away) is famous forthe museums and restaurants. This is a charismatic town with lush greenery anduntarnished natural beauty apart from places of spiritual interest.

There are several hotels in Dalhousie that are suited for people from various walks of life. It is advisable to book your rooms in luxury hotels like the Himalayan Resorts and Hotel Monal, well in advance. There are also other hotels like Aamod (eco-tourism resort) and Alps Resort Dalhousie which are popular. For inexpensive choices, you can choose from economic and clean homestays or some budget hotels too.