Dalhousie: A Hidden Surprise Perfect For A Getaway
- Akagra Agarwal
- Aug 1, 2023
- 6 min read
Named after the British Lord Dalhousie, this town in the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas wait for your presence to surprise you with a calm trip to a hill station.
Personally, I count my visit to Dalhousie as one of the most serene experiences in the hill stations of North India. However do not be misled, thrills await you at Dalhousie. So, check out this blog post by The Wanderers to have a complete experience of this hill station located in Himachal Pradesh!
If you ask me 'how is Dalhousie,' I have a pretty simple answer that it is just like any other hill station in the north. The green hills, snow-capped mountains, the waterfalls, and the chance of witnessing snowfall. But what separates it from the others is that you can get to witness all that in maybe lesser crowd! As our taxi driver rightly lamented, Dalhousie is just not being promoted much as a hill station for vacation as others like Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala have been. However this is a boon in disguise, as there is only a decrease in the crowd and not scenic views to witness!
In This Post:
How to Reach Dalhousie
To reach Dalhousie, you get the options to travel via road, rail or flights. While Dalhousie will await your presence, you will encounter Pathankot in any of the three modes you choose. If you choose to reach Dalhousie via flight, the nearest airport is Pathankot. You will only find flights from Delhi. After reaching Pathankot you can take a bus or a taxi. The same goes for train which will leave you at Pathankot railway station post which roads await you. If you wanna travel via road, you can choose between bus, taxi and self-drive.
My personal tip to make your journey memorable is to drive till Pathankot if you love the thrill of driving and then take a bus or a taxi as the roads get narrow and the route leads you only uphill past the airbase.
Experiencing The Tranquility
Where To Stay?
I would suggest sticking to Gandhi Chowk, as it is a central point but is still somehow away from the city noise compared to other main areas. The view of the surrounding hills and valley will be amazing too. If you could get a hand on a hostel stay, grab it! A hostel stay would be a perfect getaway in Dalhousie from a noisy city.
When To Wander In Dalhousie?
If you want the best experience of Dalhousie go in the winters but choose a week day and not holiday season. You will probably witness snowfall, snow at least will welcome you and offer you all the fun. I had a trip to Dalhousie on the first day of a new year, i.e., 1st January and we were surprised to find no crowd. The crowd decided to all come and party here on the new year's eve (31st December) and leave us a serene and charming Dalhousie on the very first fay of the new year. A quick tip is to go there after Dalhousie has received at least one snowfall of the season to make sure you do not miss the fun and snow fights! So I suggest that you do your research and find a day which is not likely to be much crowded else you will be stuck in jams and crowds that might interfere with your plans to enjoy the tranquility and you might not be able to enjoy all of The Wanderers recommendations. Oh yes The Wanderers' recommendations you ask? Here they are...
Dalhousie's Travel Delights: Our Top Picks
Dalhousie is filled with fun and peaceful places that you must visit but I will start with the thrills because I like to trek, and Dalhousie offers many day trek options!
My favorite trek in Dalhousie is the Dainkund Peak trek. You will find yourself climbing up stairs through narrow path in a calm forest surrounded by deodar trees which lead you to the Phoolani Devi temple. The temple is gorgeous and so is the view from the peak! The trail is 5 km long and you might get a chance to witness snowfall while on the trail if trekking in the winters, and chances of finding snow settled on the trails is very likely during the same. This is an easy day trek which was on the top of my To-Do list of things to do in Dalhousie. If you want an even shorter day trek worry not Dalhousie has the Ganji Pahari trek.
One of the most popular attractions of Dalhousie is Panchpula waterfalls. It is surprising that though the waterfall attracts so much of crowd, not many people choose to go ahead and find what lies on the hill top and miss out the perfect panoramic view of the hill station. Thus, The Wanderers recommends you to visit the waterfall, have some noodles, click some pictures and don't go back yet and discover the Ganji Pahari while trekking.
Ganji or ganja in Hindi language is used to refer to someone who is bald and our pahari (hill) is beautifully so. The hill doesn't have much vegetation on the top which makes it look like a field with dry hay spread across the flat top if you arrive hear in winters unless there is snow. Snow makes the top look like a playground filled with fun cotton balls! Either way it is a delight to witness and is a must visit for people who want a low effort day trek but mind you, it is of course fun. You will pass through stairs, narrow hilly trails (not too steep) and alongside village homes. You will find yourself relaxing ust perfectly in the lap of the nature.
Do not give up on the trek, it has been classified as an easy trek and trust me it is. The 3.5 km distance is worth it not only for the stunning panoramic views on the hill's top but also the journey itself!
Other than the two beautiful day treks, Dalhousie offers a lot of attractions that will struck you for the serene experience. Here are a few that you must visit:-
St John's Church: This is a beautiful church of the British era. When here, enjoy the architecture of the 1863-built church, indulge in the history and do not forget to enjoy two things there, views and food. The views from the nearby Gandhi Chowk are amazing and are surrounded by cafes and food stalls. Going out on a walk or café/ food hunting will be a delight at any time, morning day or night when at Gandhi Chowk.
Kalatop: Kalatop has everything to offer you that should make you fall in love with Dalhousie. It has lush green fields, forest, a sanctuary with wild animals and my favorite, options to trek! Do not miss any chance to visit this amazing place!
Khajjiar: The town of Khajjiar is often stated as the "Mini Switzerland of India." Sure, why not but honestly it has been over-commercialized and attracts too many people. This place offers you to experience a flat land with a lake in the middle of the lush green field surrounded by tall trees that give this town a topographical resemblance to Switzerland. Enjoy this place, it overs parasailing, zorbing and many other thrills. However, I would not recommend you to choose this place over any other experience in Dalhousie as it might not just beat it. Many blogs and youtube videos will suggest otherwise, I'd recommend you to not get swayed away but you can always experience for yourself too!
Thandi Sadak: It is translation time again! Thandi means cold and sadak is road in Hindi and this is exactly what the place is! A road which is cool, I mean not just by the vibe but in its temperature too. The road is perfect for a walk trust me, and do bring a jacket with you here because it will be cool!
Garam Sadak: It is time for Hindi lessons yet again! Now, garam means hot/ warm and this sadak is hot (at least in the summertime), making it another ideal contender for your walks and tours around Dalhousie. Did you really think Dalhousie will you just wandering around the thandi sadak?
Mall Road: What is a trip to any hill station without a walk around the mall road? Do visit the mall road, shop a little (or a lot), and do not forget to try food here! This place has some good restaurants and cafes, do give them a shot.
Treks: Here are some treks you should consider, you will find more information at Himachal Tourism's website:
1.1 1) Manimahesh Lake Trek
1.2 2) Bara Bhangal Trek
1.3 3) Sach Pass
1.4 4) Khajjiar Trek
1.5 5) 1.6 6) Kugti Pass Trek
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