Updated on May 24th, 2026
It was in the 90s when I visited this hill station for the first time. We planned a brief 2-3-day trip, which was really wonderful. I, along with a few of my lawyer friends, enjoyed it a lot. This tiny hill station in the Chamba district is a dream come true for any traveller who wants to rediscover what the words nature and peace mean. After so many visits in the past few years, I feel Dalhousie & Khajjiar is a land of pines and deodars, with many things that make it truly a mystical land. In this write-up, I am blending all the impressions I have of this place from different occasions. My last visit to this place was a few months back with my friend. Here I am, sharing all my memories of this dreamland.
Built on and around five hills, Dalhousie is in the west of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. Natural beauty is spread in every corner of this place. At a height of 6,500 feet above sea level, long trees of pines, deodars, oaks, and flowering rhododendron surround this beautiful hill station. You can see awe-inspiring, snow-capped peaks filling the entire horizon at any time of the year. This place perfectly combines all-natural beauties. Lush green woods, warm sunshine, pleasant air, and beautiful landscapes are all here to make your trip memorable. Dalhousie is a famous destination with a pleasant climate for most of the year, making it tourist-friendly. Summers are perfect for nature walks, whereas winters are too chilly. Snowfalls usually occur during winter. Nature-loving tourists visit this hill station every year because the land is wonderfully blessed with natural beauty.
Dalhousie, back in the British Period
Dalhousie is named after the 19th-century British Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie. Initially, the British people established this hill station in 1854 as a summer retreat for their troops and bureaucrats. This is why there are many old buildings from that period. In colonial architecture, Dalhousie is also known for its old churches and other landmarks built in the British period. It preserves some beautiful churches. St. John’s church is the oldest one, built in 1863. Among the few other churches are St. Francis, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick.
Tourist Attractions in and around Dalhousie
Panchpula
It means five bridges. It is a beautiful spot, covered in green forest, with water flowing beneath five small bridges, making it even more amazing. People enjoy themselves there like a picnic spot. This place is so calm that you can relax your mind and soul.
This place is at approx. 4 km from Dalhousie. It can be within walking distance for those who enjoy walking in the green forest. I love waking up, so I always prefer to walk there. There is also a memorial to S Ajit Singh, the uncle of Shaheed Bhagat Singh (a great freedom fighter), at this place.
It is a pleasant picnic spot where you can spend time with your family and friends and enjoy the beauty of exotic waterfalls and refreshing streams. Some of these streams even have medicinal properties that help heal skin diseases.
At a height of 2040 meters, it’s a place with Amazing greenery, a pleasant climate, and natural scenic beauty. All these attractions make this place worth spending time in.
Trekking from Panchpula to DainKund is very popular, and adventure lovers often love to explore unknown paths. Dainkund Peak is the highest and most popular peak in Dalhousie, at an altitude of 2755 meters. The peak offers a splendid view of the valley, which is a treat to watch. Everyone from adventure lovers to trekkers to photographers loves visiting this stunning destination, which is surrounded by beauty. The best time to visit this wonderful spot is in summer and monsoon, as the water gushes with full force during this season
The dense forest of Kalatop
One of Dalhousie’s major tourist destinations, the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is the gateway to Khajjiar’s beauty. Surrounded by a thick forest, Kalatop is situated 10 km from Dalhousie. It is a place near Dalhousie with snow year-round. Long pine and deodar trees surround the entire way from Dalhousie. The name Kalatop means “black cap” in Hindi and refers to the thick black forest cover on the hilltop in the sanctuary.
The other place touching Kalatop is Lakkarmandi. Lying in the depths of River Ravi, the 30.69 km animal sanctuary comprises thick deodar forests, a plethora of wildlife species, snow-capped mountains, lush grasslands, and stunning water streams. It is not only a scenic picnic spot for tourists but also a favourite trekking spot for adventure lovers. For wild and adventurous people, nerds for wildlife especially, this place is for them indeed.
The blissful solitude here makes this place an ideal choice for honeymooners. Couples can have a wonderful time without disturbance from anybody. Nature is offering all they need to be together. I remember visiting here a few years ago. It was a hard time, but today I still remember that we enjoyed ourselves a lot. Tourists were playing with snowballs in less risky areas. We took photographs there. I can’t ever forget those moments in my life.
The wildlife sanctuary at Kalatop
The nearby wildlife sanctuary shelters a variety of wild animals. The sanctuary, spread over 1962 hectares, lies along the Ravi River and is surrounded by coniferous and oak forests. Jungle Safari highlights the sanctuary that almost every visitor opts for, along with families and children. The exotic wildlife sanctuary holds a great diversity of flora and fauna. The sanctuary houses wildlife like Bear, Himalayan Black Marten, Leopard, Deer, Barking Goral, Squirrel, Jackal, Langur, and many more.
You can go for a tracking along the dense forest. You can walk here for hours, enjoying stretches of silence, sloping roads, and the singing of birds. While walking, you can have sips of hot tea, as there are many small tea stalls along the way. Forest has black bears, so it is better to take a guide along. The sanctuary lies along the Ravi River and is surrounded by coniferous and oak forests.
I still remember the soothing sound of birds. The silence of this place, with the occasional humming of unknown birds, makes this place one of the most romantic places on earth. It was an amazing jungle walk. This place can leave a deep impression on anyone’s mind. I still feel long-back memories like they are from yesterday. Once you visit this place, it keeps calling you back.
Khajjiar, mini Switzerland
People also call Khajjiar the Mini Switzerland and the Gulmarg of Himachal, and it is 13 km from Kalatop on the same road as Dalhousie. Khajjiar is full of natural landscapes, as it is at the base of the mountain range. You can see snow-capped mountains at the top of the lush green trees of pines and deodars. Here you can view panoramic views of natural beauty. Khajjiar uniquely combines three environments, grassland and forest, all in one place. Khajjiar and its nearby places are ideal for adventure sports like trekking, mountaineering, paragliding, and ice skating.
The best way to enjoy Khajjiar is by doing nothing and just gazing at the idyllic pastoral scenery featuring a lake, pine and cedar forests, snow-capped mountains, and grazing sheep & horses. Khajji Cottage, run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism, is ideally located just opposite the main ground, where you can book your stay to watch this place at different times of the day. But we preferred a different hotel, one in a denser forest, as I always prefer a less crowded stay on such trips.
Natural Lake with a small wooden Bridge
In the middle of the main ground is a natural lake with a small wooden bridge leading to the centre of the lake. Tourists stand on this bridge to enjoy the landscape and take photographs. There is also a horse track on the circumference of the ground. You can hire horses for horse riding. We enjoyed horse riding there.
There are various stalls selling food and other items. Kids can enjoy different games. Air balloons are a major attraction for kids and even grown-ups. You can also have your photograph taken in traditional dress, and we can save it as an unforgettable memory.
The Temple of ‘Khajji Nag’ is the principal attraction to visit while you are in Khajjiar. This temple dates to the 12th century AD and is dedicated to snake worship, with some snake idols inside.
We spent the entire day in beautiful surroundings on our trip to this place, enjoying all that nature has gifted to this wonderful land, and went back to our hotel, which we preferred near Dalhousie. It was a brief two-day trip, but we enjoyed it a lot. It has the potential for longer holidays if you have more time to spare.
Zorbing in Khajjiar
An adventurous sport recently introduced in Khajjiar is Zorbing. It is like they pack you into a plastic ball that rolls down slopes. Initially started in Russia in the 1970s, it was later introduced as a regular sport in New Zealand in 1994 and is now played as a fun game in various places. I have seen Kids feel thrilled while enjoying it.
Other places in India where you may enjoy Zorbing are Pahalgam, Manali, Delhi and Lonavala, near Mumbai. Khajjiar, with its grassy slopes and meadows, is probably the best Zorbing destination. Rolling amidst snow-capped mountains and nature is utterly priceless and amazing.
From Khajjiar, you can further travel on the same route to reach the district headquarters in Chamba. Again, many options are available for tourists. I visited this place many times. I will surely suggest visiting the beautiful Dalhousie & Khajjiar.
Visit Chamba, a beautiful place
My recent trip through Chamba took me to various tourist attractions near Dalhousie, including Kalatop, Khajjiar, and Chamera Dam, on the way back from Chamba to Banikhet. Chamba itself has many beautiful things to experience in this Himachal town.
Exploring temples and other historical and spiritual sites is the best thing to do while you are in Chamba. The temples in Chamba are not only known for their religious significance but also for taking you back in time with their awe-inspiring ancient architecture. Laxmi Narayan Temple is a must-visit spot in Chamba.
Spend a few moments at Rang Mahal, Chamba
Rang Mahal, one of the most significant monuments, is in Chamba. You can see this building as you enter the town. It is a building with high, fort-like walls, and its architecture offers an unparalleled blend of British and Mughal styles. As the legend goes, King Umed Singh made this palace, but later Raj Sri Singh, the king of the same dynasty, repaired the Rang Mahal. One state college partially uses the building of this Mahal. The other part is not well-maintained. The government must take care of this historical monument so we can preserve it for future generations. The old palace also houses an emporium, which is open from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2-5 pm on all days except Sundays. The emporium sells handmade shawls, kerchiefs, chappals, etc.
Enjoy a boat ride at Chamera Lake
Camera Lake is a beautiful, picturesque destination near Dalhousie, a popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India. Lush greenery surrounds the lake and provides a stunning backdrop of mountains. At a distance of 25 km from Dalhousie, the exquisite Chamera Lake is a reservoir formed by the Chamera Dam, positioned at an altitude of 1700 meters. Built over the Ravi River, the Chamera is an artificial lake, surrounded by beautiful green trees and exquisite valleys. We all had memorable moments spent there. The weather was outstanding, which made it even more enjoyable. I visited this beautiful spot three or four times, and every time the experience was wonderful.
Visitors can enjoy boating on the lake’s tranquil waters or simply sit back and relax while taking in the breathtaking views. The serene, peaceful atmosphere of Camera Lake makes it a perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate amid nature.
The lake is also a popular spot for picnics and family gatherings, making it an ideal destination for a day trip with loved ones. Whether you’re looking to capture stunning photographs, enjoy a peaceful boat ride, or simply soak up the natural beauty of the surroundings, Camera Lake is sure to leave you with wonderful memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Overall, Camera Lake near Dalhousie is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking the beauty and tranquillity of nature in the pristine Himalayan region.
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2 Comments
Dalhousie is a mesmerizing place to visit in India situated in the Chamba District. Located at an altitude of 1970 meters above sea level, this destination is worth a visit for all those who seek peace and tranquillity. The town of Dalhousie has derived its name after the British General, Lord Dalhousie.
I have visited here a few times and also this was the first destination in 2003 when we visited together for the first time and one of my photos with two ponytails I still have somewhere in my memories of the phone book. It’s a beautiful place and the ride on a horse is the best moment to be enjoyed. Also, I remember seeing that house Ik ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Bhawana, Thanks for adding more information. Your appreciation means a lot.