Updated on November 2nd, 2026
I visited this hill station for the first time in the 90s. We planned a brief 2-3-day trip, and it was wonderful. Along with a few of my lawyer friends, I really enjoyed it. This tiny hill station in the Chamba district is a dream come true for any traveler who wants to rediscover what the words nature and peace mean. After so many visits over the past few years, I feel Dalhousie & Khajjiar are a land of pines and deodars, with many things that make it truly mystical. In this write-up, I blend my impressions of this place from different occasions. My last visit was a few months ago 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 an elevation of 6500 feet above sea level, tall pines, deodars, oaks, and flowering rhododendrons surround this beautiful hill station. You can see awe-inspiring, snow-capped peaks filling the entire horizon year-round. This place perfectly combines all natural beauties. Lush green woods, warm sunshine, pleasant air, and beautiful landscapes make for a memorable trip. 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. Snowfall usually occurs 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. The British established this hill station in 1854 as a summer retreat for troops and bureaucrats. This is why there are many old buildings from that period. Dalhousie is also known for its colonial architecture, including old churches and other British-era landmarks. It preserves some beautiful churches. St. John’s Church is the oldest, built in 1863. Other churches include 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, making it a great spot for picnics. This place is so calm that you can relax your mind and soul.
This place is approx. 4 km from Dalhousie. It’s within walking distance for those who enjoy walking in the green forest. I love waking up, so I always prefer to walk there. The place also has a memorial to S. Ajit Singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s uncle (a great freedom fighter).
It is a pleasant picnic spot where you can spend time with family and friends, enjoying exotic waterfalls and refreshing streams. Some of these streams even have medicinal properties that help heal skin diseases.
At an elevation of 2040 meters, it offers amazing greenery, a pleasant climate, and natural scenic beauty. These attractions make it worth a visit.
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. Everyone, from adventure lovers to trekkers to photographers, loves visiting this stunning destination, surrounded by natural 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. Near Dalhousie, it has snow year-round. Long pine and deodar trees line the entire way from Dalhousie. The name Kalatop means “black cap” in Hindi and refers to the sanctuary’s thick black forest cover on its hilltop.
Another place near Kalatop is Lakkarmandi. Lying in the depths of the 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 favorite trekking spot for adventure lovers. For wild, adventurous people, especially wildlife nerds, this place is perfect.
The blissful solitude here makes this place an ideal choice for honeymooners. Couples can have a wonderful time without anyone disturbing them. Nature offers 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 here is the sanctuary most visitors choose, including families and children. The exotic wildlife sanctuary holds a great diversity of flora and fauna. The sanctuary is home to bears, Himalayan Black Marten, leopards, Deer, Barking Goral, squirrels, jackals, langurs, and more.
You can trek through the dense forest. You can walk here for hours, enjoying stretches of silence, sloping roads, and the singing of birds. While you walk, you can sip hot tea, as many small tea stalls line the way. The forest has black bears, so it is best to take a guide. The sanctuary lies along the Ravi River and is surrounded by coniferous and oak forests.
I still remember the soothing birdsong. The silence here, broken only by the occasional hum of unknown birds, makes it 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 like those memories are from yesterday. Once you visit, it keeps calling you back.
Khajjiar, mini Switzerland
People also call Khajjiar the Mini Switzerland and the Gulmarg of Himachal; it is 13 km from Kalatop, on the same road as Dalhousie. Khajjiar is surrounded by natural landscapes, sitting at the base of the mountain range. You can see snow-capped mountains above lush green pine and deodar forests. Here you can enjoy 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 to do nothing and just gaze 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 opposite the main ground, where you can book a stay and watch the place at different times of the day. But we preferred a different hotel, one deeper in the 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 its center. Tourists stand on this bridge to enjoy the landscape and take photographs. A horse track also runs around the circumference of the ground. You can hire horses for horse riding. We enjoyed horse riding there.
Various stalls sell 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 photo taken in traditional dress and keep it as an unforgettable memory.
The Temple of ‘Khajji Nag’ is Khajjiar’s main attraction. 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 this wonderful land, and returned to our preferred hotel near Dalhousie. It was a brief two-day trip, but we enjoyed it a lot. It could be a longer holiday if you have more time to spare.
Zorbing in Khajjiar
Zorbing is an adventurous sport recently introduced in Khajjiar. It is like being packed into a plastic ball that rolls down slopes. It originated in Russia in the 1970s, became a popular sport in New Zealand in 1994, and is now played for fun in many 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. There are many options for tourists. I visited this place many times. I will surely suggest visiting the beautiful Dalhousie & Khajjiar.
Visit Chamba, a beautiful place
On my recent trip through Chamba, I visited tourist attractions near Dalhousie, including Kalatop, Khajjiar, and Chamera Dam, on the way back to Banikhet. Chamba itself offers many beautiful experiences.
Exploring temples and other historical and spiritual sites is the best way to spend your time in Chamba. Chamba’s temples are known not only for their religious significance but also for their awe-inspiring ancient architecture that takes you back in time. Laxmi Narayan Temple is a must-visit spot in Chamba.
Spend a few moments at Rang Mahal, Chamba
Rang Mahal, one of Chamba’s most significant monuments, stands in the town. You can see it as you enter town. It has high, fort-like walls, and its architecture blends British and Mughal styles. Legend says King Umed Singh built this palace, but later Raj Sri Singh, a 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 protect 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 pm to 5 pm, except on Sundays. The emporium sells handmade shawls, kerchiefs, chappals, etc.
Enjoy a boat ride at Chamera Lake
Chamera 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. Located 25 km from Dalhousie, the exquisite Chamera Lake is a reservoir formed by the Chamera Dam, situated 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 outstanding weather 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, Camera Lake will leave you with memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Overall, Camera Lake near Dalhousie is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking nature’s beauty and tranquillity 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.