MOUNTAIN ESCAPES
| DALHOUSIE |
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| Dalhousie guide >>> Dalhousie travel guide and tourist
information on Dalhousie, how to get to Dalhousie, also details on sightseeing in
Dalhousie, best time to visit Dalhousie and accommodation in Dalhousie |
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The hill resort of Dalhousie lies in the
Chamba Valley of Himachal Pradesh, spread out on the crests of five hills. Named after the
British Governor-General of Punjab, Dalhousie is a quiet and idyllic little hilltown
replete with colonial buildings and an atmosphere of immense charm. Dense forests of pine,
rhododendron and oak surround Dalhousie, the river Ravi flows nearby, and cool breezes
soothe. Quiet and unassuming, Dalhousie's magic works on you as you wander around Subhash
Chowk and stroll down the inevitable Mall, with its shops and
restaurants. Venture along the mountain paths which branch off from the Mall - many of
them adorned with Buddhist rock paintings. |
| Walk on to the nearby waterfalls of Satdhara,
the waters of which have a high mica content and are reputed to cure a number of ailments.
Further on from Satdhara is Panchpula literally, `five bridges.'
Another scenic walk from Dalhousie takes you to the mountain spring of Subhash
Baoli, near which is the old Chamba palace known as Jhandri Ghat
and the Bhuri Singh Museum. Wander across Dalhousie through Raj-era
churches, go for quiet walks through pine forests, or take a bus to the nearby town of Chamba.
Go trekking, shopping, bird-watching. Or just sit back and relax. Let Dalhousie work its
quiet, unhurried charm on you. Getting
to Dalhousie
The railway station closest to Dalhousie is at Pathankot, 78 km down in the plains, and
with convenient links to Delhi and other major cities in the north. From Pathankot, a
national highway links to Dalhousie, with regular state roadways and private buses plying
on the route. Buses also come in to Dalhousie from Chamba, Dharamshala and Shimla.
Best time to visit Dalhousie
The best time to visit Dalhousie is between March and June, before the onset of the
monsoons. Winters in Dalhousie are slack season, when many hotels offer hefty discounts.
It really is quite pretty in winter as well, so if you like the quiet and the cold, take
advantage of this time.
Accommodation in Dalhousie
Most of the good hotels in Dalhousie are along the Mall and near the Bus Stand. These are
standard quality hotels - reasonably comfortable and clean. You aren't really looking for
deluxe luxury here! Himachal Tourism runs a good hotel along with a restaurant. The old
palace of the Chamba rulers, 2 kms from the centre of Dalhousie town, has been converted
into a hotel too. |
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