What if we pitch two of the best destinations against each other and ask you to decide? Well, don’t worry we won’t be doing that. We would just pitch two awesome destinations against each others, give you pointers and let you decide who is the winner! Dharamshala and Dalhousie, two of the finest holiday destinations in India and both are well known to be gorgeous and here we are going to point out some of the major differences between these two beautiful places. Its basically Dharamshala vs Dalhousie y’all and we couldn’t be more excited!
Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie Guide
If you had been wondering whether it should be Dharamshala or Dalhousie that you should head to for your next vacation then consider these parameters and pick what you must!
Natural Landscape: Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie
Dharamshala is a very beautiful town in Himachal Pradesh which is widely popular and well known to be a home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile whereas the very beautiful Dalhousie is a well-known hill stations in Himachal Pradesh which is reputed and recognised for its scenic beauty and panoramic views let alone some of the very beautiful and magnificent colonial-era buildings situated here are simply cherry on the cake.
However, the visitors in Dalhousie can witness the abundant natural beauty, absolutely fascinating landscapes and as it is Dalhousie is famous for its beautiful views of the surroundings and the pleasant yet fresh mountain air let alone the remarkable blend of blissful nature and the aura of mythology makes the place certainly beautiful and worth a visit. Both the places are equally beautiful owing to its breath-taking natural landscapes.
Suggested Read: Top Things To Do In Dharamshala: A Mix Bag Of 22 Popular And Offbeat Activities
Himachal Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
Climate: Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie
Dharamshala has earned its reputation for being one of the finest holiday destinations in India and the place welcomes tourists throughout the year however the best time to visit here is said to be between February and June when the weather is simply pleasant where the maximum temperature only tops to 25 degree Celsius. If you like winters and want to witness snowfalls then winters can be pleasant for you as well provided you should be able to bear the cold.
On the other hand, in Dalhousie, it’s very well recommended to travel during summers between March and June to experience and witness what the best city has to offer. But if you like the chilly winters in the hills with a cup of coffee to warm you up and make your stay even more beautiful then prefer November to February.
Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Dharamshala: 6 Places That Will Fire Up Your Romantic Life
Places To Visit: Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie
Considering both the places equally beautiful and both are widely visited by the tourists so there are several magnificent places to visit in Dharamshala as well as Dalhousie. The below-mentioned places are considered to be some of the best places to visit without a miss when you are in the region.
Places To Visit In Dharamshala
The below-mentioned places are considered to be some of the best places to visit in Dharamshala without a miss when you are in the region.
Library of Tibetan Works And Archives: This is a very beautiful and unique place to visit owing to its magnificent artefacts and fascinating manuscripts dating back to the 12th century and it is also considered to be a pioneering institution when it comes to studying and researching the very roots of Buddhism. It beholds about 80,000 manuscripts and 600 Buddhist artefacts on its vicinity.
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium: Amidst the majestic Himalayan mountain range lies the gracious Dharamshala Cricket Stadium. It is certainly one of the highest sports grounds in the world owing to its location which is rightly set at a height of 1,457 m above sea level.
Dal Lake Dharamshala: It is well situated between hills and deodar trees about 11 km away from Dharamshala. For adventure enthusiasts, this is nothing less than a paradise and is also a starting point for trekking and excursions.
Places To Visit In Dalhousie
The below-mentioned places are considered to be some of the best places to visit in Dalhousie without a miss when you are in the region.
Khajjiar: Khajjiar is a very beautiful yet a small town located nearby Dalhousie and is profoundly known as the ‘Mini Switzerland’ owing to its beautiful views, utmost calm and quiet atmosphere and decently cosy and pleasant ambience.
Satdhara Falls: This is without a doubt considered to be one of the most popular and widely visited attractions in Dalhousie. It is rightly set at an altitude of 2,036 m above sea level. As the name suggests, it was inherited from the seven beautiful springs which own a significance of several therapeutic values.
Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary: It is a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna which are known for its beauty yet the leopard, bear, deer, jackal, Himalayan Black Marten and other wildlife animals have found their home here and are often seen rejoicing in their natural habitat. Countless birds can be witnessed here which is a pleasure for your eyes to behold.
Distance: 4 km away from the city centre
Suggested Read: 22 Alluring Places To Visit In Dalhousie With Your Travel Buddies
Average Budget: Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie
If you are confused to the core and wish to let budget be your deciding factor for whether it’s Dharamshala or Dalhousie then this is for you. Check out the average pricing for all that you would need!
Average Accommodation Rate
- Dharamshala- INR 3,000 approx. (For two people)
- Dalhousie- INR 2,500 approx. (For two people)
Meals
- Dharamshala- INR 250 approx. (Average meal for one person)
- Dalhousie- INR 700 approx. (Three-course meal for two people)
Transfers
- Dharamshala- INR 350
- Dalhousie- INR 600
Sightseeing
- Dharamshala- INR 2000 – 4,000 approx. (Hiring a taxi or a full trip)
- Dalhousie- INR 1,500-3,000 approx. (Hiring a taxi or a full trip)
Miscellaneous
- Dharamshala- INR 3000 approx.
- Dalhousie- INR 1000 approx.
Average Budget Per Day
- Dharamshala- INR 6,100 approx.
- Dalhousie- INR 6,300 approx.
Suggested Read: 15 Cozy Homestays In Dalhousie That Will Make You Stay For Another Week
Ideal Trip Duration: Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie
There are several attractions worth visiting in Dharamshala so a 2- or 3-days trip would be fair enough to visit these attractions. However, if you want a little bit of adventure and the thrill of exciting sports then plan for 4-5 days.
Whileit is recommended that if you only wish to visit the important points of interests in Dalhousie then even a 3 day trip would suffice but plan for a 5-6 days long trip if you wish to cover the offbeat destinations and try adventure sports as well..
Suggested Read: 7 Best Things To Do In Dalhousie In May To Beat The Heat
Shopping: Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie
Shopping in an integral part of the vacation and every holiday destination should have some decent spots meant for shopping. However, in Dharamshala as well as Dalhousie, there are some great places to try your luck in shopping and a few of the best places to shop are as follows.
Shopping Places In Dharamshala
The comparison, Dharamshala vs Dalhousie won’t be complete if we didn’t mention about the shopping experience each of these places offer. So, here is a list of shopping places for you to check out.
Kotwali Bazaar: This is indeed a great place for shopping and almost every visitor has said to visit the very amazing Kotwali Bazaar. As per its location, it is situated about 0.6 km away from Dharamkot and this shopping spot is known to offer almost every item of daily use, as well as some of the very beautiful Buddha sculptures, let alone some decent handicrafts worth your money. If you would like to buy some gifts for your near and dear ones then you can certainly purchase rugs, Tibetan carpets and shawls from here.
Tibetan Handicraft Centre: This place is very well reputed and quite famous for selling very beautiful Tibetan carpets. Since its inception in 1963, it has been a source of earning for thousands of Tibetans in exile and this place has to thank the humble contributions of the Dalai Lama.
Suggested Read: A Girls Trip To Dharamshala Turned Out To Be The Best Decision Of Our Lives
Shopping Places In Dalhousie
If you were looking for shopping places in Dalhousie then you were in luck as here we would be telling you about two of the best!
Gandhi Chowk: The hustling and bustling streets of Gandhi Chowk is a paradise for shopaholics and it is considered to be the best place for shopping in Dalhousie. Visitors can choose from the endless varieties of handicrafts sold here and please themselves.
The Tibetan Market: It is yet another magnificent and perfect shopping spot in Dalhousie. It is very well known to offer a variety of goods such as bags, dolls, carpets and purses let alone varieties of handicrafts.
Suggested Read: 5 Super-Amazing Villas In Dharamshala That Will Make Your Stay Better
Getting Around: Dharamshala Vs Dalhousie
The basic options for getting around in Dharamshala in sum up to 4. To start with, taxis are the most convenient and easily available mode of transfer. To avoid any inconvenience, the taxi operator union has a uniform or a fixed tariff chart for all popular attractions. If you would like to save some bucks then you may like to travel in black and yellow auto rickshaws which are comparatively cheaper than taxis. You can also use maxi cabs which can accommodate about 12 people and the private bus can be of great service yet it is very affordable.
On the other hand, Dalhousie is a small town and is said to be best explored on foot where you can have the pleasure to witness the scenic mountain views. To reach to some of the popular points of interests, one may hire a cab or taxi from one of the local private agencies right in the town centre. To make a note of, the rates for the cab is standard and won’t be negotiated mainly during peak season.
Further Read: 12 Most Exciting Things To Do In Dalhousie On Your Himachal Vacation
So, here are all the things that you needed to know about Dharamshala and Dalhousie. Now, it might be a bit easier for you to make that seemingly impossible Dharamshala vs Dalhousie decision. So, what are you waiting for? Get your bags ready and plan your trip to Dharamshala or vacay in Dalhousie and get going!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dharamshala And Dalhousie
What is the best time to visit Dharamshala and Dalhousie?
Both the places can be visited throughout the year however Dharamshala can be best visited between February and June while Dalhousie is recommended to be visited between March and June. Are Dharamshala and Dalhousie very expensive to visit?
Be it Dharamshala or Dalhousie, one can always visit these places and enjoy the best what it has to offer without hurting much of your budget. An average budget of INR 3000 should be fairly enough which includes meals and local transportation. Are there any good shopping spots in Dharamshala and Dalhousie?
Kotwali Bazaar and Tibetan Handicraft Centre are well reputed in Dharamshala to offer some great deal in shopping for its visitors while the famous yet bustling Gandhi Chowk and the Tibetan Market has earned its fair share of credit to please the visitors in Dalhousie for shopping. How is the climate here in Dharamshala and Dalhousie?
The climate in Dharamshala and Dalhousie are pretty decent compared to many other parts of the country. The average annual temperature of Dharamshala and Dalhousie is about 19 degree Celsius and 15 degree Celsius respectively. Is Dalhousie a good place to visit with family?
It is indeed an ideal place for holidaying with family owing to its perfect climate, safe environment and welcoming locals who are known for their hospitality.
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
