Dalhousie Tourism & Travel Guide

The “Little Switzerland of India” Dalhousie is a beautiful hill station replete with misty valleys, green landscapes, snow-capped mountains, charming colonial structures and enchanting lakes. Dalhousie tourism is best exemplified by tourist attractions like Khajjiar Lake, Dainkund Peak, Panch Pulla, Rang Mahal, Bhuri Singh Museum, Satdhara Falls and Central Park.

History of Dalhousie

Established in 1854 as a summer retreat by the Earl of Dalhousie, Dalhousie straddles the five hills of the Dhauladhar range. With an elevation of around 2,700 meters, the hill station was built on the land provided by the Sikh Empire of Punjab. Today, it lies in the Chamba District which is famous for ancient temples. For the official state overview, see the Himachal Pradesh Tourism board page on Dalhousie.

Weather in Dalhousie

Dalhousie stays cool and pleasant for most of the year, which is why it works as both a summer escape and a winter snow trip. The short version: come March to June for clear sightseeing weather, or December to February if you want snow. The full month-by-month breakdown, with what to pack, is in the Best Time to Visit section below.

Shopping in Dalhousie

Garam Sadak and Mall Road in Dalhousie are lined with cafes, restaurants, and local vendors selling their goods. Tourists in Dalhousie can shop for woolens, textiles, Tibetan souvenirs, and handicrafts while shopping in Dalhousie. Gandhi Chowk is another popular area to stroll around for souvenirs.

If you are a shopaholic you will love this hill station as you can pick up several items like purses, dolls, handicrafts, bags, trinkets, carpets, silver and copper diyas and many other such souvenirs here. Some of the most popular markets here are the Himachal Hand loom and Crafts Centre, Tibetan Handicrafts Centre, the Mall of Dalhousie and the Himachal Handloom Industry Emporium.

Top Places to Visit in Dalhousie

Dalhousie provides the perfect escapade for any kind of traveler as it is filled with scenic spots like lush green pastures, snow-capped mountains, quaint villages and mystic lakes. Travelers can view the beauty of the Dhauladhar range of mountains here and enjoy the peace and serenity of the five hills namely Bakrota, Balun, Patreyn, Kathlog and Tehra.

Travel back in time when you view the Victorian-style mansions, charming colonial buildings, Scottish architecture and quaint churches. Soak in the fragrance of the oaks, pines and rhododendrons of this hill station which also offers spectacular views of the Pir Panjal mountain range in Jammu and Kashmir, Chamba’s Pangi Valley and Sach Pass. You can spend time browsing through the various markets along the three mall roads in Dalhousie. For a fuller list of sights, see our guide to the best places to visit in Dalhousie.

Dainkund: The highest peak in Dalhousie offers splendid panoramic views of both the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. Tourists can enjoy a 30-minute hike to the top of the peak from the taxi stand through a beautiful trail.

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary: Home to plenty of birdlife, deer, and more animals, Kalatop is a wonderful place to explore the natural surroundings of Dalhousie.

Subhash Chowk: It is a buzzing square lined with restaurants, hotels, and attractions. Tourists can check out churches, a library, and a few temples.

St. John’s Church: This Victorian-era church is one of the main attractions in Dalhousie. Tourists can admire its colonial architecture and its misty setting.

A Dalhousie trip guide will also include treks to places like Dainkund and Ganji Pahari. These hilly areas and valleys are covered with snow and look nothing short of a fairyland. View the thick forests of fir and deodar where you can have scrumptious picnics with your loved ones. This hill station takes you far away from the buzzing city life and transports you to a land exuding old world charm and historical significance.

Travel and tourism in Dalhousie also includes boat rides at Taleru that take you across the scenic shores of Chamera Lake. Board a Kashmiri Shikara-style boat and cruise along the glistening waters of this lake and enjoy the cool misty climate of this hilly region. Other fun activities include horse riding at Subhash Chowk, trekking uphill to Sach Pass and gliding across snow-capped peaks.

Savor some local Himachali delights and delicious North Indian food at restaurants along Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk. If you are a momo fan, head to Garam Sadak where you will get to enjoy delicious Tibetan momos and chowmein. Some restaurants worth visiting are Cafe Dalhousie, Kwality Restaurant, Nepoli Restaurants and Old Sher-e-Punjab.

Places To Visit In Dalhousie

Let the experts guide you to the best of this destination. Here are five attractions no Dalhousie itinerary should skip. For the full round-up, read our 20 best places to visit in Dalhousie guide.

Satdhara Falls

On your trip to Dalhousie get enchanted by the eternal beauty of the Satdhara falls. These falls were named after the seven springs flowing down from the mountains of Himachal. Legend has it that these falls have therapeutic value as their water is supposed to contain mica that has healing properties. The spot sits on the Panchpula walk and is an easy, popular half-day stop.

St. John’s Church

Marvel at the beautiful and historical Protestant church, St John’s Church in Dalhousie where you will be able to enjoy the spiritual fervor. Situated in the middle of pine forests and lush green valleys, this church is a sight to behold. It stands near Gandhi Chowk and is open from 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM all days of the week.

Chamera Lake

One of the most popular attractions of Dalhousie, Chamera Lake is an artificial lake bordered by plunging valleys and soaring mountains. It is a reservoir formed by the Chamera Dam, which sends the water cascading down from a height of 1,700 metres. Boating and Shikara-style rides here are a favourite for families, about 25 to 30 km from town.

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary

Trek through the pristine environs of the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary where you will get to view a multitude of flora and fauna. This sanctuary is a major draw because of its thick deodar, oak and pine forests as well as fauna like pheasants and the Himalayan black bear. It sits on the Dalhousie to Khajjiar road, making it an easy add-on to a Khajjiar day.

Chamunda Devi Temple

Chamunda Devi Temple is a major draw for pilgrims from across the country. Dedicated to Goddess Kali and set on the banks of the River Baner, the temple is said to be more than 750 years old. Note that it lies in the neighbouring Kangra District, so most travellers pair it with a Kangra or Dharamshala leg rather than a same-day Dalhousie trip.

Best Time to Visit Dalhousie

The best time to visit Dalhousie is March to June, when the days are pleasant, the snow is melting off the higher peaks and sightseeing, paragliding and long walks are all comfortable. If you are chasing snow, come December to February, when Dalhousie and nearby Khajjiar get regular snowfall and the town fills with couples and families. Skip the July to mid-September monsoon if you can, when ghat roads can get slippery. Here is the season-by-season view; for a deeper month-by-month breakdown, see our best time to visit Dalhousie guide.

Things To Do In Dalhousie

Your list of the best things to do, compiled from real traveler experiences. For more ideas, see our full guide to things to do in Dalhousie.

Paragliding

Dalhousie is a great place to enjoy adventure sports such as paragliding. The take-off spots sit a little way from the main city centre, towards the outskirts and around Khajjiar. Flying over acres of lush greenery, valleys and streams is an exhilarating way to see the hills from a bird’s eye view, and March to May is the best window for it.

Zorbing

For those who love the adrenaline rush, Dalhousie has plenty of fun activities, including zorbing. You are placed inside an orb-like structure and roll down the undulating meadows of this hilly region. The round green meadow at Khajjiar, about 22 to 24 km away, is the best place to try it.

Trekking in Aamod

Trekking around Aamod is not a very well-known activity in Dalhousie, but travellers who love long walks and quiet nature love it. Aamod is a serene resort perched on a mountain ridge away from the hustle of the main town, and the trails around it suit a relaxed, unhurried pace.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is one of the more popular things to do in this sleepy hill station. There are several spots around Dalhousie, and Khajjiar in particular is a favourite for climbers who enjoy the adrenaline of steep rock faces.

Horse Riding

If you fancy horse riding in Dalhousie, there are several options. It is one of the best ways to explore the lush green hills and valleys without the pollution and whirr of a car engine. The horses are guided by their owners or caretakers, and Khajjiar and the Mall area are the usual starting points. 

How To Reach Dalhousie

Read the best and quickest routes below, as suggested by our travellers. For a detailed door-to-door plan from the capital, see how to reach Dalhousie from New Delhi.

By Air

For those wondering how to reach Dalhousie by air, there is no airport in the hill station itself. However there are airports nearby: the domestic airport in Pathankot is about 75 kilometers away and is viable if you are travelling from New Delhi, as it is only connected to this city. If you are travelling from elsewhere you can use the Gaggal airport in the Kangra district, about 140 kilometers away. You can take a bus or a cab from Kangra to Dalhousie. Another option for those flying is the Satwari Airport in Jammu.

By Train

The most convenient and cost-effective way to reach this hill station is by train. If you are wondering how to reach Dalhousie by train, the nearest railway station is Pathankot’s Chakki Bank rail head, approximately 71 kilometers away. If you are travelling from cities like Delhi, Jammu, Bhatinda, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad, there are several deluxe, express and superfast trains you can take. You can also catch an overnight train and then travel by cab from the railway station, which takes about 2 to 3 hours.

By Road

For those wondering how to reach Dalhousie by road, you can take your own vehicle or hire a cab and travel here with ease. The roads connect this hill station to major cities like Karnal, Ludhiana, Ambala, Pathankot and Jalandhar. If you are travelling from Pathankot, the terrain gets a bit hilly and the distance is around 72 kilometres. This uphill drive is a scenic delight. You can also travel by bus, as there are several semi-sleeper, deluxe, Volvo and luxury buses run by Haryana Roadways and HRTC from New Delhi to Dalhousie.

Dalhousie Tour Packages

Ready to book? These are real Dalhousie trips our travellers take most often, each fully customisable. Prices are per person on twin sharing and can start from your city. Browse every option on the Dalhousie tour packages page, or pick a couple- or family-specific plan below.

See each in detail: Dalhousie & Khajjiar tour, Dalhousie tour from Pathankot, Surreal Dalhousie getaway, Dalhousie sightseeing tour.

Travelling as a couple or a family? Compare our dedicated Dalhousie honeymoon packages and Dalhousie family packages. Planning a longer circuit? Fold Dalhousie into a broader Himachal tour with Dharamshala or Chamba.

Where to Stay in Dalhousie

Most travellers base themselves around Mall Road, Gandhi Chowk and the Bakrota Hills for the views, or out towards Khajjiar for quiet resorts. Rather than a generic hotel list, we keep curated, first-hand picks: browse the best cottages in Dalhousie for a homely stay, our best hotels in Dalhousie for honeymoon for couples, or book a stay bundled into a trip via our honeymoon and family packages.

Dalhousie Travel Reads

Go deeper before you go with our Dalhousie guides: places to visit in Dalhousie, things to do in Dalhousie, restaurants in Dalhousie, cottages in Dalhousie, best hotels for honeymoon, and hill stations near Dalhousie.

Similar Himachal Destinations

Comparing hill stations? Explore other Himachal favourites: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kasauli and Kasol.