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Dalhousie, India Travel Guide | Cleartrip Small World

Dalhousie Guide
About Dalhousie
Dalhousie is a hill resort town in the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh in India at 32.53 N 75.98 E and 2000 meters (6400 feet) altitude. . Dalhousie is a quiet hill station with little night life, best suited for people who want to de-stress, who like the quiet, serene atmosphere, and for honeymooners, ideal for long walks picnics and treks. It is not recommended for people who want discos, malls and multiplexes. While there is plenty to do, see and experience, Dalhousie exudes an old-world charm and it seems like it hasn't quite caught up with the rest of the world yet.

DALHOUSIE

FACT SHEET
Airport:

DHM
Gaggal Airport

Country Code: Local time:

+91 18: 39
(GMT +5:30)

Sunday 13 Jan, 2013

History

A partial view of G.P.O. from Dilniw as, Upper Bakrota, Dalhousie

Weather:

9C
w ind E at 2m per hour, 85% Humidity

Lord Dalhousie founded the town in 1854 because its fresh and peaceful atmosphere and healthy surroundings enchanted him. The British acquired five hills Kathalagh, Potreyn, Terah (now called Moti Tibba by the locals), Bak rota and Bhangora from the ruler of the Chamba State for developing the area as a sanatorium; in return, his taxes were reduced. The project originated with Lt. Col. Napier, then Chief Engineer of Punjab; (afterwards Lord Napier of Magdala). Dr. Clemenger of the 49th Native infantry did the surveying. In 1851 a spot where the Dayan Kund Ridge (now Dain Kund) breaks in to spurs was selected for the project and Kathalagh was identified for the construction of Convalescent Depot. The English visited this place for their summer vacations. The bungalows here are all made in the English style. The modern town is situated among the five hills, facing the Pir Panjal range of snow-capped and pristine mountains, surrounded by thick forests of pine and deodar trees.

When to go & weather

It is usually warm in the morning and afternoon in JuneJuly, gets cold early in the evening, and is quite cold at night: pack woollens and jackets; T-shirts can be worn in the daytime while the sun is out. The weather gets quite cold when it rains. In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing point when heavy woolens are required. The summer temperature are mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended. Tod 12.5 3.3 Tom 11.1 2.6 Tue 8.6 1.9 Wed 12.1 1.8 Thu 7.9 3.1 Fri 7.9 1.2 Sat 10.3 -0.1 Sun 8.9 0.2 Mon 10.8 -1.2 Tue -0.3 -0.3

Transport in Dalhousie
Get in
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Dalhousie, India Travel Guide | Cleartrip Small World

The trip to Dalhousie is a long one if you are heading from Delhi. It usually involves taking an overnight train to Pathankot (about 10 hr) and then a 23 hr drive from Pathankot to Dalhousie. The options for overnight trains are Delhi-Pathankot or Delhi-Chakki Bank train. Chakki Bank is only 4 kms away from Pathankot which gives you the pleasure of being on train at right time (around 9pm) and being in Chakki Bank at morning (06:30am. There are frequent bus services from Pathankot to Dalhousie, which costs 70 Rs., as well as one bus a day from Delhi. A taxi from Pathankot will set you back between 800 (unoffical) to 1350 (offical taxi) Rupees. The nearest airports are: Pathankot at 75 km, with one flight from Delhi to Pathankot and back. However, in case of fog, it gets cancelled. Jammu, at 180 km. There are regular flights from Jammu to Delhi and many other destinations.

Amritsar is convenient airport to reach to dalahausi in just 5 hrs by bus

There are also local buses to Kangra, Dharamsala (7:15 AM, 155 Rs.), Khajjiar and Chamba. For example, Going for a local bus from Kangra to Dalhousie will take only Rs 150/- per ticket and will give some best scenic views on the way. You will also get chance to interact with local people on the way and are nice. Seeing villages having merely 5-10 houses in the middle of mountains is a good experience.

Get Around
The greatest activity in Dalhousie is on and around the three level Malls which were laid in the early 1860s for promenades, carriages, horses, dandies, etc. these roads and the steeper by-lanes which connect them to the bus-stand are still the arteries of the town. The Malls around Moti Tibba and Potreyn hills are the most popular among the tourists as the two are level and most of the business activity and hotels are around them. Gandhi Chowk, Upper bazaar. Subhash chowk, Catholic church of St. Frances, Sadar bazaar and the Convent founded by an Order of Belgium nuns and their Sacred Heart School are on these two malls. Dalhousies third and highest mall was built around the upper Bakrota hill nearly a 1000 feet above the G.P.O. (Gandhi Chowk). This mall was the favourite of Dr. Hutchison: of these Upper Bakrota mall is finest and the longest being fully 3 miles round and from it extensive views are obtained of the low hills and figure of eight walk on the two malls encircling Moti Tibba and Potreyn hills is very pleasant and popular among local people and tourists. As Shimla finds its focus in the mall, in Dalhousie action gravitates in the evening to the G.P.O. which presents a riot of colours and activity. Sometimes it even becomes difficult to surge ahead without jostling and elbowing. Most of the good eateries and handicraft emporia, hotels and of course the ever attractive Tibetan market are all around the G.P.O. There is a library and a reading room at the G.P.O. for the convenience of the tourists. The main mode of transport is a car or motorcycle; it can get very cold in the evening so a car is recommended. Pony rides are available in G.P.O. and Khajjiar, but this is mostly a recreational activity rather than a functional one. The ponies are called k hachhars (mules), crosses between horses and donkeys: don't expect thoroughbred horses! Walking around Dalhousie is a good option, but to see Khajjiar and Chamba you will have to use some kind of transport. Taxis to these destinations are easily available from the main market.

Things to do & see in Dalhousie

Sights
Khajjiar Dainkund Peak Bara Pathar Temple

Restaurants
Dalhousie Heights Restaurant Moti Mahal Deluxe Lovely

Hotels
Aamod Dalhousie Grand View Hotel
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Snow Valley Resort

Shopping
HDFC Bank

What travellers are saying

Powered by foursquare Birds N Chirps December 26, 2012 Try Amritsari Kulchas at Lovely Restaurant G P O . Dipak June 08, 2012 Revisiting Dalhousie after 30 years. Last visit 1982 I was 10. Lots of fond memories :-) Sachin May 26, 2012 3rd time in Dalhousie, 1st in january with blanket of white everywhere, 2nd time in march with heaven below n god above feeling n now 3rd...

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