Situated at an altitude of 1970 meters, Dalhousie is one of the most famous hill stations in the country. With a dense population of pine & deodar trees, Dalhousie is blessed with vast verdant green meadows and snow-capped mountains of the Dhauladhar range. The streets, old buildings and churches still hold the charm of the British era. And the proximity to India’s Mini Switzerland, Khajjiar makes it more interesting to visit. For someone who is looking to seek inner peace amidst nature then Dalhousie is the perfect destination.
In this guide, we list down the Dalhousie Itinerary for 3 days including how to reach, best time to visit, place to visit & things to do and where to stay.
Is Dalhousie Worth Visiting?
Yes, Dalhousie is a worthy destination for those who seek peace, lush green natural beauty, high mountain peaks, easy yet adventurous treks, and historical buildings. Being a high-altitude town Dalhousie is blessed with pleasant weather conditions that make it a year-round destination. During winter there you can enjoy snow activities while in summer it adorned by picturesque natural beauty. And the proximity to places like Khajjiar, Chamba, Sach Pass, Pangi Valley, and many more makes it s good getaway for a long vacation.
Best Time To Visit Dalhousie
Due to pleasant weather conditions, Dalhousie is a year-round destination. However, March to September is the best time to visit. During summer Dalhousie becomes a popular weekend getaway in North India to get rid of heat. Many tourists start visiting Dalhousie to escape from the scorching heat. But during monsoon season this place becomes highly prone to landslides and floods. For more details, you can check our detailed guide to best time to visit Dalhousie –
How to Reach Dalhousie
Due to the hilly region, Dalhousie doesn’t have a railway station and Airport so the road is the only option to reach Dalhousie. But its nearby town Pathankot does have an airport and railway station from where you can continue your journey to Dalhousie via road. So here is the detailed guide –
By Road – Dalhousie is well connected by road to its nearby cities like Chandigarh, Pathankot, Kangra, Delhi, Ambala, Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, and Amritsar. If you’re traveling from Delhi then you can easily get a direct bus from Delhi ISBT to Dalhousie. There are frequent buses plying to Dalhousie from nearby cities by Himachal Road Transport and Haryana roadways.
If you’re driving a car to Dalhousie then make sure you’re comfortable driving to narrow mountain roads. If you’re not comfortable driving in the hills then you can also hire a car with a driver. It will be a little expensive but good road conditions and surrounding natural beauty make the journey beautiful.
By Train – Train is the easiest and cost effective way to reach Dalhousie. Pathankot has the nearest railway station to Dalhousie at a distance of 82 KM. From there you can easily get a direct taxi or bus to reach Dalhousie. You can also rent a cab from Pathankot to Dalhousie which will cost you between 2000 to 3000 INR per person.
By Flight – The nearest airport to Dalhousie is Gaggal airport which is situated in Kangra at a distance of 108 KM from Dalhousie. From there you can easily get a direct bus or taxi to reach Dalhousie.
How many days are enough for Dalhousie
3 days would be enough to experience the beauty of Dalhousie. If you have more than 3 days then it would be a bonus as in the remaining days you can explore the destinations like Sach Pass and Pangi Valley.
Dalhousie Itinerary
For this itinerary, I’m assuming that you’ve already reached Dalhousie.
First Day In Dalhousie
Day 1 – Dainkund Peak -> Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary -> Khajjiar
Trek to Dainkund Peak – Dainkund Peak is the perfect place to start your Dalhousie trip. Leave early (7 AM) in the morning for the trek of Dainkund peak so you’ll get enough time to explore the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary and Khajjiar.
Situated around 12 KM from Dalhousie, Dainkund Peak is also known as Singing Hill. With a Staggering height of 2755 meters, it gives you 360-degree views of Khajjiar lake and valley. To complete the trek of 5 KM you would need around 2 to 3 hours. The trek traverse through the beautiful grasslands, picturesque views, colorful flowers and rich vegetation. The trek is very easy and kids can also do it.
Visit Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary – After the amazing trek of Dainkund Peak, it’s time to watch the diverse Himalayan wildlife in Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary which is just 7 KM away from Dainkund Peak. With vistas of lush green grasslands, dense forest and snow-capped mountain peaks it is a perfect place to visit for family & Kids. There you can spot diverse wildlife of the Himalayas including black bears, serow, leopard, wild cats, deer, Himalayan black marten, barking goral and many more.
Visit Khajjiar – Now it’s time to visit the Khajjiar – the Mini Switzerland of India which is located just 16 KM from Kalatop wildlife sanctuary. Khajjiar is famous for its unparalleled natural beauty. There is a small serene lake surrounded by dense cedar forest. The carpet of lush green grasslands makes it a perfect place for to spend quality time with family and kids. It is a perfect spot to try paragliding.
Second Day in Dalhousie
This day is going to be a bit relaxed as you’re going to explore the local attractions like Panch Pulla, Garam Sadak, Mall Road, Tibetan and Subhash Baoli.
Day 2 – Local Sightseeing and night camp at Ganji Pahari
Explore Local Attractions – Start your day with an early morning walk on Garam Sadak. It is the perfect place to enjoy the amazing views of the valley and Tibetan rock paintings.
Now it’s time to visit another popular attraction of Dalhousie named Subhash Baoli. It is one of the most scenic places in Dalhousie. Located 33 KM from Garam Sadak this place is the best to spend quality time in peace. There is a water spring which believed to have medicinal properties. Also, there are some eateries where you can enjoy delicious lunch.
After that move to Panch Pulla which is another famous attraction in Dalhousie. It is located 3 KM from Gandhi Chowk. There you can try various adventurous activities like Burma Bridge, Ziplining etc. This is the starting point of the Ganji Pahari trek which is going to be your next spot.
Trek to Ganji Pahari and Night Camping – Situated 5 KM from Dalhousie bus stand on the Pathankot road in Bakrota Hills, Ganji Pahari is famous for stunning views of sunrise & sunsets. To reach up there you need to take the 4 KM trek which takes around 1 and half hours. At the top, there is the facility to stay in Mudhouse or you can set up your own camp. You can get delicious homemade food from the nearby village. It is the perfect location for camping in Dalhousie.
Third-Day In Dalhousie
On the third day, you’ll be going to explore the famous nearby attractions including Chamera Lake and Chamba Town.
Chamera Lake – Chamera Lake is a peaceful lake formed by the Chamera Dam on the Ravi River. It is located 35 Km from Dalhousie. It is a famous spot to enjoy picnics with family & friends. There you can enjoy many types of water activities like motor boating, paddle boating, kayaking, canoeing and river rafting.
Chamba Town – 37 KM from Chamera Lake there is the famous Himachali Village known as Chamba. Blessed with the scenic beauty of Pir Panjal, Zanskar and Dhauladhar mountain ranges, Chamba is famous for its ancient temples, serene lakes, diverse wildlife and lush green natural beauty. You can easily spend a full day exploring its attraction. So, if you’re visiting Chamba then make sure to stay at least a night.
Where To Stay in Dalhousie
Being a famous hill station, Dalhousie has all kinds of accommodations including luxurious hotels, resorts, homestays, guest houses, cottages and hostels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Dalhousie at night?
Dalhousie doesn’t have much nightlife but here are the few things you can do at night – Night camping at Ganji Pahari, strolling around the mall road, and shopping.
What are the best things to do in Dalhousie?
Trekking, hiking, camping, paragliding, ziplining, Burma bridge, waterfall rappelling and shopping are the best things you can do in Dalhousie.