Dalhousie Tours

Dalhousie Tours

Dalhousie has a unique historical backdrop. The hill station has a history of the British Raj and therefore, one finds a flashback of that era over here. Located at an elevation of about 8000 feet, Dalhousie is one of the finest tourist destinations in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The place is quite popular amongst travelers all around the world due to its old world charm as well as picturesque views. Dalhousie is also an ideal place for adventure activities and shopping freaks. Some of the well known places around here are Central Park, Dainkund Peak, Khajjiar Lake, Panch Pulla, Satdhara Falls, Bhuri Singh Museum and Rang Mahal. The hill station spreads over an area of 14 sq km and sprawls over five hills.

Mystic mountains, meandering pathways and vintage charm make Dalhousie the dream destination for holiday in Himachal. Nestled amidst the snow clad and green Dhauladhar Range of the Himalayas, Dalhousie being one of the most visited hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. Founded by the British in the year 1850, this city was named after the visit of British Governor Lord Dalhousie. Himachal has emerged as great summer destination for holidays and the adventure zone for adrenaline junkies. The flavor of Himachal is enhanced during sightseeing tours and visit to the other hill stations here.

Day 01: New Delhi – Shimla

Arrive Delhi airport / railway station and drive to Shimla (350 Kms./ 08 Hrs.) the former summer capital of British India, set amidst the snow capped Shivalik Mountains which offers some of the most stunning views of the mighty Himalayas. Enroute visit Pinjore Gardens or Ropeway at Timber Trail, Parwanoo. Arrive and check into the hotel. Evening free to stroll on The Mall and the famous Ridge. Ridge is famous for its stunning vistas of the valley and the Christ Church which is the most photographed landmark of Shimla. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 2: Shimla

After Breakfast Excursion to Kufri. Kufri is famous for its Himalayan National Park, Poney and Yak Ride and One can see the endless Himalayan Panorama from Kufri, after sightseeing of various places in and around. Shimla mosques built in(1830), Vice regal Lodge built in (1885), Christ Church built in (1844), The Gaiety Theatre- the first beauty contest of world was supposed to start (1887), The Grindlays Bank (1912)- the world wide bank started by Robert Melville Grindlay, The Scandal Point and The famous Shopping Plaza of the North The Mall. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 3: Shimla to Manali (265 Kms. 8 Hrs.)

Transfer from Shimla to Manali by surface Enroute visit Kullu valley, Beas River, Dashehra maidan etc. Arrive and transfer to hotel Manali. Evening free for rest. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 4: Manali ( Local Sightseeing )

Morning proceed to Visit the 450 years old Hidimbadevi Temple, the oldest temple in Manali, Tibetean center & monastery, Vasisth village, known for its hot Sulpher springs Roerich art Gallery. Bahist Temple, Solang Valley which offers a spectacular view of glaciers and snow capped peaks..at an altitude of 3978 meters. Also visit Kothi, Rahala Water falls on the way. (Subject to weather conditions and road being open). Rest of the day is at leisure or takes a stroll down the Mall road. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 5 : Rohtang Pass (100 Kms. Round Tour)

Early morning visit A place not to be missed – Rohtang Pass, (51Kms. / 3 Hrs.) from Manali at an altitude of 3978 meters. Also visit Kothi, Rahala Water falls on the way.(subject to weather conditions and road being open). Rest of the day is at leisure or takes a stroll down the Mall road. Night stay in Manali. (Visit to Rohtang Pass not included in the cost. Subject to weather conditions and road being open).(As per Himachal Government Rouling outsiders not go to do the Rohtang Pass & Guest Have to Take Car from union on Direct Payment Basis. ).

Day 6: Manali to Dharmshala (280 Kms./ 10 Hrs.)

A distance of 260 kilometer on the way stopping at Baijnath known for its Shiva Temple and further at Palampur famous For Tea Garden. Dharamhsala is a hill - station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar Mountains about 18 kms north- east of Kangra, It is known for its scenic beauty set amidst high pine and oak trees. Since 1960, when it became the temporary headquarters of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international repute as “The Little Lhasa in India”. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 7: Dharmshala to Dalhousie (145 Kms./ 5 Hrs.)

After Breakfast drive from Dharamshala towards Dalhousie after doing the local sightseeing of Places which includes, His holiness Dalai lama residence at Mc Leodgunj, War memorial, Bhagsunath temple and Dal Lake. Reach Dalhousie in the evening. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 8: Dalhousie – Khajjiar

Dalhousie has been named after the British Governor– General of the l9th century, Lord Dalhousie. Surrounded by varied vegetation– pines, dodders, oaks and flowering rhododendron. Local sightseeing of Dalhousie includes visit to Panjipula, Subhash Baoli and excursion to Khajjiar 24Kms. from Dalhousie surrounded by thick Deodar forest. Drive from Dalhousie to Khajjiar is awesome. Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 9: Dalhousie – Chandigarh (350Kms./ 7Hrs.)

After Breakfast Transfer from Dalhousie to Chandigarh by Surface & Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel Chandigarh.

Day 10: Chandigarh to Delhi (250 Kms./ 5 Hrs.)

After Breakfast check out hotel. Visit Rose Garden, Rock Garden, Lake. Depart for Delhi. On arrival drop at Railway Station/ Airport.

Payments policy

• 25% Amount at the time of booking. 100% Amount 15 days or earlier, before travel date. Payment by cheque or online payment facility available. Your booking confirmation number will be provided to you.

Tour Cancilation policy

• Strictly depends upon concerned hotel's cancellation policy
• Minimum Cancilation charges before 10days of Travel Date is 10% of package cost

• Package cost will change if opted for guide service, choice of transport vehicle, hotel type change
• Accommodation charges as mentioned in the package are with 2 persons staying together sharing the same room
• Extra persons in same room charges extra
• Altough we ensure you the best experience but unfortunate delays in travel and inefficient service of hotel is the responsibility of the respective parties.

By Air:

The nearest domestic airport is Pathankot Airport (Airport Code: IXP), located 85 km southwest of Dalhousie (about 2.5 hours drive). For broader domestic and international flight connectivity, Kangra Airport at Gaggal (DHM) is 125 km away (3.5 hours drive), while Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar (ATQ) is 200 km away (approximately 4.5 hours drive via NH-54 and NH-154A).

By Train:

Pathankot Cantt Railway Station (Station Code: PTKC) and Pathankot City Railway Station (PTK) serve as the primary broad-gauge railheads for Dalhousie, located 80 km away (approximately 2.5 hours scenic mountain drive). Major trains connecting Pathankot include:

• New Delhi – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat Express (Train 22439/22440): High-speed express reaching Pathankot Cantt from New Delhi in just 5 hours.
• Jammu Mail, Dhauladhar Express & Daulatpur Chowk Express: Daily direct services from Old Delhi Junction (DLI) and New Delhi.
• Prepaid and private taxis operate round-the-clock from Pathankot station directly to Dalhousie and Khajjiar.

By Road:

Dalhousie is smoothly connected with Delhi NCR, Punjab, and Chandigarh via well-maintained national highways:

• From Delhi NCR (~560 km / 9.5 to 10 hours): Drive via NH-44 through Panipat, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Dunera, Banikhet, and Dalhousie along national highway NH-154A.
• From Chandigarh (~300 km / 6.5 hours): Drive via Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur, Dasuya, Pathankot, and Banikhet.
• From Dharamshala (~120 km / 3.5 hours): Mountain highway winding through Shahpur, Lahru, and Banikhet.
• State & Private Luxury Buses: HRTC and luxury private operators run daily Volvo AC buses from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi, and Sector 43 ISBT, Chandigarh, directly to Dalhousie Bus Stand.

Dalhousie boasts an array of saucer-shaped alpine meadows, singing mountain peaks, colonial stone churches, protected wildlife reserves, and scenic water reservoirs:

1. Khajjiar — The Mini Switzerland of India & Khajjiar Lake (22 km)

Nestled at an elevation of 1,920 meters, Khajjiar is an awe-inspiring saucer-shaped emerald grassland encircled by dense, towering deodar forests. At its center lies the serene Khajjiar Lake with a floating island of turf. Visitors can enjoy horse riding, zorbing, paragliding, and visit the 12th-century wooden Khajji Nag Temple featuring intricate wood carvings of the Pandavas and Kauravas from the Mahabharata.

Khajjiar — The World-Famous Alpine Meadow Known as the “Mini Switzerland of India”

2. Dainkund Peak & Pholani Devi Temple (“The Singing Hill” at 2,755 m)

Rising to 2,755 meters (9,040 feet), Dainkund Peak is the highest geographic vantage point in the Dalhousie region. Known locally as the *Singing Hill* due to the melodious acoustic hum produced by mountain winds whispering through the pine needles, the summit provides an uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic vista of the snow-clad Pir Panjal Range, the winding Ravi, Chenab, and Beas rivers, and the sacred Pholani Devi Temple perched at the ridge crest.

Dainkund Peak — Highest Mountain Summit in Dalhousie Offering 360-Degree Himalayan Vistas

3. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary & Dense Deodar Forest Nature Trails (12 km)

Spread over 30 square kilometers between Dalhousie and Khajjiar, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest reserve blanketed in dense deodar, blue pine, oak, and rhododendron canopies. A scenic 3 km unpaved walking trail leads to the historic colonial Kalatop Forest Rest House, offering sightings of Himalayan black bears, barking deer, leopards, serows, and colorful Himalayan monals.

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary — Dense Virgin Himalayan Cedar Woods and Wildlife Haven

4. St. John’s & St. Francis Historic Victorian Stone Churches

Constructed in 1863 at Gandhi Chowk, St. John's Church is the oldest standing church in Dalhousie, famous for its Protestant stone architecture, stained-glass windows, and historical archives. Nearby at Subhash Chowk stands St. Francis Catholic Church (built in 1894), renowned for its intricate European woodwork and tranquil stone courtyard shaded by ancient pines.

St. John’s Church — Historic 1863 British Colonial Stone Church at Gandhi Chowk, Dalhousie

5. Chamera Lake & Water Adventure Reservoir (25 km)

Formed by the impoundment of the Ravi River by the Chamera Hydroelectric Dam, Chamera Lake is an expansive turquoise water reservoir situated at an altitude of 763 meters. Surrounded by lush green forested mountain ridges, the lake is a premier destination for speedboating, motorboat rides, kayaking, and relaxing lakeside picnics.

Chamera Lake — Turquoise Mountain Reservoir Offering Speedboating and Watersports Near Dalhousie

6. Panchpula Cascading Waterfalls & Sardar Ajit Singh Memorial (3 km)

Located just 3 km from Gandhi Chowk, Panchpula (literally *Five Bridges*) is a scenic gorge where five fresh mountain streams converge into a tumbling waterfall. It is also the site of the national monument dedicated to legendary freedom fighter Sardar Ajit Singh (uncle of Shaheed Bhagat Singh), who breathed his last here on the day of Indian independence in 1947.

7. Bakrota Hills & The Scenic Round (Rabindranath Tagore Promenade)

The highest residential hill in Dalhousie, Bakrota Hills is encircled by a peaceful 5 km walking road known as *Bakrota Round*. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore spent several months here in 1873 writing poetry, inspired by the snow views of the Pir Panjal range.

8. Subhash Baoli & Natural Spring (Netaji's Historic Sanctuary)

Set amidst a secluded forest of giant pines 1 km from Gandhi Chowk, Subhash Baoli is a natural spring where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose spent seven rejuvenating months in 1937, drinking its pure mineral waters to recover from illness.

9. Historic Chamba Town & 10th-Century Laxmi Narayan Temple (52 km)

Perched on the banks of the Ravi River, the ancient royal capital of Chamba boasts a 1,000-year-old architectural heritage, highlighted by the 10th-century wooden-shingled Laxmi Narayan Temple Complex and the Bhuri Singh Museum preserving rare Pahadi miniature paintings.