Hill Station

Unexplored

Termperature

Summer 10-25°C, Winter 4-15°C

Best time to visit

April to October

Read more about Sarahan

Rohru

State

Rohru, nestled among majestic mountain ranges, is a bustling beautiful and calm town famous for trout fishing and is ideally located on the banks of the Pabbar River. It is known for splendid natural beauty and many tourist destinations in and around is a perfect summer retreat for the travelers. The place has amazing and dynamic tourist activities like camping, hang gliding, para gliding and trekking apart from fishing and also a paradise for anglers. The city is also known for Apple cultivation producing varieties of apples like Royal Delicious and Rich Red.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport to Rohru is Shimla’s Jubbarhatti Airport .Taxi is available from airport to City and fare is about Rs 750. The airport is connected to Delhi airport by daily flights. Delhi International airport is the nearest major airport. Delhi airport is connected to all major cities in India and many cities abroad. The distance of Rohru to Delhi is about 443 km. A/C taxi services are available from Delhi to Rohru, costing about Rs 4500.

Rail: Nearest major railhead is at Kalka, at a distance of around 165 kms. Taxi services are available from Rohru to Kalka for a fare of about Rs. 2000. Kalka is connected to all major cities in north India by regular train services.

Road: Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation connects the Rohru city with other cities in the state and also with major cities in neighboring states. Regular bus services are available from Shimla to Rohru. The transport bus fare is about Rs. 50 between Rohru and Shimla.

Things to do

Fishing: Majestic mountains, splashing streams, natural beauty of shimmering lakes and breathtaking landscapes, Pabbar valley is a paradise of travelers. This valley is known for the dynamic and adventurous tourist activities. The amazing opportunities of trekking like Kuper Valley Trek and Chanshal Trek in Pabbar valley are praise worthy.

There are options for Jeep Safaries and natural walks in the spectacular valley of Pabbar. The banks of Pabbar River are ideal for fishing activities including trout and Mahasheer fishing. Pabbar valley is a virgin land waiting to be explored. This valley is an ideal retreat from the busy life in the urbanized regions.

District

Shimla

STD Code

01781

Topic

Unexplored

Termperature

Summer 14 to 22°C, Winter -5 to 18°C

Best time to visit

Mar - Nov

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Kufri

State

Kufri, famous for its trekking and hiking trails, is a tiny picturesque hill station located near Shimla and was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal. The place is famous for winter sports and also known for exquisite nature parks and picnic spots. It also has a Potato Research Station. Due to its proximity to the hill station of Shimla makes it an important place to visit. The tourists can see the majestic panoramic views of the verdant valley and the snow clad foothills of Himalayas. A horseback ride to explore the awesome hilly regions will be an experience in Kufri.

History

The region around Shimla including Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British 'discovered' it in 1819. The British made Shimla their summer capital in 1864 and it remained so until 1939. As Shimla gained importance, Kufri also began to be recognized as an important place to visit near Shimla.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport to Kufri is Jubbarbhatti Airport at Shimla at a distance of about 19 km. Regular flight is available from this airport to Delhi. Taxi services are available at the airport and taxi charge from airport to Kufri is about Rs. 300. International travelers can avail connecting flights at Delhi.

Rail: The nearest railhead is at Shimla in narrow gauge rail route and Broad Gauge railway station is at Kalka.

Road: Kufri is linked with Shimla, Narkanda, and Rampur by road. Travelers can Also Hire Taxis from Shimla to reach Kufri.

Getaways

Shimla

Attractions

Sports Festival

It is a unique and exciting festival celebrated in the month of February. It is organized by the Himachal Tourism where many courses for beginners are organised. However, the skiing competition is the main highlight of the festival. Highly skilled skiers flock to this place to participate in the event.

Things to do

Horse and Yak Safari

Tourist can explore the natural beauty of Kufri on a horse or Yak safari. It is truly an interesting and adventurous way to explore any place.

Skiing: Skiing in Kufri is a highly entertaining adventurous sports tempting the adventurous tourists to participate. In winter, thousands of travelers flock to Kufri to engage in Skiing in the snow capped slopes of mountainous regions of Kufri. Skiers from all over the world visit this place.

A winter sports festival is held every year in Kufri in the month of February. Adventurous tourists, specifically skiing enthusiasts participate in this festival. All facilities for undertaking skiing are available in Kufri. Tourists can get basic training for Skiing from various providers in Kufri.

District

Shimla

STD Code

0177

Topic

Termperature

Summer 8 to 30°C, Winter -10 to 10°C

Best time to visit

April to June

Read more about Kufri

Shoghi

State

Shoghi, away from the hustle and bustle of Shimla, is an intriguing and tranquil hill station offerring peace, short nature walks guaranteed to bear sights of wildlife or challenging treks down forested trails.

Accessibility

Air: Shimla’s Jubbarhatti Airport is nearly 33 km away from Shoghi and is the nearest airport. Taxi is available from airport to City and fare is about Rs 650. The airport is connected to Delhi airport by daily flights. Delhi International airport is the nearest major airport. Delhi airport is connected to all major cities in India and many cities abroad. The distance of Shoghi to Delhi is about 340 km. A/C taxi services are available from Delhi to Shoghi, costing about Rs 7500.

Rail: Shimla is the nearest railhead to Shoghi. Shimla is a meter gauge railway station. It connects to the nearest broad gauge station at Kalka, which is at a distance of 90 km from Shoghi. Taxi services are available from Kalka to Shoghi and charge is about Rs 2000. Kalka is well connected to all major cities in India by rail.

Road: HRTC buses offer bus connectivity from all cities in Himachal Pradesh to Shoghi. Shoghi is well connected with Shoghi by regular bus services. Frequent ordinary and deluxe bus services are available from Delhi to Shimla. Deluxe buses charge about Rs 1300 from Delhi to Shimla.

District

Shimla

STD Code

0177

Topic

Unexplored

Termperature

Summer 15 to 24°C, Winter -4 to 10°C

Best time to visit

Throughout the year

Read more about Shoghi

Kullu

State

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Himalayas_from_Kullu_Valley,_Himachal…

Kullu, knaown as "Valley of Gods", is located in the charming Kullu valley and is set amongst the backdrop of the mighty Himalayas. The town is famous for its temples and the annual Dussehra festival, both of which attract thousands of tourists. It is also known for its handicrafts.

History

According to ancient Hindu scriptures, the area was known as ‘Kulantapitha’ – the end of the habitable world. Nestling within the high Himalayan ranges, the Kullu valley remained isolated from the rest of the world till very recently. The Hindu rulers of Kullu initially ruled over an area restricted to the upper Beas River valley, with their capital in the ancient village of Jagatsukh near Manali. The valley was a gateway to Lahaul and Ladakh andan important stop on the crucial trade route between central Asia and the Gangetic Plains down south. This made the area prosperous and by the 17th century AD, the kingdom had expanded its boundaries to Lahaul-Spiti in the north and the Sutlej River in the east. The capital of the kingdom was first shifted to Naggar, then to Sultanpur before finally settling at Kullu. Kullu grew into an important town when Raja Jagat Singh shifted the capital of the kingdom from Naggar in the mid-17th century. The idol of Lord Raghunathji (Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, one of the gods in the Hindu trinity), the presiding deity of this town, was brought from his mythical birthplace in Ayodhya by the king. Declared the district headquarters after independence, Kullu is now an important market town for the region, and a transit point for travellers going on to the more popular Manali, 40 kms north. Kullu is also the focal point for trekkers into the Parvati valley and the Pin valley.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport to Kullu is Bhuntar airport, which is at a distance of 9 km from the city center of Kullu. This airport is connected by domestic flights to Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla. Paid taxi service from airport to Kullu cost about Rs 250.

Rail: Jogindernagar is the nearest railhead to Kullu, which is at a distance of 125 km. This railway station is connected to all Indian cities via Chandigarh which is 267 km away from Kullu.

Road: State owned bus services of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation are available from Kullu connecting with the nearest cities. Kullu is connected to Delhi (570 km), Chandigarh (267 km), Pathankot (285 km) and Shimla (270 km) by tourist deluxe buses of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. These deluxe buses cost about Rs 4 per km.

Getaways

Manali

Shoja

Shopping

Just like its adventure, Kullu has also created a niche for it self in being one of the favored shopping destinations in Himachal Pradesh. You should begin your shopping expedition from Kullu Shawls. These shawls occupy a unique position in the traditional handicrafts of the state. From this fairyland you should not miss buying the the famous Kullu caps and fresh fruits.

Other famous products of Kullu include, gadmas, rugs or 'namdas', local tweeds, footwear or 'pullun', baskets and natural oils of almond and olive. The place to get these items will be the Akhara Bazaar area that boasts of authentic purchases.

Kullu shawls, caps and gadmas can be bought from private shops as well as the Himachal state weaving co-operative at Bhutti Weavers colony, 6 kms south of Kullu. The co-operative runs several retail outlets called Bhuticco at other towns in the valley. The state government handicrafts emporium and Khadi Gramodyog emporium are at Akhara Bazaar.

For shopper's Kullu offers a variety of items including the woollen items. You can check out designed pullas, patti, mufflers, pattoos, woolen carpets, complex driftwood articles and artistic metal crafts of Kullu. Some of the best places to shop in Kullu are outlets of Bhuttico, Bodh Shawls and Himbunkar. Besides the local art and craft, Kullu also promotes Kashmir handicrafts which you can buy at Kashmir Craft Emporium. The Tibetan market at Kullu is famous for imported goods, especially the gift items. Visit the Sultanpur market where the local goldsmiths deal in traditional jewellery which is a fine example of the native art.

Accommodation

There are no luxury hotels in Kullu. All you''ll get are mid range and budget hotels. The Valley View Hotel amongst others is a good option to stay at while in Kullu.

Attractions

Dussehra Festival : Kullu is famous for its Dussehra festival, which is a week-long celebration. Usually the festival of Dussehra is celebrated all over India in October for 10 day of the rising moon. However in Kullu the festival starts on the 10th day of the rising moon, known as 'Vijay Dashmi' and continues for seven days. Dussehra commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, but in Kullu the festival does not include the burning of Ravana, as in other places around India. On Dussehra day, the raths (chariots) of Raghunathji, presiding deity of the valley, and other deities are taken out in a procession through the town to Dhalpur Maidan, where they reside for the next seven days. During the festival, nicely dressed, cheerful good-humoured crowds throng every road leading to Dhalpur Maidan, and folk dances, exhibitions and cultural events are also held.

Things to do

Angling: The Kullu Manali region, especially the Larji Valley 34kms and Banjar(58kms), is crisscrossed by a number of streams which finally meet the Beas river and are excellent spots for fishing. Most of these streams have good brown trout, besides other local species. Kullu is a convenient base for angling tours around the valley. Katrain, 20 kms down the road to Manali has a trout farm and hatchery and a Himachal Tourism hotel to stay in. Shoja, 69 kms away at 2,692 metres is a good place to view the Kullu valley from. All around lie swift flowing rivers, dense forests and meadows with majestic peaks at the back.

Para Gliding

There is also a great option for Para Gliding in Kullu. This is a thrilling sport which can be enjoyed in Bhaikhali (9 km from Kullu, easily approachable by vehicle), Bijli Mahadev and Slang slopes. During the months of May – June and Sept – Oct. The Himachal Tourism Department provides various facilities for the tourists.

Rafting
Want to indulge in some Rafting then the place to go in Kullu is the nine kilometre long stream of Badah to Jhiri. This four hour long raft is permissible only from the month of May to July and there is provision for equipments and essential gears.

Trekking: The Kullu Valley is the transit point for trekking routes over the Chanderkhani pass to Malana, the Jalori Pass and Bashleo Pass to Shimla and the Pin Parvati pass to Sarahan. The Parvati River, the longest tributary of Beas, veers off to the north-east 8 kms from Kullu. It is one of the ideal areas for trekking and mountaineering. Several parts of the Parvati valley remain untouched by modern civilisation and preserve the magic of the mystic mountains. Many areas here are frequented by tourists seeking easy access to wild cannabis, which grows in abundance here.

Yak Safari: Try a yak safari while you are in Kullu. The yak is a mountainous animal that lives in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, normally above 6000 mts above sea level. Explore this beautiful region on the back of this docile looking animal - it is sure to be interesting and a unique experience. Further north, the Baspa river is replete with trout, and along the Sangla Valley are dozens of good beats where prime specimens can be caught.

District

Kullu

STD Code

01902

Topic

Popular

Popular Hill Station

Termperature

Summer 14 to 20°C, Winter -5 to 23°C

Best time to visit

October to April

Famous For

Dussehra Festival – 10 Day Festival in October

Read more about Kullu

Spiti

State

Spiti, lying in the rain shadow area of rugged mountain ranges of Zaskar, is a high altitude cold desert dotted with numerous monasteries. The Spiti valley is locked between the Zaskar and the Great Himalayan ranges – the tallest ranges of Himachal. The deep gorges carved out by the snow–fed streams add charm to Spiti’s stark splendour.

image Credit:

Accessibility

By Air :
Kullu and Shimla are two closeby airports that are well connected to other parts of India.

By Rail
The nearest railheads from Lahaul & Spiti lie at Shimla and Pathankot.

By Road
Manali is well connected by road to all part of the country. From Manali, buses and taxis are available to reach anywhere in the Lahaul and Spiti valley between May to October on the basis of opening and closing of the Rohtang Pass, the entranceway to the valley.

Some important distances from Keylong are Kullu - 158 km, Manali - 118 km, Pathankot - 436 km, Jogindernagar - 284 km, Rahla - 102 km, Rohtang - 67 km, Khoksar- 46 kms, Gondhla-18 kms, Udaipur- 48 kms.

Topic

Upcoming Hill Stations

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Kasauli

State

Kasauli, also known as "The Land Of Fascinating Vistas", is a charming hill station developed by the British before India gained its independence. The place is endowed with immense natural beauty with amazing churches and bungalows built during the British rule in India are some of the amazing attractions of Kasauli. It is a quiet little hideaway in the Shivalik Hills near Shimla, attributes its origin to the mythological tale which goes that the site of town was formed from the foot-print of Hanuman as he was leaping to pick the Sanjeevi Herb from nearby Sanjeevi hill.

History

The calm and peaceful air of Kasauli belies any sense of history. Yet this region was in the thick of the westward Gurkha expansion, stemmed with some difficulty by the joint efforts of the British and some local chieftains, in 1814. The Gurkha ceded the fort at Sabathu and this was turned into a convalescent home for British nationals. Some time later the Governor-General, Lord Amherst, decided to develop Shimla Hills as a summer gateway for the British establishment and Col. Tapp, political agent at Sabathu, came to survey the Kasauli area.

The 1857 Indian War of Independence stirred the hearts of the Kasauli Guard, numbering about eighty Indian soldiers. Receiving news that the Gurkha Regiment at nearby Jutogh has also risen in revolt, the garrison at Kasauli set out to join them. Before the two could combine and pose a serious threat, the British agent talked the Gurkha Regiment into submission, on promise of a general pardon. The Kasauli Guard found themselves completely isolated. So far from being pardoned, they were severely punished for their insurgence.

Accessibility

Air: The closest airport is at Chandigarh, which is 67 km away. Taxis are available to Kasauli from Chandigarh and it cost about Rs 1500. Chandigarh is connected to many airports in India, including Delhi, Srinagar, Mumbai and Kolkata. International travelers have to get connection flights from Delhi International airport, which is nearly 300 km away from Kasauli.

Rail: The closest rail head is at Kalka, which is about 35 km away from Kasauli. Pre paid taxis costs about Rs 750 from Kalka to Kasauli. Kalka is very well connected with all major cities in India like Amritsar, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Road: State owned transport buses connect Kasauli to many cities in and around. Super fast and super deluxe buses have stop at Kasauli, which are plying from Chandigarh to other major cities in the state.

Shopping

There is not too much shopping to be had here. In season buy the fresh fruit jams - plum, strawberry and cherry. Other than that there is a small Tibetan market where you can pick up bric a brac.

Locally made jams, pickles and preserves are available. Shawls, woolens and some handicrafts are sold in the shops above the bus stand.

Accommodation

There is a PWD rest house and a number of private hotels. There is also the HPTDC run Hotel Ros Common, which is very popular.

Kasauli is not as commercial as Shimla, so options for accommodation are relatively fewer in number. Kasauli has a few upmarket hotels like the Kasauli Resorts and a couple of others like the Baikunth Resort where tariffs range between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 per night. There are also a number of mid-rung and budget properties. Many resorts and hotels in Kasauli offer highly discounted off-season rates.

Things to do

Camping

Kasuali has some camping sites for those who love the outdoors. At Dagshai there are such camps and it is an invigorating experience to get one with nature!

Nature Walks

For the not so adventurous traveller, explore the area around Kasuli by going for walks and taking in the scenic views. One of the delightful nature walks one could take would be from the Lower mall area to Kimmughat. If you want to go further afield, there is a trail that goes from Old Kasauli Road to Parwanoo. Ofcourse the 1.5 km long Sanawar-Mandudhar trail is the best walk in the vicinity as it goes through wooded areas and gives you panoramic views of the surrounding hills.

Paragliding
Paragliding At Dagshai 12 kms away from Kasuali it is possible to go paragliding - so get your adrenaline flowing and head to this old British cantonment for a bit of adventure!

Trekking
Kasauli has some great trekking routes for the energetic traveller. The trek from Kasauli to Jabli is 9kms long and will afford panoramic views of the hills around. There are a number of treks to Kalka and Garkhal too.

Birdwatching:

District

Solan District

STD Code

01792

Topic

Popular

WGW_Delhi

Termperature

Summer 8 to 30°C, Winter -10 to 10°C

Best time to visit

April to September

Read more about Kasauli

Dharamshala

State

Dharamsala,often known as "Little Lhasa", is established by the British between 1815 and 1849 as a hill station. The place gained popularity only after 1959 when the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan refugees fled to India and were offered to stay at Dharamsala by the Government of India and popularly known as the residence of the Dalai Lama and a center of Tibetan Buddhism.

History

Once a British hill resort, its importance declined and it became a sleepy little hill town. Founded by the British between 1815 and 1847, Dharamshala remained a low-profile hill town till the influx of Tibetan refugees along with the Dalai Lama since October 1959. India welcomed the religious leader and offered him and his people sanctuary and a place to stay in Dharamshala. Ever since, a continuous flow of refugees has transformed the town into a miniature Tibet with Buddhist temples, schools, crafts organisations, meditation centres, library and medical centre. The upper area of McLeodganj was founded in 1848 and named after David McLeod, the Governor of Punjab. Today though, there is little that remains as reminder of its British association.

Accessibility

Air: Gaggal airport in Kangra valley is the nearest airport. The airport is 12 km away from Dharamsala, which costs about Rs 350 by Taxi cab. This airport connects domestic flights to Delhi. International travelers have to get connection through Delhi Airport, which is about 520 km away from Dharamsala. Delhi Airport is connected to all major cities in India and most of the foreign cities.

Rail: Nearest railway station is Kangra Mandir at a distance of 22 km from Dharamsala. All trains won’t stop here. The major rail junction is Pathankot, which is about 85 km away from Dharamsala. Pathakot is well connected to all major cities in India.

Road: Regular bus services are available in Dharamsala connecting the nearby cities. Direct private luxury buses are available from Delhi (520 km), costing about Rs 1600.

Shopping

Shopping in Dharamsala is a delightful experience for tourists. Among the variety of items, the local handicrafts of Dharamsala are very popular. Visit the town's famous Kotwali Bazaar for local handicrafts, Tibetan handicrafts, carpets and several other items.

The shopping areas selling Tibetan handicrafts items are mostly in McLeodganj. The Green Shop run by the Tibetan Welfare Office sells recycled products and handmade cards and paper. Other shops and outlets have a range of handicrafts products including woollens, carpets, metalware, thangkas and jewellery.

The popular items for shopping in Dharamsala are: wooden carvings, silk and woven woolen scarves and Tibetan handicrafts.

Like all Himalayan regions, Dharamsala also has dense forests abundant in wood. Exquisite handicrafts fashioned out of wood, bamboo and cane would definitely arrest your attention. Check out the diverse artifacts and utilities while shopping inn Dharamsala.

Woven woolen garments available here are warm and comfortable. Sweaters, cardigans available in trendy designs and reasonable prices, should feature in your shopping list in Dharamsala.

The Tibetan community has a tradition of handicrafts, which are available in profusion. Look for the trinkets and knick-knacks, which serve well for personal use, gifts and interior decoration.

Jogibara Road is the main place for shopping in Dharamsala.

Accommodation

There are several private hotels and tourist lodges in both areas of Dharamshala and Macleodganj with the latter being preferred by tourists.

The Grace hotel and the Royal Palace Resort in Macleodganj and the karnika Resort in Dharamshala are popular choices for accommodation.

Plenty of accommodation options are available in Dharamsala that includes HPTDC's hotels, private hotels, guest houses, PWD and forest rest houses. All the hotels in Dharamsala are equipped with contemporary facilities and provide a comfortable stay to guests.

Deluxe Hotels : Asia Health Resorts, Grace Cottage, Anand Palace, Surya Resort, Spring Valley Resort.

Heritage Hotels : WelcomHeritage Grace Cottage (Kotwali Bazaar), White Haven Estate (Chilgarhi).

Standard Hotels : Hotel Dhauladhar (Kotwali Bazaar), Hotel Bhagsu (McLeodganj), Hotel Kashmir House (Khara Danda Road), Chonor House (McLeodganj), Hotel Tibet (McLeodganj), Yatri Niwas, Clouds End Villa, Him Queen (McLeodganj), Banjara Camp (Bhagsu Valley) etc.

Fantastic landscape and the association with His Holiness Dalai Lama make Dharamsala a coveted destination. The quaint sleepy monasteries and ever-smiling people would cast a charming spell upon you here.

Although a hill station, it is very different from the other hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. There are a good number of hotels in Dharamsala. But if you look for world-class opulence and the five star luxuries, you might get disappointed.

Arranging accommodation in Dharamsala is not a problem at all. There are both luxurious and budget hotels in the place, catering to all the visitors. Some of them are:

Asia Health Resorts
Royal Palace Resort
Snow Hermitage Resorts
Anand Palace Best Western
Anupam Resort
Spring Valley Resort
Club Mahindra Kangra Valley Resort
Nishaad Resorts
White Heaven Estate
Grace Cottage

Most of the hotels in Dharamsala are rather economy class hotels, which offer decent accommodation, clean premises and hygienic food. Prices are sure not to burn a hole in your pocket. In some of the leading hotels in Dharamsala you can also find swimming pool, good restaurants with bar and arrangements of recreation and amusement.

Things to do

Adventure Activities: Dharamsala and the area around provide an ideal base for a variety of adventure sports. Himachal's Mountaineering Institute has a branch at Dharamsala, which offer mountaineering equipments and training courses as well. The Dhauladhar ranges located close to Dharamsala offer a huge variety of trekking options and rock climbing.

Fishing: Fishing or angling remains a favourite leisure activity of those who visit Dharamsala. Visit the 20 km stretch of the river Beas between Nadaun and the Pong Dam to enjoy the fishing.

Trekking
Dharamshala is also the base for trekking in the forested Dhauladhar range, for which equipment can be hired here. The best season for treks is from April till June and again between September and October.

District

Kangra District

STD Code

01892

Topic

Popular

Termperature

Summer 8 to 30°C, Winter -10 to10°C

Best time to visit

Mid-May to Mid-October

Read more about Dharamshala

Kangra

State

http://www.flickr.com/photos/felixdance/5101735619/in/photostream

Kangra, located at the confluence of Majhi and Bener streams, is a pleasant town in the magnificent Kangra valley, lies between the Dhauladhar range and the Shivaliks. It is renowned for its handicrafts and artifacts including paintings and marvelously embroidered shawls are world known. There are also many rock-cut temples displaying the architectural excellence of the region.

History

The town of Kangra has a chequered past. It has been sacked a number of times because of the wealth accumulated within the Vajreshwari temple. The immense wealth of this temple attracted Mahmud of Ghazni, the famous plunderer from Central Asia. He looted an enormous treasure trove of gold and silver and jewelry from this temple in AD 1009. The Tughlaq rulers of the Delhi Sultanate again plundered it in 1360. However, the town made a good recovery, and during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir in the early 17th century, this temple was paved with plates of pure silver. This area was ruled by local rulers and was later annexed by the British, who established a garrison in Kangra.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport to reach Kangra is Gaggal airport, placed at distance of 13 kms from Kangra city. Other nearby airports accessible from Kangra are Chandigarh 255 kms, Amritsar 208 kms and Jammu 200 kms. Taxi cabs are available from all these airports to Kangra. The taxi fare varies depends on the season. Typically taxi charges are Rs.300 (Gaggal), Rs. 2500 (Jammu), Rs. 2000 (Amritsar) and Rs. 2500 (Chandigarh).

Rail: The nearest broad gauge railway station to Kangra is at Pathankot placed at a distance of about 90 km from Kangra. Taxi services are available from Pathankot to Kangra at a fatre of about Rs. 1000.

Road: Kangra is well connected by buses. State owned buses connect Kangra with all major cities in the state and the neighboring state. Buses ply between Kangra and Dharamsala, Palampur, Pathankot, Jammu, Amritsar and Chandigarh

Things to do

Trekking: Trekking in Kangra valley is an amazing experience for those who spend the time with nature’s praise worthy gifts of landscapes, springs, mountain ranges and lush green environments. There are many trekking trails in Kangra that are very challenging for the novices and interesting for the experienced trekkers.

Treks commence usually from Kangra Valley and go to mountain peaks and rock-cut temples. There are treks from Kangra to the adjoining Chamba Valley. Laka Pass trek, also known as Inderhara trek, and the Minkiani Pass trek are very popular among the tourists. These treks commence from Dharamshala or McLeodgunj.

Five important trekking routes in Kangra valley are Dharamshala-Laka Pass, McLeodgunj-Minikiani Pass-Chamba, Dharamshala-Talang Pass, Baijnath-Parai Jot and Bhim Gasutri Pass.

District

Kangra

STD Code

01892

Topic

Termperature

Summer 8 to 30°C, Winter -10 to 10°C

Best time to visit

Mid-May To Mid-October

Read more about Kangra

Chail

State

Chail, the former 'summer capital' of the Maharaja of Patiala (Bhupinder Singh who was exiled from Shimla and created his own capital for the summer months), is built on three hills, offering spectacular views of the Shivalik Hills of Lower Himalayas as its background. It boasts the world's highest cricket pitch and a polo ground. The old Maharaja's palace has been converted into a hotel. Hiking, along with fishing and horse riding, comprise some of the key attractions of Chail.

Image Credit:

History

This hamlet of Chail in Himachal has a very interesting history. It is said that Maharaja Bhupinder Sing was banished from the summer capital of British, Shimla, after his ignoble behavior with the daughter of Lord Kitchener, the then governor general of British India. The Indian prince was enraged at this and as a result vouched to built his own summer capital, that would be better than Shimla. It was then that this small 'piece of heaven' came to his notice, and he built a city as per his requirement. It is this Palace, that today serves as a hotel and the prime highlight of Chail.

In the year 1972, this palace was taken over for restoration by the Himachal Pradesh Development Corporation.

Accessibility

Air: Jubbar Hati Airport is the nearest airport from Chail, which is 63 km away. Taxi/ Jeep facility is available from Airport to Chail, fare is about Rs 1500/-. This Airport is connected to Delhi and Chandigarh. International travelers have to get connection through Delhi Airport. Delhi Airport is connected to all major cities in India and most of the foreign cities.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Kalka, which is at a distance of 86 km. One can hire a Cab or catch a bus to reach Chail. Cab will cost about Rs. 1700/-. Another rail option is Chandigarh, which is nearly 95 km away. Chandigarh is well connected to all major cities in India.

Road: Local bus services are available from Chail to reach nearby cities. Deluxe buses are available form Shimla to Chail regularly; Shimla is 45 km away from Chail. It cost about Rs 200/-.

Shopping

Not much to shop in Chail except for wollens shawls and caps. Go to Shimla for serious shopping.
This is limited to a couple of tiny shops in the small bazaar that have a few handicrafts, wooden items, caps, shawls and other woolens.

Accommodation

Chail is a very small town on the hills with barely five to six hotels. Chail's Mall is worth walking down on. It has precisely twelve shops and half a dozen hotels on one single stretch and that is the end of it.

The brightest star on the Chail horizon is the luxurious Chail Palace Hotel maintained by HPTDC. There are other moderate and budget hotels, motels and tourist lodges as well as deluxe Swiss tents and camps. It''s best to book in advance during peak season.

Things to do

Trekking

Chail has a few trek routes for the outdoor enthusiast. Some of the easy trek routes are the Kandaghat-Chail, Chail-Rajgarh and Chur Chandini and Chail-Shimla via Junga. The trek routes provide scenic views of the hills and dales all through the way.

District

Shimla District

STD Code

01792

Topic