Dalhousie, as it’s evident from its name, still carries the legacy of the Raj. It is another ‘piece of England’ that the British left behind after the independence. Eminent Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore had spent many a leisure times in the quietude of the place. There isn’t much to do, but to take long stroll along the steep roads and enjoy the verdant mountain, breath fresh air and sooth the mind with peaceful solitude -- a complete therapeutic vacation spanning over two to three days. One can also visit the British-era churches of St John and St Francis. Children can enjoy a pony ride along the hilly trails edged with pines.

Dalhousie can be reached from Pathankot station by bus. The bus service is quite good. The distance of 85 km is covered in three hours. Alternatively one can drop at Chakki Bank station and take an auto-rickshaw to Pathankot, 10 km away. Hired cars also ply from Pathankot to Dalhousie.

The high season runs from April to July, September to late October and Christmas to New Year.

Government Accommodation

Hotel Manimahesh
Tel: (01899) 242793

Gitanjali
Tel: (01899) 242155

Kalatop Forest Rest House
DFO Wild Life,
Chamba- 176310
Himachal Pradesh
Tel: (01899) 222639

Private Accommodation

New Palace
Tel: (01899) 242239

Hotel Day night
Tel: (01899) 242291

Kumar’s
Tel: (01899) 242554

Hotel Ark
Tel: (01899) 242080

Moham Palace
Tel: (01899) 240347

Mount View
Tel: (01899) 242120

Travel agencies conduct tours for Dalhousie-Chamba- Khajjiar at reasonable rates. However, the rates significantly vary during the high season. The other places to see are:

Panchapulla: A beautiful mountain spring, flowing amidst the splendor of high mountains. There are five bridges, which gives it the name. On its way one will find Satdhara spring famous the medicinal value of its water.

Subhas Baoli: A natural lake surrounded by pine and cider trees is just 1 km from the GPO. It is a place where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the great Indian leader, used to spend most of this time during is self-imposed exile.

Gandhi Chowk and Subhas Chowk are two important crossings of the town. The markets, shops, restaurants are around the Gandhi Chowk. The connecting road between Gandhi Chowk and Subhas Chowk is called Garam Sadak because it gets more sunlight.

Kalatop: 10 km above Dalhousie sits Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, a dense forest of deodar trees and reputedly home to the Himalayan Black Bear. The Kalatop forest rest house is a perfect hill top bungalow and flowebeds looking out at views of the Dhauladhar range.

To travel inside the town taxi is the best option.

Street lighting is limited. It is advisable to bring a torch.