Posted 27 December 2022 in Winter wandering

Everything to do in delightful Dalhousie this winter

Dalhousie is a quaint little hill station that is set in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The town was made by Lord Dalhousie in the year 1850. The hill station is known for its beautiful churches, gorgeous architecture and Tibetan culture that is spread across this hill station. The quaint little cafes that you find here are really an experience worth witnessing.

In addition to this, Dalhousie is also known for its forest trails and lush greenery. The city is beautified with its waterfalls, springs and gorgeous blue skies. It might interest you to know that the River Ravi flows through the hill station. The place is also home to breath-taking snow-peaked mountains that will be worth a capture. Interestingly, Subhash Chandra Bose had spent quite some time in Dalhousie in the year 1937. Today, in his memory, there are two places named after the great leader – Subhash Baoli and Subhash Chowk.

With the beautiful sceneries and landscapes that it offers, Dalhousie is nothing less than Switzerland! The hill station is also known for its wildlife as many incredible animals like the Himalayan Black Marten, leopard and bear find a home in Dalhousie. The place also offers a fantastic view of the Dhauladhar range of mountains. Once here, you must visit the popular Mall Road, the gorgeous lakes, snow-capped mountains and waterfalls in Dalhousie.

Best places to explore in Dalhousie

Panchpula: If you are someone who loves to spend time amidst nature, then you should head over to Panchpula. It is one of the best picnic spots in Dalhousie. It is a place covered with green pine and deodar trees. So head over to this place and spend some quality time with your friends and family!
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary: This place is great for discovering nature, flora and fauna. Along with thick green trees, snow-capped mountains, and a diverse range of wildlife, this place is truly a gem of Dalhousie. You will also find lots of freshwater streams flowing in this sanctuary. It is the perfect place for pictures and for creating lots of memories.

Satdhara Falls: Do you like the gushing sound of flowing water? If yes, then you must head over to see this! This place also offers a beautiful view of snow-covered mountains, green pine trees and lots of greenery. The water is crystal clear and it glistens when sunlight falls on it.
Chamera Lake: It is a man-made lake, which is a reservoir for the Chamba Dam. This place is a popular picnic place, where you can spend quality time with your friends and family. Sitting beside a lake, with clear blue skies and beautiful sunshine, is an ideal holiday for all urban dwellers. If you’re looking for such a holiday, you must visit Chamera Lake.
John’s Church: Dalhousie is known for its quiet and peaceful churches. St. John’s Church is the oldest church in the hill station. It is a beautiful location for capturing pictures. The church is a representation of the Victorian era, which offers a sneak-peak into the place’s culture and history at the same time.

Best markets to visit in Dalhousie

Tibetan Market: Dalhousie has a rich Tibetan culture. There are many Tibetan shops here, selling lots of things like bags, dolls, purses, carpets and handicrafts. It is a good place to buy some souvenirs. This place offers everything that you might need. Hence, it is a true paradise for shopaholics.
Himachal Handloom Industry Emporium: For people who are interested in handloom, this place is a good option. Here you can find woollen shawls, Kashmiri shawls and more of great quality. This place is known for its excellent craftsmanship and unique designs. Moreover, shawls here are available at affordable prices.
Gandhi Chowk Shopping Plaza: This is one of the most popular shopping places in Dalhousie. It offers lots of shops and cafes. From handicrafts to electronic goods, you can get almost everything here. If you’re looking for a memento to carry home, then this is a good place to buy it from.
Bhuttico: This is another place, which is very popular for its shawls. You can purchase local Kullu shawls from here, which is made up of raw materials like lamb’s wool, pashmina and angora. The prices of the shawls range from INR 300 to INR 700. The quality of the products justifies the prices for sure.
Sadar Bazaar: It is one of the most beautiful street bazaars in Dalhousie, which offers a fine view of the mountains. The place also has lots of hotels for tourists. The market offers clothing items, fashion accessories, jewellery and more at really reasonable prices.

Dishes to try in Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a heaven when it comes to good food. So when you are done with your shopping and sightseeing, then you can stop for a quick food break. The street food in Dalhousie is very delicious and will completely energise you. You can try the famous Tibetan momos, which comes with the stuffing of chicken, mutton and vegetables. You can also try dishes like Chowmein from street-side shops, Kashmiri food and dosas.

If you want to try the best quality of food, then you can go to places like Kwality, Moti Mahal and The Preet Palace. There is also a quaint little café called Café Dalhousie, which offers some really delicious food like pizzas, sizzlers, burgers and of course, tea and coffee. There is another café called Bon Appetit, where you get delicious fried chicken, chicken wings, fries and lots more.

Travel tips before visiting Dalhousie

Pack according to the season. If you’re going to Dalhousie during the winter, you will need to carry lots of warm clothes with you.
Whenever you are travelling in Dalhousie, make sure you have your identity documents, like Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, etc. you will require them at different spots in Dalhousie.
It is best that you stick to bottled water when you are in Dalhousie, to prevent any kind of water-related health problems.
Locals in Dalhousie are your best guides. Hence, please be polite to them and take help from them, as much as possible.
It is a good idea to wear comfortable shoes when you are exploring Dalhousie.
Travel during the off-season so that you can get tickets and hotel bookings at a relatively cheaper price.

How to reach Dalhousie?

By air: The hill station doesn’t have an airport of its own, but the nearest route is the Gaggal Airport. This is the closest airport to Dalhousie, located 107 km from the hill station.
By train: Dalhousie doesn’t have a railway station of its own. The nearest railway station to the hill station is the Pathankot Junction Railway Station, located about 81 km away. This railway station is connected to the rest of India very well.
By road: You can reach Dalhousie via road. All over India, there is a very well-developed network of roads. So you can drive all the way to Dalhousie from different parts of the country. There are also state buses plying on the route that travel between Dalhousie and Delhi, Dehradun, Mussoorie and more.

How to get around in Dalhousie

There are two options for transportation within Dalhousie - bus and car. The bus network is good, so you can choose a bus for your travel. It is easy and convenient. Alternatively, you can hire a cab also for travelling within the city. Moreover, there is also an option of renting a car and driving it on your own, if you love driving on the hills! However, the best way to travel and explore the hill station is by walking. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it will also be a healthy way of travelling around the city.

Climate of Dalhousie

Dalhousie is known for having a humid subtropical climate. Generally, there is rainfall during the spring and summer seasons. In addition to that, the hill station experiences about 20 days of snowfall. The winters can get very harsh at times, with temperatures dropping below zero degrees.

Best time to visit Dalhousie

Although summertime is the most popular time to visit Dalhousie, you can also visit the place during the winters. So, you can visit Dalhousie between October and February, which constitutes the winter season of Dalhousie. The winters here can be pretty cold and the temperatures can dip to about zero degrees. So, in case you really love snow, then this is the perfect time to visit the hill station.

Conclusion

As is evident, Dalhousie can be called the Switzerland of India. The hill station is blessed with beautiful green spaces, deep forests, a diverse range of wildlife and clear blue skies. If you are an urban dweller, then this place will be equivalent to heaven for you, as it is a place nestled in nature and is completely free of pollution. So, carry your cameras and head over to this beautiful location that rests right in the middle of serenity and peace.