Dalhousie is a captivating and a soothing tourist spot with its unspoiled beauty. The best part of it is that it is less crowded than Shimla , Kullu and Manali. So you can enjoy the serene atmosphere with some hassle free environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a native of Tamil Nadu I had to book a flight from Chennai to Delhi and take a train to Patankot. From Patankot it is better to take a cab and they themselves act as a tourist guide so it will save you some time and money. As we traveled by cab the beauty unfolds right from the word go. The road is just fine and we sat back and enjoyed the trip If you want to enjoy the dazzling snow fall you have to push yourself to Lakhdimandi which 2 Km up from Dalhousie.

We visited the valley of Chamba and Pangi which is about 50 km from Dalhousie. It is a real feast to eyes. We also visited the Kalatop which is wildlife sanctuary 10 km from Dalhousie. If you want to remember our freedom fighters visit Panchula and Subash baoli. Subash Chadra Bose used to frequently visit this place. From Chennai and Back to Chennai it takes about 15000 per head. Find a cab from Patankot to Dalhousie; it would be a smart decision. Hotel Lallji is near the bus stand and affordable. Hotel President, Hotel Monga, Dalhousie Hotel, Dalhousie Heights are other budget hotels. From Chennai to Delhi it is better to take a flight which cost you about 5500 Rs if the time is of the essence to you. From Delhi to Dalhousie via Patankot it is about 350 km.  

 Don’t forget to carry some warm fittings. If you don’t have one, buy it in Patankot or Chandigarh. In Dalhousie it is bit costly. It would be in your favor if you know to speak Hindi (At least broken Hindi) if you want have a best bargain when you buy something as the locals seldom know English. Shopping was a good experience. We bought Kashmiri shawls and carpet. The best part of it is that they will deliver the goods to your home. Just give them the address. Local are friendly and jovial. There is no problem of theft and insecurity  

The best time to visit provided you want to see the snow fall is between Dec and March. In the peak season it is advisable to book the hotel in advance and in off season it is not needed. It took me 4 days for the people living in south to complete the vacation. The serene environment, the white glazed mountain, the chill weather posing a challenge to your warm blood body and the snow fall has made the trip on in a million experiences.