Destination guideChamba, Himachal Pradesh
Dalhousie & Khajjiar Pine ridges & the Khajjiar meadow
Last updated
In short
Overview
Dalhousie is a hill station at 1,970 m in Chamba district, built on five hills in the 1850s and named after the Governor-General Lord Dalhousie. Khajjiar, a meadow and small lake ringed by deodar forest, is about 17 km away by road, and Chamba town about 35 km. Leisure Himachal's Dharamshala–Dalhousie tour and the Himachal Darshan tours spend two nights here.
Getting there
How to reach Dalhousie & Khajjiar
By air
Kangra Airport at Gaggal is the nearest with regular flights, about 3–4 hours by road. Pathankot also has a small civil airport.
By rail
Pathankot, about 80 km away, is the broad-gauge railhead.
By road
About 135–145 km from Dharamshala (5 hours) and about 560 km from Delhi via Pathankot.
Sights
What to see in Dalhousie & Khajjiar
- 01
Khajjiar
A long meadow with a small lake and the Khajji Nag temple, ringed by deodars — about 17 km from Dalhousie.
- 02
Dainkund peak
The high point near Dalhousie, with a short walk to the Pholani Devi temple and views across the Pir Panjal.
- 03
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Old forest of deodar and blue pine on the road between Dalhousie and Khajjiar.
- 04
Gandhi Chowk and the Mall
The centre of the old station, with St John's Church and the walk around the hills.
- 05
Bakrota Hills
The highest of Dalhousie's five hills, with a level walking road around it.
- 06
Panchpula and Subhash Baoli
Streams and a spring a short walk from town, linked to the freedom fighters Ajit Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose.
- 07
Chamba
The old princely capital on the Ravi, about 35 km away — see the Chamba guide.
The guide
Dalhousie & Khajjiar travel guide
Why go?
Dalhousie is the quietest of the old British hill stations: five hills, pine and deodar, and long level walks around each of them. It has none of Shimla’s traffic. Khajjiar, down the road through the Kalatop forest, is the reason most people come — a wide green meadow with a little lake in the middle, grazing horses, and forest closing in on every side.
When is the best time to visit?
- March to June — the meadow is green and the days are warm.
- July to August — monsoon; the forests are lush but the roads are slow.
- September to November — clear, cool and quiet.
- December to February — snow at Khajjiar and Dainkund in most winters.
How Dalhousie fits into a trip
- Dharamshala & Dalhousie by car — 4 nights, with a full day for Khajjiar, Bakrota, Dainkund and Kalatop.
- Complete Himachal Darshan, Himachal with Amritsar and Himachal with Vaishno Devi — each continues from Dalhousie to the plains: to Chandigarh, Amritsar (about 210 km) or Katra (about 240 km).
Tour packages
Tours that include Dalhousie & Khajjiar
Before you go
Dalhousie & Khajjiar: questions
How far is Khajjiar from Dalhousie?
About 17 km by the road through Kalatop. Most people visit as a half-day trip from Dalhousie, often combined with Chamba.
Why is Khajjiar called mini Switzerland?
Its open meadow ringed by deodar forest reminded visitors of an Alpine pasture, and the nickname stuck. There is a signboard on the meadow.
How many days do I need in Dalhousie?
Two nights covers Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Dainkund. Add a night for Chamba town and its temples.
Does it snow in Dalhousie?
Dalhousie and Khajjiar usually get snow between late December and February. Dainkund, higher up, holds it longer.
Travel guides
More destinations
-
Manali
Snow, Solang & the Rohtang road -
Shimla
Colonial heritage & Kufri -
Dharamshala & McLeodganj
Culture, cafés & the Dhauladhar -
Kullu, Kasol & Manikaran
The Beas, the Parvati & hot springs -
Chamba
Temples on the Ravi -
Spiti Valley
The high-altitude cold desert -
Bir Billing
Paragliding above the Kangra valley -
Leh-Ladakh
Jeep safaris over the high passes
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.