Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Chamba in three days — the ridge, the meadow and the old capital
Three days in the hills of Chamba district, built on two bases. Days one and two stay in Dalhousie: the ridge at Pohlani Mata and Dainkund, then Khajjiar and the Kalatop forest. Day three drops to Chamba on the Ravi for Chamunda Devi, the Lakshmi Narayan temples and Champavati.
Photos: Harvinder Chandigarh (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Abhyuday Bhandari (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Ms Sarah Welch (CC0) · Ms Sarah Welch (CC0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
First-time visitors with three days who want the hill station, the meadow and the old town in one trip. Families manage it easily; the walks are short.
Day by day
Day 1Dalhousie's ridges — Pohlani Mata and Dainkund
2 stops
Dalhousie's ridges — Pohlani Mata and Dainkund
Arrive in Dalhousie by the morning and spend the day on the ridge above the town: the hilltop temple, then the open walk at Dainkund. Walking times on these paths are not measured on our map; allow extra.
- 11:00Pohlani Mata TempleThe small temple on its hilltop above the town, with the ridge falling away on both sides.
- 13:00DainkundThe gentle, sloping walk along the ridge near the Air Force base, best before the afternoon cloud.
Day 2Khajjiar and the Kalatop forest
2 stops · 25 min on the road
Khajjiar and the Kalatop forest
The meadow at Khajjiar in the morning, about 38 min from town, and the deodar forest of the Kalatop sanctuary on the way back in the afternoon. The walks at both are not measured on our map; go at your own pace.
- 10:00Khajjiar LakeThe open meadow ringed by deodars, with its small lake and the Khajji Nag temple. Walk the rim of the meadow rather than staying at the gate.
- ↓ 25 min by road · 12 km14:30Kalatop Khajjiar SanctuaryThe forest sanctuary between Khajjiar and Dalhousie. Wikivoyage mentions a toll barrier on the road in; ask there for the day's rules.
Day 3Down to Chamba, the old capital on the Ravi
4 stops · 10 min on the road
Down to Chamba, the old capital on the Ravi
Leave Dalhousie after breakfast for Chamba, about 40 km and 91 min by the hill road, and spend the day on its temples above the Ravi before the drive back or onwards.
- 11:00Chamunda Devi Temple, ChambaThe wooden gabled temple on the spur of Shah Madar hill opposite the town, consecrated in 1762, with the whole of Chamba below.
- ↓ 8 min by road · 4 km13:00Lakshmi Narayan Group of Temples, ChambaThe cluster of stone shikhara temples at the centre of the town, the oldest of them of the 10th century, with the metal Garuda on its gate pillar.
- ↓ a short walk14:30Champavati Temple, ChambaThe 10th-century temple raised by Raja Sahil Varman for his daughter Champavati, after whom the town is named.
- ↓ a short walk16:00ChauganThe long green at the centre of Chamba, where the Minjar fair gathers, for the last of the afternoon.
Getting there
Dalhousie is reached from Pathankot by road; see how to reach Dalhousie. From Chamba, go back the same way or on towards Bharmour.
Where to stay
Two nights in Dalhousie. On day three either drive back to Dalhousie or stay a night in Chamba to see the town in the evening.
Know before you go
- Start day two early; Khajjiar's meadow is quietest before ten.
- In winter, ask in Dalhousie whether the Khajjiar road is clear after snow; see Dalhousie in winter.
- Chamba is lower and warmer than Dalhousie; carry a lighter layer for day three.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Dalhousie itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Dalhousie →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
How many days are enough for Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Chamba?
Three days covers all three at an easy pace: one for Dalhousie's ridges, one for Khajjiar and the Kalatop forest, and one for Chamba's temples. With two days, drop Chamba or do it as a long day trip. With four, add a night in Chamba and the road towards Bharmour.
How far is Khajjiar from Dalhousie?
About 18 km and 38 min by road on our measured routing in clear conditions. It is a half-day trip on its own, or a full day with the Kalatop sanctuary on the way back. In winter the road can close after heavy snow until it is cleared, so ask in Dalhousie that morning.
How far is Chamba from Dalhousie?
About 40 km by road, roughly 91 min on the hill road on our measured routing. Chamba sits lower, on the Ravi, and is warmer than Dalhousie. It makes a full day trip, or the first stop on the way further into the district towards Bharmour.