15 Best Things To Do In Dalhousie, India

things to do in dalhousie india
Heena
Heena 
Updated
| 3 min read

So are you planning to explore Himachal? Do you love nature? The popular Dalhousie is a hill station in the Dhauladhar range in Himachal. It is known for its natural beauty and pleasant climate. One can pick this ideal place to relax and refresh the mind and body, while surrounded by thick green covered forest and snow capped peaks.

Dalhousie was named after Lord Dalhousie, the British Governor-General in India who was establishing this place as a summer retreat. As we know Dalhousie is on the western edge of Dhauladhar Mountain range in Himachal, it’s built on and around five hills, Bakrota, Kathalagh, Terah, Potreyn, and Bhangora.

Dalhousie maintains traditional and old cultural beliefs, celebrating festivals and fair that are full of zeal and zest. Visit this place during any of the festivals to enjoy it at its fullest. Festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Lohri, Maghi and Christmas are celebrated with full pomp and joy. In particular the Ice Skating Carnival of Dalhousie is an attraction which hosts dance shows and fancy dress competitions.

Here are some of the best things to do in Dalhousie:

1. Dalhousie Cantt Forest

Dalhousie l Picturesque
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Piyush Tripathi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Thinking of what to do during your holiday in Dalhousie? Here’s a suggestion that would certainly pique an adventure or a nature lover’s interest—Dalhousie Cantt Forest. This state park in Dalhousie is a popular all-year-round destination that offers a wide range of thrilling outdoor recreational activities including hiking, river rafting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching, paragliding, and a whole lot more.

Dalhousie Cantt Forest features not just a lush wooded area but green meadows (during warmer months, of course!), a small plateau, and lakes as well, which means the natural views here are amazing.

Dalhousie Cantt Forest

Address: GXV6+M55, Ukal, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh 176304, India

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

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2. Garam Sadak

Dalhousie
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Maheshrana01 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Garam Sadak is a popular tourist spot that draws in local and international visitors by the thousands every year. Its name, which translates to “hot street”, comes from its pleasantly warm temperature as the road receives direct sunlight during the daytime. It’s not just the comfy weather that attracts people here, though, because the place offers some of the most scenic walks one can enjoy in the region with the tree-lined road and the stunning views of forested mountains.

The beautiful views in Garam Sadak are said to be equally delightful during the night but if you’re planning to visit at nighttime, we advise bringing along a flashlight with you as the road gets pretty dark.

Garam Sadak

Address: Moti Tiba, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India

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3. Tandon's Food Corner

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Tandon's Food Corner on Wednesday, January 29, 2020

For some tasty quick bites and drinks in Dalhousie, visit Tandon’s Food Corner. TFC, as it’s lovingly called by the locals, is a favorite fast-food joint as they offer a wide array of options like burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and fries on the go. Aside from these Western favorites, TFC is widely popular for serving delectable momos, chai, and coffee—all freshly prepared every day.

Tandon’s Food Corner is located on the main market’s corner, making it easy to find and the best place to grab a quick bite after shopping and strolling.

Tandon's Food Corner

Address: Gandhi Chowk Moti Tibba Road, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh 176304, India

Website: Tandon’s Food Corner

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 11pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 11:30pm

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4. Gandhi Chowk Shopping Plaza & Himachal Handloom


For the shopaholics, Dalhousie is a paradise. The best place for street shopping is Gandhi Chowk. Here the main shopping centers are Himachal Handloom, Tibetan Handicrafts Centre and Crafts Centre from where you can purchase Handicraft items like shawls, mufflers, bags, caps, etc. These good quality items are available at reasonable rates.

Gandhi Chowk Shopping Plaza

Address: Address: 15 mins away from central bus station, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Handloom

Address: Moti Tiba, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh 176304

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5. Panchpula Waterfall


Panchpula Waterfall is located around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) outside Dalhousie. It is the main source of water for the near towns. There is a cafe just next to the waterfall, which is incredibly convenient if you’re feeling hungry or thirsty. It is a treat to have a cup of hot coffee in the lap of nature. Another attraction in the area is a monument of Sardar Ajith Singh, a great freedom fighter.

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6. Satdhara Falls



Satdhara Falls is a stunning place surrounded by amazing views of fresh, green pine, deodar trees and snow covered mountain ranges. Its name is from the seven serene springs. It is said that the water contains mica, having properties to cure skin diseases.

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7. Khajjiar

Khajjiar
Source: Photo by user SriniG used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Khajjiar is a very small town near Dalhousie, known in India as the ‘Mini Switzerland’. Its naturally mesmerizing beauty and picturesque landscapes leave an everlasting impression on tourists. Adventurers love this place as it has many activities like trekking, zorbing and paragliding.

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8. Paragliding in Khajjiar


The most exciting adventure sport is paragliding, which is done with a lightweight, foot-launched, free-flying, glider aircraft. One cannot miss getting this once in a lifetime experience in Khajjiar, Dalhousie.

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9. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Source: Photo by user Truewebsolution used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is the home for deer, langur, jackal, Himalayan Black Marten, leopards and bears, along with some beautiful birds. One can participate in some thrilling activities, like riding the flying fox, and the sanctuary makes a perfect destination for trekking too. Black Bears (Snow Bears) are commonly spotted here.

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Kalatope R.F, Himachal Pradesh 176304, India

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10. Dainkund Peak

Dalhousie Dainkund 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mayuresham used under CC BY 4.0

A trek to Dainkund Peak is an amazing and most exciting thing to do at a height of 2,755 meters (9,038 feet). Chirping birds and striking breezes through the woods at Dainkund create a melodious sound. The attraction of this place is a sacred temple and the Indian Air Force.

Day Hike - Dainkund Trek

Price: from 900 INR (15 USD)

Website: Day Hike - Dainkund Trek

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11. St. John's Church

St. John"s  Church @ Dalhousie
Source: Photo by user BOMBMAN used under CC BY 2.0

St. John’s Church is an old age church with a massive historical significance, as it was built in the time of the British rule in India.

St. John's Church

Address: Dalhousie Khajjiar Rd, Moti Tiba, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh 176304, India

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12. Sach Pass

Sach Pass (2)
Source: Photo by user Travelling Slacker used under CC BY 2.0

Sach pass is well known for photography, sightseeing and road tripping. One can come here for trekking too, through snow-clad, dense wood, and lush green plantations.

Sach Pass

Website: Sach Pass

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13. Rang Mahal


Rang Mahal was established in the 18th Century and the walls of the palace and paintings describe the stories from Lord Krishna’s life. It also has a handicraft shop selling handmade handkerchief, ethnic slippers and woolen shawls, etc.

Rang Mahal

Address: Surara Mohalla, Chamba HP, Dalhousie, India

More Information: Rang Mahal

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14. Chamera Lake

Pir Panjal & Chamera Lake
Source: Photo by user Amit J Sangekar used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Chamera Lake is the place where you can spend some peaceful time and can experience a shimmering sunset. One can do water sports, along with sight see, go boating, and go trekking too!

Chamera Lake

Address: Dalhousie, India

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15. Ganji Pahari


Ganji Pahari is a must-visit place approximately 5 km (3 mi) from Dalhousie, and has a serene atmosphere all around. Depending on the season, this place changes its charm. During winter, the place is covered by glistening snow. One can visit here in any season and can enjoy different auras.

Ganji Pahari

Address: Dalhousie 176304, India

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A memorable and fun trip...

This place has a pleasant and serene atmosphere throughout the year, but summer is the best time to visit because of the temperature and beautiful landscape view at high altitudes. If you wish to experience the mild irregular showers and cool climate, then you must plan your visit during Monsoon, when the aura is joyful and energetic. And if you love winter…be ready for a breathtaking, extreme and chilly atmosphere when the temperature ranges from 8°C to -4°C (46°F to 24°F). You will get the chance to spot frequent snowfalls.

For foodies, Dalhousie has a very good and delicious variety of food that will make for a delightful holiday. Worthwhile food to try is roadside Dhabas with Dal Rice. One can have Indian, Mughlai, Kashmiri, Punjabi and Chinese in all restaurants in Dalhousie. Experience a mixture of thrill and peace in the wilderness.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Hailing from India, Heena explores the world through information and people's preferences. She sees beauty in every place and excels as a storyteller and expressive writer. Moreover she is an...Read more

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