Aug 23, 2011 04:01 PM
17241 Views
This is a place for those who are looking for freshness, peace and a break away from the noise, pollution and overcrowded Delhi. Really it was such a trip that I would never forget for the soberness and cold climate. My journey started from Delhi by train to Pathankot and them by bus to Dalhousie which took almost 4hours on a steep hill ride.
On reaching Dalhousie one can book hotels that are just behind the bus stand. We reached there during the month of August which is considered to be the off season for tourist as it rains heavily there. So we managed to get a double bedroom with attached toilet and bathroom, a cable TV connection for just INR250. Once we checked in we were greeted with heavy rain throughout the day and the night also.
Please carry an umbrella or raincoat to protect getting drenched.
In case if someone is planning to go to Dalhousie then they should avoid their trip during monsoon as it rains heavily and the roads to the main tourist spots are blocked by landslide or broken trees. In such situation taxi operators know how to earn quick bucks.
Otherwise availability of city buses to important destinations is easy but limited. So, plan according to their time schedule to avoid falling prey to taxi operators.
The next day we decided to go to Panchpulla that is 5KMs far away from the main bus stand and one can enjoy its beauty by walking down the hilly road. Otherwise taxi or personal car is a convenient option for those having family. The natural scenic views and small fresh water streams are mesmerizing. In the evening on the way back we went to the Gandhi Chowk that is simply a market place where you will find two or three good restaurants to eat. This is a small market where you can shop for woolen clothes and mementos. Walking down the hill you will reach the Subash Chowk and this is just a place to relax and move forward. There is an ancient church there.
Next day we decided to go to Khajjiar. It is almost 24KMs far away from Dalhousie and the bus(Tandon Travels) starts from the main bus stand at 9:15A.M. and returns at 14:15 and 15:30 P.M.
Khajjiar is a place where you will find only a British era golf course and beautiful view of lush green forests. Horse ride, rolling down in a ball and clicking beautiful snaps are the option there. Shooting snaps with the small bunny cost us INR10 and in traditional dress INR30/person. We took lunch there and went to take the return bus at 14:15. But due to rainfall and landslide we couldn’t find one back to Dalhousie. Taxi operator told us that one can hire complete car irrelevant of the number of passengers.
He told us that they can provide an Indigo for INR700 for four passengers. I went back to the spot and called upon the couples we went along with in the bus and asked them to share the fare.
Luckily we spotted one jeep and all seven people hired it for INR700. Somehow we reached back to hotel after spending more than two hours in the traffic jam due to landslide and rainfall.
Next day we decided to go to Chamera Lake for boating and to see Chamera Dam on Ravi river. Again connectivity is very good by bus and we went to the lake via Banikhet. It took us hardly half an hour to reach there and the view there was mind blowing.
The dam was almost full to it’s capacity and one of it’s gate was opened to let the water flow out. We were lucky to get the company of an electrical engineer who also came along with us in the bus to see the dam. He helped us a lot in answering to our queries. Beware on the boat ride during the rainy season in the reservoir as it is very dangerous.
Next day we decided not to go to Chamba as it was raining heavily there and we read in newspaper about the landslide and causalities there.
We decided to go down the hill walking from Dalhousie to Banikhet a distance of almost six KMs. This path was downhill and a very very beautiful location to click snaps.
On the way return we ride a bus and our tour of this magnificent, calm, sober and cool hill station ended here.
Journey by train is the cheapest and most convenient one for those commuting from Delhi or nearby places. For vegetarians there are very less options for quality food nearby to the bus stand. Market place is expensive. For new drivers it is not so easy to take on the car in the slippery roads on Dalhousie during monsoon.
