Lately, I was thinking of taking a break from Delhi’s pre-monsoon humid weather, and head up-north to beat the heat a bit. Also to serve a quick retreat from work. So finally, I went to Dalhousie along with my family. Dalhousie is a less popular hill station for Delhiites, as compared to Shimla, Kulu, Manali etc., mainly due to its distance from the plains.
However, Dalhousie was surprisingly placid and scenic. Dalhousie was established in 1854 by the British Governor Lord Dalhousie. At an altitude of roughly 2000 meters, and clothed in stately groves of deodar & oak, Dalhousie has a unique blend of its colonial era and a veneer of Tibetan culture, making it a truely exotic destination.
We travelled nearby, to Subhash Baoli, Satdhara, Panjpulla, and further away to Khajjiar, Kalatope, Dainkund and Chamba. My favorite of all were Dainkund (with its flower valley), and Kalatope (with its misty wildlife sanctuary). The splendour and fine views over the verdant valleys & surrounding highland is darn breathtaking.
Dalhousie is an excellent summer retreat for families, but if you are the adventurous kind, then Manimahesh (near Bharmaur, 65km away from Chamba) is awe inspiring in its stark grandeur. At an altitude of roughly 4000m, Manimahesh is not only an important place of pilgrimage but also a trekking spot.