Places to Visit in Dharamshala

Kangra Fort, located on the outskirts of Kangra town, is a fort built by the Rajput family of Kangra as part of the Katoch Dynasty. The builders of this fort trace their history back to the Mahabharata making this fort the oldest recorded fort in India. 

It’s also the largest fort in the Himalayas. The fort is well known for its importance in medieval Indian history as it was a much sought after fort by the Mughals and succeeded in resisting a lot of Mughal sieges. The outer wall of the fort has a circumference of 4 kms and the inner chambers have a lot of artifacts from various periods, most notably the Mughal and British occupied India eras. There are temples and royal chambers inside that make for a very fun and eventful tour. 

Best time to visit: All throughout the year.

One of the unique places to visit in Dalhousie is the Ganji Pahari. Ganji Pahari means bald hills and as the name states this hill has no flora whatsoever. It is situated approximately 5 km from Dalhousie, on the Pathankot road. 

Being in close proximity of the town, this place is easily accessible. It is a hub for all adventurers, as the manoeuvring terrains here make a splendid trekking zone.  Reach the pinnacle and be in awe of the breathtaking view. During winters, the Ganji Pahari is bejewelled with snow. One can visit this place any time of the year and enjoy its aura in different seasons.  

Activities and attractions:- Trekking and Sightseeing.

It’s time to explore the Tibetan Market in Dalhousie, because shopping makes us all happy. It is situated at Gandhi Chowk and is one of the best places to buy handicrafts. There are also items such as woollen clothes, colourful carpets and beautifully carved jewellery. The very popular Chamba slippers and shawls are also available here. One can also find a variety of electronic and toy products. Run mostly by the Tibetans, this place has innumerable products that you can take home as souvenirs.

 Activities and attractions:- Shopping

The Chamba town is situated on the banks of the River Ravi. It is one of the most intriguing places to visit in Dalhousie. Being an age old princely state, this place is blessed with marvellous architecture. The Chamba Town also proffers innumerable excursions for all you tourists. 

The temperature here is extreme; hence it is advisable that you explore this town during the chilly winters. Find faith in immaculate temples of Laxmi Narayan, Hari Rai and others. Admire the magnificent Akhand Chandi Palace and Rajmahal. Also, do not forget to visit the Bhuri Singh Museum, which exhibits the rich culture of Chamba. 

Activities and attractions:- Sightseeing, Historical Monuments, Museums, Places of Worship, etc.

The slopes of McLeod Ganj have one of the most picturesque lakes around. Named after the more-celebrated Dal Lake in Srinagar, this small lake is close to a beautiful village called Tota Rani. Flanked by Deodar trees, that are so typical of the region, lend the lake a mystical ambiance. A small shrine dedicated to Durveshwar Mahadev causes Dal Lake to be considered sacred, and a festival-fair held every year is evidence of that. The mid-altitude lake takes a greenish-hue and has varieties of fish inhabiting the water.

The mist in the mornings and evenings make Dal Lake the perfect place for an introspective walk alone, or with the beloved. If you’re lucky, boating in the lake is an amazing experience, when available. The lake next to the Tibetan Children’s village is a nice stopover before you proceed to other attractions, and is regularly listed in the places to visit in McLeod Ganj. A kilometre-and-half from Dal Lake is a spot in Naddi that offers a scintillating view of the Kangra valley and Dhauladhar peaks, and is famous as a sunset point.

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Not so far from Kasol, Bhuntar is a small town situated in Parvati valley. Nested amidst the dense forest and steep trails, Bhuntar is nothing less than a treat to one’s eyes. The village is located in Kullu district which is about 30 kilometers away from Kasol. 

The narrow roads and tricky trails make your drive to Bhuntar a thrilling one. Sightseeing, relaxing in the lap of Mother Nature, shopping and discovering some local activities are some of the things you can do at Bhuntar. This hamlet is for those that wish to do nothing but relax on a holiday and is one of the great places to visit in Kasol.

At a distance of approximately 16 kilometres, nested is this famous place to visit in Kasol called Pulga. Not so far from the city, this village welcomes all the tourists of Kasol. Pulga is best known for the temple or gurudwara in Parvati valley. The peaceful habitat has surprisingly large number of foreigners visiting the place throughout the year. Pulga village is one of the must visit for all the bag packers as it will enhance their love for bag packing as well as offbeat destinations. 

The village is also known for being the tea treasure of the Himalayan side. All in all Pulga village is a small but an exciting tourist destination that adds to the glory of this small town, Kasol. 

Sach Pass is situated in Sach town which is approximately 15 km from Killar, in the Chamba District.. Based at around 14500 ft, this Pass interfaces the grand Pangi tribal valley with district headquarters, Chamba. It is an exceptional trekking trail that leads to the Pangi Valley, which is the remotest and the most enthralling valley. It is blessed with a picturesque landscape and rugged terrains and also offers various options for trekking devotees.

Sach Pass trekking trail drives you through dense woods, snow clad crests and lush green plantations. So all you adventurers and thrill seekers come and explore the challenging Sach pass in Dalhousie.

Activities and attractions:- Trekking, road trip, photography, sightseeing

Naggar village is one of the lesser known or virgin villages that surround Kasol. This hamlet is home for a few temples, military structures, museums and galleries making it one among the best Kasol places to visit. One can tick them all off and head to explore the rural exquisiteness of this village.

Distinct culture of this village is of the greatest attraction to the tourists. International Roerich memorial trust, Naggar castle and Gauri Shankar temple are some of the places worth visiting in this village. 

One among the Israeli abodes in Kasol, Chhalal Village is one of the places that tourists visit in Kasol when they look out for small attractions in the city. Redefining the beauty of nature and blending in Israeli culture, Chhalal is a quite wonderful place to spend a day. One can trek to this village witnessing the mystic atmosphere of the place. 

The best thing to do in this small town is to explore cafes and try out some of the best Israeli cuisine. Kasol, also known as the ‘Mini Israel’ of India, accommodates many other small hamlets like Chhalal that add to the overall experience of the tourists that visit Kasol.  

Located approximately 2000 M above the sea level, Khajjar is popularly known as the mini Switzerland. So, if you are looking forward to spending some quality time with your better half, then Khajjar is a perfect destination to add flavour to your romance. 

Being blessed with dense Deodar forests, snow clad mountains and the captivating Khajjar Lake; this is an ideal picnic spot to be visited with friends and family. For all the nature lovers, Khajjar is a heaven on earth. The antiquated Khajjinag Temple, which was built in the 12th century, is also a well-known attraction here.

Activities and attractions:- Picnic spot, Sightseeing, Photography