Things to do in Dalhousie: Exploring the 'Little Switzerland of India'

Surrounded by a cover of fresh, green pine and deodar trees, Panchpula is a waterfall, and an amazing picnic spot in Dalhousie. The spot where five streams come together. Panchpula's main stream supplies water to the various localities of Dalhousie. This stream originates from the northern side of Dain Kund, and a sight for the sore eyes. This place is best known for trekking and its marvellous beauty. The spot is popular among picnickers too and making a visit here is one of the top touristy things to do in Dalhousie.

This small town, very nearby to Dalhousie is also known as the 'Mini Switzerland' or the 'Switzerland of India'. And visiting here is absolutely one of the topmost things to do in Dalhousie. The mesmerizing beauty of this place has greatly influenced and inspired many kingdoms throughout the years, including the Rajputs and Mughals. Located at an altitude of 6,500 feet, the natural beauty and picturesque landscape of this place are bound to leave an everlasting impression on a tourist.

Dainkund Peak the highest peak in the area watching over the beautiful pine laid landscapes of Dalhousie. It is situated 10 kms away from Dalhousie at a great height of 2755 m above sea level. One can get a panoramic view of the hills and rivers below from here. This is also known as the Singing Hill wind blowing through the trees create a musical serenade. Make sure to include this in your bucket list of things to do in Dalhousie.

Ganji Pahari is a scenic hill located at a distance of 5 kilometres from the town of Dalhousie on Pathankot Road. The name Ganji Pahari was derived from its salient feature which is the complete absence of flora on the hill. The natural landscape makes it an exciting trekking trail. Its accessibility also makes Ganji Pahari a favourite picnic spot in Dalhousie. In spite of the absence of native vegetation, the scenic beauty of the location is worth appreciating. The terrain has its own charming quality that will mesmerise every person exploring it. During winters, the same terrain is covered in a thick coat of snow, and the panoramic view it offers is just breathtaking. Be sure to include this in your top things to do in Dalhousie.

The stunning Satdhara Falls is situated in the Chamba valley, surrounded by fantastic views of snow-covered ranges, and fresh, green pine and deodar trees. 'Satdhara' means seven springs, thus the Satdhara Falls get its name from being the waterfall that brings together the waters of the seven beautiful springs. This is the perfect place for people in search of some tranquillity in their hectic life. The water here is said to contain mica, which has medicinal properties to cure skin diseases. Be sure to include this in your top things to do in Dalhousie.

Market browsing is one of the prime things to do in Dalhousie to take back souvenirs and handicrafts back home. If you want to buy unique handicrafts and experience local talent, then Gandhi Chowk is the place for you.There are plenty of interesting things to buy from Dalhousie; which include Buddhist paintings, a variety of copper and silver 'diyas', carpets and various other souvenirs. Remember to buy the famous Tibetan carpets from the Tibetan Handicraft Centre. Moreover, there are local, quaint bistros scattered at different places where you can take a break from your shopping and enjoy some mouth-watering snacks or a cup of warm tea or coffee to re-energise yourself.

This is the oldest church in the town and assumes not only religious significance but has much historical significance too. It also tends to be a favorite amongst photographers. A library neighbors the church, where one can find a lot of book about the past and the present of the town. The church performs service every Sunday. If you are a history buff, you should definitely include visiting here in your top things to do in Dalhousie.

Chamera Lake is another one of the popular sightseeing spots in Dalhousie boasting of immense beauty and verdant nature. The lake also facilitates boating which is a very famous activity in the regions and one of the top things to do in Dalhousie. You can either explore the lake in a speed boat or even a row boat.

Thick deodar foliage, a plethora of wildlife, snowcapped mountains, carpets of verdant grasslands and easy on the eye streams of fresh water make up the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary. Animals like the Himalayan black bear, Himalayan black marten, mountain cats, leopard, jackal and langur are the inhabitants of the 30.62 square kilometre sanctuary. The well laid out trekking and hiking trails in the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary offer a pristine, mesmerizing experience with nature and are arguably the best means to explore the beautiful untouched forests of the park area. Experiencing a safari here is one of the most exciting things to do in Dalhousie.

A paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, trekking in Dalhousie is particularly famous amongst trek-lovers. The hill station is a dream come true for trekking fiends as it offers the best trekking trails for beginners. As you pass through the verdant surroundings, you can't resist yourself from soaking in the tranquillity and calmness of the place. There are dense forests of Deodar, pine and fir trees which look extremely quaint. For trekkers who want to trek in the snow, Dalhousie is the best place. This is one of the most exciting activities to undertake and one of the most thrilling things to do in Dalhousie.

Bakrota Hills, also known as Upper Bakrota, is the highest area in Dalhousie and is circled by a road called Bakrota walk which leads to Khajjiar. With a handful of estates here, the area does not have too much to attract tourists but is ideal for strolls and to look around and enjoy the sceneries. The area is surrounded by deodar trees and hills all around. Visiting the hills is one of the top touristy things to do in Dalhousie.

Cafe Dalhousie is one of the most popular cafes in Dalhousie known for its delicious food and perfect ambiance. Offering global cuisine options, the eatery also boasts of panoramic vistas of the adjacent hills and valleys. The most popular food at the cafe include snacks like grilled sandwiches, pizza and shakes etc. Visiting this amazing cafe is one of the best things to do in Dalhousie.

Named after the famous freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, Subhash Baoli is a perennial spring which has medicinal properties and believed to have cured the freedom fighter of his ill health. The serene spot is visited by travellers who come here to relish the natural beauty, with the expanded view of the snow-dusted mountains in the distance. Located 1 km away from Gandhi Chowk in Dalhousie, this tribute to the leader is an ideal spot for picnics and evening strolls. Situated near these springs is a beautiful waterfall which flows into a glacial stream.

One of the top adventurous things to do in Dalhousie is River Crossing. River crossing is done across the river Ravi or Saal under the supervision of trained instructors while River Rafting too is a growing favorite in Chamba, usually done on the Rivers Ravi and Saal, too. Both private as well government tourism organizations organize these activities.

This adventure activity is popular and carried out at various places in Dalhousie, especially in Khajjiar. Since the activity is done under professional supervision, it is best to go in groups, since individual training and activity might cost a bit more. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you should definitely include this activity in your bucket list of things to do in Dalhousie.

Sach Pass, a mountain pass that runs over the Pir Panjal Mountain range, at the height of 4500 meters, connects Dalhousie with Chamba and Pangi Valleys. At a distance of 150 kilometres away from Dalhousie, it is one of the most difficult passes to cross in North India. Adventure seekers often visit the Sach Pass (when it is open) to experience the thrill of riding a bike or driving a car through it. For those who don't want to take any risks can hire an experienced driver to explore the breathtaking pass.

Rock Garden is a beautiful garden and a popular picnic spot in Dalhousie. Other than relaxing and revitalizing in the park, you can also try the several adventure sports available in the area including zip lining etc.

Garam Sadak is a road in Dalhousie connecting Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk which offers scenic vistas of the valley. Lined with tall trees and green vegetation, taking a walk on this scenic road is one of the most touristy things to do in Dalhousie. You will also be able to see beautiful 'Tibetan Rock Paintings' adorning the walls of the road on the side.

Paragliding is another one of the exciting activities and things to do in Dalhousie. The favourable months for paragliding are months of September to November and January and June, when the weather conditions are most ideal. Most of these activities are held at Khajjiar and you should definitely experience it when in the hill town.

After an adventurous trek in Dalhousie, the only thing that can give you rest and peace and the only thing that you can do is to rest in the lap of the nature. You can feel the sudden change in experience from a harsh trek to a peaceful rest that fills your heart with content and satisfaction of achievement. You can achieve this at Camping amidst the hills. Watching the clear skies at night and enjoying a bonfire is one of the prime things to do in Dalhousie.