Drive to Dalhousie - A Nostalgic Trip

Day 1 - Reaching & Walking Around. 

We had just crossed above 5000 feet and the winding road took us through thick foliage as it climbed steadily towards Dalhousie. I wound down the window and felt the cool fresh mountain air fill up the car and refreshed our lungs.

Our association with Dalhousie goes back to 1997 when we stayed here till 2001. It was a memorable stay and this quaint town in the foot hills of Himalayas soon quickly earned a special place in our hearts.  

As we drove up We wondered why we hadn't made this nostalgic drive earlier than waiting for years.

We reached Dalhousie after a 11 hr drive from Noida around 2pm, and checked into our hotel JK Clarks exotica. Good Parking in hill stations in India is a luxury. This hotel dedicated the whole first floor for parking.

The room had a wonderful view of the vast valley below which ended with magnificent white peaks of Dhauladhar  Ranges.  This view I could sit & watch all day.

Exploring the Town - Thandi Sadak & Garam Sadak

After bit of rest we walked  to the Main part of the town called Gandhi Chowk. It was early April evening and there was chill in the air. It felt like an extended winter,  compared to the already warm plains down below

We were visiting after a long time and like many other popular places in India tourism had hit the nature hard. The place was jam packed with people and cars, although the vacation season had not started.  

We walked through a maze of people spilling on to the road from the shops lined along. Most annoying were the selfie squad. Standing in the middle of the road oblivious to other's discomfort no sorry oblivious to everything in the world. Brushing past many shoulders, going under several outstretched Selfie hands we managed to enter into garam sadak (warm road, called so as it get most of the sun light) walking towards Subhash Chowk. We went past our the  house we used to stay. But a 3 floor apartment stood there with many trees cut. Felt sad on the reality that this is what development looks like? 

We returned back to Gandhi chowk via Thandi sadak (cold road as it does not get much Sun & in winters teh snow stays longer).  Both roads connect Gandhi Chowk to Subhash chowk in a circle and worth a leisure walk round the hill called Moti Tibba. 

The best way to explore Dalhousie is on foot. Exploring the hidden gems nestled away. Enjoying the views and breathe in the oxygen rich air. 

Day 2 - Visit to Subhash Baoli & Panch Pulla

Next Morning we walked to Subhash Baoli about 2 km from hotel.  The walk was serene amid thick deodar trees. The air was fresh & rejuvenating. Luckily this place is not popular and was as tranquil as ever.

At Subhash Baoli, a small stream gushes out of a hole in the hill & is believed to have medicinal powers. We took few gulps and wandered up into the forest behind. The absolute calm & serene surroundings makes you forget the time. 

Panchpula - Next stop of the day

This point was 3km from Gandhi chowk and we decided to take our car, which we regretted later. Its known for  a small waterfall (very small one but only one in Dalhousie). We were shocked to see the whole place had changed for the worse. Plenty of flashy  shops, eateries were opened destroying the serenity of the place. Thats the price of over tourism. People thronged as though this was the mighty "Yesomite falls".

A short climb up stream through rocky path took us to the water fall. The selfie squad had beaten us to the point. But They didn't know the spots we knew. There was a faint steep sheep tail I used to climb in the late 90s. I found it instantly more due to instinct as it was broken & faint. But was fortunately still existing. The trail had broke off in many places making it narrow & steep. It took me directly above & behind the water fall. I had climbed it many times in the past & felt good climbing it again, it was fun. 

Driving back we hit a traffic jam, more tourists were coming down in cars & also Local Busses. There was absolutely no space to go. We were  Sandwiched between a hill on one side, valley on the other & a Big Bus in front. Got out of it after several delicate & tense manoeuvres. Hardly drove few meters when  got stuck again with a truck in front this time. Everybody switched off their engines & waited for others to make the first move. It was like a poker game. The Truck was under time pressure & he reversed his truck to a wider place,  and we got out. There were many volunteers helping to ease the traffic & the space negotiations took place in inches. 

Lunch was hosted by dad’s office where he used to work. It was lovely to meet many colleagues there. 

Evening was spent leisurely walking along  the beautiful lanes of Dalhousie. Reminiscing the past. 

Day 3 - Dainkund Peak Trek & Walk in Nature to Kalatop

DainKund Trek

This beautiful place is about 15 km from Dalhousie. We drove there after an early breakfast to beat the crowd.  Dainkund summit is the highest point around Dalhousie  at 2775 meters. 

The true summit remains concealed by two smaller peaks, but those who are aware of this can venture further. Most visitors tend to settle at the designated rest area and leave.

There isn't a clearly marked trail, but rather a steep 15-minute ascent up the slope. Descending, on the other hand, takes only 5 minutes and is noticeably quicker. The steepness can be gauged by the elongated shadow in the video below. 

At the pinnacle, a breathtaking 360-degree panorama unfolds, with the ground plunging away in every direction and offering magnificent vistas of snow-capped mountains. 

No pictures can truly capture the exquisite beauty of this place. The views made up for the tough climb.

 

A mesmerising walk in Kalatop forest.

Kalatop is a pristine forest abundant with deodar and fir trees. It is located around 10 km away from Dalhousie at an elevation of 2500 meters. The Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over several hills from Kalatop to Khajjiar, showcasing a magnificent collection of Himalayan flora and fauna.

We drown down from Dainkund and parked at the entrance to the forest. 

A 3 km dirt track from the forest checkpoint barrier goes deep into the forest to a govt forest guest house. 

The purpose of visiting Kalatop is not merely to reach the forest guest house but to relish the tranquil stroll amidst the towering deodar trees. One can listen to the melodious songs of various birds and feel the refreshing mountain breeze rustling through the trees, rejuvenating one’s lungs weary from the pollution of the city.

Sadly, many tourists drive straight to the forest guest house, missing out on the opportunity to immerse themselves in this natural splendor. Beyond the guest house, there are a few small dhabas and an adventure zone, which does not encompass the essence of why one should come here.

We walked both ways to & from the guest house, savoring the captivating forest vistas. It was so calm that we could hear our own breath, occasionally interrupted by the delightful melodies of birds or the gentle rustling of the breeze through the trees. The beauty was so captivating that we could have easily spent the entire day there.

Definitely recommended to this walk. Please enjoy some captivating pictures and beautiful videos of or walk in Kalatop forest.

On the return drive we got stuck in another traffic jam at Gandhi chowk on way to hotel. This was more nerve-wracking as we negotiated within inch of vehicles & went past them. 

Day 4 - Khajjiar : The Mini Switzerland of India.

We checked out of our hotel and drove to Khajjiar. The 45 mins drive through lush green forest with tall deodar trees was fascinating. The stillness of the forest was amazing. One heart stop moment when we stopped to let a bus pass on the narrow road. 

Charming Khajjiar was the highlight of our trip. It is often referred to as the Mini Switzerland of India due to its striking resemblance to the picturesque country.

Located at an altitude of 2000 meters, this lush green meadow is surrounded by towering deodar trees. Its charm is further enhanced by a small lake at its center, resembling a glistening pearl.

What makes this place truly unique is the fact that it was formed by a meteorite impact, which flattened the mountain and gave birth to this mesmerizing destination. As you wander through the region, surrounded by mountains and towering deodar trees, the sudden appearance of this expansive meadow is a delightful surprise. Stretching about a kilometer in length and over half a kilometer in width, it truly captivates the senses.

We were booked for the night in a  charming home stay cottage, which the owner proudly mentioned was 150 years old. The original interior and furnishings were tastefully preserved, giving us a glimpse into its rich history. 

Perched on a steep incline & hidden from the meadow, the cottage offered a breathtaking view of the vast valley and distant snow-capped mountains, creating a picturesque sight.

During our visit to Khajjiar, we immersed ourselves in the beauty of the place. We took a leisurely walk around the meadow's well-defined track and strolled across on its soft grass, savouring every moment. 

Most of the tourists were flocking at the entry point close to the eateries, and we avoided them by going to the other side. We sat beneath the shade of the majestic deodar trees, allowing ourselves to fully absorb the magnificent views. 

The fresh, cool mountain air was refreshing & we took few deep breaths to savour it. 

Sitting there it felt as if time had come to a standstill in this tranquil haven. 

Day 5 - Return back to Noida 

This day we reluctantly started back our drive to Noida. It felt sad to leave this place but we left with a promise to come back. But before we descended back to the plains we visited a recently opened suspension bridge between two villages over River Ravi.

We drove over the bridge & did some photo shoots before continuing our drive to home in Noida. We reached after about 10hrs in the evening. 

Ravindra

27 Aug 2023