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Khajjiar: Best Places to Visit, How to Reach, Where to Eat & Stay, Climate, Location Map

Tags: khajjiar visit

Nestled upon a vast expanse comprised of epic verdant meadows, a mesmerizing view of snow-covered Kailash, and the dense forest cover made up of deodar trees, Khajjiar is undoubtedly a heaven for someone who loves to get one step closer to nature. If you are in search of the perfectly ornamental locale to visit during your holidays, pack your bag and get set go because this ultimate holiday destination is something you should not miss.

Also known by the name “Gulmarg of Himachal” or “Mini Switzerland of India”, this place serves as an inaugural point for tourist places such as Dalhousie, Chamba, and the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary with its picturesque trekking routes. This hill station surely is the perfect host to you with a plethora of places to visit in Khajjiar.

Top 10 Places to visit in Khajjiar

Talking about the places you can plan a trip to when in Khajjiar, you get a wholesome list to choose from. So let’s get going with the top places to visit in Khajjiar during your holiday trip.

1. KALATOP WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

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Proliferated over a massive area of 30.69 sq.km, the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary houses a rare combination of greens and fauna that is untouched by the every pollution and population seen in the mainland India. Placed in a strategic location that lies between the strikingly beautiful Dalhousie and the scenic Khajjiar Lake, the Kalatop also flaunts some popular hikes and nature walks. When trekking in Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary, you will come across trees such as Green Oak, Blue Pine, and the Rhododendron. Amidst the greens, you can spot the Himalayan Black Marten, Barking Goral, Langur, Bear, Jackal, Leopard, and Bear.

2. KHAJJIAR LAKE

Popular for an array of activities such as zorbing, paragliding, horseriding, and family picnics, Khajjiar Lake is surely one among the popular destinations that leaves a lasting impression. The lake is surrounded by the lush greenery of deodar forests that is placed at a height of 1920 meters above the sea level. The thing that brings tourists to this spot is the mysterious floating island that is actually comprised of clustered grass growing atop the surface of the lake. With clear skies, one can also see the amazing view of popular Mount Kailash.

3. KAILASH VILLAGES

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Ladi, Rota, and many other villages will surely bring back that country side feeling for you when you used to visit your grandparents during the summer holidays. Well, these picturesque villages are the perfect places when you are in mood to experience the taste of country life. Remember that song “Country Roads Take Me Home”, just put on your headphones and get going to these villages to enjoy a comfortable stay, beautiful locale, and authentic food from the lap of Himalayas. Make sure you hit the apple orchards in the area and click a selfie to remember these moments.

4. PANCH PANDAV TREE

Associated with the mythological history of India, Panch Pandav Tree is located within the dense deodar forest cover that surrounds the Khajjiar Lake. This tree carries 6 shoots which is believed by the locals to represent the 5 Pandavas while the 6th one is said to represent their wife Draupadi. Just at a distance of 1 kilometer from this plateau town is another gigantic deodar tree that houses 15 shoots with similar height. This one has been tagged by the name “Mother Tree” by the locals.

5. KHAJJI NAG TEMPLE

Dedicated to the Lord of Serpents also known as Khaji Nag, this temple is one among the oldest in Himachal Pradesh. It was constructed back in the 12th century with wood carvings that reflect the Hindu-Mughal style of architecture. It rests on the Khajjiar Lake banks with idols of Lord Shiva present inside the temple along with images of Hidimba, Kaurava, and Pandava.

6. GOLDEN DEVI TEMPLE

Marked as one of the best places to visit in Khajjiar, Golden Devi Temple can be defined as an epitome of architectural marvel. A stunning mix of myths, legends, and brilliant art on display, this temple is visited by people of all religion depicting equality in its best form. The temple is named such due to the golden dome structure that brings tourists to this location. When at Khajjiar Lake, make sure you hike a few yards and visit this temple to soak in the serenity and divine atmosphere that surrounds this holy temple.

7. NINE HOLE GOLF COURSE

If you are a corporate professional looking forward to add an aristocractic touch to the holiday trip, make sure you visit the Nine Hole Golf Course. Indulging in the sports of golf at this perfectly crafted golf course is surely a fun way to enjoy the serene beauty of this hill station.

8. DHAULADHAR RANGE

If trekking is something that drives your boat, the Dhauladhar Range serves the perfect location for you to get some of that adrenalin pumping through your body. Don’t you simply love that epic scenario with mountains that are decked with luxuriously white snow? Here at the Dhauladhar Range, you can watch this mountain range at its glorious best. It’s like god pitched in his best handy work to this divine locale with fluffy clouds blowing past the mountain range looking nothing less than a view of paradise.

9. HP STATE HANDICRAFTS CENTER

Even if you are in Khajjiar just for the beauty and nature, you might not want to miss how shopping feels at this town. If you are the one who is in search for the experience of local flavors when shopping & browsing via interesting items, HP State Handicraft Center is the place that you need to be at. At this center, you can shop for handmade carpets, wall-hangings, furniture, jewelry, rugs, metalware, and so on. All of these come with the show of local art that is unique to this place. Not just that, you can also shop for wool that is warm, soft, and of highest quality. This makes the shopping center a popular choice amidst the locals as well as tourists who seek authenticity in the things they bring back home from a wonderful destination. All these items are priced reasonably to ensure everyone can take something back home.

10. TIBETAN HANDICRAFTS CENTER

Looking for best places in Khajjiar to shop at? Tibetan Handicrafts Center located in Khajjiar provides you access to items that can be a part of your unique shopping spree. From carpets to wall Hangings, this shopping centre houses everything handmade. Shopping here can be deemed nothing short of a delight with a wide variety of options to pick from. Go ahead and add to your favorite from the collection of Tibetan souvenirs available in this shopping center. This place is comprised of eating joints paired beside the souvenir shops that sell Tibetan shawls and antiques. Don’t forget to grab yourself a bite of the delicious food when you are exhausted from all that exploring and shopping in Khajjiar. Pleasure yourself with the amazing taste of hot momos available in this shopping center or eat away those spicy noodles often served with a buttery soup which is a specialty of Tibetan Market.

Why Khajjiar is called Mini Switzerland of India?

On 7 July 1992, Mr. Willy T. Blazer, who was the Vice Counselor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India brought Khajjiar on the tourism map of the world by referring it to as “Mini Switzerland”. Not only that, but he also put a sign board of a yellow Swiss hiking footpath that shows distance of Khajjiar from the capital of Switzerland, Berne (6194 km).

Khajjiar is known to be among the 160 locations in the world that bear striking resemblance with Europe’s  Switzerland. The counselor also took a stone from Khajjiar which forms part of a stone collage around the Swiss Parliament to remind the people who visited Khajjiar about the Mini Switzerland of India.

Now that you know what the places to visit in Khajjiar are, we guess you can spare some time to explore the beauty around this small plateau town as well.

Top 8 Places to Visit near Khajjiar

So let’s get going and take a peek at the places to visit near Khajjiar.

1. DALHOUSIE

Situated atop a collection of 5 hills, this hill station located in the Chamba district is present at the elevation which is 1970 meters higher than sea level. Dalhousie is located at a distance of 24.4 kilometers from Khajjiar via Chamba Road. Established back in 1854 under the reign of British government, this location served as the summer retreat designated for the troops and British officials post annexation of Sikh Empire in Punjab. This town is built over and around 5 hills named Potreyn, Bakrota, Terah, Bhangora, and Kathalagh.

The best months to visit this town are during peak seasons that range between May and September. The winters get too cold here which is summer months are the most favorable ones for tourism. The town serves as an exemplary depiction of streets planned in a perfect mannerism with buildings that come all the way from the colonial era. Witness the marvel amidst lush greenery beautified by the snow-capped mountain peaks of Himalaya.

2. CHAMBA

Located at a distance of 22 kilometer from Khajjiar, Chamba is a town in Himachal Pradesh located around the Ravi River bank which is one among the major tributaries that emerge from Trans-Himalayn Indus River. The best thing about this town is its panoramic view of the surrounding mountains that align all around it with a beautiful evening and morning backdrop that look nothing less than a picture perfect memory when captured through the lens. Chamba consists of a massive collection of places one can visit which includes the Champavati Temple, Banni Mata Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Akhand Chandi Palace, Church of Scotland, Bhuri Singh Museum, and many more.

3. DHARAMSHALA

Located at a distance of 127 kilometers from Khajjiar, Dharamshala is also something you can add to your list of places to visit near Khajjiar. Placed at a height 1475 meters above the sea level, this city is completely surrounded by a thick collection of deodar and cedar trees. Not just that, Dharamshala is among the major locales preferred by the refugees from Tibet. It is also the seat for 14th Dalai Lama from Tibetan Buddhist sect. This town power packed with a picturesque setting and presence of holy Dalai Lama regularly attracts visitors from all over, be it Indians or the ones from foreign lands. When at Dharamshala, you can start exploring the city with places such as Tsuglagkhang Complex, Namgyal Monastery, Masrur, McLeod Ganj, Kareri Lake, Gyuto Monastery, Kangra Museum, Kangra Fort, Dal Lake, Naddi Village, etc.

4. DAINKUND PEAK

If you are looking for places to visit in Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh, just travel 8.8 kilometers via Dalhousie-Chamba Road and you will reach the Dainkund Peak. Popular for activities such as trekking and camping, this mountain has its highest point at the height of around 2745 meters atop sea level. This mountain peak is popularly known as “Singing Hill”. The topmost portion of this hill is actually occupied by Indian Air Force which is why entry to the top half of this peak is inaccessible until you obtain prior permission from concerned authorities to trek to the top. Dainkund Peak is nothing short of white heaven during the winters that morphs into a lush meadow that welcomes a huge population of tourists in the summer months.

5. PANCHPULA

The list of tourist attractions in Khajjiar is limited which is why you can add to your “To do” list and plan a visit to the places nearby as well. Famous for its adventurous trekking activity and click-worthy viewpoints, Panchpula is your perfect getaway that brings you a platter served with the best of nature. The place is surrounded all around by lush and minty green forests that add to the charm of the cascading waterfalls of the scenic viewpoints. The abundant presence of surplus water bodies in this area makes this locale the principal source for water in Dalhousie, Khajiiar, and closeby villages. Panchpula also houses a monument dedicated to the celebratory revolutionary named Sardar Ajit Singh. When enroute Panchpula, make sure you spend some time at the Satdhara Springs and remember to visit the Panchpula Waterfalls. One can reach Panchpula from Khajjiar by travelling a distance of 22 kilometers.

6. SUBHASH BAOLI

All set and done after exploring the tourist places in Khajjiar? Check out the popular tourist attractions around the plateau town. One among the most frequented tourist attractions is the Subhash Baoli. Similar to the surrounding hill stations in terms of greens and mountain freshness, the place is a bit offbeat with a historic connection that can evidently be guessed by the name. According to official records found for this place, it is noted that the famous freedom protagonist during the British rule named Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose actually spent 7 months in this region to help cure his deteriorating health in 1937.

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This is why later on this locale was named after the renowned freedom fighter as a memorial. When looking for things that you can do at the Subhash Baoli, you can visit the famous water cave, followed by a relaxing meditation session amidst the beautiful backdrop. Listen the soothing sound of water falling from a great height when visiting the collection of waterfalls all around and yes, don’t forget to shop by for something that will help you jog the memories associated with this place once you get back home. It is located at a distance of 32 kilometers from Khajjiar.

7. GANJI PAHADI

With a name that literally means “The Bald Mountain”, Ganji Pahari is about 24.5 kilometers via Dalhousie-Chamba Road from Khajjiar. This renowned 5 kilometer long uphill walk from Dalhousie is nestled at Barkota Hills in the Himalayas. The trekking trip to this mountain takes about 1 hour while you experience some of the most scenic beauty surrounding the trekking pathway. If you are in search of some of the fresh places to visit at Khajjiar, this beauty located at a perfectly scalable distance from the town is something you shouldn’t miss. Known for activities such as trekking and hiking, the location is jam-packed with some of the most intoxicating scenarios that serve as the perfect place for an adventurous outing with friends or family.

8. UPPER BAKROTA

Bakrota Hills ranks among one from the highly admired places around Khajjiar. With a dense over of deodar trees, this hill is better explored on foot. Located close to Dhauladkar mountain’s edge which is a part of the Himalayas, this hill is nestled at 2085 meters height where one can enjoy the scenic viewpoint of a beautiful mountainous backdrop. It has been found to be the highest locale in Dalhousie.

How to Reach Khajjiar

  • By Rail

The closest railway station from Khajjiar can be located by covering 118 kilometer of distance which is at Pathankot. Trains run from Bhatinda, Delhi, and Chandigarh, all the way to Pathankot. One can hire taxis from the railway station to reach Khajjair and complete this journey by reaching the ultimate destination.

  • By Air

Khajjiar town doesn’t have its own airport. Anyone visiting this place needs to get to Gaggal Airport which is located at Dharamshala. This airport is around 120 kilometers from Khajjiar. However, the nearest one to this plateau town is Jammu Airport which is located at 114 kilometers distance. You can hail local buses or taxi from the airport to reach Khajjiar.

  • By Road

When planning a trip to scour through the tourist spots in Khajjiar, you can also reach this location via roadways. Khajjiar, although a small town, is well connected via roadways to all the crucial towns in Himachal Pradesh which includes Shimla, Chamba, and Dalhousie. The state-owned as well as private buses are always available to take you to your destination. If you prefer to hire a taxi or use your own car, the roads are perfectly motorable for the tourists.

Location Map

Where to Stay in Khajjiar?

Khajjiar has a great collection of luxurious as well as affordable hotels to stay at. When searching for Khajjiar hotels, you can opt from the famous names such as Deodar Manor, Hotel Mini Swiss, The Devdar, Royal Residency, NotOnMap Mystic Village, Hotel Swiss Meadows, Aamod Resorts, Grand View Hotel, Holiday Inn, and so on. From pocket friendly options to grand accommodation, Khajjiar has everything that you can ask for when in need of a place to stay.

Where to Eat in Khajjiar?

Khajjiar’s popularity isn’t just limited to the mountains, greenery, and scenic beauty. The food here is something that will bring you close to that authentic “Pahadi” taste. Satisfy your soul by indulging in fine dining as well as trying out the local delicacies available in this region. The popular tourist spots in Khajjiar such as the Khajjiar Lake brings street stalls by locals that serve amazingly aromatic delicacies, the taste of which lingers in your mouth for long. The soups and noodles served in the stalls are among the best you would have ever tasted with freshly plucked herbs straight from the backyard garden. Apart from that, you can chomp through the delicious food served at the restaurants in this town which include names such as Royal Treat, Prem Restaurant, Neelkamal, Alps, Punjabi Rasoi, Restaurant Spring, etc.

Climate/Temperature in Khajjiar

The climate in Khajjar remains in the average category making it a locale that isn’t too cold during the winters or too hot during the summers. The temperatures in summer remain moderate making it best for sightseeing activities. The winters can get a bit too cold with some heavy-duty snowfall. This often tends to disrupt transportation facility which is why most people opt for a summer plan. The lowest temperature at Khajjiar can reach 0 degree Celsius during December and January while the highest average temperature can be observed during the months of May and June when the temperatures record close to 38 degrees.

Best Time to visit Khajjiar

The overall climate at Khajjiar is mostly favorable for tourism. You can visit this hill station any time of the year. However, if you aren’t a fan of cold winters, it’s better to visit this place during the summer months. Khajjiar weather during summer months is the best with clear skies and a temperature that isn’t as hot as the mainland down south. So this makes March, April, May, and June, the best months to plan a trip to Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh where you can enjoy the cool climate when the cities all through the Indian terrain experience unbearably hot temperatures.

So grab your bag, book those tickets and don’t wait for the sun to shine its harsh rays over you this summer when you can enjoy the cool surroundings of Khajjiar that caters its audience a unique collection of lakes, pastures, and forests.

The post Khajjiar: Best Places to Visit, How to Reach, Where to Eat & Stay, Climate, Location Map appeared first on Nerd's Travel.



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