Dalhousie

Location : Himachal Pradesh
Altitude : 6678 feet above sea level
Best time to Visit : Throughout the year
STD Code : (91) - 1899

About Dalhousie
Do you know that Dalhousie, at one time, was the dream destination of the former British Governor General Lord Dalhousie. What sets Dalhousie apart from its counterparts including Shimla and Mussoorie is its secluded charm that travellers like much. Being at Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh takes you away from the hum-drum of city life. Apart from laid-back lifestyle, Dalhousie hill station also gives you an opportunity to explore a host of colonial structures. The snow-laden mountain peaks provide a wonderful backdrop to the placid atmosphere. During you trip to Dalhousie, you can also choose to visit Kahjjiar, another kept-away destination located at just a distance of 27 km.

Major Tourist Attractions in Dalhousie
Though there are not too many options of sightseeing, Dalhousie is worth exploring. Some of the most famous tourist attractions in Dalhousie are as follows.

Subhash Baodi
The Subhash Baodi springs are situated at an altitude of 2085 mts above sea level, at a distance of just 1.6 Km from the G.P.O. square. The place is a popular picnic spot with its picturesque environs and pleasant climate. The view of snow covered mountain peaks at a distance lends the place a unique charm. 

Kalatope
Kalatope is another famed attraction situated just 5 km from Dalhousie at an altitude of 2438 mts above sea level. The place is housed amidst picturesque environs and consists of a beautiful palace, forest rest house and a wildlife sanctuary with attractions such as ibex, deer, bear and leopards. The drive upto the place is an experience in itself passing through winding roads lined with pine and deodar trees. 

Satdhara
Satdhara or seven streams is a group of seven springs, situated at an altitude of 2036 mts on the way to Panjpulla. The water of the streams is said to contain medicinal properties capable of curing chronic diseases. The place also affords a commanding view of the surroundings. 

St. Andrew's Church
Built in the year 1903, St. Andrew's Church, also known as the Church of Scotland is situated just one and a half kilometers from Dalhousie bus stand. The church is built in a Scottish architectural style and is still in good condition. Other important churches around the city are St. Patrick's Church, St. Francis Church and St. John's Church. 

Popular Getaways from Dalhousie
Do remember to pay a visit to Khajjiar while in Dalhousie. Khajjiar is a tiny hamlet, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. You can also indulge in a number of adventure sports there.

Khajjiar
Situated 27 Km from Dalhousie at an altitude of 6430 mts above sea level, Khajjiar is a quaint little hill town which attracts a number of visitors for its huge adventure sports opportunities and salubrious climate. The place was originally developed by the British as a summer resort to escape the high heat and humidity of the plains. 

Popular Shopping Centres in Dalhousie
There is something unique waiting to be explored at every nook and corner of the city, you will just have to make that extra bit of effort to roam the streets. Do not ignore the roadside vendors as they may have something really rare that you may not find in the bigger showrooms. Shopping options at Dalhousie mainly include woolen garments, Kashmiri shawls, Kullu caps, intricate silver jewellery and beautiful handicrafts items. Major shopping hubs around the town include the Himachal Handloom Crafts Centre and DC Khanna Store on the Protreyn Road. Shopping at Govt. run emporiums is also a good option. 

Eating Out in Dalhousie
Travellers can savour a wide range of sumptuous multi-cuisine food at the hotels and restaurant in Dalhousie. Road side 'dhabas' are also a good option if you like spicy north Indian food, however, as far as possible, avoid eating at the small road side shacks as the food is uncovered and not very hygienic. 

Dalhousie Travel (Airport/Railway/Road) Information
By Air : The nearest and most convenient airport is located at Gaggal near Kangra, from where you can hire a taxi or board a bus to reach Dalhousie.

By Rail : Pathankot is the nearest railhead which is connected to all the major Indian cities through regular trains. Major trains between Delhi and Pathankot are the Jammu Mail, Shalimar Exp, Jhelum Exp and Tata Jat Exp.

By Road : Luxury and standard buses operate regularly between Dalhousie and major neighbouring cities. The route is through Pathankot via Ambala and Ludhiana. State transport and privately operated buses are easily available. 

Distance from Dalhousie to Major Cities 

• Delhi : 446 Km 
• Pathankot : 45 Km 
• Shimla : 194 Km 
• Chamba : 14 Km 
• Kangra : 140 Km

Srinagar

Location : Jammu & Kashmir
STD Code : (91) - 194
GMT : +5:30
Languages : Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu and Ladakhi
Best time to Visit : April to June and September


About Srinagar 
The Kashmir Valley attracts travellers to Jammu & Kashmir while Srinagar keeps them glued to the wonderful valley of Kashmir. The famous northern Indian hill station, Srinagar occupies a position at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level. While in Srinagar, shikara ride along the Dal Lake and leisurely stroll through the Mughal Gardens happen to the favourite activities of travellers from all over the world. Tourist attractions are many in Srinagar and there is never a dull time to make a trip to Srinagar. Apart from exploring tourist attractions in Srinagar, you can also enjoy wonderful getaways to places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam. And when it's time to leave, you can also get your hands on some of the most exquisite items of handicraft. 

Climate & Best time to Visit Srinagar
The weather in Srinagar remains pleasant during the summers (April to June) when temperatures remain around the mid 20's during the day and the city is bathed in sunshine most of the time. Winter season (November to February) can be extremely cold with temperatures dipping below the freezing point. The region experiences heavy snowfall during peak winter months of December and January. The best time to visit the place is during summers and early winters. 

Major Tourist Attractions in Srinagar
The city of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir has a number of exciting tourist attractions for you in store. Though Dal Lake is the biggest attraction for travellers, Srinagar also offers to see other much known tourist attractions.

Dal Lake
Probably the most talked about tourist attraction in Srinagar is the Dal Lake, situated just outside the main city. The huge lake houses a number of other water bodies in its boundaries including the Nagin Lake. Numerous tourists flock the place to enjoy a ride in the famous 'shikaras' or houseboats of Dal Lake. A life that is completely different and laid back from the one that exists just a few miles away at the city, awaits you at Dal. Do not miss out on buying a souvenir to take back home from one of the houseboat shops. 

Mughal Gardens
The Mughal Gardens spread over the city display the love of Mughals for beauty and nature. The sprawling gardens are well laid and decorated with apple orchards, flowering plants and green trees. Chashme Shahi near the Nehru Park and Nishat Bagh along the Dal are two of the famous ones. 

Hazratbal Mosque
A number of mosques are situated throughout Srinagar city, the most important of them being the Hazratbal Mosque, situated near the Dal. The mosque is said to house a hair of the Prophet Mohammad which is exhibited in front of the public on certain auspicious days of the year. 

Shankracharya Hill
The Shankracharya Hill is situated in Srinagar city at a height of around one thousand feet above the sea level, named so after the Shankracharya temple situated on the hilltop. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ancient temple is said to date back to 2500 BC. The top of the hill affords a breathtaking view of the surroundings, thus lending it its share of tourist interest. 

Popular Getaways from Srinagar
The getaways from Srinagar are no less exciting than Srinagar itself. You can plan wonderful side trips to places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam, located in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gulmarg
Situated at an altitude of 2730 mts above sea level, Gulmarg is a pleasant hill town located just 52 km southeast of Srinagar. The hill station is flocked by tourists throughout the year, being laden with flowering plants g excellent snow sports opportunities during winters. Other famous attractions of Gulmarg include the world's highest golf course. 
Sonmarg
80 km northeast of Srinagar lies another untouched paradise. Sonmarg, situated at an altitude of 2740 mts above sea level is set in picturesque environs, housing several shimmering lakes. The hill slopes are covered with colorful flowers, lending the place a picturesque ambiance. Breathtaking views of snow covered Himalayan peaks at an arm's length is enough captivation to draw visitors besides the added advantages of adventure sports as trekking and hiking. 

Pahalgam
More famous as the base camp for the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath, Pahalgam is located 95 Km east of Srinagar in the Liddar valley, at an altitude of 2130 mts above sea level. Adventure sports activities such as hiking, trekking and fishing have made the place a favourite among tourists. 

Shikara Ride in Srinagar
Shikara or houseboat ride is a must do in Srinagar. The long ended shikara boats can be seen all around the lakes carrying tourists back and forth across various destinations of tourist interest. The most pleasant experience can be had at the Dal Lake which remains thronged by visitors and houseboats offering an enchanting experience amidst serene environs. 

Popular Shopping Centres in Srinagar
The region is famous for its handicrafts items, especially hand woven silk fabrics and Kashmiri shawls. Other must buys include cane and bamboo work, metal crafts, brass and silverware, willow baskets and woolen garments. The main shopping hubs in Srinagar include Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and Polo View. Be sure to bargain hard before buying, especially from roadside vendors. Govt. run shops and emporiums are also located in the main city. 

Srinagar Travel (Airport/Railway/Road) Information
By Air : Srinagar airport is located just 14 km from the main city. A number of airlines operate between Delhi and Srinagar. Flights are also available to Srinagar from Chandigarh, Amritsar and Jammu. The frequency of flights increases during the summer season when several flights in a day are available from Delhi. Flight time between Delhi and Srinagar is generally around seventy minutes. More information on flight schedule and timings can be obtained from the official website of Indian Airlines at http://indian-airlines.nic.in/

By Rail : Jammu is the nearest railhead, connected to most of the major Indian cities including Delhi, Calcutta, Pune, Mumbai and Kanyakumari. It takes around ten hours to cover the distance between Delhi and Srinagar, usually an overnight journey. For online booking and train timings, refer to the official website of Indian railways at http://www.indianrail.gov.in/

By Road : Srinagar is connected to other parts of the country through two routes, one via the road from Jammu and the other via Chandigarh and Amritsar. State transport corporation operates regular buses between Delhi and Srinagar while privately run Volvo buses are also available. The tourist reception centre at Srinagar is where all the buses arrive and depart from. The Dal Lake is situated at a walking distance from here. 

Distance from Srinagar to Major Cities

• Amritsar : 512 Km
• Chandigarh : 646 Km 
• Delhi : 876 Km 
• Jammu : 293 Km 
• Pathankot : 400 Km 
• Shimla : 751 Km