Khajjiar is a wide grassy clearing around a small pond, ringed by cedar forest, and it lies about 22 km from Dalhousie and 24 km from Chamba, according to Himachal Tourism. Most visitors see it as a day trip from Dalhousie, but three days lets you add the old churches of Dalhousie, the Kalatop sanctuary and the hilltop at Dainkund. This plan sets out the distances and sights from the state’s official tourism page and a simple order for three days.
Know before you go
- Khajjiar to Dalhousie: 22 km; to Chamba 24 km.
- Dalhousie to Chamba: 54 km.
- Nearest railhead: Pathankot, 87 km from Dalhousie.
- Nearest airport: Gaggal (Kangra), 110 km from Dalhousie.
- Best time: summer, according to Himachal Tourism; winters are cold with heavy snow at Kalatop.
- Time needed: 2 to 3 days.
- Last checked: 6 November 2026.
In this guide
Quick overview
| Day | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalhousie | Mall Road, churches, Subhash Baoli |
| 2 | Dalhousie to Khajjiar and back | Satdhara, Panjpula, Dainkund, Khajjiar, Kalatop |
| 3 | Chamba or onward | Chamba town, Chamera Lake |
Day 1: Dalhousie town
Dalhousie was founded by Lord Dalhousie in 1850 as a summer retreat and is spread over five hills, according to Himachal Tourism. It keeps a number of colonial churches. St John’s, built in 1863, is the oldest in town. St Francis Church dates from 1894 and has a coloured Belgian glass facade. St Patrick’s, built in 1909, is the largest. They are all within a walk of the town’s main chowks.
Walk the Mall Road for shawls, Chamba rumals and Tibetan handicrafts. Then take the path to Subhash Baoli, a spring named after Subhash Chandra Bose, who stayed in Dalhousie for several months in 1937.
Day 2: Khajjiar and the road to it
On the way, Satdhara Falls and Panjpula are the short stops. Panjpula is 6 km from Dalhousie and takes its name from five bridges over mountain streams. Satdhara falls are best in July and August, according to the tourism page.
Dainkund is the highest hill around Dalhousie at 2,755 m, overlooking the Khajjiar grasslands. A diversion road begins at the 13 km point on the Khajjiar road. Check the road conditions locally before you drive up.
Khajjiar itself is a grassy meadow around a pond with a thick cedar forest. A few metres from the pond stands the temple of Khajji Nag, which dates back to the 12th century. Allow two hours or more here. The tourism page also says an easy trek links Khajjiar with Chamba.
Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
The higher hill range around Khajjiar forms the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, a place for trekking. Himachal Tourism lists the Himalayan black bear, leopard, ghoral deer and monal pheasant among its animals. Winters can bring heavy snow, at times piled to over five feet. Fees and entry rules are not on the page we read, so confirm them at the gate.
Day 3: Chamba and Chamera Lake
Chamba is 54 km from Dalhousie, and the road passes Chamera Lake, the backwaters of the Chamera dam on the Ravi. The tourism page says people go there for boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and fishing. Chamba itself is known for its old temples and craft traditions, including the rumals sold on Dalhousie’s Mall Road.
Best time to visit
Himachal Tourism says summer is the best time for Dalhousie and Khajjiar. Spring starts in March, and skies are usually clear until June, so temperatures are moderate for people escaping the heat of the plains. The monsoon brings mist, and winters are cold. In winter the meadow can turn white, which suits some visitors, but check road conditions first.
How to reach
By air, the nearest domestic airport is Gaggal at Kangra, 110 km from Dalhousie. By rail, the nearest station is Pathankot, 87 km away. Dalhousie is connected by bus and taxi to Pathankot, Amritsar, Delhi and Shimla. The tourism page lists Amritsar at 199 km, Chandigarh at 313 km, Delhi at 562 km and Shimla at 325 km.
Combine it with other Himachal trips
If you are also planning Shimla or Manali, read our Shimla Manali itinerary, our guide to Shimla and our post on Manali, Solan and the Atal Tunnel. For another hill base, see McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala.
FAQ
How far is Khajjiar from Dalhousie?
22 km by road, according to Himachal Tourism. The page also gives 24 km from Chamba.
Is Khajjiar worth visiting?
It is a scenic meadow with a lake, a 12th century temple and forest walks. Plan two hours or more, and combine it with Kalatop or Dainkund.
What is the best time to visit Khajjiar?
Summer is the best time, according to Himachal Tourism. Winters are cold and snowy.
How far is Khajjiar from Amritsar?
The tourism page lists Dalhousie at 199 km from Amritsar, and Khajjiar is a further 22 km beyond Dalhousie.
How far is Khajjiar from Shimla?
The tourism page lists Dalhousie at 325 km from Shimla, and Khajjiar is a further 22 km beyond Dalhousie.
Official resources: Himachal Tourism, Dalhousie.
Photo credits
Featured image: Fotosbyshadab / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 1: Dalhousie town: Piyush Tripathi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 1: Dalhousie town: Tejamamidiphotography / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 2: Khajjiar and the road to it: Wittystef / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 2: Khajjiar and the road to it: Rajkumarjnub / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary: Pranjalmahajan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary: CHANDRESH LODHIYA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 3: Chamba and Chamera Lake: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Best time to visit: Agam1405 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
