Trip Around Dalhousie
¤ Kalatope
Distance : 9km from
Dalhousie
Altitude : 2,440m
¤ Kalatope - Wildlife Sanctuary
A trip from Lakkar Mandi in Dalhousie brings you to Kalatope, a small
town known for its wildlife sanctuary created in 1958. Deodar forests
cover a large part of this tract.
The other forest types include oak, rhododendron, birch, juniper and
blue pine forests. Kalatope is a fine place for birdwatchers. It
houses many other animals like the Himalayan black and brown bears,
barking deer, leopard, bharal, musk deer, monal and red jungle fowl.
However, the forest is so thick that you need luck to sight any of
these animals.
However the sanctuary has well laid out trekking trails so even if you
don’t see much wildlife you’ll at least enjoy the walk
enormously.
¤ Permit Required
You’ll need a permit from the District Forest officer in Chamba
to take a vehicle into the sanctuary.
¤ Accommodations Available
There’s a Forest Rest House here, but to reserve a room, you’ll
need to contact the District Forest officer in Chamba (Tel: 2639; dial
the area code 85 if you’re ringing from Dalhousie, 018992 from
elsewhere).
¤ Khajjiar
Distance : 22 km from
Dalhousie
Altitude : 1,951m
The little town gets its name from the
Khajjiar Lake
which is set amidst the most beautiful setting you can imagine –
a saucer-shaped meadow surrounded by dense deodar forests. Check out
the cute little floating island in it. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of
British India, was so enamoured by the place that he called it "the
prettiest place I have seen in India". To feel the real charm of
the place make a trip to Khajjiar, as the beauty and the charisma of
region cannot be expressed in words, it had to be experienced.
¤ Khajjiar Attractions
Khajjiar also boasts of a golf course that’s rarely used and the
12th century Khajjinag Temple. Although a small one, the temple has
enough to draw one’s attention. It has a quaint slate and wood
spire, and fine woodcarvings on the cornices. There are also some
panels showing carvings from the great epic Mahabharata. Inside the
temple are some good stone sculptures of deities.
¤ Facilities
Transport
Buses from Dalhousie to Khajjiar takes a trip at 0930, 1030 and
1600hrs and return at 0830 and 1600hrs. Taxis are also available.
However many tourists prefer to walk it as it takes no more than a
day.
Accommodation
HPTDC’s Hotel Devdar (Tel: 8233) right on the edge of the meadow.
Parul Guest House (Tel: 8244) behind the temple.
Mini Swiss.
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