It was raining when I reached the Pathankot ISBT at around 9:30am. I thought I had missed the 9:00 direct bus from Pathankot. I was waiting at Pathankot bus stand and then after a waiting from 15-20 min we decided to take a taxi from Pathankot to Dalhousie. We start searching taxi in Pathankot for our trip now. After 10 min we saw some tourist offices which have put board for Pathankot taxi.
For booking Pathankot, Dalhousie taxi we went one of them. They told the amount as but we feel it's little bit higher. Then we decide to compare Pathankot to Dalhousie taxi fare from some more Pathankot taxi provider.
Finally, we book taxi from touristcab and my trip was started. We keep our luggage in swift desire and our journey of Pathankot to Dalhousie by taxi starts. Our cab runs hardly 4 kms and we stop at the petrol pump for refill fuel in a cab and after 30 min of waiting our journey starts again. Till now rains also stops and climate became very pleasant.
Pathankot to Dalhousie taxi travel time is approx 2.5 hours by taxi. After running about 1.5 hrs we stop at one Dhabha its name was Vaishno Dhaba. We order some snacks and coffee there. The taste of coffee was very good and we again start our trip. In cab old songs are played by a driver which makes our taxi trip from Pathankot very pleasant. The roads in this way are very smooth and it's a curvy road. Not a 1 kms is straight. We feel that driver is very experienced on this route.
Now it was 12:30 and finally we arrived Dalhousie. We have pre booking of hotels near Subhash Chowk. First, we decided to be fresh and then go to visit tourist places. In this step our 2 hrs gone. Now we call the taxi driver for sightseeing.
During Dalhousie sightseeing we love the nature. Tourist places we cover within the Dalhousie are Satdhara, Rang Mahal, Moti Tibba, Jandri Ghat, Rock Garden, Bara Pathar Temple, Panjpulla, Ganji Pahari, Subhash Baoli, St. Patrick's Church, Garam, Sadak, Dainkund Peak, St. John's Church.
Satdhara Falls:- The Satdhara Falls lie on the way to Panchpulla, which is another favorite destination of tourists in Dalhousie. This waterfall is known to have great therapeutic value as the water in these springs contains mica, which has medicinal properties that are able to cure many diseases. One can go for a walk to this lovely waterfall and enjoy the everlasting beauty that it has while taking a dip in the crystal clear water of the fall.
Rang Mahal:- Rang Mahal is one of the most popular attractions in Dalhousie that tourists love to explore during their excursion in the Chamba Valley. This magnificent palace was established by Raja Umed Singh in the 18th century to serve the residence of royal women. The palace is a perfect amalgam of British and Mughal architecture and its walls are adorned with Punjab hill style paintings narrating the stories from Lord Krishna's life. Rang Mahal is located in Surara Mohalla area of Dalhousie and was once the resident of a division of the ruling reigns.
Moti Tibba : Moti Tibba is a beautiful hilltop, surrounded by rhododendron, fir, oak, Pine and Deodar trees, that attracts large number of tourists every year. This place was acquired by the government from Chamba's King in 1853 and is usually visited by tourists, who admire the scenic beauty of the hill station and enjoy the pleasant weather of Dalhousie. Moti Tibba is nothing less than a paradise and is ideal for a quick stroll. One might spot some langurs and macaques swirling around the trees at Moti Tibba, but they are harmless.
Rest of tourist places we decided to cover the next day. So you can read in my next article.
Martin Wynn
