All You Need to Know About Exploring Dalhousie Beyond Khajjiar

Dalhousie

Most of us know Dalhousie as the mini Switzerland of India because of Khajjiar. Hence it has now turned out to be nothing more than a selfie spot. But if you are looking for a quaint place around Dalhousie, the one which will give enough adrenaline pump, then you should take a hike in the lapse of this untold beauty. Dainkund is the highest peak in Dalhousie, offering a panoramic view of the Himalayan range, Pir Panjal on one side and Punjab valley on the other side. You can also spot the mountains of Jammu & Kashmir from a farsight.

Best season to visit :

The trek gets tremendously gorgeous between Nov-March.

If you are going in the month of April-Nov, you will have the choice to get a taxi or take your vehicles to the Pohlani-Mata temple, from where it's not more than 30 mins of a walk upstairs to the temple. After that, Dainkund is a further 20 mins trek.

If you are visiting in winters that I feel is the best time to visit since you can experience solitude, then the trek can be a bit long and even exhilarating due to the snow. Yet a deserving try!

Time taken :

16-17 km from Lakkad Mandi/badapathar , 2-3 hours

14 km from Jot, 1-2 hours

Difficulty :

Easy-Moderate, besides, it's easier in the non-winter seasons.

Jot

Trek from Jot village - this route is accessible throughout the year except in winters when some part of the road leading to Jot gets blocked due to snow. If you have 4*4, you can take a chance to go to the trek starting point, yet further ahead, I wouldn't advise taking a chance. If you choose to trek at all, you should take a guide with you because the snow blanket can get as thick as 4-5 feet.

Lakkadmandi

Trek from Lakkadmandi - this part is comparatively more active and approachable. BadaPathar is 2 km ahead of Lakkadmandi, so if by any chance you don't feel confident to drive till Lakkadmandi, you can park your vehicle near the shops in badapathar and start your trek. Nonetheless, you can also get 4*4 jeep from Mall Road or taxi stand Dalhousie.

Views

If you are trekking from the lakkadmandi side, then there wouldn't be a single moment you can get dull. As you continue to walk, mesmerizing views of the Sach Pass mountains and Manimahesh Kailash (the highest peak of the Pir Panjal range) will keep fueling the energy.

Halt

Not many stalls are present on the trail during off-season. There are no settlements as well from the Lakkadmandi trail. If coming from the Jot side, then you might find small habitats.

Trek guide

You might need a guide only in the off-season. A reasonable deal would be no more than 800 INR.

Itinerary

If you are in Dalhousie for 2-3 nights, then you should not neglect this trek in your itinerary. It is also a good weekend getaway from Dharamshala.

Stay

Apart from Zostel and Youth hostel, there are not many alternatives for backpackers. Homestays are not easy to find here. If you are seeking a pocket-friendly heritage property, then you should try Hotel Crags without a doubt. The view, food, and hospitality there, are something you wouldn't want to miss!

Disclaimer - Don't be fooled to buy/rent snow boots. You don't need it. A pair of good ankle support trekking shoes is enough (if traveling during the snow), otherwise, sports shoes of any kind would work.

Do I recommend it? Yes definitely! Much more than I would ever do for Khajjiar, which has become a scapegoat of tourism.

Dainkund is a spot away from Dalhousie town's hustle-bustle and offers Manimahesh Kailash Peak's best views. And I bet that this will stand at the top of the list of places you visit in Dalhousie.