Chamba: The Hidden Gem

The Ultimate Guide to Chamba, Himachal Pradesh: A Hidden Treasure

“Maaye ni meriye, Shimle di raahe Chamba kitni duur…”

In the year 2019, I heard this beautiful song by Mohit Chauhan and I asked my co-traveler one question, where is it? 

“Don’t you know that?” he inquired.

And the conversation led one thing to the other. And somehow just remained a forgotten conversation. This conversation I had when I was traveling to Mussoorie. 

Cut to the day I visited Chamba – unknowingly, unplanned. My trips are mostly planned in a way where all I am aware of is where the flight would land, the road would lead me to, or which railway station I need to get off the train. That is it, I am quite a planner you see. 

Also read, This is How A Wholesome Trip Looks Like!

So, I knew I had to travel to Dalhousie and then go to Amritsar. But I did not know what I would be doing for the 3 days I was in Himachal. I did not want to repeat the last trip’s destination and I wanted to pin a new destination on my travel map. So, while I was on the train to Chandigarh from here I had to take our car which was booked for the major traveling. As my co-traveler and very good friend Utkarsh does not like to travel via local bus or transport. He is an avid car slash bike lover and loves to explore places via road in a self-driven car.

Check out his YouTube Channel here. 

So, while we got our car and were set to reach Dalhousie, there was a change of plan! Wow! A change of plan on an unplanned trip isn’t that great? Trust me it is always great. Since Dalhousie had experienced immense snowfall the other night, the roads were blocked and we could not book any hotel or homestay. And after a very few discussions and speaking to the locals, we decided to go to Chamba and spend a day there. 

What makes Chamba unique? 

Chamba is a beautiful town located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is surrounded by the Himalayas and is known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. I feel grateful now that I had the opportunity to visit Chamba during my trip and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The journey to Chamba was long, but it was worth it. The scenic beauty that surrounded us throughout the journey was simply breathtaking.

When our car drove to the roads of Chamba, of course, the song was a constant as the background music and I could feel the song. There is nothing to hype about Chamb yet there was something surreal and unique about it. I think simplicity was bliss here. The roads weren’t that good but the roadside view with the cold and dry breeze and a water body flowing just felt amazing to be in Chamba. 

We were hungry, so we looked for a place and found one. The restaurant happened to be a hotel as well, so we also checked out the rooms and booked them in our heads. As we had some time to make some visits and explore a few places in Chamba, we thought we’ll book it later. We took the owner’s number – I am not that dumb! 

You can check out the complete YouTube Vlog here.

Things to do in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

The first thing we did was to go for a walk around the town to soak in its beauty and get a feel of the local culture. The architecture of the old buildings in Chamba was stunning, and the streets were lined with shops selling local handicrafts and souvenirs. We then went to the Bhuri Singh Museum were some of the highlights of our trip. The place had its unique charm and history, and we spent hours exploring and learning about the culture and heritage of Chamba.

It was evening by the time we finished our tour in the museum so we went for a walk along the river Ravi and watched the sunset. It was a peaceful and serene experience, and we sat by the river for a long time, taking in the beauty of our surroundings.

Chamba is a small town in Himachal Pradesh and not a lot of people go for proper travel there, it is mostly layovers or a connecting town between two places, there are a lot of things to do in Chamba. 

Also, it was time that we had to go to grab some food and also plan our next day on this unplanned trip. Our next destination was getting back to our car and reaching the hotel. Leggo!

Day 2 At Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

Upon arrival, we checked into a hotel in the heart of Chamba. The next day I woke up to a lovely view from the hotel room. The view from our room was just amazing. We could see the Shivalik range of the Himalayas.

I soaked myself in the calming warmth of the sun through my balcony and wanted to sip some Chai – that was the only thing missing, this beautiful date with the Himalayas. I picked my things and went straight to grab myself a hot cuppa tea or as we say, Garama Garam Chai!

I did not have much time in hand to spend a complete day in Chamba, so could not divulge in a full-fledged trek. However, the trail looked challenging, but the view from the top would be worth all the effort. Post speaking to the manager at the Hotel it was confirmed that I could go to Dalhousie, after all. The snow was cleared from the roads, as per the information provided. While stepping out of the hotel, I could see the entire town of Chamba and the surrounding valleys, and it was an unforgettable sight. 

In conclusion, my trip to Chamba was an incredible experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic getaway. The natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of this town will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Our next stop: Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh. 

Here is some additional information you would like to know about Chamba, Himachal Pradesh (How to reach Chamba, Himachal Pradesh):

By Air: The nearest airport to Chamba is the Gaggal Airport in Kangra, about 140 km away. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Chamba. Alternatively, you can fly into the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and then take a connecting flight to Kangra. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Chamba.

By Train: The nearest major railway station to Chamba is in Pathankot, about 120 km away. From Pathankot, you can take a taxi or bus to Chamba. Alternatively, you can take a train to the Delhi railway station and then take a connecting train to Pathankot.

By Bus: Chamba is well connected to major cities in the region by road. There are several Himachal Pradesh state-run buses as well as private buses that run daily from Delhi, Pathankot, Dharamshala, and other nearby cities to Chamba.

By Car: If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car or hire a taxi from Delhi, Pathankot, or Dharamshala and drive to Chamba. The drive is scenic and takes you through beautiful mountain landscapes and rural villages.

Regardless of how you reach Chamba, it’s a journey that will be worth it. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, and offers a rich cultural experience, making it a great destination for travelers who love to explore the great outdoors and learn about different cultures.

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