Chamba Tourism And Travel Guide

A repository of beautiful architecture and local art, Chamba is a natural beauty sprawling on the banks of river Ravi. This town lies on a small area of 6522 sq km, but has wide variety of things to do and places to visit. Tourism in Chamba has now become very popular due to the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation coming up with various facilities for tourists who visit from different cities of India, making it easier for visitors to reach places that are more remote and untouched.

This special town in Himachal Pradesh can be reached via air, rail and road easily from any part of the country. The climate in Chamba is ideal for a vacation all year round, with summers being slightly warm and monsoons being moderately cool. Winters in Chamba are amazing, with a good amount of snowfall and a scenery that your eyes can feast on. While taking a trip to this little town, make sure you have your list ready, or simply browse through our travel guide to Chamba, to plan out your holiday. From countless beautiful temples, huge wildlife sanctuaries housing exotic flora and fauna to serene lakes where you can go camping or have a picnic, Chamba has got the traveler inside you covered. Here's a short travel guide to help you!

By Air:

Since the town is stationed in the interior of Himachal Pradesh, on a high altitude, there is no direct flight and the nearest airport is the Kaggar Airport in Dharamshala, situated at a distance of 124 km. Major flight carriers ply back and forth from all major cities of India to this airport, making it easy for tourists to travel.

By Road:

Chamba has great connectivity to different parts of Himachal Pradesh as well as neighbouring states and cities and is easily accessible by road. Driving up to Chamba takes a few days depending on the number of stops and the speed. Busses facilitated by Himachal Road Transport Corporation are available for tourists as well.

By Rail:

The nearest railway station to Chamba, is the Pathankot Railways Station, located at a distance of 103 km. Trains from prime cities go back and forth from this station. From there onwards, you can take a cab or even a bus to reach Chamba.

Getting Around Chamba:

You can hire cabs at a reasonable rate from a local agent and go sightseeing or you can climb the sloppy terrain on horseback. You can also trek on various paths and enjoy the beauty of nature first hand. Either way, getting around Chamba is quite easy.

Summer (April-June):

Summers in Chamba are warm with temperatures in the day time rising to a maximum of 35°C, while the nights are cooler with temperatures averaging to 15°C. This is the best time to indulge in adventure sports, due to the favourable climate. It is also the peak season for people to visit Chamba due to the region being dry.

Monsoon (July-October)

The monsoon season brings out the natural beauty of Chamba. The rains cool the land, bringing respite to crops as well as animals from the hot sun. Temperatures range between 15°C-25°C and the atmosphere gets moderately cold. The Minjar Fair is held during the months of August in respect to the rain God.

Winter (October-March)

If you are looking to enjoy some snowfall, winters are the best months to visit Chamba. During the daytime, temperatures rise up to a maximum of 15°C and dip down to sub zero level, making it extremely cold. Skiing and sledging on the snow laden slopes are common activities to engage in during this season.

Visit Temples:

Chamba has been ruled by many kings who have left their remnants in this little town, especially ancient temples. The town is full of beautiful places of worship that have noteworthy architecture. The famous temples of this area are The Chamunda Devi Temple, Sui Mata Temple, Champavati Temple and Vajreshwari Temple that are built in Shikara style.

Tour the Lakes:

The famous and serene lakes of Chamba is what makes the town prettier than it already is. These lakes are sacred and hold religious value for pilgrims who visit every year. The Khajjiar Lake and The Manimahesh Lake top the list for holy lakes while The Chamera Lake and The Mahakali Dal Lake add to the natural beauty of the region.

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary:

Spreading over 1962 hectares of land, the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous wildlife reserves in Chamba. You can spot a variety of flora and fauna in this region that are vibrant and native to the land. The region is surrounded by thick forest and valleys flowing through it, making it a perfect place for a nature lover.

Trekking:

The slopes of Chamba are gentle; hence, the treks on these slopes are enjoyed by both professionals and amateurs. Exciting opportunities await you as the trek towards The Manimahesh Range and Pangi Valley. Choiba Pass is a moderate trek that starts from Bharmour, all the way up to Choiba Pass, where you can witness magnificent views from 5000 m above sea level.

Water Sports:

Since this town is situated on the banks of River Ravi, water sports are enjoyed by many visitors every year. Some of the sports include white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing. You can choose to go rafting on rough waters or simply row a canoe or  a kayak and relax on a lake, enjoying every bit of the scenery around.

Food is the essence of life, and up in the mountains, visitors are bound to feel hungry after all the water sports and hikes. Some of the famous food in Himachal Pradesh comes from Chamba. Chana Madra is a famous dish that originated in this region and is made with chickpea, cooked in a North Indian style with delicious spices. Bhey or spicy lotus stems are something that you will find localities eating in Himachal Pradesh; prepared by frying lotus stems in oil along with ginger garlic, gram flour and other ingredients. Other famous dishes of Chamba include Chha Gosht, Siddu, Babru and Kullu Trout Fish; which is a mouth watering dish for fish lovers. You can also try out Tibetan dishes like Thukpa, a concoction of noodles, meat and vegetables in a broth like liquid, comes in both vegetarian and non vegetarian versions.

Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the streets of Chamba, The Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts Centre is bustling with people from other cities as well as localities. People who have a keen interest in handicraft and handmade items enjoy this stretch of small shops that have items like crafted clothes, decorative mirrors, shawls and sweaters, quilts, handmade dolls, handmade jewellery and many other items that can be taken back as souvenirs. Also, the Himachal Emporium, which has been around for a long time, is a great place to shop for local items like housing garments, handicrafts and artwork. You can also spot items that are found only in Chamba like Chamba Rumaal, traditional garments, painting and many other things.