On the way from Dharmshala to Bir lies a beautiful hill station is known for its Tea Garden. Like its competitor Darjeeling & Assam Tea Garden, Palampur is less known for tea plantation but it's known as a hill station or a place to spend your summer.
Palampur is a small city in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The famous Kangra Valley Express narrow-gauge train runs through Palampur.
How to Reach Palampur?
For me, Palampur was part of the extended long vacation from the office to spend winter in Himachal Pradesh. So after exploring Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj the stop was at Palampur. A know hill station basically due the '90s hit Amir Khan and Karishma Kapoor Bollywood movie "Raja Hindustani".
From Dharamshala: The frequency of bus services between Dharamshala and Palampur is pretty good. It would take you around 2-3 hour to reach Palampur from Dharamshala.
So here are some of the options for the people directly coming from Mumbai. Let me tell you one thing, there is no direct connectivity between Mumbai and Palampur.
Via Amritsar: The fastest way to reach Palampur from Mumbai is a flight to Amritsar and then a private cab to Palampur, which would take around 5-6 hours.
Via Delhi: The cheapest way to reach Palampur from Mumbai, take a train to New Delhi, then a bus to Palampur which takes around 11-12 hrs.
Via Pathankot: Another convenient and cheapest way to reach Palampur would be to take a train to Pathankot and then bus to Palampur 2-3 hours. (The recommended way)
Where to Stay?
Actually, Palampur was like a day trip for me from Bir while I was staying at Zostel Bir. But here are some of the stay option that I just made a stop pit.
goStops Palampur (Backpacker Hostel)
The Solitude Camp (A Luxury Riverside Camping)
RS Sarovar Portico, Palampur
Himalayan Heritage Village
What Makes Palambur So Beautiful?
Palampur is a lovely green hill station, surrounded by tea gardens, pine forests and is set in the foothills of the majestic mountains of the Dhauladhar Range. Palampur is also known as the tea capital of North India.
Palampur is a perfect destination where you can spend a leisurely vacation just spending in the lap of nature. Apart from just retiring yourself, there are various things to do in Palampur, ranging from staring at beautiful snow-covered Dhauladhar Mountain Range, take a tour to tea estates, sightseeing in and around Palampur, offer prayers at Baijnath Temple.
Himalayan toy train - Kangra Valley Railway
Kangra Valley Toy Train is a link between Pathankot and Joginder Nagar gently meanders through a maze of hills and valleys, offering the travellers enchantingly scenic views. The entire route commands glorious views of nature and unveils myriad facets of history, art and culture. The grand spectacle of Kangra Valley begins unfolding after the train crosses Nurpur. Hillocks rise on both sides and as the train moves over the innumerable bridges built across meandering streams, the Dhauladhar begin to gain in prominence. Emerging through the Daulatpur tunnel and past the ruins of the old Kangra fort, one is surprised by the change in the landscape.
A trip on the Kangra toy train is a thrilling experience but time-consuming. It is an unmatched way to savour the beauty of the Kangra Valley. So just for the experience, you can take a journey from Palampur to Baijnath Temple.
Baijnath Temple
This temple is located in Baijnath which is at a distance of 17 km from Palampur. An ancient temple dedicated to Hindu God Lord Shiva, also known as Baijnath. This temple belongs to the 13th century and was constructed in 1204 A.D. The temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian Temple architecture known as Nagara style.
In the backyard of this temple lies a green grassy lawn from where one can experience magnificent views of the Dhauladhar Range. There are stairs that lead all the way from the temple premises to the stream of the river can be seen flowing in the foothill "Shri Kheer Ganga Ghat."
Tour to Tea Estates
Being in Palampur and not visiting a tea garden will mean going on an incomplete journey. Some of the tea gardens like the Wah Tea Estates even provide lodging, so that you can experience living right across the tea garden. They even take you on a trip to their factory and there you can embark on a journey of how the tea is manufactured.
Saurabh Van Vihar
Saurabh Van Vihar is spread in an area of 13 km and was dedicated to a brave soldier Saurabh Kalia. This place is located just off Palampur, but sad to say the actual park was completed devasted by flood in the valley in 2018. Nothing except ruins remain there. But still, the location and views are excellent and one can enjoy taking good photographs with an awesome scenic Dhauladhar Range in the backdrop. Take a stroll across the river bed on the old hanging bridge. The final word - Still can be visited despite the destruction.
Himalayan Heritage Village
Himalayan Heritage - A Restaurant In Palampur to enjoy tasty food with magnificent views and all gastronomes who love to have delicious food ought to visit this restaurant. A mix of a cafe, a boutique shop, a homestay, and a bakery, Himalayan Heritage is a perfect spot for you to dine
When to Visit Palampur?
Palampur has pleasant weather all through the year because it is located in the hills of the Himalayas. However, you might want to avoid the monsoon months since there can be chances of landslides.
Winter is chilled, but the temperature doesn't drop her to freezing level and the summers are pleasant.
Listen To Me:
Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple, so make sure that you do not disturb the rituals and other pilgrims.
Footwear is not allowed inside the temple.
Please be polite and gentle with the native people, because you are their guest.
It's best to dress modestly and act conservatively.
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