Hardly two hours from Shimla, Chail is a quiet and serene hill-station enveloped with dense forests and scenic surroundings. It is especially famous for housing the world’s highest cricket ground, and the heritage hotel the Chail Palace. There are many places to visit in Chail for people who are looking to escape the mind-numbing restlessness of city life. Because of its peaceful and tranquil ambiance, Chail was a former summer retreat for the Maharaja of Patiala.
Chail is surrounded by lush greenery and has breathtaking views to offer. That’s why it is fondly called the ‘hiker’s paradise’. Known for the highest cricket ground in the world, and the famous heritage hotel the Chail Palace, Chail is bound to give you a memorable experience. This place lies dotted with beautiful pine and deodar trees, and alluring meadows, making it quite a treat to the eyes.
Once the summer capital of the Patiala Kings, their palace has now been converted into a hotel and tourist destination, but the traces of royalty remain. If you are looking for a peaceful experience, that takes you away from the usual humdrum routine of the cities, then Chail is the right place for you. It is not too crowded, unlike most other hill-stations, and is a perfect place for you to relax and unwind.
There are innumerable places to visit in Chail. Whether you are a nature lover or looking for something more adventurous, Chail has something for every kind of traveler. You will be spoilt for choice here.
Chail once served as the summer capital of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh who was an avid cricket lover. He commissioned the construction of this cricket ground that sits at an altitude of 7500ft making it the highest cricket ground in the whole wide world. The ground is a part of the cantonment region and is maintained by Army officials. Tourists can take a stroll around it and click pictures. They, however, are not allowed to enter the ground.
Sadhupul Lake is one of the must-visit places in Chail. It has earned this spot just because of its tranquil ambiance. There is a small café here that serves snacks such as Maggi and bread-omelet, and the feeling of enjoying your favorite snacks while dipping your feet in cold water is unparalleled. The lake is in the Sadhupal village, which is a small village nestled between Solan and Chail.
This heritage hotel was built in 1891 and owned by the then Maharaja of Patiala. It is situated in the middle of 75 acres of dense green gardens and is surrounded by majestic mountains. This hotel has a rustic, old-world charm attached to it, and if you wish you can revisit the bygone times by opting to stay here. This place offers numerous living options including comfortable rooms and cottages along with a restaurant that serves delicious Indian and international cuisines. The hotel houses a billiard’s area, lawn tennis, and a cute children’s park. This royal palace lies bespeckled with regal furniture, captivating log huts, enticing cottages, and a private orchard among other things. You can either spend a day or two here or just visit a part of this palace to get a glimpse of the royal past this place enjoyed.
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary served as a hunter’s reserve for the royals residing in Chail. The Government of India declared it a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1976. The place is blessed with myriad species of birds and animals including Indian Muntjac, Leopard, Wild Boar, Garal, Sambhar, Red Jungle Fowl, and Kakkar among many others. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from March to October when you will see the forest in its full glory.
The Kali Temple is one of the most popular religious and spiritual spots in Chail. Situated on the top of a hill, surrounded by trees, this temple is a perfect secluded spot for those who seek peace and tranquillity. Besides the usual dose of spirituality, this place also offers stunning views of Chail. You can also enjoy activities such as horse-riding and angling here.
Dedicated to the Saint Siddh Baba, Siddh Baba ka Mandir is another one of the prominent religious and spiritual attractions in Chail. According to the legend, the saint appeared in the dream of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and pointed him towards the spot where he meditated. This dream implored the king to order the construction of this temple. This place is so calm and serene, that you will forget all your worries the moment you step inside. One thing that you must keep in mind is that you should respect the local customs and traditions. The board outside the temple mentions certain dos and don’ts. You are expected to follow them.
The Gurudwara Sahib in Chail looks like a church from outside. Built-in 1907, the building was not able to withstand the vagaries of time and deteriorated gradually until an NGO named Chail Heritage Foundation took it upon itself to restore it. It is one of the most popular religious places in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. The Gurudwara becomes lively during the festivals of Gurupurab and Baisakhi. The Gurudwara, besides being a beautiful praying place, also offers free accommodation to visitors and devotees in its dormitory and guest rooms.
Situated at a distance of 30km, the Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri, is one of the best places to visit near Chail. It houses a plethora of animal species such as Deer, Black Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Leopard Cat, and Cheer Pheasant, among others. If you love animals and want to spend some time amidst them, then you should not give this place a miss.
If you are bitten by the adventure bug and want to satisfy the hiker in you, then you should trek through the rocky trails of Gaura and Jhajja. Lined with tall pine trees, this trek is a little bit challenging and beautiful. As you walk towards your destination, you will feel fresh air brushing against your skin, rejuvenating you from the inside out. The trail offers some great viewpoints where you can just sit and enjoy the beauty of nature for a short while.
Shopping in Chail is unlike shopping in the cities. You will not find huge malls and shopping centers here. However, you will be able to get some souvenirs in the form of local handicrafts such as handmade shoes, rugs, and woolen garments. You can also buy jams and jellies organically made from the freshest fruits of the area. The apple and plum wines, as well as fruit squashes here, are also a delicious affair.
Chail can be visited throughout the year, but summers from April to June are considered the best time to visit this place. The average summer temperature here is around 20 degrees Celsius. The weather during this time is a little windy and overall pleasant. The winters here are cold and chilly, and temperatures fall to 1 to 2 degrees. You can visit Chail during winters also if you wish to experience the breathtaking snowfall here. But avoid visiting Chail during the monsoon season because it is prone to several landslides at that time.
Ideally, you should plan a trip to Chail during summers. The temperatures during summers vary from 15°C to 24°C, and the weather is pleasant and breezy. The lofty Himalayas set against the backdrop of clear blue skies make this place look extremely enticing during this time of the year. During summers, there are a plethora of activities in Chail especially if you are an adventure lover. You can indulge in rock climbing, rafting, rappelling, camping, and zipline here to satiate your adventurous spirit. If this is not enough for you, you can also go for paragliding, which is an out-of-the-world experience. As you go higher and higher up in the sky, you get a bird’s eye view of the entire place! It is an exhilarating feeling to enjoy the beauty of Chail from the top!
Winters in Chail can be harsh. The winter season begins in October and lasts until March. The temperatures fall to 1 to 2 degrees during these months. The place, however, looks stunning during winters. For as far as you can see, there will be snow! So, if you are a snow lover, and love to ski, you can plan a trip to Chail during winters. Just make sure that you are carrying ample warm clothes because you don’t want to brave the winters without woolens.
There are many ways to reach the enchanting hill-station of Chail. You can either travel by train, bus, or air.
1. By Air: The closest airport to Chail is Chandigarh. It is 117 km away from the hill-station. Some buses ply from Chandigarh to Chail. You can also take a taxi from Chandigarh to this place.
2. By Road: Many government and privately-run buses ply between Chail and other neighboring towns and cities of Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Kalka, and Kandaghat.
3. By Rail: The nearest major railhead to Chail is Kalka. It is situated at a distance of 81km. From Kalka, you can either take a bus that would drop you to Chail or book a taxi.
Chail is a traveler’s delight! Blessed with the abundance of nature. It is the ideal spot for lovers of nature, peace, and adventure away from the din and pollution of cities and towns. If you want to spend some quality moments far from the madding city crowd, then you should definitely plan a trip to Chail. This place is straight out of an artist’s canvas, and you will fall in love with it in a moment.
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