Himachal Pradesh Chail

When Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala was expelled from Shimla - The Summer Capital of the British India, he decided to create his own capital for the warm months. The little village of Chail was perfect. It lay surrounded by magnificent deodar forests, Shimla was in direct vision and most importantly, Chail at 2226 m was somewhat higher than British controlled Shimla.

ACCESS Chail is connected by road. From Shimla via Kufri the distance is 45 km and via Kandaghat is 61 km. Kalka is 86 km away. Regular buses for Chail leave from Shimla, Chandigarh and Delhi. The closest airports are at Chandigarh (120 km) and Shimla (63 km).

CLIMATE In winter, the temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy woolens are required. In summer the climate is mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended.

Some important questions arise when we choose a destination.

Most important places to Visit in Chail.

Which all places I can visit along with Chail  ?

Tour Itineries along with Chail

Best time to visit Chail.

How to reach Chail ?

Most important places to Visit in Chail.

SIDH BABA KA MANDIR (1.5 km) : Maharaja Bhupinder Singh originally began building his palace at this site. It is said that a Sidh - saintly person - appeared before the Maharaja in dream and declared that this was the place where he had this temple built.

CRICKET GROUND (3 km): Built in 1893, after leveling top of a hill, it stands at 2444m and is the highest cricket pitch and polo ground in the world.

WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (3 km) : The Chail sanctuary has 'ghoral', 'kakkar', 'sambhar', red jungle fowl and 'khalij' and 'cheer' pheasants. Machan like sighting posts have been built at Khuruin.

KUFRI : An enjoyable drive through forests and small villages leads to this small but popular station. The Nature Park here is a great attraction. A short trek leads to the Mahasu Peak with breathtaking views.

SADHUPUL : Between Kandaghat and Chail is this village and bridge astride the Ashwani stream. A good picnic spot.

ADVENTURE AND FISHING : A dozen or so trek routes lead out of Chail. Trails lead upto the Choor Peak and to Shimla. There is fishing on Giririver at Gaura, 29 km away.

Which all places I can visit along with Chail  ?

Tour Itineries along with Chail

Delhi - Chail - Sangla - Tabo - Kaza - Manali - Delhi

Chandigarh - Nalagarh - Chail - Shimla - Manali - Palampur - Dharamshala - Pragpur - Chandigarh

Delhi – Kasauli - Chail – Shimla – Naldhera – Manali – Delhi

Delhi - Shimla - Kufri- Chail – Delhi

Best time to visit Chail.

Chail is beautiful in summer when the days are warm and the nights cool. Summer day time temperatures remain a cool 25 degrees Centigrade while at night it falls to comfortable 12 degrees C or so. The best time to come to Chail is from April to early July and again from September to November when the monsoons are done.the monsoons come down hard in the hills at Chail, so it would be best to avoid this season as many a time there are landslides and road blocks happen. The winters are cold and see snow with temperatures falling to the single digit mark.

If festivals are your interest then you could visit in late July/August when the Minjair Festival takes place - this festival attracts many visitors and lasts a week during the month of Shravan.

How to reach Chail ?

How to Reach Chail by Air

The closest airport is at Chandigarh, 112 kms away. From Chandigarh one can get a taxi or bus to Chail.

How to Reach Chail by Rail

The nearest railhead is Kalka and the best train from Delhi would be the Howrah-Delhi-Kalka Mail. From Kalka Chail is a 2-hour ride by bus or taxi. The toy train from Kalka to Kandaghat takes 5 hours and chugs through picturesque hills and tunnels.

How to Reach Chail by Bus

The drive to Chail from Shimla is 43 km via Kufri and 61 km via Kandaghat. Drive to Chail from Delhi on NH1 to Ambala and NH 22 to Kandaghat via Panchkula, Kalka and Dharampur. There are buses and tourist taxis to Chail from Delhi, Chandigarh, Kalka, Shimla and Kandaghat.