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Have you ever walked the clouds or enjoyed the fresh mountain air; come and experience beautiful Dalhousie at our vacation Cottage, located on the exclusive Bakrota Hills with breathtaking vistas of the valley and the snow capped Pir Panjal range. A wonderful location for a quiet vacation of walks, treks, mountain & forest trails, mountain air, cook-outs, rejuvenation, meditation and relaxation. Organic and wholesome living at its best.
The Cottage and Dalhousie
About 3 kms from town, the Cottage is a pristine retreat away from the crowds and located amidst deodar and oak trees, lush gardens and natural apple trees. Soak in the serenity and enjoy the birds, the sunrise and sunset, the fireplace, the cookouts, treks, the forests and some wildlife from time to time….home of the black bear and the occasional cheetah. The locals have stories to tell about the bears and cheetahs in the forest/wilderness areas.
Come prepared to unwind with or without a book, some malts & wine and your walking shoes for at least two major walks a day. The market is in town, with abundant seasonal fruits & greens and cabs available on request. The closest restaurant/take-away is a 4 min walk with a good home delivery service. One can experiment and cook in the fully equipped kitchen at the cottage and source provisions from a grocery store located nearby.
Dalhousie & its Neighbourhood
Developed by the British in 1854 and named after Lord Dalhousie, the erstwhile Viceroy of India, Dalhousie is a beautiful hill resort located in the western Dhauladhar/Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas in India. Built around three main hills and surrounded by snow mountains and forests, Dalhousie is situated between 6000-9000 ft above sea level.
Dalhousie is the gateway to the ancient Chamba Valley, famous for its ancient Hindu culture, art, temples, and handicrafts preserved under the longest running single dynasty since the mid-6th century. Chamba is the hub of this culture, and Bharmour, the ancient capital of this kingdom, is home to Gaddi and Gujjar tribes and has 84 ancien
Dalhousie & its Neighbourhood
Developed by the British in 1854 and named after Lord Dalhousie, the erstwhile Viceroy of India, Dalhousie is a beautiful hill resort located in the western Dhauladhar/Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas in India. Built around three main hills and surrounded by snow mountains and forests, Dalhousie is situated between 6000-9000 ft above sea level.
Dalhousie is the gateway to the ancient Chamba Valley, famous for its ancient Hindu culture, art, temples, and handicrafts preserved under the longest running single dynasty since the mid-6th century. Chamba is the hub of this culture, and Bharmour, the ancient capital of this kingdom, is home to Gaddi and Gujjar tribes and has 84 ancient temples from 7th-10th century AD.
Besides Chamba, Dalhousie is a 4 hour mountain drive away from Dharamshala, the Headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Kangra valley, resplendent with its many old temples and streams. On the north of Dalhousie is the famous state of Jammu & Kashmir and en-route, the famous Shrine of the mother Goddess Vaishno Devi, a five hour drive away. In and around Dalhousie, the places of interest would be the forest reserves of Kala-tope (5km), Khajjair - the meadow resort (12km), Dain-kund - a ridge trail at 9,000 ft en-route to a temple shrine (7km), three heritage Churches (St Francis, St Andrews & St Patricks), besides many lovely forest and mountain walks around the area. Right outside the Cottage, one can enjoy a lovely 4 km level walk skirting Bakrota Hill.
Seasons & Temperature :
Summer - 12 to 18 C - Peak season during May & June.
Fall - 8 to 14 C - Between September to November.
Winter - Snows from January to March.
Virtual Tour
GALLERY
AMENITIES
The Cottage sleeps 6 guests between 3 bedrooms. There is a lovely fireplace in the living area, a dining area and a kitchen, a patio and a front garden with a barbecue, a tandoor and a back orchard with a bonfire pit amidst apple and walnut trees. Good vibrations and a nice ambience. The Cottage is pet friendly. The Cottage is fully furnished with beddings, Cable TV, DVD, fridge, gas range, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, microwave, water filter etc. and attached washrooms. General help is available on request. The Cottage is easily accessible for all age groups from the parking area, a walk down of maybe 15 steps with a railing.
LIVING ROOM
The Living area is located on the ground floor with a lovely fireplace and overlooking the garden with a stunning view of the Punjab valley.
DINING ROOM
Located on the ground floor as the extension of the living area.
GARDEN
A lovely front garden with seasonal foliage overlooking the greater Punjab valley. Ideal for barbeques, cook outs and star gazing at night.
MASTER BEDROOM
Located on the first floor with big bay windows overlooking the valley and the deodar forest with ample sunshine during the day.
SECOND BEDROOM
Located on the first floor overlooking the valley with plenty of sunshine during mid day.
THIRD BEDROOM
Located on the first floor overlooking the deodar forest area and the apple orchard. All bedrooms have convenient washrooms attached.
CONVENIENCES AROUND THE COTTAGE
Aftab Cottage, Upper Bakrota, Dalhousie
Caretaker – Raju @ Request for Mobile No.
Groceries – Fresh Veggies @ the local veggie stall next to the Tea Shop near the Cottage. Guddu's Provision Store is nearby.
Dining – cook-in, with or without help. Order in from Alps Hotel – (01899)240775 or Mount Grace – (01899)240880. Menu Cards are available at the Cottage. Good basic Punjabi & Tandoori cuisine with a hot delivery service.
Other Restaurants - Monga's Cafe is nearby next to Alps Hotel. In t
Aftab Cottage, Upper Bakrota, Dalhousie
Caretaker – Raju @ Request for Mobile No.
Groceries – Fresh Veggies @ the local veggie stall next to the Tea Shop near the Cottage. Guddu's Provision Store is nearby.
Dining – cook-in, with or without help. Order in from Alps Hotel – (01899)240775 or Mount Grace – (01899)240880. Menu Cards are available at the Cottage. Good basic Punjabi & Tandoori cuisine with a hot delivery service.
Other Restaurants - Monga's Cafe is nearby next to Alps Hotel. In town - Kwality, Dalhouse Cafe in Gandhi Chowk and Shere Punjab in Subhash Chowk.
For Fire place and bar-b-cue, request Raju to arrange for the firewood at local charges.
For Pharmacy and Doctor, contact ARPANA Hospital, next to the Tea Shop.
Limited servant quarter space is available with bedding for help and drivers.
Contact Raju for
Cabs and travel assistance
Treks and a guide
Payments and settlements
Car Parking
Any other assistance.
Some Suggestions
Conserve water, which is normally in short supply in hill resorts.
Do switch off outside lighting at night.
Pass the word around and come again to enjoy the splendour of Dalhousie.
Be aware that there is wild life around the forest area; avoid walks before sunrise and after sundown. Otherwise, enjoy the mountains, the forests and nature at its excellence.
Feedback and Suggestions – Onkar Kakar@ 09830012725
Around Bakrota Hill : a wonderful 4 km flat walk around the hill, through forested areas, deodars and conifers, and overlooking the Chamba Valley and the Pir Panjal range on the North, and the Punjab Valley on the South. Stop for Tea and Pakoras at Bara Pathar, a 5 min diversion towards Khajjiar midway on the walk. Total duration – 1 hour.
Sudden Death: a 2km descent on the non motorable road to Gandhi Chowk (GPO). A steep and tough climb back, recommended for good knees and stamina. Carry a back pack as there is inevitable shopping! Duration 1 hr +
Around the Cottage
Around Bakrota Hill : a wonderful 4 km flat walk around the hill, through forested areas, deodars and conifers, and overlooking the Chamba Valley and the Pir Panjal range on the North, and the Punjab Valley on the South. Stop for Tea and Pakoras at Bara Pathar, a 5 min diversion towards Khajjiar midway on the walk. Total duration – 1 hour.
Sudden Death: a 2km descent on the non motorable road to Gandhi Chowk (GPO). A steep and tough climb back, recommended for good knees and stamina. Carry a back pack as there is inevitable shopping! Duration 1 hr +
Chaats, Lovely Dhabha, Kwalities, the Tibetan Centre, Shawls and Lalji’s sweaters are some of the attractions in the market area.
Up to Bakrota Top: a 1.5 km bridle path going up to the summit. Lovely trees, nature, mountain vistas, wild strawberries and awesome heritage Cottages on the way. Find a quiet stop to meditate and picnic. Bear country, avoid after sundown.
To the Jandrighat Palace: a 1.5 km bridle descent to the Palace area from near the Arpana Hospital. For the brave and conditioned, walk down and from there to the GPO (a flat walk) and cab it back!
From Bara Pathar
Sanctuary walk: a wonderful bridle path into a lovely forested area with lots of wild flowers, deodars and varied firs, leading up to a stream near the old water works – 2 kms of a flat walk. Pick berries, picnic and enjoy wilderness and nature at its best. Carry a back pack, a camera and nibbles. Don’t litter and avoid after sundown; bears and cheetahs have been spotted by the locals!
From the old water works, climb up to the saddle, a lovely valley area – 2 km of a steep climb. From there onwards to Ganjee Pahiri for a 360 vista of Himachal. Engage a local guide, if required. These are good day trips with a picnic hamper and some wine...
For the adventurists, one can climb up to the famous Dankund Devi Temple at a height of 9000 ft from this area. There is a lovely drive + walk up to the Temple from Lakarmandi, a must do.
To Alha (1 km) and Lakarmandi (3 km): a gradual walk on a motorable road. From Alha one can do a 2 km steep bridle path down to Keralu Khad which has a waterfall and a small rock garden. A good picnic place, though a challenging walk both ways!
From Lakarmandi
To Dain Kund Temple: God’s country; a 5 km scenic drive up to the Air Force Radar Station and a 2 km walk thereafter on a bridle path on a breathtaking ridge, overlooking valleys on both sides. Nature at its best, with wild foxgloves and white daisies all over and around the wonderful shrine of Goddess Kali Ma with a backdrop of Mount Kailash. The shrine is unattended and people free, pray and sing and praise the lord for the ambiance and the opportunity.
From Dain Kund, one can trek down to Jyot, a little hamlet on the way to Chamba.
Carry a picnic hamper, stop and relax maybe a km away from the temple towards Jyot and walk back to the cars thereafter. Seniors may have a walking issue.
To Kala-tope: a 3 km beautiful flat walk to a Forest Rest House and a picnic garden. Carry a hamper and have fun and spot the wild life around! Cars are permissible at a fee.
To Khajjiar: An awesome meadow with a lake, a 12 km drive and maybe a 7 km walk by bridle pathways. A mini Gulmarg and a tourist visit. Accommodation and food is available at Khajjiar. Door to door, a 1 hour drive from the Cottage. A guide may be of help, if trekking.
Overnight Treks
To Chamba: On the banks of the River Ravi, at 3500 ft, an old heritage town with Palaces and lovely Temples. Chamba is approx 35 kms away and probably 20 kms by bridle paths via Khajjiar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamba,_Himachal_Pradesh
The Cottage is fully furnished and can be rented for Daily / Weekly / Monthly basis :
Short Duration (Upto 5 Days) - Rs 14,000 per day
Longer Duration - Discount based on duration of Stay & the Season
Please contact Onkar Kakar @ +919830012725, onkar.kakar@gmail.com for tailor- made rentals
We recommend/prefer a minimum 3 - 5 nights stay to experience the joy of Dalhousie
The Cottage sleeps 6 guests with extra charges for an additional Guest. We only have a single Cottage which sleeps 6-7 guests.
Testimonials
Gautam Guhathakurta
Kolkata
The Dalhousie Retreat is the best place in Dalhousie to stay according to me though. It would be the greatest blunder if we would stay in any hotel especially in Dalhousie rather than this cottage. The cottage is built very tastefully and spacious although it is located a little far from the city which is again the plus point according to me especially when one is on holiday and wants to relax. The distance is not really a matter because the caretaker makes everything available whatever is needed. The fireplace and the lawn are splendid. Last but not the least, the caretaker is superb, respectful , honest & trustworthy. He did fantastic barbecue for us which is a must while living in such a place that too during winter.
Avishek Dasgupta
Kolkata
Dear Onkar, the experience at Dalhousie retreat was not like any other, from the barbecues to the personalized picnic with Myna & you. We will forever cherish these moments in time . I am uploading a few photos of "mirchi" that we clicked. Hope you are able to look back on them as fond memories. The priceless gift of a guileless affection can probably be only given by one as "mirchi", far beyond what we humans can imagine.
Parvez
Ludhiana
For me, my wife, my kids (daughters and ????), my brother and my father in law, this was a much needed break from our regular grind. What a place...... what a lovely ???? place this was.... will run out of words and time, but in short our Host Mr Onkar and his wife were very, very kind and hospitable ....did not impose themselves onto us in any way.... we were a bit anxious to their reaction to our dog....this place is super ???? friendly..... For the 3 days we stayed, we had the cottage to ourselves with an always available help, Mr Raju who happened to be very courteous and a great cook... believe me you....we did not struggle and just had a great time.... The cottage is something out of a storybook wooden architecture with some supporting areas of concrete, with great paintings, wall hangings etc, rooms were very spacious, toilets were clean ????.... 3x3 the living - dining - kitchen area was amazing..... We would just hang around the house most of the time...going out and siteseeing I guess was a formality, not to have regrets of not doing that...knowing that we would return to the cottage..... Raju, planned our meals well, shopped for us during the stay....woww I don't remember doing this before....yeaahh The cottage is located probably at one of the most beautiful locations of Dalhousie, Upper Bakrota, on the Heritage trail....no noise, no traffic or crowd, which u will definitely encounter at Gandhi chowk with a traffic jam always if you stayed in lower reaches of Dalhousie ....The morning walks were amazing, you need to experience this yourself... My rating would be ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ? Definitely doing the trip again sometime Take care ????
Rajiv
Gurgaon
Charming hosts, enchanting cottage and sublime environs - what more could one ask for! The Upper Bakrota area in Dalhousie is amongst a handful of mountain hamlets where time has stood still and nature has been allowed to flourish - un-metalled walking tracks, dense forests and mountain aromas. The cottage, located a few steps walk below the Bakrota forest walk is ideally located, with many great walking trails within easy reach. The charming stone cottage is cozy, clean, well equipped and all embracing in every respect, with sun-filled rooms, large picture windows, a generous verandah and a large private garden - a perfect home in the mountains. If you want a break from urban living, if you want to inhale the fresh scent of pine, if you want to walk amidst the clouds, if you want to walk miles and miles without passing another human, if you want to hear a song bird and the rustle of trees in the breeze, then this is a place for you. We spent two memorable weeks here, didn't want to leave, and we'll certainly be back soon.
GET DIRECTIONS
Located on the Pir Panjal / Dhauladhar Mountain range of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, India.
By Road
Approx 550 kms from Delhi with a 10-12 hour drive time. Approx 180 kms (Tollway) from Amritsar with a 4 hour drive time. Approx 200 kms (Tollway) from Jammu with a 4 hr drive time.
By Train
From Delhi to Pathankot - overnight, and a 2 hr hill drive thereafter, First Class AC is available on Jammu Mail, Puja Express, Rajdhani Express, Dhauladhar Express, etc.
By Air
- Daily Service to Amritsar International Airport on various Airlines, drive time to Dalhousie - 4 hrs - Daily Service to Jammu on various Airlines, drive time to Dalhousie - 4 hrs - Daily Service from Delhi to Gaggal (Dharamsala) on various Airlines, drive time to Dalhousie - 3.5 hrs - Thrice a week service from Delhi to Pathankot, drive time to Dalhousie 2.5 hrs