Darmashala

Darmashala (1250 m to 1650 m) is the principal town of Kangra valley. Dharamshala offers the magnificent view of snow covered dhauladhar peaks. This hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. Since 1960, when it became a temporary headquarter of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international fame as "The Little Lhasa in India".
Area : 5739 sq.m
Population : 13.39 lakhs
Temperature : Max 38 C (June)
Min 0 C (Jan)

Dal Lake :- Lying 11 Km from Lower Dharmashala amidst hills and deodar tress. It is a starting point for excursion and trekking and is located next to Tibetan children's village.

St. John's Church :- ( 8 km. from Dharamshala town ) The church lies in the forest between Mcleod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj. It has a monument dedicated to Lord Elgin, one of the viceroys of India, who died at Chauntra ( Mandi district ) and was buried here in 1863 A.D. The Church has lovely spotted glass windows and there is a Christian cemetery around it. It is ideally situated in the majestic 'Deodar' forest.
How to reach
By Air: Gaggal (Kangra) airport (15 Km)
By Rail: Nearest broad gauge is Pathankot (95 Km). Narrow gauge line between Pathankot and Jogindernagar passes through Kangra (17 Km)
By Road: HRTC runs and there are lots of busses from and to Chandigarh (239 km.), Delhi (514 km.), Nangal (145 km.), Jalandhar (166 km.), Hoshiarpur (128 km.), Mandi (147 km.), Jwalamukhi (55 km.), Kullu (214 km.), Manali (252 km.), Chamba (192 km.) and Shimla (322 km.)

Palampur
Palampur (1249 m) is located in and around Kangra valley. Its also known as the tea capital of north west India. It got from "Pulum" which means lots of water. One can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Dhauladhar range and the slopes of the Kangra valley from Palampur.

KVR (Kangra Valley Railway) is built between 1926 - 1929 for transporting raw material to the Shannan power house at Jogindernagar in Mandi district. This runs from Pathankot- Joginder Nagar in Kangra Valley which is a narrow gauge.

KVR is the third railway line in the India after Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Nilgiri Mountain Railway to be accorded the heritage status. KVR has more than 950 bridges and two tunnels.The journey offers a sweeping view of the scenic mountains while stopping at 30 small stations.

Places to visit
Andretta (13 Km) - Famous for pottery
Goplapur (13 Km) - Mini zoo
Sujanpur Tira (42 Km) - famous for fort and temples
Chamundi Temple (10 Km) - Located on Baner river bank
Tashijong (12 Km) - Tibetian monestry

Best time to visit: March - June and September - November