Palampur is a gorgeous hill station in India’s Kangra Valley-pristine beauty and enchanting surroundings-a town that entices you to a getaway at any time of the year.
The plateau of Palampur (1219 metres) nestles amidst the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar Range, flanked by tea gardens and terraced paddy fields, forests of pine and deodar and lush tree plantations. Palampur which essentially comes from the word ‘pulum’ meaning abundant water is famed for its mild climate and salubrious environs. The pine scented air is invigorating and the scenery inspiring.
So travel to Palampur to unwind and get rejuvenated.
How to Reach Palampur?
By Air : The nearest airport is Gaggal airport in Kangra 30kms away- take taxi or bus to Palampur from there.
By Rail : There is no station at Palampur with the closest railway station is located at Maranda, about 2 kms from Palampur. Palampur is connected by narrow gauge railway from Pathankot, located about 115 kms from Palampur.
By Road : Palampur is easily accessible by road. Well connected to Dharmshala 40kms away, 240 kms from Chandigarh and almost 600 kms from Delhi.
Best Time to Visit Palampur
Palampur has mild temperate climate around the year and can be visited anytime. However, the best time to visit would be in the summer from March to June when the temperatures are cool. The daytime temperature can hit the mid 30 degrees Celsius but the nights are very pleasant.
In July and August the monsoons come so one could avoid timing the visit at this time. Again the weather gets cool in September and lasts till early December after which it starts getting cold with the temperature dropping into the single digits.
Things to do in Palampur
Palampur’s things to do list include visits to beautiful tea gardens, old temples and forts. Other than this you can enjoy shopping for some Tibetan handicrafts and Tangka paintings. Try some appetizing dark chocolate pastry at the local cafe and don’t forget to buy some packets of delicate Kangra tea for your friends back home. You can also visit nearby Taragarh for picturesque tea estates or Tashijong Gompa village that is known for block printing and paintings.
Places Near Palampur
There are numerous places near Palampur, which one can visit on a day trip and some of them are listed below.
Taragarh is one of the places near Palampur that is situated at a distance of 12 kms and is set in the foothills of the Dhauladhars. It is a must visit for a walk around sprawling tea estates.
Another interesting place near Palampur is Andretta, which is situated at a distance of 13 kms from Palampur and is the former residence of renowned artist Sobha Singh and late playwright Norah Richards. It houses Sobha Singhs’s personal art collection.
An iconic monument representing the Kangra Valley, the Baijnath Temple is situated 16 kms from Palampur and is dedicated to Vaidyanatha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
The venerable Dalai Lama has chosen his seat as Mcleodganj, Upper Dharamsala. It is popular as a tourist destination and is home to a number of monasteries of the Mahayana Buddhist Order. It is also known for TIPA or the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, which routinely showcases Tibetan culture and folklore. Mcleodganj is at a distance of 24 kms from Palampur.
The villages of Bir and Billing, 35 kms from Palampur are known for their monasteries and aero-sports events.
Hotels in Palampur – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Palampur ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.