Chail travel guide

A maharaja’s summer capital in deodar forest – home of the world’s highest cricket ground

📍 Himachal Pradesh 6 places to visit 🏨 1 stay to book Updated 31 Oct 2026

Chail is a quiet hill village at about 2,250 m in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, built up by the Maharaja of Patiala as his summer retreat. The palace, the high cricket ground, the Kali ka Tibba temple and thick deodar forests make it a calm alternative to busy Shimla.

History of Chail

Chail became famous when Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala chose it as his summer capital in the 1890s. A popular story says he was barred from Shimla after a quarrel with the British and decided to build his own hill retreat facing it.

He built the Chail Palace (1891), now a heritage hotel, and laid out the Chail Cricket Ground (1893) at about 2,444 m – often called the highest cricket ground in the world, now used by the Chail Military School, founded in 1922.

Much of the forest around became the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, with deodar and oak woods that are home to barking deer, goral and many birds.

Best time to visit Chail

March–June and September–November are best. December–February is cold with snow; July–August is rainy.

Mar–Jun

Spring & summer · Pleasant, about 10–25°C

Great forest weather, busy weekends.

Best

Jul–Aug

Monsoon · Rain and mist

Lush forest; drive carefully.

Good

Sep–Nov

Autumn · Clear, about 5–20°C

Clear views from Kali ka Tibba.

Best

Dec–Feb

Winter · Cold, snow

Snowfall most winters; carry warm clothes.

Good

How to reach Chail

✈️

Nearest airport

Chandigarh International Airport (IXC); Shimla (SLV)

Chandigarh about 105 km (3 hours); Shimla airport about 60 km (2 hours).

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Nearest railway station

Kandaghat on the Kalka–Shimla toy train; Kalka (main line)

Kandaghat about 30 km (1 hour); Kalka about 85 km (2.5–3 hours).

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Bus stand

Chail bus stop – a few HRTC buses from Shimla, Solan and Chandigarh. Most visitors come by taxi or car via Kandaghat or via Kufri.

From	Distance by road	Travel time
Shimla	About 45 km	1.5–2 hours
Kandaghat	About 30 km	1 hour
Solan	About 45 km	1.5 hours
Chandigarh	About 105 km	3 hours
Kasauli	About 75 km	2.5 hours
Delhi	About 340 km	7–8 hours

Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.

Famous places to visit in Chail

1Chail Palace

Fort & palace 📍 Chail 🕘 Day time · hotel grounds

The maharaja’s 1891 palace, now an HPTDC heritage hotel, with lawns and forest walks.

2Chail Cricket Ground

Sports & adventure 📍 Chail Military School 🕘 View from outside (school ground)

Laid out in 1893 at about 2,444 m and often called the highest cricket ground in the world.

3Kali ka Tibba

Temple 📍 About 3 km 🕘 Day time

A hill-top Kali temple with 360° views of the Shivalik hills, Shimla and, on clear days, the snow peaks.

4Chail Wildlife Sanctuary

Nature 📍 Around Chail 🕘 Day time

Deodar and oak forests with walking trails, birds and shy deer.

5Sidh Baba ka Mandir

Temple 📍 Chail 🕘 Day time

A temple linked to a story of the maharaja moving his palace plans at a saint’s request.

6Sadhupul

Nature 📍 About 15 km 🕘 Day time · busy in summer

A riverside spot on the Ashwani khad with tables in the shallow water and cafés – fun with children.

Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.

🏏 The highest cricket ground

Height: About 2,444 m
Built: 1893, by the Maharaja of Patiala
Today: Part of the Chail Military School

It is school property – view from the road unless entry is allowed.

Chail itinerary

Weekend in Chail

Day 1

Drive via Kandaghat; walk at Chail Palace.
Sunset at Kali ka Tibba.

Day 2

Forest walk in the sanctuary, see the cricket ground.
Sadhupul on the way back.

3 days – Chail & Shimla

Day 1

Chail Palace and Kali ka Tibba.

Day 2

Forest trails and Sadhupul.

Day 3

Drive to Shimla via Kufri.

Trip budget for Chail

Item	Cost	Note
Stay (camp / homestay / hotel)	About ₹1,500–5,000 / night	Palace rooms cost more
Food	About ₹400–800 per person / day
Taxi Chandigarh → Chail	About ₹3,000–4,000 one way	3 hours
Weekend for 2 (approx.)	₹8,000–14,000	2 nights’ stay + food + taxi

Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026.

Chail vs Kasauli and Shimla

Chail, Kasauli or Shimla?

Place	From Chandigarh	Vibe	Best for
Chail	About 105 km, 3 h	Palace, deodar forest, quiet	Nature, slow stays
Kasauli	About 65 km, 2 h	Colonial cantonment	A quick weekend
Shimla	About 115 km, 3.5–4 h	Busy capital	Sightseeing

Where to stay in Chail

Stay near the palace and market for walks to the main sights, or in forest camps and homestays along the Kandaghat–Chail road, such as around Sonaghat, for quiet nights in the woods.