Chamba travel guide

A thousand-year-old hill capital on the Ravi – carved stone temples, the Chaugan and Khajjiar’s meadow next door

📍 Himachal Pradesh 9 places to visit 🏨 2 stays to book Updated 31 Oct 2026

Chamba is an old royal town at about 1,000 m on the Ravi river in western Himachal Pradesh. Its stone temples, palace, the Bhuri Singh Museum and the open Chaugan ground make it one of the state’s finest heritage towns – and it is the base for Khajjiar, Dalhousie and Bharmour.

History of Chamba

The rulers of the hill state of Chamba first ruled from Bharmour. Around the 10th century Raja Sahil Varman moved the capital down to the Ravi valley and, the story goes, named the new town after his daughter Champavati. The dynasty ruled without a break for about a thousand years – one of the longest-ruling families in India.

The rajas built the stone Lakshmi Narayan temple group, the Chamunda Devi and Hari Rai temples and the palaces of Rang Mahal and Akhand Chandi. Chamba became famous for Pahari miniature painting and the embroidered Chamba rumal.

Chamba accepted British protection in the 19th century and joined India after 1947; it became a district of Himachal Pradesh in 1948. Raja Bhuri Singh’s collection became the Bhuri Singh Museum (opened 1908), and the town still celebrates the week-long Minjar fair every monsoon.

Best time to visit Chamba

March–June and September–November are best. July–August is the rainy season (and Minjar fair time); December–February is cold, with snow at Khajjiar and Dalhousie.

Mar–Jun

Spring & summer · Pleasant, about 15–32°C in town

Good for Khajjiar and Dalhousie trips.

Best

Jul–Aug

Monsoon & Minjar · Heavy rain

Minjar fair week – lively, but roads can be slow.

Good

Sep–Nov

Autumn · Clear, about 10–25°C

Clear skies and quieter roads.

Best

Dec–Feb

Winter · Cold, about 2–15°C

Snow at Khajjiar and Dalhousie; Sach Pass closed.

Good

How to reach Chamba

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Nearest airport

Pathankot Airport (IXP); Kangra Airport, Gaggal (DHM)

Pathankot about 120 km (3.5–4 hours); Gaggal about 170 km (5–6 hours).

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Nearest railway station

Pathankot Cantt / Chakki Bank (main line)

About 120 km (3.5–4 hours by taxi or HRTC bus).

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Bus stand

Chamba bus stand (near the Chaugan) – HRTC buses to Pathankot, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Chandigarh, Delhi and Bharmour. Local buses and taxis go to Khajjiar and the villages around.

From	Distance by road	Travel time
Khajjiar	22–24	1 hour
Dalhousie	45–50	1.5–2 hours
Pathankot	About 120 km	3.5–4 hours
Bharmour	About 65 km	2.5–3 hours
Dharamshala	170–180	5–6 hours
Chandigarh	About 360 km	9–10 hours
Delhi	About 600 km	12–14 hours

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

Famous places to visit in Chamba

1Lakshmi Narayan Temple Complex

Temple 📍 Town centre 🕘 Morning to evening

A group of carved stone shikhara temples with wooden canopies, built by the Chamba rajas from about the 10th century – the town’s best-known sight.

2Chaugan

Heritage 📍 Town centre 🕘 Open ground

The long grassy promenade in the middle of Chamba, the stage for the Minjar fair and the evening stroll.

3Bhuri Singh Museum

Museum 📍 Town centre 🕘 Tue–Sun, day time · small fee

Pahari miniature paintings, Chamba rumals, carved fountain stones and royal objects from the old state – opened in 1908.

4Chamunda Devi Temple

Temple 📍 Above the town 🕘 Day time

A wooden temple on a hill above Chamba with fine carvings and views over the Ravi valley and town.

5Rang Mahal

Fort & palace 📍 Old town 🕘 Day time

An old palace of the Chamba rajas with Mughal and British influences; the handicraft centre here sells Chamba rumals and chappals.

6Khajjiar

Nature 📍 About 22–24 km 🕘 Day time · horse rides and zorbing

A wide green meadow ringed by deodar forest with a small lake and the Khajji Nag temple – often called the “mini Switzerland of India”.

7Dalhousie

Viewpoint 📍 About 45–50 km 🕘 Day time

A colonial hill station on five hills with old churches, Subhash Baoli and walks along the Mall.

8Bharmour (Chaurasi temples)

Temple 📍 About 65 km 🕘 Day time

The old capital of Chamba, home of the Gaddi shepherds, with the Chaurasi group of temples and the Manimahesh yatra route.

9Sach Pass

Trek 📍 About 150 km via Bairagarh 🕘 Usually open about June–October

A high mountain pass on the road to Pangi valley – a dramatic drive for experienced drivers in good weather.

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

🎉 Minjar fair at a glance

When: About a week in July–August (dates follow the Hindu calendar)
Where: The Chaugan and town of Chamba
What: A harvest fair: silk “minjar” tassels, processions, folk music and stalls
Ending: The minjar is offered to the Ravi river on the last day

Stays in town fill up during Minjar week – book early.

Chamba itinerary

2 days in Chamba

Day 1

Lakshmi Narayan temples, Bhuri Singh Museum and Rang Mahal.
Sunset at the Chamunda Devi temple and a walk on the Chaugan.

Day 2

Morning at Khajjiar meadow.
Continue to Dalhousie for the afternoon.

3 days – Chamba, Khajjiar & Bharmour

Day 1

Chamba town temples and museum.

Day 2

Khajjiar and Dalhousie.

Day 3

Day trip up the Ravi valley to Bharmour and the Chaurasi temples.

Trip budget for Chamba

Item	Cost	Note
Stay (homestay / hotel)	About ₹1,200–3,500 / night	Higher in Minjar week
Food	About ₹300–700 per person / day	Try Chamba chukh and madra
Taxi Pathankot → Chamba	About ₹3,500–4,500 one way	About 3.5–4 hours
Taxi day trip Khajjiar + Dalhousie	About ₹2,500–3,500	Return from Chamba
Weekend for 2 (approx.)	₹8,000–14,000	2 nights’ stay + food + a taxi day

Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026.

Chamba vs Dalhousie and Khajjiar

Chamba, Dalhousie or Khajjiar? Here’s how they compare.

Place	From Pathankot	Vibe	Best for
Chamba	About 120 km, 3.5–4 h	Heritage town, temples, river	Culture, Minjar fair
Dalhousie	About 80 km, 2.5–3 h	Colonial hill station	Walks, cool weather
Khajjiar	About 100 km, 3 h	Meadow and forest	A day out, snow in winter

Where to stay in Chamba

Stay in Chamba town to walk to the temples, museum and Chaugan. Homestays in the villages around – Sach, Banjal and the hills above the Ravi – are quieter, with valley views and home-cooked Chambyali food.