Khajjiar, known as the Mini-Switzerland of India is a small hill station located in Chamba in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Located at a distance of 24km from Dalhousie, this tiny hill station is situated amidst dense Deodar forests and provides spotless scenic beauty with a picturesque view of the meadows and the snow-covered peaks. The Lush greenery and panorama make the place a heaven for nature lovers. Chamba was the capital of the local Rajput rulers during the 6th Century. Khajjiar was taken over by the Mughals during the medieval period, then by the Sikh kingdom and eventually the Britishers took over the area and started ruling the region. Blessed with immense beauty, Khajjiar is famous for its Khajjiar Lake, Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Khajji Nag Temple that belongs to the 12th century. Khajjiar is also hailed as Mini Swiss or Mini Switzerland.

Khajjiar Geography 

Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh is a small hill station located in the Chamba district at an altitude of 6500 ft above sea level. This tiny hill station is also called the ‘Mini Switzerland’ of India because Mr. Willy.T.Blazer, who was the Head of Chancery of Switzerland first called the region a mini Switzerland after being smitten by the area’s charm and beauty. It is said that he also placed a stone that has the distance from Khajjiar to Berne, the capital of Switzerland. The region undoubtedly is a wonderful piece of artwork by nature with its green and white mountains, enchanting surroundings, and spellbinding views.

Plan My Package Recommends: Places To Visit In Khajjiar

Khajjiar Lake

Khajjiar, famous for its Khajjiar Lake, is perched at an elevation of 1900 m above sea level. This lake is a famous picnic spot, giving a bird’s eye view of the enchanting surroundings. The lake’s water is crystal clear and attracts a number of tourists every year. Sometimes tourists also get a glimpse of Mount Kinnar Kailash from the Khajjiar Lake. An important attraction is the cluster of grass that has been formed over the surface of the lake that looks like a floating Island. The lake offers pristine beauty with beautiful backdrops of the mighty mountains. During winters, the lake gets covered in snow. Apart from providing scenic beauty and positive vibes, Khajjiar Lake also offers several adventure activities including paragliding and horse riding, making it the best place in Khajjiar.

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is a famous spot in Kalatop Khajjiar, located between Dalhousie and Khajjiar Lake, and is one of the most beautiful places in the entire Khajjiar region. It is a high-altitude forest area with an elevation of 2500 m above sea level. Wildlife sightings can include Himalayan Marten, Black Bear, Pheasants, Jackal, langurs, leopards, and so on. The forest is covered with thick pine and deodar trees, with sounds of the chirping crickets. Most tourists visit these forests between the months of October to March, which are the suitable months for visiting the sanctuary. To actually explore and admire the beauty of this wildlife sanctuary, it is best to trek into the woods and have a trek to remember. In Kalatop, there is a guest house for tourists to have a nice and relaxed time while admiring the serenity of the place. 

Timings: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Khajji Nag Temple

Another major attraction of Khajjiar is the Khajji Nag Temple. Khajjiar’s name is taken from this temple that houses an idol of a woman carrying double daggers in one hand and a mace in the other one. The temple was built by Chamba Preeti Singh in the 12th century. The devotees of Khajji Nath worship the ideal with immense belief and follow all the rituals, making this temple a famous place for the locals as well as the tourists. It has a golden dome because of which is also sometimes called the Golden Devi Temple. Being one of the oldest temples in Himachal Pradesh, Khajji Nath has interiors in the style of Hindu & Mughal architecture. Located on the banks of Khajjiar Lake, the temple has idols of Lord Shiva, Hidimba, pictures of Pandavas, and so on. This temple is an important place in the Khajjiar region.

Timings: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts Center

One always carries the memories of their holidays with them while returning back and cherishes them for as long as they can. To keep your holiday memory fresh and alive, visit the Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts Center to buy souvenirs and other things for you to remember this vacation. Adding flavors of Himachal Pradesh in everything they sell, the Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts Center is a must-visit place in Khajjiar that you definitely visit while returning back from your vacation. This handicraft center reflects the real culture of Himachal Pradesh with its arts and crafts and is worth having a look at.

Places Near Khajjiar

Dainkund Peak

About 8-9km from the Khajjiar region, Dainkund Peak, Rakhed, is one of the most beautiful sites in Dalhousie. The peak provides picturesque and mesmerizing views of the surroundings. There is a story that earlier some witches lived here and troubled the villagers, however, no such things are reported in the present situation. It is a perfect spot for photographers and nature lovers because you will find nature in abundance, with its absolute charm and beauty. This peak is also called the singing hill as the breeze passing through the green trees creates a musical sound. Located at an altitude of 2755m above sea level, it is said to be one of the most visited places in Dalhousie. One can find the Phoolan Devi temple and an Air Force Base Camp nearby and also the Khajjiar Lake is visible from the peak. Winters are supposed to be the best time to visit the place as the region gets covered with snow and the tranquility of the region is absolute bliss. 

Panchpula 

Panchpula, located 23km from Khajjiar is a popular picnic spot, famous for its scenic vistas, and is historically significant as one can find a samadhi built in the memory of Sardar Ajit Singh. The aura of the region is so peaceful that it will make you forget about your worldly troubles and is a perfect escape from the hustle-bustle of chaotic city life. One can even visit the Panchpula waterfall. The place is just 45 km away from the railway station, Panchpula is a must-visit place in Dalhousie. It is a hill station with waterfalls and streams, making it an important source of water, and it is said that the streams have medicinal and healing properties. 

Church Of Scotland, Chamba

About 22km from Khajjiar, the Church Of Scotland was built by Raja Shyam Singh in the main market of Chamba. Built-in the Scottish architectural style, the temple’s foundation stone was laid in the year 1899 AD and took almost 6 years to complete. It is said that it was built under the supervision of Dr.M’Clymont who was a Scottish monk. Located next to the Laxmi Narayan Temple, The Church Of Scotland is popular among tourists as well as the Christians present there in the region. The Church is built in fine brick and is backed by a buttress making it one fine and strong structure. The surroundings of the Church make this place heaven where God resides.

Timings: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Ganji Pahadi, Bakrota

Ganji Pahadi, whose literal translation is The Bald Mountain, located on Pathankot Road, is a famous spot for tourists to witness sunrise and sunsets. It is called the Ganji Pahadi as there are no flowers and nothing grows there. During winters the Ganji Pahadi refuses to stay bald and gets covered with a thick sheet of snow. It attracts a number of tourists as one can witness the beautiful view of the sunsets and sunrise. Most people trek to Ganji Phadi and also camp there but the bookings have to be made in advance as it gets flooded with tourists during the peak season. The trek to Ganji Pahadi starts from Panchpula and passes through uneven hilly areas. The trekkers can have a wonderful bonfire under the stars. The months between October to February is the best time to plan a visit to Ganji Pahadi.

Best Time To Visit Khajjiar

Khajjiar Weather

Khajjiar In Summers

Summers in Khajjiar remain warm and pleasant, however, the nights become cold, making it a perfect season for various adventure activities and sightseeing. At this time of the year, the area gets overcrowded with tourists leading to the unavailability of hotel rooms as they get booked. The maximum temperature of Khajjiar in summers rises to 27℃ and the minimum temperature drops to 7℃.

Khajjiar In Monsoon

July marks the onset of Monsoon in Khajjiar, making the region absolutely pleasant and fresh. Monsoon brings life to the lush greenery and the mountains. Rain in Khajjiar does not cause any impacts and is absolute bliss. What makes Khajjiar famous among tourists is that the monsoon doesn’t stop them from doing any adventure activities. Maximum temperatures in Khajjiar during the monsoon season rise to 27℃ and the minimum temperature drops to 14℃.:

Khajjiar In Winters

Winters in Khajjiar begin from the month of October and last till March, with freezing winters. The best time to see snowfall in Khajjiar is during the winter season and witness the surreal beauty of the place as it covers itself in a blanket of snow, making it an ideal honeymoon destination. The maximum temperature in Khajjiar during 20℃ and the minimum temperature drops to 0℃.

Thus, the best time to visit Khajjiar is between April to June. Know More

How To Reach Khajjiar

Khajjiar By Air

Khajjiar doesn’t have an airport of its own so there are no direct flights to Khajjiar but the nearest airport from Khajjiar is the Gaggal Airport in Dharamshala which is about 120km away. There are frequent flights from major cities such as Chandigarh, Delhi, Kullu to Gaggal Airport. You can hire a bus/cab from the airport.

Khajjiar By Train

Pathankot Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station from Khajjiar that is at a distance of 118km away. Pathankot has a well-connected rail network with cities like Delhi, Bhatinda, Chandigarh. Taxis and busses are available outside the railway station.

Khajjiar By Road

One can drive from Chamba to Khajjiar, covering a distance of 14km, or from Dalhousie to Khajjiar which is at a distance of 20km. There is a short route from Dalhousie but that becomes inaccessible during the winter season, so one has to go to Khajjiar via Chamba. There are bikes available for rent as well.

Places To Stay In Khajjiar

Hotels In Khajjiar Himachal Pradesh

The Devdar Hotel

Hotel Devdar is located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh and provides a scenic view of snow-clad mountains, and the serenity of the place is priceless. The hotel is situated amidst the dense forest of Deodar trees. It offers modern amenities, free parking, a doctor on call, wheelchair, laundry services, and an in-house restaurant serving delicious food, and a cafe serving a hot cup of coffee to freshen your mood. You have an option to choose between family suites or Khajji cottages.

Royal Residency

Royal Residency is a luxury 3-star hotel in Khajjiar providing spacious and premium rooms, offering you the ultimate comfort. The hotel has basic, classic, premium rooms and royal suites for you to choose from. It has an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, cafe, free parking, 24-hour front desk. The hotel also has a conference hall for organizing business meetings, an open terrace that provides stunning views of the surroundings and helps you rejuvenate your soul. Located 10km from Khajjiar Valley, Royal Residency also lets you play snooker, table tennis, board games, and so on. Apart from all the facilities, the hotel has decor worth admiring.

Hotel Puri

Hotel Puri is found on the opposite side of the Khajji Naag temple is a budget accommodation but offers a comfortable stay to its tourists with warm and cozy accommodation. The staff is very polite and quite well trained and make sure that you have all that you need. The in-house multi-cuisine restaurant offers authentic Himachali dishes that will tickle your taste buds. The rooms are spacious and due to their location, the views of the surroundings will leave you awestruck by the beauty and charm of the place. The hotel can also arrange for trekking activities if you wish to do it.

Hotel Khajjiar Regency

Khajjiar Regency, located near the Khajjiar Lake is a budget accommodation in the Khajjiar region, boasting a big terrace with mesmerizing views, the hotel also has a restaurant on the terrace for you to enjoy your meal while admiring the beauty of the valley. In spite of being a budget hotel, it still provides the utmost comfort you can find in budget accommodations. This hotel is ideal for families and friends. The in-house restaurant offers yummy Indian and Chinese food. It provides family rooms, sun deck and can also arrange for activities such as walking tours, trekking, and hiking.

Places To Eat In Khajjiar

Hotel Country Resort

After having a tiring day, when your hunger pangs have kicked in, then try the restaurant at Hotel Country Resort, Khajjiar serving the most delicious food in the area. The seating arrangements and the vibe of the restaurant will impress you. It is a pure vegetarian restaurant with excellent service. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving North Indian, South Indian as well as Chinese Cuisine. With Gobi Manchurian, being their specialty, you must try that as well as the Chocolate and Vanilla Brulee.

Deodar Manor restaurant

Deodar Manor restaurant in Khajjiar is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving North Indian, South Indian, and Chinese food. It has sofas and chairs where one can relax and enjoy their meal or have a quick bite. It serves extremely mouth-watering non-vegetarian dishes such as Rogan Josh, Chicken Korma, and in Chinese food, they serve Hongkong-style chicken and fried prawns. Not only that, but it also serves vegetarian food, so there is something for everyone. Biryani and Chicken curry is the specialty of the restaurant so do try that.

Puri Guest House

Located near Khajji Naag temple, Puri Guesthouse in Khajjiar is a hotel with an in-house restaurant serving local Himachali dishes and filling your mouth with some food worth drooling over. Located at the terrace of the hotel, the restaurant provides Chinese, fast food, and Indian food. With very dedicated staff, the restaurant makes sure that the customers are served well and provides top-notch services. Do try the aloo gobi curry and paneer tikka.

Do’s & Don’ts In Khajjiar

Do’s 

• Do try the Himachali dishes.
• Do visit the handicrafts center.
• Do carry your essentials.
• Do carry ID proof.

Dont’s 

• Don’t spit in public.
• Don’t lose your ID proof.
• Don’t wander in isolated places.
• Don't indulge in any illegal activity.

Pincode

The Pincode for Khajjiar is 176314.