Chail is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most prestigious hill towns. It has everything you need for both a wonderful family vacation and a romantic getaway. In Chail, there are lots of places to visit and lots of outdoor things you can do with the whole family. You may have many wonderful experiences at the well-known places to visit in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, including dining at a lake restaurant, walking on the highest cricket ground in the world, and listening to the singing of birds in the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary.
How to reach Chail?
By train: There are multiple ways you can reach Chail. Kalka Railway Station is the one closest to Chail, which is located about 81 kilometres away by National Highway 22.
By air: The closest airport to Chail is the Jubbarhatti airport in Shimla, which is located 72 kilometres away. In addition, Chandigarh Airport is 113 kilometres away via NH 22.
By road: If you reside in Himachal Pradesh, then you can reach Chail either by car, or local transport. Taxis, buses, and cars are easily accessible from any location to travel between the tourist destinations. Road connectivity in Chail is adequate. Shimla and Chail are separated by road for 45 kilometres via Kufri.
12 best places to visit in Chail and things to do
Chail is a peaceful hill town tucked away in the heart of nature and is about two hours’ drive from Shimla. This charming village served as the Maharaja of Patiala’s summer hideaway and is now a shelter for individuals seeking to escape the mind-numbing restlessness of city life. The top places to visit in Chail are listed here.
Chail wildlife sanctuary
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The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is one of India’s lesser-known wildlife sanctuaries. It was formerly used as a hunting area by the Maharaja of Patiala and is one of the best places to visit in Chail. It is nestled in the Himalayan mountains at a height of 7152 feet, 63 km from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, and has a comfortable climate, stunning views, and an abundance of flora. For those who enjoy the outdoors and birdwatching, the sanctuary is a pleasure.
A diversity of wildlife and plants can be found in the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary. European red deer, wild boar, goral, spotted deer, sambar, common langur, Himalayan black bear, flying squirrel, Indian porcupine, etc. are some of the park’s most well-known animal species. The natural pine and Deodar trees are among the vegetation that it supports.
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
Fees: INR 100
Maharaja Palace Hotel
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The Palace Hotel, Chail, was constructed and formerly owned by Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, and was subsequently purchased by heritage hotels. It claims to be one of the finest heritage hotels and rose to fame with its sprawling landscape of about 75 acres of land. It is one of the best places to visit in Chail. Enjoy the old-world charm of this wonderful location, surrounded by lush vegetation, panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty, and a calm atmosphere.
Stay at The Palace Hotel in Chail or make time to visit this location. Wall-to-wall carpeting, antique furnishings, period decor, and a cosy fireplace keep each guest room comfortable. Don’t let the palace’s charming antiqueness mislead you; this hotel has every modern convenience you can imagine.
Cricket Ground
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The Chail Cricket Ground is one of the most historic locations in Chail place and was constructed by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, who made the city his summer retreat. When he visited Chail during the summer, the king used to be an avid cricket player and loved to play here.
This cricket ground, which is perched at a lofty elevation of about 2,444 metres, was built by levelling a sizable hilltop. Due to its location in the Cantonment area, this pitch is currently under the control of the Indian Army. Although the public is not permitted on the ground, they are welcome to meander through this area and see the magnificent hilltop cricket ground.
Kali ka Tibba
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Kali Ka Tibba in Chail, which is nestled on mountain Blossom, is effortlessly lovely and makes for a very pretty image. This remote location, which is dedicated to the goddess Kali, is one of the best locations to visit in Chail and the ideal hideaway to find peace and quiet away from the hordes of tourists.
You can see a variety of creatures on your hike up to this peaceful place, which is a lot of fun. Near Kali ka Tibba, horseback riding and fishing are both very popular pastimes. From Kali ka Tibba, you may enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Shivalik Range and the Choor Chandni peak.
Timings: 8AM – 6PM
Shopping in Chail
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Woollen clothing and jams and jellies made from hand-picked, farm-fresh fruit are popular purchases in Chail. There aren’t many places to shop in Chail. The most well-known and likely the only local market is Chail Bazaar, which features endless rows of little stores selling woollen clothing, antiques, pickles, squashes, juices, and jams at deeply discounted prices and subject to ferocious haggling.
Tourists can purchase Pashmina shawls, Kinnauri mufflers, Himachali headgear, scarves, sweaters, gloves, and socks. In addition to woollen clothing, there are genuine rugs and carpets that are perfect for home décor to provide that special touch. Chail is renowned for its lovely silver, metal, and stone-adorned jewellery. It is the best place to visit in Chail if you love shopping.
Timings: 9 AM-9PM
Sidh Baba ka Mandir
Sidh Baba Ka Mandir, honouring the Hindu saint by the same name, is a venerated religious institution in Chail place and a well-known landmark. Between Rajgarh and Pandhawa, on a hill, is where this temple is situated.
The building of this temple is the subject of numerous stories. One of them claims that Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the erstwhile king of Patiala, planned and started building a palace here. One day, Sidh Baba appeared in the king’s dreams and explained that this pot was where he used to meditate before being cremated, emphasising that this hill is pious and shouldn’t be used as a residence. The king, moved by his dream, constructed Sidh Baba Ka Mandir in the saint’s honour.
Numerous worshippers flock to the temple because of its serene atmosphere and breathtaking scenery, which is highlighted by tall hills and verdant forests.
Timings: 7 AM- 6PM
Himalayan National Park
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The Himalayan Nature Park, founded in 1992, is among the most well-known tourist attractions in Chail place. This wildlife park, spread out over a sizable area of around 90 hectares, is home to about 140 different kinds of diverse flora and fauna.
The Snow Leopard, Ghoral, Black Bear, Sambar, Yak, Brown Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Tibetan Wolf, and Himalayan Thar are a few of the common wildlife species that are frequently seen here. Visitors to the Himalayan Nature Park can go horseback riding on the park’s grounds in addition to viewing the numerous animals in the zoo.
Timings: 10 AM- 5 PM
Fees:
- Indians: Rs. 50
- Foreigners: Rs. 200
- Indian Students: Rs. 30
- Foreigner Students: Rs. 100
Gurudwara Sahib
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Built by the Maharaj of Patiala, this sacred location of worship exudes a serene and tranquil aura while being surrounded by lovely flora. Built in the shape of a church, illustrating the fusion of numerous religions. The gurudwara’s condition has declined over time because of the area’s small Sikh community and lack of support from The Military School Chapel.
This magnificent building, which is golden in colour and has a large, lush green lawn in front, is perched atop the Pandhawa Hills and depicts colonial architecture, and is one of the best places to visit in Chail.
Sadhupul Lake
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Visit Sadhupul Lake at the Chail place, which is an ideal place to spend an evening for a family outing or a romantic break. A very serene atmosphere is created by the gentle breeze and trickling water. The restaurant at the Sadhupul Lake, where wooden tables and chairs are dispersed over the water body, is well-known. When the water is low, you can eat a delicious dinner while dangling your legs in the water. On the other hand, when the river is flowing quickly, the chairs and tables are drawn back
Horse riding
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The only method of transportation to the mountains in Kufri’s hostile terrain is by horseback. This is a safe and enjoyable pastime. One can take in the apple orchards and mountain view on the way to the tourist park.
Timings: 8 AM- 8 PM
Fees: 100 for 30 mins
Gaura and Jhajjar
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You may go hiking around Gaura’s and Jhajja’s rugged routes. Enjoy the cold, peaceful mountain air as you stroll among towering pine trees. There are several fantastic vantage points from which you can take in the unadulterated beauty of nature. Beginning with Chail, continue hiking all the way to Gaura and Jhajjar.
Bird watching
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One of the best spots in Himachal Pradesh for bird watching is Chail. You can enjoy your time amidst nature, observing birds, away from the rush of daily life and surrounded by lush vegetation and rolling mountains. At the Chail Sanctuary and on hikes and nature walks, you can see a wide variety of bird species.
Timings: 7 AM-6 PM
Fees: INR 100
FAQs
How can I travel within Chail?
It is easy to get around Chail. Hire a cab or make use of the bus service available from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Is Chail worth visiting?
Chail is a beautiful place with pleasant weather all year round. Chail houses wildlife parks, palaces and several temples.
Does Chail experience snowfall?
Yes, Chail is usually covered in a layer of snow during the winter season: December to February.