Chail – A COMPLETE Travel Guide and Itinerary

 

Chail is a scenic and quiet little village near Shimla. It is immensely beautiful and has one of the best vantage points that you will get in all of Himachal. In this Chail travel guide, I will share details on how you can plan a trip to Chail, including details like how to reach, where to stay, and what to see.

When you talk about a weekend getaway from places like Delhi and Chandigarh, Chail is a name that will often come up. It’s easy accessibility and proximity to the plains make it perfect for a short trip to the Himalayas.

On the other hand, it is also not too far away from Shimla and is connected to the capital city by a good motorable road. This also puts Chail in a sightseeing itinerary covering Shimla and places in its vicinity.

Sitting on the edge of the Chail wildlife sanctuary, the entire village is surrounded by a thick forest and remains pleasant throughout the year. In the winter season, it gets covered by snow and turns into a winter wonderland. Kali ka Tibba and the Royal Palace (from the movie 3 Idiots) are some of the other must-visit places in Chail.

About Chail

For a brief overview, Chail is a small hill station in Himachal Pradesh, located about 44 kilometers from Shimla and 45 kilometers from Solan. A road to Chail bifurcates near Kandaghat from Chandigarh Shimla highway. From here Chail is about 50 kilometers and an hour’s drive away. Other routes consist of roads from Kufri and Solan which I will talk about further in this article.

Often known as a “hiker’s paradise”, Chail is an idyllic retreat with its pine-covered hills, lush meadows, tranquility, landscapes, and magnificent views of the majestic Himalayas. It is located at an altitude of 2,250 meters (7,380 ft) and you will totally love the place for its greenery, peace, and pleasant weather.

History of Chail

Chail also has quite a bit of interesting history to it. Back in 1891, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala ended up in a row with  Lord Kitchener of East India company over some political issue. This infuriated Lord Kitchener so much that he banned Maharaja’s entry in Shimla which at that time was the summer capital of ruling English.

Insulted by this move, the Maharaja vowed to build his own summer capital and hence Chail came into existence. First, the Royal Palace was built here and then slowly the village grew around it.

For a long time, Chail remained as the summer capital of Patiala Kings. But after accession to the Indian Union, Maharaja of Patiala donated most of his buildings to Chail Military School and the Government of India. His royal palace here however was turned into a heritage hotel and still remains so.

Another story says that Maharaja of Patiala in fact eloped with the daughter of Lord Kitchener. That is how the scandal point in Shimla also got named so.

Also Read: Shimla Bus Timetable | Buses to & from Shimla

How to reach Chail

Due to its location up in the hills, the only way to reach Chail is by road. You can either drive all the way from home; or you can first take a train or flight to as close as you can and then get to Chail. Regular buses are available so a trip by public transport too is an option.

Let me first explain how you can get to Chail by road, traveling by your own vehicle. For the sake of the route, I will assume Delhi as the starting point.

Also Read: Shimla Manali Trip Itinerary – How to Plan Your Journey

How to reach Chail from Delhi by Road

Now there are three major routes that you can take to arrive at Chail by road. The most common one is via Kandaghat if you were coming from Delhi or Chandigarh.

Delhi – Karnal – Panipat – Ambala – Zirakpur – Kalka – Kandaghat – Sadhupul – Chail

Traveling this way, the total distance covered will be about 330 kilometers in 6-8 hours. You will first reach Ambala traveling on NH1. Just before Chandigarh, take the right turn on Himalayan Expressway and reach Kahdaghat via Kalka.

From Kalka, leave the Shimla highway and take the narrow road to Sadhupul. This road will bring you down on the banks of a shallow river and to the village of Sadhupul. You will drive along the river for a while and then drive up to arrive at Chail.

The second is via Kufri from Shimla but this road will apply if you went to Shimla first.

Delhi – Karnal – Panipat – Ambala – Zirakpur – Kalka – Kandaghat – Shimla – Kufri – Chail

This is the longer of the two routes and should be taken if you want to cover Chail while returning from Shimla. You can first go to Shimla to spend some time sightseeing there and visit Chail while returning home.

If you only want to visit Chail then you should take the road via Kandaghat.

How to reach Chail by Bus

The best way to reach Chail by Bus is via Shimla. Being a well-known tourist destination, regular buses ply to Shimla from almost every major city nearby. You can easily find buses to Shimla by HRTC, HPTDC, and several private tour companies. If you were coming from Delhi, you can board this bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Once you arrive at Shimla, you will easily be able to find a bus or shared taxi going towards Chail.

You can also opt to get down at Kandaghat but the frequency of public transport on Kandaghat – Chail route is not that great. There is a direct bus between Solan and Chail that passes through Kandaghat that you can board. Other than this, I have also noticed shared cabs on this route.

My recommendation will be to arrive at the Shimla bus stand first. There are direct buses available between Shimla and Chail via Kufri that you can get every two hours or so. If not a bus, chances of finding a shared cab are more in Shimla than Kandaghat.

By Air

The nearest airport to Chail is the Jubbarhatti airport in Shimla at a distance of 62 kilometers. The nearest major airport however is at Chandigarh which is 117 kilometers away.

From both Shimla and Chandigarh, you can either look for a taxi or board a bus for the final lap of your journey to Chail. Chandigarh is very well connected by flight to the rest of the country so you will have no problem booking a flight to here.

By Train

The nearest narrow gauge railway station to Chail is at Kandaghat. The Kalka – Shimla toy train passes through Kandaghat where you can get down and find an alternate mode of transport to reach Chail by road. Or you can ride the train all the way to Shimla and then find a bus from Shimla to Chail.

To reach Chail by train, you will first have to either book a train for Kalka or Chandigarh. If you were coming from Delhi for example, you can board the Howrah – Delhi – Kalka mail and reach Kalka. The Toy train from Kalka leaves at 4 AM, 6 AM, and 12:10 PM. You can board either of these three and then ride it till Kandaghat or Shimla.

From Kalka, the train takes about 2.5 hours to reach Kandaghat. Though you can find taxis at Kandaghat for Chail, it would be better to reach Shimla first by train due to the availability of better transport facilities at Shimla. The journey to Chail from Shimla passes through a scenic route. Kufri, another major tourist destination in the region, is also en route Chail from Shimla.

If there was no direct train to Kalka from your city, then you can book a seat on any train to Chandigarh and then reach Chail from there by road. You can easily find a taxi for Chail from Chandigarh airport or board a bus from there for Shimla and then reach Chail.

Also Read: Dharamshala – A Complete Travel Guide & Itinerary

What to see in Chail

Now that you have arrived in Chail, let us take a look at the places you should be visiting here. The natural beauty of this small town would remain to be its primary attraction. The place is surrounded by the forests of pine and gigantic deodars. At nights, you get a clear view of Shimla, Solan, and Kasauli which can be some great night shots for anyone interested in photography.

Apart from natural beauty, there are however some places that are worthy of note. Below is a list of such tourist places in Chail.

Also Read: Shimla – A Complete Travel Guide & Itinerary

Kali ka Tibba

This is my favorite place here. The view of the sunset here will simply blow your mind away. I can guarantee that you would have never seen a sunset like this ever before in your life.

Kali ka Tibba is situated at the top of a hill and there is a Kali Mata temple built at the top; hence the name “Kaali ka Tibba”. It attracts a lot of pilgrims and tourists from all across the world. From the top, you also get a breathtaking view of Choor Chandni and Shivalik Range.

Chail Sanctuary

Formerly the hunting ground of Maharaja of Patiala, the sanctuary was notified on 21 March 1976 and covers an area of 110 km2. Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the lesser-known but most well-maintained wildlife sanctuaries in the country.

It houses a rich collection of flora and fauna and wildlife including sambhar, pheasants, wild boar, deer, black bear, and leopards. The Chail sanctuary has “Machan” like sighting posts built at several places. (Source: Wikipedia)

Chail Palace

This was once the Royal Palace of the Maharaja but now is a heritage hotel. If it fits in your budget, then a stay here is highly recommended. If not, then at least visit here and see the beautiful architecture. The entry fee to the palace for tourists is Rs. 100.

Also Read: Thanedar, Himachal – How to Plan your Trip & Explore

Sadhupul

Sadhupul is a small town in Himachal Pradesh between Chail and Solan. It is best known for its river restaurants and campsites. A small bridge constructed over the river “Ashwini” had the place named as Sadhupul.

What made this place famous was when the locals came with a different idea. They built dhabas and eateries on the banks of the river and set up the tables right in the middle of the water, like in the picture below. This attracts a lot of tourists to Sadhupul as well as families on a picnic on daily basis.

Over a period of time, Sadhupul has also come up as a favored camping site. There are a lot of campsites on the banks of the river and you can also pitch your own tent.

Also Read: Places to visit in Mcleodganj and Things to Do

Chail Cricket Ground

Situated at a height of 2,244 meters, it is considered as the world’s highest cricket ground. It was built in 1893. In one corner of the ground, there is a historic tree on which the Military School has constructed a treehouse. There have been talks to develop this ground further and host international cricket matches here. It is now managed by the Military and used as a playground for the Military school in Chail.

Gurudwara Sahib

Gurudwara at Chail was the first building to be constructed here by the Maharaja of Patiala. It was only after the completion of Gurudwara that Maharaja started building his own palace. It is built in Indo-Western style; with its 22 feet high wooden roof being its main attraction.

It is located barely half a kilometer away from the main bazaar; and offers the facility of a free overnight stay at the dormitory and few small rooms. The Langar Hall of course arranges for food to be provided to people free of cost.

Lover’s Point

It is actually a scenic spot inside the Maharaja Palace.

Stone Kumbh

This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Also Read: Mcleodganj – A Comprehensive Travel Guide and Itinerary

What to do in Chail

Apart from visiting all the other places, I listed above, there really isn’t much to do in Chail except for relaxing and enjoying the peace around you. Some other activities that you can however indulge yourself in areas mentioned below. These however will completely depend on your own personal preference and hobbies.

Photography

If photography is an interest of yours then there is plenty to capture in Chail. Try getting some sunset shots from Kali ka Tibba and I bet that you will love them. Chail wildlife sanctuary has a myriad species of birds and animals that you would love clicking.

Wildlife Tour

If you have an interest in wildlife or have children accompanying you on the trip; then apart from visiting Chail wildlife sanctuary, you can also extend the wildlife tour by planning a visit to nearby Himalayan Nature Park at Kufri.

Trekking in Chail

This is another activity that you can indulge yourself in. There is one small trek that I have done from Sadhupul to Chail but it could be a day-long activity. A few other trails include Shimla and Kufri.

For more information on these places and activities, please take a look at Places to visit in Chail and Things to Do.

Where to Stay in Chail

There are a few hotels in Chail, both luxury and budget that you could stay at. Hotel Chail Palace of course would be a treat if it fitted in your budget. There is another one called Hotel Deventure where I have stayed and can tell you that it is good. If you are a bit on the budget side though, then just reach the main market; walk around a bit and you will find several budget hotels there.

Whether or not to book in advance is completely your personal choice. I have never booked my stay and was always easily able to find accommodation in Chail. In fact, this way I was also able to negotiate the price down a bit. If however, you would like to book a hotel for your own peace of mind, you could do that as well.

Best time to visit Chail

For a trip with the family, April to June will suit you the best. The weather remains very agreeable at this time, neither too cold nor too warm. But the greenery at this time remains missing and some people may find the mountains around to be a bit dry and barren.

July and August are not said to be a good time to visit because of the heavy rainfall and resulting landslides. But this is truly the time when the vistas are at their best. This is when the mountains really come alive and look heavenly. This is the best time to visit for photography. Since there will not be many tourists around in these months, it is also a good time for a budget trip.

September is by far my favorite time to visit. Monsoon will be long gone but the greenery will still be there. The lush green hills and valleys are a feast for the eyes and the weather would not have gotten too cold.

Autumn arrives in October and all that was green in September will now turn orange. These months again are good for a photography visit and to enjoy the scenery.

For someone who wants to visit here to see some snow, a trip in the months of January or February will be best. Chances of snowfall in Chail will be more in January though.

November is overall a bad month to visit because the landscape at this time is very featureless. It will also be terribly cold and there won’t even be any snow around. But this is also the best month for a budget trip.

For a trip by bike, you should avoid the monsoon season.

Weather in Chail

Chail is situated at an altitude of 2,250 meters due to which, the climate here mostly remains cold throughout the year. Overall, the weather is pleasant in summers and very cold in winter.

From April to June, the temperature in Chail fluctuates between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius; depending on the time of the day. Days remain pleasantly warm and you can take a stroll just wearing your regular cotton clothes. At nights, however, it will definitely get colder and you will need a jacket or woolens to cover yourself. The speed of the wind increases and you would be able to feel the chill the moment the sun goes down.

Monsoon arrives in the month of July and remains till late August or early September. The temperature at this time may drop a bit owing to the rain but remains between 20 to 30 at an average. The average annual rainfall is about 150 mm. If it rained too much then it may result in landslides in the region; sometimes so bad that even the roads may get temporarily blocked.

It is best advised to call ahead and inquire about the weather conditions before visiting Chail in the monsoon season.

Winter starts to settle in here in October after which, the temperature continues to dip. The average winter temperature in Chail fluctuates between -5 to 5 degrees Celsius and it can snow here any time after December 15th.

For more details on the weather and when to go, please take a look at When is the Best time to visit Chail  – Weather, and Sightseeing.

Clothes to Pack for a Trip to Chail

This will depend on the month you are traveling in. But for most of the year, your regular summer clothes along with a jacket will suffice. Between April and October, bring plenty of cottons, a couple of jackets and that is all you will need. It won’t get too cold during the day and you won’t feel a need to put on woolens or a jacket. It will be a bit cold around early morning and evenings for which you would have to put on a jacket for a little while.

If you are visiting during the monsoon, it would be better to pack clothes that won’t take too long to dry. In terms of shoes, your regular sports shoes will do but for monsoon, you may want to pack a pair of rubber sandals as well, like crocs for example.

If you were however visiting here in winter, then you would have to bring all woolens and a good windproof jacket. It is better if your jacket had a hood to protect your neck, head, ears, and face. If it doesn’t, then you would also have to pack a cap and muffler. Gloves and warm socks too are a must during winters.

Chail Itinerary

The best part I like about visiting Chail is that this trip can be easily planned over a weekend or 3 days.

No, it doesn’t mean that you cannot spend more days here. There is plenty to see at Chail itself and places nearby. So you can definitely make it a trip for a longer duration. By including some other places like Shimla and Kufri, your journey can last for a good 4 to 5 days as well.

I have known some people who were headed towards Kinnaur Valley and Spiti valley and included a night stay at Chail in their plan.

Your final travel plan will of course depend on how many days you have and how you are traveling; but as an example, I will suggest a few travel plans that you can follow. For the sake of this article, I will assume that you are traveling from Delhi.

Chail Sightseeing Itinerary

This will be a very simple plan. You start from Delhi, arrive at Chail, stay there for a day and go back home on the 3rd.

• Delhi to Chail via Kandaghat and Sadhupul – Day 1
• Chail – Day 2
• Return to Delhi via Kufri and Shimla – Day 4

While coming from Delhi, take the route via Kandaghat and Sadhupul. This will take you about 7 hours in total. Stay in Chail 2 and spend time visiting places I listed above.

On Day 3 however, while going back home, I will recommend that instead of going back the same way; you should first drive to Kufri. If interested, you can even visit the national wildlife park here. From Kufri then, drive down to Shimla and continue further to Delhi.

Also Read: What to See in Shimla – Fun Things to do in Shimla

Delhi to Chail Itinerary

If you were however visiting over a weekend and only had 2 days in hand, you will have to take out Day 2.

• Delhi to Chail via Kandaghat and Sadhupul – Day 1
• Return to Delhi via Kufri and Shimla – Day 2

You will reach Chail via Sadhupul on Day 1. Start early from Delhi, possibly by 4 AM so that you can reach by 12 noon easily. Check into a hotel, see the places I listed above and reach Kali ka Tibba by evening. Enjoy a magnificent sunset view from the Tibba and arrive back at the hotel. On Day 2, drive back to Delhi via Kufri and Shimla. Depending on how early you started, you can also spend some time at the Mall road in Shimla.

Shimla Kufri Chail Itinerary

If you however had a few more days in hand, then the itinerary can be as mentioned below.

• Delhi to Chail via Kandaghat and Sadhupul – Day 1
• Chail to Narkanda – Day 2
• Narkanda to Solan – Day 3
• Solan to Delhi – Day 4

OR

• Delhi to Chail via Kandaghat and Sadhupul – Day 1
• Chail – Day 2
• Drive to Shimla via Kufri – Day 3
• Shimla – Day 4
• Shimla to Narkanda – Day 5
• Narkanda to Delhi – Day 6

Chail Road Condition

Chandigarh to Chail Road Condition: Road conditions in and around Chail are mostly all good. There is some road widening work going on between Chandigarh and Shimla which can result in slow traffic.

Kandaghat to Chail road Condition: The Kandaghat to Chail road however has some really bad stretches. Between Kandaghat and Sadhupul, the road is a bit steep and bad. It will remain bad as you climb up from Sadhupul to Chail but then improves as you get closer to Chail.

Shimla to Chail Road Condition: Between Shimla and Chail via Kufri, the road is a mix of good and average but the climb is narrow and very steep at several places.

Shimla to Narkanda Road Condition: From Shimla to Narkanda, if you were following the last 2 itineraries, is a completely smooth run of 2 hours at most.

Solan to Chail road condition: The road from Solan too is mostly a mix of good and average. There are a few sections of broken road but work to correct it was under progress the last time I traveled here.

Chail to Kufri Road Condition: The stretch between Chail and Kufri is a very narrow stretch of road. The good part however is that it is tarred and remains in good condition.

Shopping in Chail

To be very honest, there aren’t too many shopping options here. The town has a very small market that the locals use to buy groceries. Locally made woolen shawls, handicrafts, carpets, and Himachali caps however can be bought in Chail. If you were looking forward to some shopping then a better choice would be to go to Shimla and visit the market there.

Also Read: Best Time to Visit Shimla – When to go to Shimla

Where and What to Eat

Like shopping, there is really no dish that could be called a specialty of Chail or this region as a matter of fact. Most of the north Indian dishes however are available in the restaurants here.

Depending on your own preference, you can either chose to eat at the hotel you were staying at. Or you can just walk down to the market and eat at any of the dhabas / restaurants.

For budget travelers, I will recommend that you eat at the market. The food here won’t cost you much.

Soni ka dhaba is a recommended place to eat at in Chail.

Other Tips

Mentioned below are some other details that can be of help in plannign a trip to Chail.

Bank / ATM

There are a couple of banks and ATMs near the main market in Chail. SBI and UCO Bank I know have branches here. Their ATMs too I have always found to be functional and cash available.

Also Read: Best Time to Visit Prashar Lake, Himachal

Mechanic / Petrol Pump

There is a petrol pump in Chail just before you enter the market area. It is actually located right next to Hotel Deventure. However, the last time I visited, this petrol pump was not functional.

You will however find several other gas stations en route; near Shimla, Solan, and on Chandigarh – Kandaghat route.

In terms of mechanics as well, there are a few available in the town and along the route but just for minor fixes. In case of a major breakdown, however, you will have to look for a mechanic in Shimla.

Medical Assistance

There is a chemist shop and a doctor available here for small ailments. For anything serious, you will have to rush to nearby Shimla city.

Mobile Connectivity

All major cellular companies have coverage in Chail. No matter which network you were on, your phone will work fine here. In terms of data as well, you will have 4G connectivity.

Also Read: Taxi Rates in Shimla – Shimla Taxi Rates

Chail in Winter

A winter trip means cold weather and temperatures close to 0 degrees Celsius, if not below it. It can snow in Chail anytime from the end of December till mid of February.

A snowfall in November or March will be a very rare occurrence but it will still be very cold. You will need to bring all your warm woolens, gloves, warm socks, and a windproof jacket for visiting in the winter season.

Road connectivity however remains open throughout the year, even in winters. The only road that can sometimes get closed is the one from Shimla via Kufri. This stretch can get completely buried under snow due to heavy snowfall in January. The one via Kandaghat or Solan however remains open for all 12 months.

Hotels too remain open in the winter season as well so you will have no problem finding a place to stay.

Chail Altitude

Chail is located at an altitude of 2,250 meters (7,380 ft) above sea level.

Also Read: Tirthan Valley – A Complete Travel Guide & Itinerary

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions about Chail.

1. Is Chail Worth Visiting?

Yes, Chail is definitely a good place to visit. If you are someone who enjoys a bit of shopping, busy markets, eating at fancy restaurants then Chail is not the place for you. If you are however someone who wants a quiet holiday away from the hustle-bustle of other more popular and crowded hill stations, then Chail is where you should be going. It becomes an even better destination for people who either do not have too many days in hand or don’t want to spend long hours traveling.

Chail is one of those places that feels extremely beautiful and delicate; the kind that you go to for just sitting and enjoying a cup of tea while looking at lush valleys with clouds floating over. It is natural beauty at its best. The peace and tranquility are what you should be visiting Chail for.

Also Read: Kothi Village near Manali – How to Reach & What to See

2. How to reach Chail from Delhi by Train?

To reach Chail by train, you will first have to either book a train for Kalka or Chandigarh. If you were coming from Delhi for example, you can board the Howrah – Delhi – Kalka mail and reach Kalka. The Toy train from Kalka leaves at 4 AM, 6 AM, and 12:10 PM. You can board either of these three and then ride it till Kandaghat or Shimla.

From Kalka, the train takes about 2.5 hours to reach Kandaghat. Though you can find taxis at Kandaghat for Chail, it would be better to reach Shimla first by train due to the availability of better transport facilities at Shimla. The journey to Chail from Shimla passes through a scenic route. Kufri, another major tourist destination in the region, is also en route Chail from Shimla.

Traveling from Delhi by train is not a wise decision. You will first have to board a train for Chandigarh and then catch a bus from there for Chail. It will just be more time, more money, and more hassle. A better option hence would be to catch a bus from Delhi itself.

3. How to reach Chail from Kalka?

From Kalka, you can first board the Toy train and get down at Kandaghat. The journey will take about 2.5 hours. Once you are in Kandaghat, you can look for a bus or taxi for Chail.

4. Best way to reach Chail from Delhi

The best way to reach Chail from Delhi is by boarding an overnight bus for Shimla first. From Shimla, you can look for another mode of transport for the final leg of your journey.

5. Best way to reach Chail from Shimla

The best way to reach Chail from Shimla is to board the bus that travels via Kufri. If the bus timing did not match yours, you can look for a shared taxi as well.

6. Where is Chail Palace?

Chail palace is located about 1.5 km from the bus stand.

7. Where is Chail cricket ground?

The cricket ground is a short walk from the main market. Just ask any of the locals and they will point you in the right direction.

Conclusion

I hope the information above on planning a trip to Chail was of help. If you have any other questions; or need any further details; please feel free to ask in the comments section below, or at our Community Forum, and I will be glad to answer.