Palampur

Palampur lies in Kangra district, against the high wall of the Dhauladhar range. Tea gardens surround the town, and streams run down from the mountains. The tea estates are some of the largest in Himachal and are the main attraction. The Neugal Khad gorge and the quiet, cool climate add to the appeal. Within a day's reach are the 13th-century Baijnath temple and the potters of Andretta. You can also visit the Tashi Jong Tibetan community and the paragliding launch at Bir-Billing. Dharamshala and McLeodganj are around 35 km away. So Palampur works well as a calmer base on a Kangra valley circuit. Spring and autumn give the clearest views of the snow peaks. Summer is warm but pleasant in the upper areas, and the monsoon is very wet. Palampur has good road and rail links from Pathankot and Chandigarh. Hotels range from tea-estate stays to simple homestays.