Dalhousie and Khajjiar tour from Kangra

About 120 km and three and a half to four hours, via Nurpur and the Chowari Jot pass. It is one of the closest proper hill stations to us, which is why it works as a two-day trip when Shimla or Manali would need four.

A Swiss diplomat gave it the name in 1992. There is a marker stone recording it. It is a wide grassy saucer ringed by deodar with a small lake in the middle, about 22 km from Dalhousie through the Kalatop forest. Expect ponies, zorbing and crowds on weekends; go early if you want it quiet.

Usually from late December to February, and Khajjiar in snow is the reason many people come in winter. It is never guaranteed, and roads over Chowari Jot can close during heavy falls. We watch the forecast and will tell you plainly if the drive looks unwise on your dates.

If you have the third day, yes. Chamba is about 50 km below Khajjiar: an old hill capital with the Lakshmi Narayan temple complex, the Bhuri Singh Museum of Pahari miniatures and the Chowgan at its heart. It gives the trip some depth beyond the viewpoints.

Yes, unusually so. The Mall Road and Garam Sadak walks are level, Khajjiar meadow is flat, and almost everything can be reached by car. The one thing to watch is the altitude change on the drive up, which occasionally troubles people who are prone to it.

March to June is clearest and greenest. December to February brings snow, which is lovely but can put a covering on the Chowari Jot climb. We watch the road and start earlier when it has. July to September the hill views are often lost in cloud.

A day trip. Khajjiar is about 23 km from Dalhousie through Kalatop forest, roughly 45 minutes each way, so you go for the meadow and come back. Almost nobody stays there, and Chamba on the far side makes a better second night if you want one.