Surrounded by a large number of slopes of emerald green tea
plantation and set against the backdrop of the dominating Dhauladhar
ranges, Palampur is nestled away in the north-west region of Himachal
Pradesh. The city derives its name from the term 'Pulum' which in local
language means "lots of water." Reckoned as the 'The tea Capital of
North India,' Palampur is a major center for tea production. Palampur is
sprinkled with the eloquent art galleries, paddy fields, and ancient
shrines.
An erstwhile retreat of the British people, Palampur is a small,
offbeat destination nestled amidst the foothills of Dhauladhar range.
Palampur carries the legacy of being a tea estate since the 18th
century, when the British ruled India. Since then, Palampur has achieved
international fame for its tea plantation. The countryside is layered
with multiple layers of tea estates, but the oldest and the most famous
amongst them is the Bundla Tea Estate complex which has existed for 200
years.
Palampur is a visual delight filled with gushing streams passing
through the plains with a backdrop of Dhauladhars ranges. From the
artistic Andretta and Taragarh Palace to the fantastic Sourabh Van
Vihar, there are a thousand shades of green engulfed here.
Ever wanted to get a picture clicked with a white rabbit? Then book
your ticket to Sourabh Van Vihar. This small jungle hosts multiple
healthy shrubs which are used for making medicines. Chamunda Devi
Temple, Baijnath Temple, Mata Ashapuri Temple and Jwala Mukhi temple are
some of the exuberant temples of India, which tourist would come across
on their journey to Palampur. Home to some of the famous artists like
late Sardar Shobha Singh and the late playwright Norah Richards,
Palampur by no means thwarts the literary begetters. Andretta, a small
artist colony which exhibits art, sculptures, paintings, antiquities,
and heirlooms is quite famous here. Over the years, the village has
attracted many noted artists, theatre practitioners, painters and
potters.
Craving for an active holiday? Then Palampur is the place to be.
Reckoned as the "Mecca" for all the paragliders, the stories about
Paragliding in Palampur are quite famous. Promising hills of Bir and
Billing offers a galvanizing 30 minutes Paragliding expedition which is
simply thrilling. The mountains of Palampur keep on beckoning
adventurers and paragliders from across the world. These hills and
flourishing landscapes are never a disappointment for trekkers as well.
Some of the famous Dhauladhar ranges treks also pass through the serene
valleys of Palampur as well.
Sprawling tea plantation, picturesque landscapes, tall deodar trees
and winding lanes makes Palampur the best amongst all hill stations of
India. Palampur begins to work its magic on travelers the moment they
ascend here.
Adventure activities in Palampur:
- Tourist can enjoy Paragliding at Bir and Billing from February to June and September to November.
- In Palampur, tourist can indulge in various other recreational activities like angling, paragliding, and trekking.
- There are a number of well-defined trekking trails that start from Palampur and lead to the Dhauladhar Mountains the town of Chamba. The famous Baijnath-Manali trek passes through the town.
Temperature
Summer (April to October): 8°C - 30°C
Winters (November to March): 0°C - 10°C
Best Time to Visit: March to December
Winters (November to March): 0°C - 10°C
Best Time to Visit: March to December
Where to Stay
Hotel Surbhi (State Highway 17), Hotel Highland Regency (NH 20), POPS
Hotel and Restaurant (VPO Chachian), Sai Gardens (PO Budla Tea Estate),
WelcomHeritage Taragarh Palace (Taragarh PO), Hotel Thamsar (VPO,
Sungal) , and Silver Oaks Mountain Resort (Chandpur Tea Estate) are some
of the best places to stay in Palampur. These hotels and resorts offer
basic amenities like well furnished room, clean bathrooms, and
hospitable services to all their customers.
WelcomHeritage Taragarh Palace is one of the best properties in
Palampur as it is owned by the royal family of Jammu and Kashmir; this
palace features excellent hospitality.
Where to eat
Some of the must-try local dishes include Patroda, Braha flower chutney ,
Lasiada, and Lungru pakoras. Chinese delicacies served in these
restaurants are extremely popular. Neugal Cafe, Taj Restaurant (Subhash
Chowk), Hotel Surbhi Restaurant (Near Main Market), Pizzicato Cafe
(Palampur Shopping Centre), Sai Gardens (Holiday Resorts & Country
Club), Skyroom Bar & Restro, The Longue and Golden Dragon are some
of the prominent restaurants where tourist can enjoy scrumptious
delicacies at reasonable rate.
How to Reach
Airways : Nearest airport is Gaggal airport, (Kangra Airport or Dharamsala-Kangra Airport), located 50 km from Palampur.
Railways : The nearest broad gauge railway station Pathankot
is located at a distance of 95 km. There are many state owned buses and
cabs available from Palampur and Pathankot.
Roadways : Tourist buses and taxis are available from every
city of Himachal Pradesh to Palampur. The distances of some of places
that are nearby Palampur are:
| City | Distance |
| Baijnath | 16 km |
| Dharamshala | 35 km |
| Kangra | 40 km |
| Jogindernagar | 40 km |
| Pathankot | 124 km |
| Dalhousie | 176 km |
| Shimla | 235 km |
