When planning your next getaway, consider Chamba, a lovely town tucked away in the Himachal Pradesh region of India. This is your guide to some of the great places to visit in Chamba, a place known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. Be you an admirer of nature or a history lover, Chamba offers something special for every traveller. From ancient temples to picturesque landscapes and wildlife sanctuaries, this quaint town is full of surprises waiting for you.
10 Best Places To Visit In Chamba
Chamba, a place where tradition and tranquility combine is perfect for your next expedition. Here are the best places to visit in Chamba
1. Bhuri Singh Museum
Photo: Jazze7 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Bhuri Singh Museum is a goldmine for the heritage of Chamba. Established back in 1908, it showcases the artistic and cultural background of the place. The museum is named after Raja Bhuri Singh who played a pivotal role towards its inception. The museum serves as a window into the past with its huge collection of artefacts. The museum has over 8,500 items including paintings, coins and manuscripts.
Location: Near Chowgan Mohalla, Chamba
Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Mondays)
How To Reach: The main bus stand is just nearby
Duration For Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Entry Fee: ₹50 for adults, ₹30 for children , ₹150 (Foreign Visitor)
Best Time To Visit: All year round
Major Attractions: Pahari paintings and ancient artefacts
Suggested Read: Explore The Top Places To Visit Near Kasauli
2. Chamera Lake
Photo: Amit J Sangekar / Wikimedia Commons
The Chamera Lake, a calm and charming spot full of scenic beauty, is a nice place for an outing. It’s the perfect location for boating and fishing with serene waters surrounded by thick greenery. It is also a famous picnic spot where one can sit down and appreciate the natural beauty of Chamba. This man-made lake has been formed by building the Chamera dam on the Ravi River.
Location: 25-30 km from Chamba town
Timing: Open all day
How To Reach: Road accessible through beautiful drives
Duration For Visit: 2 – 3 hours
Entry Fee: No charge (boating charges are different)
Best Time To Visit: March – June, September – December
Major Attractions: Boating, Fishing and photography.
3. Laxmi Narayan Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
The Laxmi Narayan Temple is the oldest and most renowned tourist place in Chamba. With stone carvings and historical importance, it represents ancient architecture at its best. Devotees as well as tourists come here to pray in front of God and admire the magnificent design of this temple. Built during the tenth century, this complex is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Location: Mohalla, Hatnala Gali, Chowgan Mohalla, Chamba
Timing: 6 AM – 12.30 PM, 2:30 PM – 8.30 PM
How To Reach: Short Walk from the main market area
Duration For Visit: 1 hour
Best Time To Visit: Practically all-around year especially during festivals.
Major Attractions: Ancient Architecture and Intricate Carvings
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit Near Kasol On Your Next Trip To The Hills
4. Khajjiar
Photo: SriniG / Wikimedia Commons
Khajjiar is a beautiful small hill station close to Chamba. It is one of the must-visit places for a Chamba trip. It is an ideal escape for nature lovers because it is surrounded by dense forests and covered in snow-capped mountains. In addition, the meadows and the calm lake present a good alternative for those who wish to have peace from the urban stresses. It is also called as “Mini Switzerland of India” due to its breathtaking landscapes.
Location: 22-24 km from Chamba
Timing: Open throughout the day
How To Reach: There are many buses or taxis that will get you there within no time.
Duration For Visit: Whole day
Best Time To Visit: March – June, September – December
Major Attractions: Khajjiar Lake, Khajji Nag Temple.
5. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Truewebsolution / Wikimedia Commons
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is an unmissable tourist attraction in Chamba for nature enthusiasts and those who love wild animals. So, with its dense forests and varied wildlife, it is the most ideal place one can visit to have a real feeling of Chamba’s natural beauty. Through trekking, bird watching, and seeing different animals in their own habitat you are going to enjoy yourself. It also consists of a variety of flora and fauna including the Himalayan Black Bear.
Location: 30-35 km from Chamba
Timing: 7 AM – 6 PM
How To Reach: By road, taxis and buses are available
Duration For Visit: 3 – 4 hours
Entry Fee: ₹ 250 for adults
Best Time To Visit: March till May & September till November.
Major Attractions: Wildlife spotting, nature trails, panoramic views.
Suggested Read: Top Places to Visit Near Dalhousie on Your Next Trip to Himachal
6. Manimahesh Lake
Photo: NaturenHuman / Wikimedia Commons
The Manimahesh lake is situated in the Pir Panjal Range and it is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Hindus. According to people’s beliefs, it is the home of Lord Shiva. The difficulty trekking towards the lake results in outstanding views amidst tranquillity that makes it an ideal destination for adventure seekers or devotees. It’s an elevated well-known sacred water body that lies at an altitude of 4,080 meters above sea level.
Location: 40-50 km from Chamba
Timing: Open all day
How To Reach: By road up to Hadsar, then 13 km trek
Duration For Visit: Full day
Best Time To Visit: August – September (during Manimahesh Yatra)
Major Attractions: Pilgrimage site, trekking, and stunning mountain views.
7. Rang Mahal
Photo: Upadhye Guruji / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Rang Mahal is an incredible amalgamation of Mughal and British architecture, built by Raja Umed Singh and thereafter serving as the abode for the royal family. This place is at the top on the list of culturally rich Chamba tourist places for its handicraft centre where one can purchase traditional Chamba Rumals or other souvenirs.
Location: Surara Mohalla, Chamba
Timing: 10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM (Closed on Sundays)
How To Reach: Short walking distance from main market
Duration For Visit: 1 – 2 hours
Entry Fee: ₹20 (for adults) (may vary)
Best Time To Visit: All through the year
Major Attractions: Historical architecture and craft centre.
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Himachal In August During Your Next Trip
8. Church of Scotland
Photo: Maksim Sokolov / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Church of Scotland which is also called St. Andrew’s Church in Chamba is a historic architectural masterpiece. Built by the Scottish community during British colonization, it remains an embodiment of Chamba’s colonial past. The church is surrounded by a serene atmosphere making it a good place for meditation. It was constructed with influences from both Victorian and Scottish architectural styles.
Location: Near Chowgan Mohalla, Chamba
Timing: 10 AM – 8 PM (may vary)
How To Reach: Within easy reach on foot or taxi
Duration For Visit: 1 hour
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year
Major Attractions: Architecture and peacefulness.
9. Chamunda Devi Temple
Photo: Guptaele / Wikimedia Commons
Chamunda Devi is a must on your Chamba tourist places list. The temple of Chamunda is one of the oldest temples in Chamba and it is situated on a hilltop. On top of providing spiritual solace to its visitors, the temple offers stunning views of the valley and town below it.
Location: Chamba-Jhumar Road, Mohalla Surara, Chamba (Approx. 2 km from Chamba town)
Timing: 7 AM to 8 PM
How To Reach: Short drive or walk from Chamba town
Duration For Visit: 1 hour
Best Time To Visit: Year-long, best during Navratri celebration
Major Attractions: Spiritual ambience and scenic views.
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh For Your Next Vacation
10. Sui Mata Temple
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Sui Mata temple is a highly respectable and regardable site in Chamba. The annual Sui Mela which takes place here includes various cultural events. It was built as a tribute to Princess Sui who gave up her life for the sake of humanity, to save the people from severe drought.
Location: Chowgan Mohalla, Chamba
Timing: 6 AM to 9 PM
How To Reach: Taxi from Chamba town (1-1.5 km)
Duration For Visit: 1 hour
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year
Major Attractions: Temple architecture and annual Sui Mela
Chamba is an abundant collection of experiences in waiting. There are countless places to visit in Chamba, from historical places to natural beauty, that will keep you amazed. Make use of Trip XL and plan your trip here with utmost pleasure, taking advantage of all these Chamba tourist attractions. Pack your bags and set off on this unforgettable trip through the beautiful scenic spots and historical buildings found in Chamba.
Cover Photo: The Himalyan Lens / Shutterstock