At the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, Chail is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Southern Himachal Pradesh, India. Chail was built as a Summer Capital by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh when he was exiled from Shimla by British Lord Kitchener. It is located at a height of 2250 meters above sea level, and located just 45 km away from Shimla. Surrounded by thick deodars and at a higher altitude, Chail is the perfect choice for any tourist to visit.
Understand
Chail is a resort. It has several historically important tourist attractions. It was built by the Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh as his Summer Capital, and the residents here are basically from the Pahadi Community. Chail is higher than Shimla, in the Shiwalik region and surrounded by tall tree forests of chir and deodar pine.
Talk
Languages spoken in Chail, Shimla include Hindi, Pahadi, Punjabi and English.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airport is Shimla Airport in Jubbarhati (SLV IATA), which is 45 km away from Chail. The airport in Chandigarh (IXC IATA) is 120 km away.
By train
Kandaghat is the nearest train station on Kalka-Shimla Railway.
Kalka, 86 km away, is on the broad gauge railway line connecting to Delhi. The next nearest stations are in Chandigarh. One can hire a taxi service from Chandigarh to reach Chail.
By car
Kandaghat is the nearest roadway connecting Chail and Shimla, which is 29 km away. There is a regular bus service connecting Chail to Shimla, but no direct connection from Delhi.
Get around
Getting around in Chail is quite easier as compared to other hill stations in India. One can have a bus service or taxi service available from 7AM-9PM. Taxi service is quite affordable and convenient for site seeing around Chail.
Apart from the government bus service, there are some tourist bus services run by HPTDC every day to wander around Shimla.
See
- Chail Sanctuary: Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest areas covering forest with Deodar and Oak tree. It covers around 10,854 hectares of area with grasslands around the whole town.
- Chail Palace: Chail Palace is the Summer Capital of Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh when he was exiled from Shimla by British Lord Kitchener. It accolades the pristine culture of the royal family from Shimla. Nowadays it is open for tourists to enthusiast the culture and structure of Chail.
- Cricket Ground: Built in 1983, the Chail Cricket ground is one of the highest cricket grounds in the world. This cricket ground is located at a height of 2,144m, and is also used as a Polo ground.
- Sidh Baba ka Mandir: Sidh Baba ka Mandir was built by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh. A saint appeared in his dream and said that this was the place of his meditation that cannot be used for residence or personal purposes after which the construction of the Palace stopped to make the temple of Siddh Baba has its own importance in the heart of Chail’s local residents.
Do
- Bamboo Bridge River Crossing Activity
- Flying Fox
- Rope Walking over the tree trunk high above the ground level
- Rock Rappelling to feel the adventure of life and climb the mountain
- Burma Bridge - Cable-made bridge crossing activities
- Tyre Bridge and Commando Net.
Buy
- Woollen garments like sweaters, gloves, and pashmina shawls.
- Jams/jellies made from hand-picked fresh fruits.
- Hand-made shoes
- Kinnauri mufflers
- Himachali caos
- Hand-made rugs and carpets.
- Apple and plum wines, kiwi squashes and fresh handmade pickles are a few of the specialities of the Himachal government-approved outlet in Chail.
Eat
For eating, tourists can try Chail Palace, United-21 Restaurant, Hotel Crown, Hotel Grand Sunset or some dhabas (very few) that offer typical Himachali Cuisines at reasonable rates.
Himachali Kadi is a special dish that everyone must try, otherwise, Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes are also available.
Drink
For Drinking, Apple and plum wines, Kiwi squashes and fresh handmade pickles are a few of the specialities of the Himachal Government-approved outlet in Chail.
Sleep
There are several options in Chail from lower-budget to luxury resort hotels. Nowadays online booking is the most convenient way to get the proper and appropriate stay anywhere in the world. Alternatively, the tourist has made it simple with a clear list of hotels & resorts in Chail, and you can call the manager of a particular hotel and get your room booked for a particular period of time. Rooms in Chail range from US$5 to US$150 per day.
Budget
- Hotel Lions: Price range (per night): ₹1,578 - ₹2,503 (Free Parking, Restaurant, Room Service)
- Hotel Grand Sunset: Price range (per night): ₹925 - ₹1,414 (Free Parking, Children Activities, Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Room Service, Suites, Wheelchair Access)
- Hotel Chail Inn: Price range (per night): ₹1,632 - ₹1,795 (Restaurant)
Mid-range
- Rashi Resort: Price range (per night): ₹2,829 - ₹3,047 (Free Parking and Restaurant)
- Hotel Monaal: Price range (per night): ₹2,775 - ₹3,808
- Hotel Heavens Blue Hospice Chail: Price range (per night): ₹2,285 - ₹3,536
- Hotel Oakwood: Price range (per night): ₹2,176 - ₹2,394 (Free Parking, Restaurant, Room Service)
Splurge
- Tarika's Jungle Retreat: Price range (per night): ₹7,072 - ₹7,997 (Bar/Lounge, Fitness Center, Business Center, Restaurant, Free Parking, Room Service)
- United-21 Resort in Chail: Price range (per night): ₹3,500 - ₹8,000 (Sit Out Balconies, Mountain Facing View, Sunrise Facing Window, Bar/Lounge, Fitness Center, Business Center, Restaurant, Free Parking, Room Service, Wheelchair Access)
- The Chail Palace: Price range (per night): ₹2,000 - ₹17,000 (Bar/Lounge, Free Parking, Restaurant, Suites) Phone no:- 01792 248141,248142,248143, Email: palace@hptdc.in
Connect
The area dialling code for Shimla is 0177. From overseas, dial +91 177 XXX-XXXX. There are plenty of STD/ISD booths. The amount is calculated on a digital meter and is paid after the call. A short STD call will cost you around ₹10.