The town of Palampur is situated in a beuatiful valley priding itself with tea gardens, and hills covered with pine trees. Palampur is located at a distance of 35 km from Dharamshala and has elevation of 1219 metres The place enjoys a year-round pleasant climate and the pine scented air is said to have curative properties. The scenery presents a sublime and beautiful contrast- the valleys presents a picture of rural innocence and repose, while the hills are majestic. Overlooking this town are the majestic Dhauladhars, whose tops remain covered with snow for most of the year. This place is thronged tourists and is now being developed as a large tourist centre. A ropeway and an amusement park is also on proposed to be constructed. An Agricultural University and a Cenral Scientific Research Institute’s IHBT are pride of the town. Some tea factories are also coming up here.
While in town one could go for one of the several pleasant walks around the town. A short walk from here takes one to the awe inspiring Bundla Chasm which has a fall of over 100 meters to the Bundla stream. The stream is a thin streak running over stony ground far below the cliff. During the monsoon season, it swells and rages madly over the entire width of the chasm taking stones and boulders along with it making thunder like loud roaring noise.
Saurabh Van Vihar: In order to enable the visitors to enjoy the nature & make them aware of the importance of nature & environment, a nature park namely “Saurabh Van Vihar” at Palampur over 13 hactare area has been established. It is located on the right bank of Neugal Khad near Kandi bridge in the lap of Dhauladhar ranges, in village Kwat, 4 km from Palampur town. Saurabh Van Vihar is developed in the memory of Martyr Lt. Saurabh Kalia, who sacrificed his life during Kargil operation on 9th June, 1999. This tourist park is bounded by majestic and picturesque Dhauladhar mountain ranges in the north and north-east. It is being managed by H.P. Forest Department through a registered society called “Saurabh Van Vihar Management Society, Palampur”.
Picnic Sheds, Childern Park, Water bodies, Health trails, Open Air Theatre, Bamboosetum, Tiger Hill Bridge and tree, shrubs and 151 species of herbs/medicinal (including seasonal) plants are existing in the Saurabh Van Vihar.
Facility for Visitor: Reception block, Ticket Ghar/Control room, Canteen & toilet block. The park is linked with road. For more details, please contact at tel: 01894-232630 or mail at dfoplphp@gmail.com
How to reach Palampur
Air: Nearest airport is at Gaggal 40 km.
Rail: Palampur is connected by Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge railway line.
Road: Palampur is also accessible by road and there are many buses from Dharamshala 40 kms, Kangra 38 kms, Kullu 205 kms & Shimla 259 kms.