Himachal Pradesh ·
Chail
Chail is a village and hill station in Southern Himachal Pradesh, India at a height of 2,250 m above sea level. It was built as a Summer Capital by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh when he was exiled from Shimla by British Lord Kitchener.
Chail at a Glance
Why Chail?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Chail Sanctuary
- Kanwar Sanctuary
- Sidh Baba ka Mandir
- Mountain Viewpoint
- Kali Tibba Temple
Chail at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Chail before planning your visit.
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Explore Chail
Places to Visit
- Chail Sanctuary: Chail Sanctuary is located at Chail, a hill station which is home to sambar, goral and cheer pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja. Barking deer and kalij pheasants are seen during dusk and dawn.
- Kanwar Sanctuary: The Kanwar Sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. R.O. wildlife Kasol provides information and help to visitors.
- Sidh Baba ka Mandir: A Hindu temple built by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh.
- Mountain Viewpoint: In case you want to avoid hiking the whole way to Kali Tibba to get a good view onto the Himalayas, this viewpoint on the way to Sidh Baba ka Mandir also offers excellent views in case the weather is clear.
- Kali Tibba Temple: A nice Hindu temple on top of a small mountain of the same name with great views, also of the Himalayas, in case the weather is clear.
Things to Do
- Chail Wildlife 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 with the village at its center.
- 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.
- Cricket Ground: Built in 1983, the Chail Cricket ground is one of the highest (if not "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 and Baseball ground.
- Sidh Baba ka Mandir: A Hindu temple built by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh.
- Mountain Viewpoint: In case you want to avoid hiking the whole way to Kali Tibba to get a good view onto the Himalayas, this viewpoint on the way to Sidh Baba ka Mandir also offers excellent views in case the weather is clear.
- Stone Kumbh: An extraordinary temple that you must visit. It lacks all the typical features of a Hindu temple that you might have grown weary by now.
Sightseeing Places
- Chail Sanctuary: Chail Sanctuary is located at Chail, a hill station which is home to sambar, goral and cheer pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja. Barking deer and kalij pheasants are seen during dusk and dawn.
- Kanwar Sanctuary: The Kanwar Sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. R.O. wildlife Kasol provides information and help to visitors.
- Sidh Baba ka Mandir: A Hindu temple built by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh.
- Mountain Viewpoint: In case you want to avoid hiking the whole way to Kali Tibba to get a good view onto the Himalayas, this viewpoint on the way to Sidh Baba ka Mandir also offers excellent views in case the weather is clear.
- Kali Tibba Temple: A nice Hindu temple on top of a small mountain of the same name with great views, also of the Himalayas, in case the weather is clear.
Temples
- Kali Tibba Temple: A nice Hindu temple on top of a small mountain of the same name with great views, also of the Himalayas, in case the weather is clear.
Places That Define Chail
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Chail Sanctuary
Chail Sanctuary is located at Chail, a hill station which is home to sambar, goral and cheer pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja. Barking deer and kalij pheasants are seen during dusk and dawn.
Kanwar Sanctuary
The Kanwar Sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. R.O. wildlife Kasol provides information and help to visitors.
Sidh Baba ka Mandir
A Hindu temple built by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh.
Mountain Viewpoint
In case you want to avoid hiking the whole way to Kali Tibba to get a good view onto the Himalayas, this viewpoint on the way to Sidh Baba ka Mandir also offers excellent views in case the weather is clear.
Kali Tibba Temple
A nice Hindu temple on top of a small mountain of the same name with great views, also of the Himalayas, in case the weather is clear.
Explore Destination on Map
Discover all sub-destinations, routes and detailed navigation information on an interactive map.
Explore Chail on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), about 50 km from Chail.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Salogra railway station, about 7 km from central Chail.
- By Road: There are about 5-6 daily buses running the 38 km (2½ hr) from and to Shimla's IGMC Bus Station in each direction 8AM–4PM, for ₹92 (as of Aug 2023). During the weekend the amount of buses drops, but there are at least the 8AM and 2:30PM buses going in each direction.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Chail (Apr, May, Jun) averages 10–24°C with about 63 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Chail (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 15–24°C with about 165 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Chail (Oct, Nov) averages 4–18°C with about 30 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Chail (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages -1–14°C with about 33 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 14°C and lows of -1°C.
Local Transport
- On foot: Chail can be explored easily on foot. Also, further away sights are great for a half-day hike or stroll.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your Chail trip.
Spiritual & Religious
Planning Guide
- Overview: Chail is a village and hill station in Southern Himachal Pradesh, India at a height of 2,250 m above sea level. It was built as a Summer Capital by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh when he was exiled from Shimla by British Lord Kitchener. Besides being a tourist hotspot—for which reason whatsoever, Chail features one of the more important military schools in India, the Rashtriya Military School up the hill towards one of the world's highest cricket grounds.
- Accommodation: There are sufficient options to choose from, including many mountain resorts, even though budget options like hostels in Manali, Rishikesh and Dharamsala will be hard to find here, especially out of low season (September 14th to May). Rooms in Chail range from ₹200–25,000. Listed options include Gurudwara Sahib Chail, Bhagsu Home Stay and PWD Rest House.
The Sacred Heart of Chail
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
At the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, Chail is just 45 km away from Shimla, surrounded by thick deodars and at a higher altitude. It has several historically tourist attractions.
Natural Significance
At the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, Chail is just 45 km away from Shimla, surrounded by thick deodars and at a higher altitude. It has several historically tourist attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chail is most comfortable in January, February, March, April and May, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is June (average high 25°C) and the wettest months are July and August.
The nearest airport is Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), about 50 km away. The nearest railway station is Salogra railway station, about 7 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Chail Sanctuary, Kanwar Sanctuary, Sidh Baba ka Mandir, Mountain Viewpoint and Kali Tibba Temple.
A stay of 1 day covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 12°C to 25°C over the year, with about 911 mm of rain in total.
Your Chail Journey Starts Here
Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.