Weekend getaway from Chandigarh · #3 of 10
Chail
The Patiala Maharaja's summer capital: a deodar-forest hill station at 2,250 m with the 1891 Chail Palace (now a heritage hotel), the world's highest cricket ground and a quiet wildlife sanctuary. Far calmer than Shimla.
Chail at 2,250 m is what Shimla was before the crowds. Explore the Patiala Maharaja's palace, peek at the world's highest cricket ground, hike deodar sanctuary trails to Kali Ka Tibba, and watch Shimla, Solan, and Kasauli twinkle below.
Getting there
About 110 km; that winding Kandaghat-Chail climb takes a solid hour, so take it easy on the curves.
A bit longer, but perfect if you want to sneak a quick Shimla or Kufri detour into the weekend.
Day 1 - Saturday
Maharaja heritage and valley nightlights- 17:30 AMDrive
Drive to Chail via Kandaghat
Cruise up NH5 to Kandaghat, then wind through chir pines and giant deodars to Chail. Grab a hot breakfast around Solan or Kandaghat to fuel the climb.
Tip · The Kandaghat turn is easy to miss; follow signs for Chail rather than Shimla.
- 211:30 AMSight
Chail Palace
Built in 1891-92 on Rajgarh hill and rebuilt in 1951, this Patiala Maharaja retreat is now a heritage hotel. Stroll the sprawling lawns, log huts, and deodar avenues.
📍 Chail Palace, Chail
Tip · Non-guests can pay a small entry fee for the grounds; grabbing high tea on the lawn is the move.
- 31:00 PMFood
Lunch at the palace or town dhabas
Dine in royal style at the palace restaurant, or dip into Chail bazaar's cozy dhabas for steaming paranthas, rajma, and comforting kadhi-chawal.
📍 Chail, Himachal Pradesh
Tip · Legend says the Patiala Peg was born right at this palace; the bar definitely leans into it.
- 42:30 PMSight
World's highest cricket ground
Built in 1893 at 2,444 m and ringed by deodars, this historic pitch is the world's highest. It belongs to the military school now, but you can view it from the perimeter.
📍 Chail Cricket Ground, Chail
Tip · Access depends on the school's schedule, so ask politely at the gate rather than assuming you can walk in.
- 54:00 PMSight
Chail Gurudwara
Built in 1907 before the palace, this Indo-Western gurudwara was the Maharaja's first project in Chail, highlighted by a gorgeous 22-foot wooden-roofed hall.
📍 Chail Gurudwara, Chail
- 65:30 PMActivity
Sunset over the Shivalik ridges
Find a west-facing ledge near the palace gates for sunset. Once dark, Shimla, Solan, and Kasauli light up like sparkling constellations across the valleys.
📍 Chail, Himachal Pradesh
- 78:00 PMStay
Overnight in Chail
Crash at the palace, its cottages, or a welcoming homestay on the pine slopes. High-altitude nights get crisp year-round, so pack a warm layer even in June.
📍 Chail, Himachal Pradesh
Day 2 - Sunday
Forest sanctuaries, sacred peaks, and the river road home- 88:00 AMFood
Breakfast with valley views
Savor a slow breakfast of hot paranthas and chai at your stay with valley views before heading into the pine woods.
📍 Chail, Himachal Pradesh
- 99:30 AMSight
Kali Ka Tibba
Perched on Blossom hill above town, this marble Kali temple serves sweeping panoramas of the Shivalik and Churdhar ranges (look for snow dusting on clear winter mornings).
📍 Kali Ka Tibba, Chail
Tip · The 4 km approach road is narrow, so head up early for the smoothest drive and clearest vistas.
- 1011:00 AMActivity
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary walk
Roam 10,800 hectares of deodar and oak woods, home to ghoral, sambar, kakkar, and cheer pheasants. Follow peaceful trails and watch from the Khuruin machans.
📍 Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Chail
Tip · Mornings are best for spotting wildlife; keep your voice down and give animals plenty of space.
- 111:00 PMFood
Lunch in Chail bazaar
Treat yourself to one last hill lunch before descending - think comforting momos, hot maggi, or a classic thali in the village bazaar.
📍 Chail, Himachal Pradesh
- 122:30 PMActivity
Riverside break on the Ashwani Khad
Stop near Sadhupul village on the Kandaghat road to dip your feet in the cool Ashwani stream and grab piping-hot maggi from waterside stalls.
📍 Sadhupul, Himachal Pradesh
Tip · Stay out of the water if the monsoon is in full spate - the stream can rise remarkably fast.
- 134:00 PMDrive
Drive back to Chandigarh
Rejoin NH5 at Kandaghat and coast down past Solan and Parwanoo, cruising back into the tricity in around 2.5 hours.
Where to eat
Sipping hot chai and munching pakoras under towering deodars on the palace lawns is the quintessential Chail experience.
Dipping your toes in the cool Ashwani stream while tucking into steaming maggi and chai from rustic stalls.
The no-nonsense dhabas in Chail bazaar dishing out hearty, homestyle mountain classics.
When to go
Pleasant 15-24 C weather makes this prime time to visit, but with none of the overwhelming Shimla rush.
Lush emerald hills and swirling mist, though you will want to take the slick mountain roads carefully.
Crisp, sunny days and occasional snowfall; many homestays rely on bukharis or wood heat, so check heating ahead.
Good to know
- Fuel pumps and ATMs get very scarce past Kandaghat, so sort both out while passing through Solan.
- The cricket ground sits on military school grounds, so getting inside is entirely at the school's discretion.
- At 2,250 m, nights stay cold all year round - always throw a warm layer into your weekend bag.
