Weekend getaway from Chandigarh · #1 of 10
Kasauli
An 1842 British cantonment hill town of pine forests, Victorian cottages and quiet Mall walks, just 58 km up from Chandigarh. On clear nights Monkey Point looks straight down at the city lights.
Your quickest mountain escape from Chandigarh: lazy Mall walks, pine-scented Gilbert Trail hikes, hilltop temple views at Monkey Point, and heaps of hot bakery chai. Just remember your photo ID (or passport for foreign travelers)!
Getting there
Just 60 km door-to-door, though the final 12 km twist through quiet cantonment turns.
A steeper, gorgeous back road that neatly bypasses the busy Dharampur market bottleneck.
Day 1 - Saturday
Pine trails and old-world hill station strolls- 18:00 AMDrive
Drive up from Chandigarh
Cruise up NH5 past Dharampur into cool chir pine forests up to the cantonment gate. Keep your photo ID handy for check-in.
Tip · Roll out by 8 AM sharp to breeze right past the Parwanoo toll plaza before traffic builds.
- 210:30 AMSight
Christ Church
Framed by giant deodars, this 1844 grey-stone Anglican church oozes Raj-era charm right by the bus stand. It is wonderfully peaceful and insanely photogenic.
📍 Christ Church, Kasauli
Tip · Active Sunday services still take place here, so keep things hush-hush and respectful.
- 311:30 AMActivity
Upper and Lower Mall stroll
Wander the twin Malls past historic Victorian cottages, the 1880 Kasauli Club, and quirky bazaar stalls. You can easily cover the whole town on foot in an hour.
📍 Mall Road, Kasauli
Tip · Cars are barred on the Upper Mall, making it pure bliss for an undisturbed walk.
- 41:00 PMFood
Lunch at a Mall Road cafe
Duck into a cozy Mall dhaba for steaming Himachali rajma-chawal, spicy momos, or buttery toast and chai. Unpretentious comfort food at its best.
📍 Mall Road, Kasauli
Tip · Do not leave without trying a hot bun-samosa washed down with sweet cutting chai.
- 52:30 PMActivity
Gilbert Trail walk
An easy 1.5 km cliffside dirt path hugging the ridge beneath the Air Force base. Keep an eye out for whistling thrushes, minivets, and flashy kalij pheasants.
📍 Gilbert Trail, Kasauli
Tip · Lace up shoes with decent grip, as some narrow stretches drop off without railings.
- 64:30 PMSight
Sunset Point
Perch on this scenic Lower Mall ledge and watch the golden sun dip over layers of Shivalik ridges tumbling down toward the plains.
📍 Sunset Point, Kasauli
Tip · Bring a light jacket; the mountain chill hits the moment the sun slips away.
- 77:30 PMStay
Overnight in Kasauli
Settle into a character-filled heritage homestay near the Mall so you can walk everywhere. Rooms go fast on weekends, so lock yours in early.
📍 Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
Tip · Splurge a little for a private valley-view balcony; morning coffee out there is magic.
Day 2 - Sunday
Epic ridge views and sweet bakery pitstops- 87:00 AMActivity
Monkey Point climb
Hike up Kasauli's highest peak inside the Air Force station to a revered hilltop Hanuman temple. On clear mornings, you get sweeping views of Chandigarh below.
📍 Monkey Point, Kasauli
Tip · Carry photo ID; phones and cameras must be stashed in security lockers at the base.
- 99:30 AMFood
Bakery breakfast on the Mall
Hit vintage Mall bakeries for warm buns, spiced fruit cake, and sticky cinnamon rolls. Grab a bench, sip hot chai, and soak up valley views.
📍 Mall Road, Kasauli
- 1010:30 AMSight
Kasauli Brewery viewpoint
Catch views of Asia's oldest operating distillery churning out malt spirit at high altitude. While the interior is closed to tourists, the historic exterior is worth the look.
📍 Kasauli Brewery, Kasauli
- 1112:00 PMSight
Kasauli Club and cantonment lanes
Stroll by the legendary 1880 Kasauli Club, the 1904 Central Research Institute, and pretty timber cottages for one last dreamy hill walk before heading down.
📍 Kasauli Club, Kasauli
Tip · The club itself is members-only, but the vintage stone facade looks great from the lane.
- 121:00 PMFood
Lunch before the descent
Fuel up with a hearty Himachali thali or crispy stuffed paranthas in town, or save room for roadside dhaba grub on the way down in Dharampur.
📍 Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
- 132:30 PMDrive
Drive back via Parwanoo
Wind down to NH5 for an easy cruise home. If you are up for one last adventure, stop for a scenic cable car ride at Parwanoo's Timber Trail.
Tip · Hit the road by 3 PM to beat the brutal Sunday evening rush heading into Chandigarh.
Where to eat
The quintessential hill comfort food: a piping-hot samosa tucked inside a pillow-soft bun, best chased with sweet chai.
Rich, slow-simmered local hill kidney beans over steaming rice; the ultimate Solan dhaba staple.
Traditional colonial-style fruit cakes and cinnamon swirls baked fresh in classic town ovens.
When to go
Crisp, chilly mountain air with frosty mornings and twinkling night views of Chandigarh from the ridge.
Pure relief from the sweltering plains, with daytime temperatures hovering comfortably between 15 and 25 C.
Lush, emerald hills wrapped in romantic mist, but check road updates beforehand due to seasonal landslides.
Good to know
- Kasauli is an active cantonment town, so keep a government photo ID (and passports for foreign guests) handy.
- Stay options are limited and book out fast on weekends, so reserve your room well in advance.
- The resident monkeys around Monkey Point are fearless snack thieves; keep treats zipped away in your bag.
