Things to do in Kasauli – this quaint, small hill station in Himachal Pradesh is a cantonment town. And unlike many other hill stations, it isn’t commercialized and retains its old-world charm. A little ahead of Chandigarh and halfway to Solan – Kasauli is about slowing down and enjoying the bountiful beauty.
There are many amazing cafes that you can get a bite at, stroll through the mall road and pick up souvenirs and go on small treks. Kasauli really comes alive during monsoon – the views are unmatchable and the clouds really descend upon you. Of course, the rains do will put a dampener on all the treks and going around – but even so, I would highly recommend early monsoon, when the showers aren’t very heavy.
Like living the slow life? Check out Pilibhit House for the perfect staycation.
Reaching Kasauli
Kasauli is easily accessible by road and is only a 4-5 hour drive from Delhi.
By air – The closest airport is at Shimla at 35km and at Chandigarh at 65km. You would need to take a taxi from both places to reach the hill station afterwards
By train – Kalka is the nearest railway station situated 40 km away
By road – This is the most convenient, especially if you are travelling from Delhi. You can drive yourself and enjoy the picturesque sceneries en route or take a bus!
Choose your stay
There are many, many resorts and Air Bnbs to choose from. You can stay close to Kasauli or even choose Dharampur which offers stunning views and is about 25 minutes from the main city. And since the concept of ‘night life’ is limited to one raging bar called Hangout Rooftop Restaurant and Bar. We chose to stay in Dharampur, at this place called Hillcrest Aapartments – looked like a wooden cabin from inside and has the most gorgeous views.
Things to do in Kasauli
This quaint town has quite a few things for you to get up to. The list isn’t that long and there are the obvious ones like the Mall road for souvenir shopping, and Churches – much like any hill station. But the highlight for me was the Gilber trail!
The Mall road is a no vehicle zone. There is a spacious multi-level parking lot where you can park your vehicle. Or you can opt for taxis which are easily available from the parking lot. Wear comfortable shoes as you would have wee bit of walking to do. And carry an umbrella, or buy one of those huge ones from the local shops.
christ’s church
Located right opposite the multi-level parking lot, this is likely to be your first stop! This church was constructed by the British family that also founded the town of Kasauli. Surrounded by lush trees, this is the oldest standing piece of heritage in this small town. The entry is of course free.
Upper and lower mall road
The Upper and Lower Mall roads are both located not too far from each other. The Lower Mall is almost like a cobblestone market with shops. You can do all your souvenir shopping from here – everything from local jams to Himachali wine. Not many local brands, but Bhuira, the quintessential brand powered by the women of the hills is a common sight. And you will find some amazing flavour options here – jams, marmalade, chutney, and pickles. Pick up a fruit wine – which turns out sweeter than expected but strawberry and blackberry flavours are good enough.
gilbert trail
Gilbert trail is located a wee distance away from the mall road, you can take a cab to the starting point of the Trail so you don’t tire yourself and are able to enjoy the actual trek. From Lover’s point, a beautiful trail takes you through excellent views. But the trek is a tricky one. Wear comfy shoes and tread carefully especially during rains. The trail has its own sunset point and Lover’s point, both offering gorgeous views.
manki point and hanuman temple
Manki Point and Hanuman Temple are the highest point of the city. You will find a lot of monkeys on the Mall road as well. But this place is swarming with monkeys! It is believed that when Lord Hanuman was carrying the Sanjeevani Booti, his foot touched this spot. Thanks to the height it is at, the views spanning till Chandigarh, Panchkula and Kalka are stunning.
sunset point, kasauli
Sunset Point is a hike from the Lower Mall to Ros Common Point. It was earlier called the ‘Hawa Ghar’ owing to the breeze that could be experienced at this point all year round. From dawn over the misty hills of Kasauli, to the gradient hues of the sunset and twinkling city lights.
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