The former summer capital of the princely state of Patiala, Chail is a beautiful hill station located 63 km from Shimla in the Shivalik region of Himachal Pradesh. Chail is spread across three hillocks — Rajgarh, Pandewa and Sadh Tiba, covering an area of over 72 acres. Overlooking the valley of Sutlej, it enjoys pleasant climate throughout the year. Chail also offers magnificent and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and overlooks both, Kasauli and Shimla (45 km).
Chail was a sleepy little mountain village till its transformation in 1893. It was founded by the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh. Banished from entering Shimla for eloping with the daughter of Lord Kitchner, the then Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Army, the Maharaja resolved to build himself a new summer capital better than Shimla. The Maharaja ensured that Chail matched Shimla in every way. Majestic snow-capped Shivalik peaks, beautiful orchards and sylvan pine valleys cast a spell on everyone.
Chail Palace, Chail Cricket ground and Chail Military School are all symbols of Chail’s connection with the erstwhile royal house of Patiala.
Chail, along with Kufri and Shimla is called the Golden Triangle of Himachal Pradesh. Despite being located close to Shimla, this hill station is free from the crowds that throng Shimla and consequently allows travelers to enjoy the scenic beauty and charm of the place in relative peace. ALSO READ 10 spectacular photos of Chail, the quaint hill station in Himachal Pradesh
Chail has a dense cover of pine and deodar trees. Its lush green outfields, stunning view of the mountains and captivating natural beauty makes it a fine place to visit. Lots of trekking trails lead from Chail to Shimla, Choor Peak, Kali Temple and other places. Angling is a popular activity undertaken in Giri River, a few kilometers away from Chail.
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers and wildlife photographers and you can spot a wide variety of flora and fauna that includes animals like Himalayan black deer, common langur, sambar, goral, wild boar, among others.
Kali ka Tibba is a popular shrine in Chail that is often visited by people from nearby towns and villages apart from tourists.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CHAIL
There are a several options for accommodation in Chail. Kandaghat has numerous hotels and resorts providing budget accommodation. You can also find a few mid-range hotels and resorts in Chail providing quality service. Palace Hotel, a heritage hotel, of the erstwhile royal palace of the Maharaja of Patiala, is a good option for luxury stay.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN CHAIL
Apart from a few local dhabas in Lower Market serving basic Indian meals, there aren’t too many eating options in Chail. Almost all the hotels in Chail have in-house restaurants that serve Indian, Chinese and Continental delicacies.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CHAIL
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Chail is as given below. The best time to visit Chail is also specified.