Overview
Delhi to Khajjiar is roughly 560–590 km by road, usually 11½ to 13½ hours by taxi up the NH44 to Pathankot, then into the Chamba hills past Dalhousie to the meadow at about 1,920 m. Khajjiar is one of Himachal's most photographed places: a broad green clearing in deodar forest, with a small lake and the wooden Khajji Nag temple, often called India's 'mini Switzerland'. Because it's so far, most Delhi travellers stay in Dalhousie or Khajjiar for two or three nights rather than treating it as a quick stop. We pick you up anywhere in Delhi NCR and drive the whole way with one driver.
Usual route: NH44 via Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Pathankot, then the hill road via Banikhet and Dalhousie
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in Delhi
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from Delhi to Khajjiar
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
216 m
Delhi
Total climb
+1,704 m
over ~580 km
Finish
1,920 m
Khajjiar
- Delhi
- Murthal
- Ludhiana or Jalandhar
- Pathankot
- Banikhet
- Dalhousie
- Khajjiar
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
Delhi to Khajjiar taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~580 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹13,350
starting · one way
₹16,800
starting · one way
₹18,550
starting · one way
₹30,150
starting · one way
Your quote
Delhi → Khajjiar
Sedan · one way · ~580 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in DelhiIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹13,350
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1This is one of the longest single drives we do; leave Delhi by 4 am, or split it with a night in Pathankot, Amritsar or Jalandhar.
- 2The NH44 to Pathankot is fast four-lane highway; after Pathankot, the hill road to Dalhousie and Khajjiar is slow and winding.
- 3Arriving after dark on the last stretch through the forest isn't ideal; we plan the timing so the hill section is in daylight.
- 4Winter fog on the plains (December–January) and snow near Khajjiar can both slow the trip.
- 5Staying in Dalhousie? Khajjiar is about an hour further, and easy to visit as a day trip the next morning.
Worthwhile stops on the way
Delhi
Pickup
Murthal
Breakfast dhabas about an hour out of Delhi.
Ludhiana or Jalandhar
Big highway towns for lunch and fuel.
Pathankot
Last plains town; the climb into the hills starts here.
Banikhet
Junction town just below Dalhousie.
Dalhousie
Colonial hill station about an hour before Khajjiar.
Khajjiar
Drop at your hotel
What Khajjiar is like
Khajjiar is a wide meadow at about 1,920 m inside the Kalatop–Khajjiar sanctuary, ringed by deodar forest, with a small lake in the middle and the old wooden Khajji Nag temple at its edge. In 1992 a Swiss envoy called it India's 'mini Switzerland', and the name has stuck. Horse rides, zorbing and short walks run in season; the forest trail from Kalatop is about 11 km. Chamba, with its stone temples and the Chaugan ground, lies further down the same road.
Where to stay: Khajjiar or Dalhousie
Khajjiar has a small number of hotels and cottages around the meadow. Staying there gives you quiet mornings and evenings after the day visitors leave, but fewer restaurants and shops. Dalhousie, about 21–24 km away, has far more hotels, the Mall Road and colonial churches.
A common plan from Delhi is two nights in Dalhousie, with a day trip to Khajjiar and Kalatop, and a third night in Khajjiar or Chamba. If you book the car for the whole trip, the same driver handles every leg, including the return to Delhi or a drop at Pathankot station.
- Khajjiar: quiet and scenic, limited choice.
- Dalhousie: more hotels, an hour away.
- Chamba: river town below Khajjiar, good for a third night.
Breaking the journey
Most families split the drive. Two good stopovers are Amritsar, a small detour for the Golden Temple, and Pathankot, at the foot of the hills. A night in Amritsar turns the trip into two comfortable days and adds one of India's great sights. The next morning, it's about five hours from Amritsar to Khajjiar through Pathankot.
Planning the way back
The return from Khajjiar to Delhi is just as long, so the same choices apply: a very early start, or a night in Amritsar, Pathankot or Chandigarh. Many travellers combine both directions into one loop: Delhi to Amritsar, Amritsar to Dalhousie and Khajjiar, then east to McLeod Ganj, and back to Delhi from Dharamshala or by flight from Kangra airport. With one car throughout, the driver handles every leg and you never repack for a different vehicle.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Khajjiar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Snow likely, roads can close | February: Snow likely, roads can close | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Snow likely, roads can close |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • Delhi NCR addresses (Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad)
- • Delhi airport (all terminals)
- • New Delhi, Old Delhi and Nizamuddin stations
Other ways to travel
Overnight buses run from Delhi to Dalhousie, and trains reach Pathankot. From either, Khajjiar is a further road transfer. Kangra airport is a further long road transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Delhi to Khajjiar cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are Sedan ₹13,350, SUV ₹16,800, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹18,550, Tempo Traveller ₹30,150, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Khajjiar from Delhi?+
Roughly 560–590 km by road, usually 11½ to 13½ hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
Should we stay in Khajjiar or Dalhousie?+
Dalhousie has more hotels and food; Khajjiar is quieter. Many people stay in Dalhousie and visit Khajjiar as a day trip.
Can we do it in one day?+
Yes, with a very early start, but splitting the drive with a night in Amritsar or Pathankot is much easier.
Does Khajjiar get snow?+
Often, between December and February. Roads can close briefly after heavy snowfall.
What is the nearest railway station?+
Pathankot, about 95–100 km from Khajjiar via Dalhousie.
Which vehicle is best for this trip?+
An Innova Crysta or SUV for families on a long drive; a Tempo Traveller for groups.
Reviews
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