Planning a trip to Dalhousie or Chamba? You should really think about visiting Chamera Lake. Chamera Lake is a place to add to your trip to Dalhousie or Chamba. People like Chamera Lake because it has views of the mountains and you can go boating.

The road to Chamera Lake is easy to drive on. You do not have to walk a lot to get there.

People usually find Chamera Lake when they are looking for places to stop on the way to Dalhousie or Chamba. Chamera Lake often ends up being the best part of their trip, to Dalhousie or Chamba.

Here is what you need to know before you go to Chamera Lake.

History of Chamera Lake

Chamera Lake is located in the Chamba district. It is a short distance from Dalhousie.

The company that takes care of the project at Chamera Lake is NHPC. The main reason they built this project was to generate power. Tourism at Chamera Lake started later it was not the plan at first.

As Chamera Lake is a man-made lake, the edge of the water and the water level change a little during seasons.

Chamera Lake is high up it is almost 1,700 metres above the sea level. You can see the Dhauladhar range of mountains, in the background of Chamera Lake.

What Makes Chamera Lake Unique

People usually come here for the boating. There is enough to see and do to spend a few relaxed hours.

• Boating is a lot of fun. You can rent paddle boats, speed boats and shikaras near the jetty. Kids can also join in. It depends on the type of boat and the staff will decide.

• If you like taking pictures the best time is early in the morning when the light is nice. The water is calm. There are not many boats around. The time before sunset is also good for taking pictures.

• You can find some tea stalls and small shops that sell snacks near the boating area. They have Maggi, tea and other light snacks.

• Some people like to camp instead of staying in a hotel. We will tell you more about camping

• You can also do some fishing here. Some local people will let you fish in areas but you have to ask them first.

• Chamera Lake is a place for families, people who are travelling alone and older couples. If you are travelling with kids or older people you should check what type of boats are available first.

• There is no fee to enter Chamera Lake. You can walk around. Enjoy the view without paying anything.

• Boating is usually available, during the day. Also, before planning your trip it is recommended to check the weather updates.

Chamera Lake Boating Price and Boat Ride Cost

The cost of Chamera Lake boating is usually around ₹200 to ₹500 for each person. But the prices can vary depending on the kind of boat you use. For example:People often pay ₹300 for adults and ₹200 for kids to go on a boat for 30 minutes at Chamera Lake.

If you want to know how much a boat ride at Chamera Lake will cost for a family with four people you should plan to spend around ₹800 to ₹1,500. The cost of the boat ride at Chamera Lake will depend on the type of boats you choose.

Speed boats at Chamera Lake are more expensive than paddle boats at Chamera Lake. You should ask the person running the boats at Chamera Lake how much they cost when you get there because these prices are not exact, for Chamera Lake boat rides.

Hotels and Resorts near Chamera Lake

Dalhousie carries the widest spread of Chamera Lake hotels, from simple guesthouses to higher-end stays. Chamba town offers cheaper, more basic options if budget matters more than location.

Want something closer to the water itself? If you want to stay at a resort near Chamera Lake you can get a room that faces the lake. You will be close to the boats. You will have to pay more money for this.

Chamera Lake hotels that have a view of the lake are very popular so people book them very quickly from March to June. If you are going to Chamera Lake on a weekend you should book your hotel least two or three weeks before you go.

Most of the hotels near Chamera Lake are pretty simple. They have water and basic internet and they serve simple food. You will not find a lot of options for food at these hotels because they are close to the lake.

Chamera Lake Camping

Chamera Lake camping is a choice if you want to wake up by the water instead of in a hotel room.

You can find a local operators who set up tents along the shore of Chamera Lake. They usually do this from March to June. Then again from September to November.

When you go camping at Chamera Lake you can have a bonfire eat meals and have a quiet morning by the lake.

It gets cold at night by Chamera Lake fast even when it is summer. So, you need to bring a sleeping bag to keep you warm.

Not all the campsites, at Chamera Lake are allowed to operate so you should onlybook with operators who have been reviewed by people and are trustworthy.

Chamera Lake Tour Packages and Travel Packages

Most packages bundle a Dalhousie or Chamba stay with a day trip to the lake. Boating is usually included, along with a stop at Khajjiar. Some also throw in a night of camping or Chamba town sightseeing.

A simple trip to Chamera Lake for two people, where you stay for two or three nights usually costs around ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 per person. The cost of a Chamera Lake trip is different for each tour company and Chamera Lake travel costs go up when you choose hotels.

If you do not have a lot of time or you are travelling with people a Chamera Lake travel package is really helpful. If you like planning your Chamera Lake trip as you go doing it yourself can be cheaper, for your Chamera Lake trip.

Chamera Lake Trip Cost: A Rough Budget

For your Chamera Lake trip the cost will be something like this. These are not numbers but they will give you an idea.

• Taxi: Taxi to go to Chamera Lake. Come back from Dalhousie will cost around ₹1,500 to ₹3,000
• Boating: If you want to go boating on Chamera Lake it will cost around ₹200 to ₹500 per person for boating
• Stay: The cost of stay at Chamera Lake will be around ₹1,500 to ₹5,000 per night
• Food: The cost of food at Chamera Lake will be around ₹300 to ₹600 per person, per day

If a couple goes to Chamera Lake for two days they will usually spend around ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 in total for the Chamera Lake trip. If you travel on weekdays and choose a budget place to stay the cost of the Chamera Lake trip will be lower.

Road Conditions and How to Reach Chamera Lake

Getting here isn’t complicated.

#By road: Chamera Lake is 25 to 35 kilometers from Dalhousie depending on the route you choose for Chamera Lake. Chamera Lake is 30 to 40 kilometers from Chamba town. The road to Chamera Lake has mountain curves near the last part of the road to Chamera Lake.

#By rail: The nearest railway station to Chamera Lake is Pathankot, which is around 85 to 100 kilometers away from Chamera Lake. From Pathankot you can hire a taxi to take you the rest of the way to Chamera Lake.

#By air: By air Pathankot Airport is 85 kilometers away from Chamera Lake. You can also use Gaggal Airport near Kangra for a trip to Himachal, which includes Chamera Lake.

If you find it difficult to travel to Chamera lake yourself, you can book a taxi. You will easily get taxi services from the hotels in Dalhousie or Chamba. Moreover, there are many shared taxi available on this route. You can take a shared taxi as well, if you want to save some money.

Before You Plan Your Visit

The season you choose will play a major role in determining your experience here. The best time to visit Chamera Lake is between March to June or September to November.

Summer is a great time to have fun and go boating at Chamera Lake and also enjoy long days of taking pictures.

After monsoon the entire environment turns into mesmerizing green. You can visit during this time as well.

But, it is recommended not to visit Chamera Lake in July and August. It rains a lot and the road to Chamera Lake can be slippery. Sometimes they stop the boating because it is not safe.

Nearby Places to Visit

Chamera Lake is your ideal destination for visiting the local places. You do not have to travel a lot to get to these places.

Bhalei Mata Temple is 6 km away from Chamera Lake. It is really worth visiting Bhalei Mata Temple when you are at Chamera Lake. We have a guide for Bhalei Mata Temple that tells you when it is open and some history about it and how to plan your trip to Bhalei Mata Temple.

Useful Tips Before You Leave

• When you are near the lake it is an idea to carry warm clothes with you. The weather near the lake can change quickly especially after the sun sets.

• You should wear shoes that have a grip on them because the ground near the water can be uneven and it can get damp sometimes.

• You have to wear life jackets when you are boating on the lake. You should listen to what the boat staff says even if the water looks very calm.

• You need to carry cash with you because online payment option may not be available in local shops.

• You can visit the lake in the morning. During morning, the lake water is quite cool, and calm and the cold breeze makes the environment more satisfying.

• The weather, in the hills can change quickly. You should check the local weather forecast before you leave Dalhousie especially when it is monsoon season.

FAQs

#Q1. Is there an entry fee for Chamera Lake?

No there is no entry fee for Chamera Lake. You only have to pay for things like boating and other activities at Chamera Lake.

#Q2. Can we swim in Chamera Lake?

No swimming is not allowed in Chamera Lake. At Chamera Lake boating is the thing people do on the water.

#Q3. Is parking available near Chamera Lake?

Yes, there is parking near Chamera Lake. You should get there early on weekends and holidays because the parking spots fill up fast.

#Q4. How much time should I plan for Chamera Lake?

You should plan to spend around two to three hours at Chamera Lake, which’s enough time for boating taking photos and going for a short walk around Chamera Lake.

#Q5. Is Chamera Lake for senior citizens?

Yes, Chamera Lake is suitable for senior citizens because they can use paddle boats and go for walks around the lake.

#Q6. Does mobile network work, near the lake?

The mobile network usually works well near Chamera Lake. It can be a bit weak when you are driving to Chamera Lake on the approach road.

Conclusion:

Chamera Lake is a place to visit when you are going from Dalhousie to Chamba. Do not rush to see it. Spend two to three hours here. You will like it. You can go boating on Chamera Lake have tea from the stalls and enjoy the water.If you are already, in Dalhousie or Chamba, you should spend a few hours at Chamera Lake. Chamera Lake is really nice. You will have a good time.