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Clouds were in transition. The lush green hills were vaguely visible. The sound of rain and wind weaved a perfect symphony. I was awestruck as I slid the door to step out on the balcony of my premium valley view room at Fortune Park Dalhousie. The very first view of the drenched nature and its surroundings was impeccable. It felt as if nature had painted a surreal picture that had just come alive.

The abundance of scenic beauty, striking green, virgin wilderness, and the quaint valley with misty hues were enough to make me hooked completely. This was my second time to Dalhousie, but first in the monsoon.

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Where is Fortune Park Dalhousie?

Fortune Park Dalhousie flaunts one of the finest locations with clear views of the Pir-Panjal range adorned by a dense pine forest and the pristine valley. The opulent property is conveniently accessible from Dalhousie’s Gandhi Chowk. Driving through the winding road along with the pine trees makes your journey quite engaging with nature. It takes hardly 10 minutes from Gandhi Chowk to reach Fortune Park Dalhousie.

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Fortune Park Dalhousie: A Luxury Abode

The sun-kissed valley, unhindered mountain views, and luxuries of the resort warrant your attention. The profound silence around adds to the allure. The well-appointed rooms with the desired comfort make them an ideal choice for vacationers.

After an overnight train ride and a drive through the hills, I arrived at Fortune Park Dalhousie around midday. I was greeted warmly by the hotel staff and later I was led to the valley view premium room.

The very first impression of Fortune Park Dalhousie was quite overwhelming. The elegant yet vibrant décor, niche sitting area, snug fireplace, and aesthetically designed lobby encompass a sense of style and comfort at the same time. The warmth in the behavior of the staff left an impressionable image in no time.

Fortune Park Dalhousie offers fifty-seven plush rooms and suites overlooking the verdant valley and spectacular Pir-Panjal Mountain range.

The hotel houses a rooftop café, library, spa, swimming pool, large terrace and gazebo along with a recreational room with board games.

LUXURIES OF PREMIUM VALLEY VIEW ROOM

The wind traveled through my body and raindrops kissed my cheeks as I stood still on the balcony to get mesmerized. The unfolding drama of nature got its ardent audience in me. Especially, in the monsoon, nature looks refreshing and enticing as if it has just appeared after a long shower.

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I stayed in a Premium Valley View room. I loved every bit of it. It has a comfortable twin size bed with ample lights to lit up the room along with a corner sofa for your tea/coffee just next to the balcony.

What I liked best about the room was that it had a writing desk and chair, which I require in my room. As a writer, I usually look for accommodations that include a writing desk as well as other luxury facilities.

Furthermore, the nicest feature of this premium valley view is the abundance of natural light that flows via the balcony. During the day, you almost never need to turn on a light. As a result, it ensures that you have a pleasant stay throughout.

Dining & Food

At Fortune Park Dalhousie, you will relish food with jaw-dropping views. The Zodiac restaurant’s enormous glass windows give unbroken views of the mountains and the sun-kissed valley. What drew me to this restaurant was its flawless service. The restaurant staff is very courteous and attentive during your dining hour.

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The live music during my dinner was a fantastic addition as you hardly get it in any other hotels except city cafes.

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Being an ardent lover of local food, the idea of tasting it in any location excites me immediately.The Executive Chef Mr. Chuni Verma prepared an authentic Himachali Thali for me. The elaborate Himachali Thali was beyond delectable. The traditional Thali had Madra (a thick yogurt-based gravy made from chickpeas), Maa ki daal (black lentils soup) rice, Chha Gosht (Himachali Style Mutton Curry) salad, and chapati.

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I was told that in each district, the Himachali Dham is prepared differently. It depends on the altitude and the weather of the place. The traditional Himachali food is similar to Kashmiri Wazwan as their dishes are mostly yogurt-based. As you turn the pages of history you will see how the King of Himachal Pradesh was influenced by the Kashmiri traditional feast and sent his cooks to prepare a similar feast back home without the use of meat and onion, or garlic.

Rooftop Café & Library

What I loved the most about Fortune Park Dalhousie is the impeccable landscape it offers. If you are into nature and love spending hours admiring the spectacular scenery like a rising sun or dazzling sunset, you must spend time at the rooftop café at Fortune Park Dalhousie.

Sitting on the balcony of the rooftop café with your choice of hot beverage can persuade you with the beautiful, picturesque panoramas. Despite traveling in the monsoon where cloud-laden hills were a constant companion throughout my stay, I was blessed to witness the finest sunset views from the café when the sky cleared up after a heavy shower. It was nothing less than an outlandish spectacle.

If you are a book lover, you can also lounge inside with your book along with a cup of coffee beside you. I love those spaces that allow me to celebrate silence and be intimate with nature. The distinct sound of nature just adds the right amount of romance to the aura.

Places to explore around Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a prominent tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh. During the summer, it is a favorite among discerning travelers. This hill station entices visitors with its pine-clad valleys and distant mountain peaks. Dalhousie was named after the British viceroy of colonial India, Lord Dalhousie, who founded it in the 1850s.

Dalhousie flaunts five hills, namely Balun, Bakrota, Tehra, Patreyn, and Kathlog. The pleasant climate and peaceful atmosphere make it an ideal destination in Himachal Pradesh. The old-world charm of Dalhousie is another highlight of the famous hill station.

Dalhousie offers a wide variety of places and activities for all kinds of travelers. So, whether you are an adventure junkie, nature lover, spiritual person, or occasional vacationer, it has everything to soothe your travel style.

Gandhi Chowk

When in Dalhousie, you cannot miss wandering around the Gandhi Chowk. Whether you want to do shopping, eat street food, buy woolens from the Tibetan market, or explore around, the Gandhi Chowk is a must-visit for travelers.

What I loved the most about Gandhi Chowk is that you can take a long walk on those winding roads in the evening watching the Sun go behind those mountains.

Khajjiar

Khajjiar is hardly 22 km from Dalhousie. It takes around an hour to reach the picture-perfect meadow encircled by dense deodar forest and mountains. It attracts thousands of tourists every year due to its mesmerizing beauty. Especially in the monsoon season, everything looks refreshingly green.

Tourists mostly visit here to enjoy the picturesque landscape and also indulge in various activities like horse riding, paragliding, Zorbing, etc. You will be often approached by the locals to try traditional Himachali attire to get framed by the local photographers. There are a lot of eatery options available there. Do not forget to visit Khajji Nag Temple and Khajjiar lake.

Dainkund Peak

If you love hiking and trekking in the hills, you must not miss the Dainkund trek in Dalhousie. Located at an altitude of 2755 meters, Dainkund peak is the highest mount in Dalhousie, from where you can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the valleys and the mountain ranges.

Once you reach the top of the hills, do not miss visiting Pholani Devi Temple. It is said that if you wish for something here, it comes true. Perched on the top of the mount, from this temple premise, you get the best panoramic views of the valley with snow-clad mountains.

Kalatop Sanctuary

If you are visiting Dalhousie, the Kalatop Sanctuary is a must-visit. For hikers and trekkers, this place is a paradise. It offers breathtaking vistas around. Walking in the woods of pine, deodar, and oak forests is an experience to add to your list.

The Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary lies along the river Ravi. It has a variety of fauna and flora. Wild animals like bears, leopards, jackals, and langur and a wide variety of bird species are found at the sanctuary. There is also a forest guest house at the top. One can opt to stay at the guest house to get the forest feel up close.

Chamera Lake

You cannot possibly miss the breathtaking views of Chamera Lake on your way to Chamba from Dalhousie. Chamera Lake is the reservoir of the dam where the water levels up during the monsoon season. At an elevated height of 763 meters above sea level, Chamera Lake is an ideal location to plan a day out with friends and family.

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Do carry your raincoat, umbrella and wear comfortable shoes while visiting this famous tourist spot, especially during the monsoon season. You can also do boating there. Do not forget to capture the compelling landscape shots. The best part of it is that you can get a clear view of Chamera Lake from the road itself.

Chamba Town

Chamba town should be on your bucket list while holidaying in Dalhousie. It takes 2 hours from Dalhousie to reach Chamba town. Chamba is the northernmost district of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at the intersection of the Dhauladhar and Zanskar ranges. Chamba is blessed with spectecular landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. When in Chamba, do not miss visiting the sacred Laxmi Narayan Temple Complex. It houses sex temples and is a major landmark of Chamba town.

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Apart from this, you can also visit the Chamunda Devi Temple, Champavati Temple, and Katasan Devi Temple in Chamba. Don’t miss visiting Bhuri Singh Museum which features royal jewelry, carved wooden doors, costumes, arms, coins, Basohli painting, rare script, copper plate grants, memorial stones, musical instruments, frescoes, Guler-Kangra paintings, and many more.

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