Chail is a quiet hill resort about 45 km from Shimla, at roughly 2,150–2,250 metres. It owes its existence to the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, who built a summer palace and capital here in the 1890s — according to the local legend, after being banned from Simla following the Scandal Point affair.
The Chail Palace, completed in 1891, is now a heritage hotel run by Himachal Tourism, set in deodar-shaded lawns. Nearby is the Chail cricket ground, often described as one of the highest in the world, and the surrounding hills are protected as the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary.
Top things to do at Chail
Visit Chail Palace
Walk the grounds or stop for tea or a meal in the palace; staying overnight gives you the grand rooms and the quiet evenings. Non-residents may be charged an entry fee.
See the cricket ground
The ground, at around 2,400 metres, was levelled on a hilltop by the Maharaja and is now used by a military school. It is often cited as one of the highest cricket grounds in the world.
Walk in the sanctuary
The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary covers the forested hills around the town. Paths start from near the palace; the Sidh Baba ka Mandir temple and viewpoints are good goals.
How to get to Chail
- By taxi: about 1.5–2 hours from Shimla via Kufri, or via Kandaghat on the Kalka road.
- From Chandigarh: about 3–3.5 hours via Kandaghat, making Chail a good first or last night on a trip.
Insider tips
- Chail is far quieter than Shimla — ideal for a night or two of calm.
- Buses are infrequent; a car or private tour is much easier.
- Nights are cold even in summer, and winters bring occasional snow.
Best tours & tickets for Chail
These experiences are the easiest way to see Chail with a guide and transport sorted:
Private day tour from US$62 Shimla: Experience the Best of Shimla with a Local Guide
A flexible private day that goes deeper than the headline sights — the lanes below the Mall, stories of the Raj and of the hill people who were here long before it, and a taste of local food. Every review so far is five stars.
- A private full day with a Shimla-born guide and car
- The Ridge, Mall Road, Christ Church and the old bazaars
- Local folklore, colonial stories and Himachali snacks along the way
Private multi-day tour from US$188 4 Days Private Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla Tour by Car
A short, private road trip from the capital: Chandigarh, the climb into the hills and two days in and around Shimla, with a driver who knows the route. The simplest way to add Shimla to a Delhi-based trip.
- A private car and driver from Delhi
- Chandigarh’s Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake on the way
- Shimla sightseeing including Kufri
