'''Pathankot'''[http://www.infopathankot.com] is in Punjab.

Get in

By plane

Pathankot Air Force Base ({{IATA|IXP}}) has previously served some civilian flights to Delhi and Dharamsala, but as of 2008 there are no scheduled services. Air Deccan has started the air sevices for Pathankot too. Do check for the services.

By train

Pathankot is a major railroad junction and the nearest mainline station to Dharamsala. Lines from Amritsar (2 hrs) and Delhi (8 hrs) merge here, and all services to Jammu (2 hrs) pass through. In addition to Pathankot station itself, there is a second station called '''Chakki Bank''' just 4 km away, which serves some express trains that do not stop in Pathankot station. Nowadays the majority of the Jammu trains stop only at Chakki Bank and not at Pathankot. Unfortunately Chakki Bank is a smaller station with limited facilities.

In addition, Pathankot is also served by the narrow-gauge '''Kangra Valley Railway''' (a.k.a. Kangra Toy Train) built by the British, which crawls 128 km through stunning scenery to Joginder Nagar via Palampur and Kangra (near Dharamsala). However, the luxury ''Kangra Queen'' services were terminated back in 2003, leaving about 6 departures daily of slow, often packed second class trains, taking over six hours. Bookings for these can only be done locally at Pathankot station. Some of these trains run to Baijnath Paprola and a few to Joginder Nagar. The main stations on this line include Kangra and Palampur, although Dalhousie and Dharmasala are not on the line.

By bus

The main bus stand has been renovated. Its close to the railway station. Formerly, there were two bus stations: a small one right next to the train station (for Himachal buses) and the main bus stand a few km away. Public HRTC buses to Dharamsala take 3-4 twisty, turny hours and cost Rs.75, while buses to Amritsar take 3 hours and cost the same.

Get around

1.Madhopur also there are two spots where you can visit and go for picnic or outing. one is "Parion ka baag" second one is the "Coral restaurant", beautifully situated at the bank of the river. you can enjoy the food there. 2.you can visit the "Ranjit Sagar DAM", the way to dam is itself very excited. You will love the hilly area and the road which link the pathankot city and DAM.

See

Pathankot city is covered by the Shivalik range foot hills of The Himalayas, with awesome river Chakki. There are some old temples like Kali Mata Mandir, Mandir Aashapurni, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, and Bhagwan Shiri Satya Sai Baba's Mandir at the northern part of town in the village Manwal. There are also beautiful British-era Churches on Mission Road, huge Gurudwaras (Sikh Temple) and a very ancient mosque right in the middle of downtown Pathankot mixing all the colorful cultures of India.

  • There is a fortress called the '''Nurpur Fort''' built by the Pathania Rajputs, more than 900 years ago. It was damaged due to the great earthquake which struck this region early in 1905 A.D. 25 km from Pathankot. It is quite famous in North India, and the temple inside attracts tourists from all across. It is 25 km away from Pathankot.
  • '''Shahpurkandi fort''' is also one of the main attractions of Pathankot city. It was built in 1505 A.D. by a Rajput chief, by the name of Jaspal Singh Pathania. It was strategically located to have control over the Kangra and Nurpur region. The fort is in ruins, and is famous for its temples and the view it commands over the Ravi river.
  • The ancient '''Shiva temple Kathgarh'''. It is approximately 25 km from Pathankot, to reach there one has to go to Indora (HP), which is 20 km away from Pathankot. Don't miss this temple if you visit Pathankot.
  • You should also visit '''Jugial Township''' 15 km (approx) from Pathankot. This place has greenery all around and one Laxmi Narayan Mandir which is the biggest among the nearby areas.
  • There is an important '''temple''' named '''Kathgarh Mandir'''. It is is approx. 30 km from Pathankot towards Indora/chanour (H.P). This temple is very historical temple. As the saying goes that this temple was constructed at the time/era of Alexander The Great.
  • Do

  • Himalaya Tour And Travels provides all complete package tour to Himachal J&K at very cheap rates with the best facilites. Contact 09814591763 (cell). There is not a whole lot to do in Pathankot, but this is precisely its charm.
  • Buy

    Pathankot was once famous for the timber trade with fine varieties of Deodar, Pine, Fir and Spruce being brought in from the far flung forests of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. You can buy pure and semi pure pashmina shawls from here because of its closeness to two important pashmina manufacturing states Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir and other things and its also famous for its crockery factory.

    Eat

    If you really love to eat spicy Punjabi food then visit "Makhan da dhaba" near the railway line. It is very famous for its cheap and tasty food.He serves Dal Tarka, Channa Masala,Muttar Paneer and many more spicy dishes and any two person can eat good food in Rs.50 only. This may be among the cheapest and tasiest food in the area.

    Well, if you love sweets, you can visit 'Banarsi Di Hatti' (Banarsi's Shop), famous for a sweet caled Palang-tod, meaning one which can break (tod) a bed (palang), basically a milk cake or PGT. The shop has been making it for more than 70 years.

    Also there area famous puris with chana and lassi in breakfast, and the famous bakery shops of Saini bakers and A-One bakers. If you're just passing through Pathankot and want to have anything from a quick munch to a splurge , stopover at:

  • '''Hotel Woodland (2 STAR)''' [http://www.woodlandptk.com], Dhangu Rd. Situated in the heart of the city. With the best in class restaurant and best in class a.c rooms. Certified by '''HRANI''' (Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India).
  • '''Moti Mahal ''' is also a very good restaraunt , which is a branch of well known moti mahal restaraunt of delhi.
  • '''U-nite Hotel''', Gurdaspur Road.
  • '''Hotel Venice'''
  • '''U can enjoy CCD(Coffee Cafe Day) near Manwal'''
  • Drink

    This city is famous for Lichi- a red skinned fruit having white pulpy juicy interior. You can eat the fruit or ask for lichi juice. In seasons other than summer when you can't get fresh Lichi, ask for packaged lichi juice. Many big companies like Real- package it.

    You can ask for Apple which is grown in adjoining Himachal Pradesh any time of the year at reasonable price.

  • .

    Sleep

  • '''Hotel Woodland (2 STAR)''' [http://www.woodlandptk.com]. With 18 rooms in a variety of classes. Relish your stay at Hotel Woodland. Certified by '''HRANI''' (Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India).
  • '''Hotel u-nite'''
  • '''Dee pee residency'''
  • '''Walia Resort'''
  • '''Hotel Venice'''
  • '''Hotel Stay-Well''' - As of April 2008, Hotel Stay-Well was under construction, but was still open. A highly recommended hotel for it is conveniently located near the bus station and a short rickshaw to the train station.
  • Stay safe

    Get out