In general HP PWD Rest Houses in Himachal are quite good to stay if you are not too much into Service and rely on tasty food. If you can get the booking or on the spot booking, they are real good VFM options to stay in Himachal
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Value for Money Spent
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Food Quality & Taste
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If you are planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh and wondering about affordable accommodation options, let me tell you about one of the best-kept secrets for budget travelers. HP PWD Rest Houses, Circuit Houses, and Forest Rest Houses (FRH) in Himachal Pradesh offer some of the most scenic and value-for-money stays you can find across the state. I have stayed at several of these rest houses over the years, particularly in Spiti Valley and Kinnaur, and the experience has always been worth it.
In this guide, I will share everything I have learned about the booking process for HP PWD Rest Houses and Forest Rest Houses, including the new online booking system through the Him Atithi portal, updated tariff rates for 2026, step-by-step booking instructions, and important tips and caveats that can save you from last-minute surprises. Whether you are a solo backpacker, a family on a road trip, or a group exploring offbeat Himachal, this information will come in handy.
Let's quickly dive into the details:
What Are HP PWD Rest Houses and Forest Rest Houses?
HP PWD Rest Houses are government-owned accommodations managed by the Public Works Department of Himachal Pradesh. As of 2026, there are 278 Rest Houses and 25 Circuit Houses spread across the state. These properties were originally built to provide lodging for government officials traveling on duty. However, private individuals, both Himachali and non-Himachali, including foreign tourists, can also book these rest houses if rooms are available.
Forest Rest Houses (FRH), on the other hand, are managed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. These are typically located in even more remote and scenic locations, often near wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and dense forest areas. The HP Forest Department manages over 100 FRHs and Inspection Huts across the state. Both types of rest houses sit at some truly sublime locations with stunning views of the Himalayas.
Can Any Tourist Stay at HP PWD Rest Houses?
Yes, any tourist can stay at these rest houses, but keep in mind that government officials always get priority. The booking system works on a hierarchy. PWD employees and government officials on duty get first preference. After that, government employees on vacation can book. Private individuals, both Himachali residents and non-Himachali visitors, get the last priority. However, in my experience, getting a room is not as difficult as it sounds, especially during the off-season or at less popular locations.
Himachali residents pay less than non-Himachali visitors. Foreigners can also book these rest houses. The key takeaway here is that your booking is never 100% guaranteed until you actually check in, because a VIP or government official can technically override your reservation. I will cover this in detail in the caveats section below.
What Are the Benefits of Staying at HP PWD Rest Houses?
Apart from the prime locations, these rest houses are real value for money considering the comfort and facilities on offer. The interiors are decent considering the prices they charge, and you feel like you are staying in a proper hotel room. However, the conditions and facilities vary from place to place and depend heavily on the caretaker at that particular rest house.
Regarding the quality of food and services, these are also largely dependent upon the caretaker or chowkidar. If you get a good caretaker who cooks well and is a helpful chap, then you are in for a real treat at an unbeatable price. Otherwise, ask for self-service and carry some raw food like Maggi, eggs, and bread that you can cook yourself. Having said that, most of these rest houses are perfectly fine to stay at, and you would be unlucky if the conditions are not up to the mark 🙂 …
Here are the main benefits at a glance:
- Scenic locations that private hotels rarely match, especially in remote areas of Spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi, and Lahaul
- Affordable rates starting from Rs 500/night for Himachali residents and Rs 1,000/night for non-Himachali visitors
- Clean rooms with basic amenities like beds, blankets, attached bathrooms in most properties
- Availability in remote areas where no private hotel or homestay exists, like Sagnam in Pin Valley or Lossar in Spiti
- Self-cooking facilities available at most rest houses if you prefer to cook your own meals
How Much Does It Cost to Stay at HP PWD Rest Houses in 2026?
The tariff for HP PWD Rest Houses has been revised over the years. As of 2026, the rates are straightforward. The government issued a revised tariff notification on February 4, 2026. Here is the current tariff structure for PWD Rest Houses:
| Category | PWD Rest House (per room/night) |
|---|---|
| Himachali Residents | Rs 500 |
| Non-Himachali / Domestic Tourists | Rs 1,000 |
| Circuit House (Himachali) | Rs 500 – Rs 1,500 (varies by location) |
| Circuit House (Non-Himachali) | Rs 1,000 – Rs 2,000 (varies by location) |
For Forest Rest Houses (FRH), the charges are slightly different. As of 2025-2026, FRH charges are approximately Rs 1,000 per room per night (+12% GST) for private visitors, booked through the Himachal Ecotourism portal. Rates for specific FRHs can vary between Rs 350 to Rs 1,000 depending on the location and type of accommodation.
Travel Tip: If you are planning to stay at the Prashar Lake PWD Rest House, do check my comprehensive travel guide on Prashar Lake Trek. The rest house there offers one of the most iconic views in Himachal.
How to Book HP PWD Rest Houses Online Through Him Atithi Portal?
The biggest update since this article was first published in 2013 is that the HP Government has launched the Him Atithi online booking portal at himatithi.nic.in. As of 2026, around 79 PWD Rest Houses across Himachal Pradesh are available for online booking through this portal. There is also a Him Atithi mobile app available on Google Play Store for Android users.
Here is the step-by-step process to book a PWD Rest House online:
- Visit the Him Atithi portal at himatithi.nic.in or download the Him Atithi app from Google Play Store.
- Select “Book Rest House” from the main menu. You will see a district-wise list of available rest houses.
- Choose your preferred rest house by selecting the district and then the specific rest house from the dropdown.
- Enter your travel dates and check availability. Keep in mind that you must book at least 5 days before your visit date.
- Fill in your details including name, Aadhaar number, mobile number, and email. You will need to upload a copy of your Aadhaar Card during the booking process.
- Make the payment online. The full tariff amount is charged upfront at the time of booking.
- Receive confirmation on your registered mobile number and email. You can also check your booking status on the portal under “Check Booking Status”.
Important rules for online booking: A maximum of 2 rooms per booking request is allowed. The online application does not guarantee allotment. The caretaker will verify your Aadhaar Card at the time of check-in. For cancellations, you get a 100% refund if you cancel 3 days before the check-in date. No refunds after that.
Travel Tip: Planning a trip to Barot Valley? Check my detailed travel guide on Barot Village. The PWD Rest House at Barot is one of the popular ones to book.
How to Book HP PWD Rest Houses Offline (Phone or Walk-in)?
Not all 278 PWD Rest Houses are available on the Him Atithi portal. For the rest houses that are not listed online, you still need to go through the traditional offline booking process. Even for online-listed rest houses, if the portal shows no availability, you can try the offline route. Here is how the offline booking process works:
- Call the respective PWD booking office mentioned in the official list (linked below). Note the name of the person you speak with to avoid communication gaps later.
- Check availability. The official may either confirm availability over the phone or ask you to send a formal booking request via email or fax. In any case, you will need to send a written booking request addressed to the Executive Engineer of that PWD division.
- Follow up. Call the booking office a day or two after sending your request. Ask if they received it and what the status is. Continue following up until you get either an Approval or Rejection.
- Receive your slip/parchi. If approved, the Executive Engineer will issue a booking slip. A copy goes to the caretaker/chowkidar of the rest house, and ideally you should also get a copy via email or fax.
- Confirm with the caretaker. A few days before your trip, call the caretaker directly and confirm that he has received the slip for your booking. If he says yes, you are almost set 🙂 🙂
I suggest starting this process about 10-15 days before your trip. If you try too early, they might ask you to call back closer to the date. If you try too late, availability might be gone. Hence, the 10-15 day window works best in my experience.
How to Book Forest Rest Houses (FRH) in Himachal Pradesh?
Forest Rest Houses have a separate booking process managed by the HP Forest Department. As of 2026, many FRHs can be booked online through the Himachal Pradesh Ecotourism portal at hpecotourism.com or the government portal at himachalecotourism.hp.gov.in.
Here is how to book an FRH online:
- Visit hpecotourism.com and click on “Book Online”.
- Select your destination region and circuit.
- Enter your travel dates and click “Check Availability”. Available FRHs will show along with tariff information.
- Click “More Info” to see photographs, facilities, and location on the map.
- Complete the booking with 100% advance payment including GST.
- Upload your Aadhaar Card, which will be verified by the caretaker at check-in.
The booking window for each FRH destination opens for 30 days, and the portal closes bookings 48 hours before the check-in date. Cancellation policy is the same: 100% refund if cancelled 3 days in advance, no refund after that. You can also download the complete list of all Forest Rest Houses and Inspection Huts from the HP Forest Department website.
Travel Tip: If you are exploring the Great Himalayan National Park area, check my travel guide on Tirthan Valley. The Forest Rest Houses in this region are among the most scenic in Himachal.
Where Can I Find the Complete List of HP PWD Rest Houses?
Below are the official links to download the complete list of PWD Rest Houses and Forest Rest Houses in Himachal Pradesh:
- Complete List of HP PWD Rest Houses with Contact Numbers
- Official HP PWD Rest House Page with Tariff Rates
- Complete List of Forest Rest Houses in Himachal Pradesh
- Him Atithi Online Booking Portal
- HP Ecotourism Portal for FRH Bookings
The district-wise PWD division offices with phone numbers and email addresses are available on the official HP PWD website. I suggest bookmarking these links before you start planning your trip.
Can I Stay at a PWD Rest House Without a Booking?
Well, on the contrary, you can of course land up there directly (which I mostly do with my dynamic plans ;)) and talk to the chowkidar or caretaker, who might allow you to check in with a small tip or even without one if rooms are available. This on-the-spot approach is actually the most economical way because a tip will not cost you much at all.
Sometimes, the Executive Engineer in charge of that rest house may also be present and has the authority to let you stay. However, this approach works best for a single night stay. For longer stays, I would recommend going prepared with an official booking. The risk with walk-in stays is that if someone shows up with an official booking slip or a VIP arrives, you will have to vacate the room, even in the middle of the night.
What Are the Important Caveats and Tips for HP PWD Rest House Stays?
If there are many positives about staying at HP PWD Rest Houses, there are some caveats too. I have learned these the hard way over multiple trips, so keep in mind the following points before you finalize your plans:
- Do not rely on food and service. It is always better to carry your own raw food like Maggi, eggs, precooked vegetables, and bread. If there is a dhaba nearby, great. With some tips, the caretaker will most likely allow you to use the kitchen for self-service cooking. I personally enjoy cooking at these rest houses, so consider the stay for accommodation only, and plan food separately.
- Local gatherings can displace you. Village functions and get-togethers often happen at these rest houses since they are the only decent venue in many remote areas. Locals have priority for such events. So in case you do not have the official booking slip, you could be in for a surprise. Always try to get the slip/parchi.
- VIP override is real but rare. If a government VIP arrives, your booking can technically be overridden. However, this rarely happens with confirmed bookings because most rest houses have rooms reserved specifically for VIPs that are not offered to tourists. I have experienced this situation only once in all my travels, when I slept in the car with my family in Kinnaur because I did not have a confirmed booking and had no daylight left to find alternatives.
- Circuit Houses are harder to book. Circuit Houses in particular are not given to private individuals easily. So better not rely on them, but if nothing else is available, try your luck asking about availability.
- Caretaker attitude varies. Sometimes the caretaker/chowkidar may be reluctant to give you rooms because he might be afraid of the extra work of providing food and services. The bigger the group, the bigger his concern. The key is to keep persuading politely until he agrees, or move to another location.
Travel Tip: Planning a trip to Sainj Valley? Check my travel guide on Sainj Valley and Shangarh. The forest rest houses in this region are beautifully located.
Which Are the Best HP PWD Rest Houses to Stay At?
Based on my travels and reports from the DwD community, here are some of the most popular and well-located PWD Rest Houses in Himachal Pradesh that you should consider:
- Prashar Lake PWD Rest House (Mandi) – Overlooks Prashar Lake with panoramic mountain views. One of the most popular rest houses in Himachal.
- Sagnam PWD Rest House (Pin Valley, Spiti) – Located in the remote Pin Valley with stunning early morning views of the mountains.
- Barot PWD Rest House (Mandi) – Nestled by the riverside in Barot Valley, a popular offbeat destination.
- Lossar PWD Rest House (Spiti) – At the gateway to Spiti Valley, useful for overnight stays on the Manali-Kaza route.
- Kalpa PWD Rest House (Kinnaur) – Offers views of the Kinner Kailash range.
- Chitkul PWD Rest House (Kinnaur) – At the last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibet border.
- Kibber PWD Rest House (Spiti) – At one of the highest motorable villages in the world.
For a comprehensive list of places to explore in Himachal, do check my guides on offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh and the most common itinerary for Spiti Valley. Many of these offbeat locations have PWD rest houses as the primary accommodation option.
Travel Tip: For an offbeat Himachal experience, check my travel guide on Narkanda and the detailed guide on Thanedar. Both are wonderful destinations with government rest house options.
Practical Tips for a Comfortable Stay at PWD Rest Houses
Here are some practical tips based on my experience that will help you make the most of your rest house stay:
- Carry your own bedding or sleeping bag if you are particular about hygiene. Most rest houses provide blankets, but the cleanliness depends on the caretaker.
- Carry a torch/flashlight. Power cuts are common in remote Himachal, especially in Spiti and Pangi Valley.
- Tip the caretaker for good service. Rs 100-200 per day goes a long way in ensuring better food and a clean room.
- Carry cash. There is no UPI or card payment at rest houses. Even online bookings are paid through the portal, but on-the-spot food and service charges need cash.
- Check mobile connectivity beforehand. Many rest houses in Spiti and Kinnaur have limited or no mobile coverage. BSNL postpaid works at most locations.
- Book early for peak season. May to June and September to October are peak travel months. Rest houses at popular locations like Prashar Lake and Chitkul fill up fast.
HP PWD Rest House vs Forest Rest House vs HPTDC Hotels
Travelers often get confused between the three types of government accommodation in Himachal Pradesh. Here is a quick comparison:
| Feature | PWD Rest House | Forest Rest House | HPTDC Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managed By | HP Public Works Dept | HP Forest Dept | HP Tourism Dev Corp |
| Primary Purpose | Govt officials on duty | Forest officers on duty | Tourism (public use) |
| Tourist Booking | Last priority, subject to availability | Subject to availability, can be cancelled | First come, first served |
| Online Booking | Him Atithi portal (79 rest houses) | hpecotourism.com | hptdc.in |
| Tariff (Non-HP) | Rs 1,000/night | Rs 1,000/night + GST | Rs 1,500 – Rs 5,000/night |
| Cancellation Risk | Medium (VIP override possible) | High (govt officers get priority) | Low (commercial hotel) |
| Best For | Budget travelers, offbeat explorers | Nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts | Families, tourists wanting guaranteed booking |
If you want zero risk of cancellation and are willing to pay a bit more, HPTDC hotels are your safest bet. But if you want value for money and do not mind the slight uncertainty, PWD and Forest Rest Houses are hard to beat. For other accommodation options in the Himalayas, you can also check my guides on Tosh Village in Parvati Valley and Kinnaur Valley travel guide where I have covered budget stays in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book an HP PWD Rest House online?
Visit the Him Atithi portal at himatithi.nic.in or download the Him Atithi app. Select your preferred rest house, enter travel dates, fill in your details with Aadhaar, and pay online. You must book at least 5 days before your visit. A maximum of 2 rooms per booking is allowed.
What is the tariff for HP PWD Rest Houses in 2026?
As of the February 2026 revised notification, the tariff is Rs 500 per room per night for Himachali residents and Rs 1,000 per room per night for non-Himachali domestic tourists. Circuit House rates may be slightly higher depending on the location.
Can foreigners book HP PWD Rest Houses?
Yes, foreigners can book HP PWD Rest Houses. They are typically charged the same rate as non-Himachali domestic tourists, which is Rs 1,000 per room per night. The booking process is the same, either through the Him Atithi portal or the offline method.
What is the cancellation policy for HP PWD Rest Houses?
For online bookings through the Him Atithi portal, you get a 100% refund if you cancel at least 3 days before your check-in date. No refunds are given for cancellations made after that. For offline bookings, there is no formal refund policy.
How do I book a Forest Rest House (FRH) in Himachal Pradesh?
Forest Rest Houses can be booked online through hpecotourism.com or himachalecotourism.hp.gov.in. Select your destination, check availability, and pay 100% in advance including GST. The booking window opens 30 days before the stay date and closes 48 hours before check-in.
Is food available at HP PWD Rest Houses?
Food availability depends entirely on the caretaker/chowkidar. Some caretakers cook basic meals (dal, rice, sabzi) for a reasonable charge, while others may not offer food at all. I always suggest carrying your own raw food like Maggi, eggs, and bread as a backup. Self-cooking is usually allowed with the caretaker’s permission.
Can my PWD Rest House booking be cancelled by the government?
Yes, technically a VIP or senior government official can override your booking. However, this is rare with confirmed bookings because most rest houses have rooms reserved separately for VIPs. The risk is higher for walk-in stays without an official booking slip.
Which is the best PWD Rest House in Himachal Pradesh?
The Prashar Lake PWD Rest House (Mandi) is one of the most popular and scenic. Other notable ones include Sagnam (Pin Valley), Chitkul (Kinnaur), Barot (Mandi), and Kibber (Spiti). The “best” depends on your itinerary and destination, but all of these offer stunning locations at unbeatable prices.
Conclusion
HP PWD Rest Houses, Circuit Houses, and Forest Rest Houses are genuinely great options for budget travelers exploring Himachal Pradesh. The locations are unmatched, the rates are very affordable, and the experience of staying at these government properties in remote Himalayan settings is something private hotels cannot replicate. However, they do come with a small risk of cancellation, so always have a Plan B ready.
With the launch of the Him Atithi online portal and the HP Ecotourism booking system, the process has become much simpler than the old phone-and-fax days. I hope this guide helps you plan your stay at these wonderful rest houses across Himachal Pradesh. If you have ever stayed at any of these rest houses and have tips or pictures to share, please drop them in the comments below or share them in the DwD Community. Your experience will help fellow travelers plan better 🙂 …
If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh, feel free to share this article with them. It could save them quite a bit of money on accommodation!
Last Updated: March 2026
121 Comments
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I want to book pwd guest house/circuit house/forest rest house at manali during 03.11.18 to 07.08.18. How to book the said guest house.
Thank you
with regard
Sajal
Hi , The phone number/s( 01906 – 222252 ) for PWD guest in Spiti seem to be invalid.
Shall anyone provide the latest numbers.
Hello Dhiraj,
I am planning to book circuit house in Manali. Can you please share your experiences about it.
Thanks
Hemant
Sorry Hemant, I have not stayed at Circuit House in Manali. However talking to people who have stayed, it is a decent stay that you expect from any govt. run facility.
Dear Dheeraj Sharma, I am planning to visit shimla & Kinnaur in mid october 2018. Can I book a PWD Rest House or Circuit House There.—- 9007747912
Chinmoy ji, yes, you can surely try to connect with numbers mentioned above and follow the process to book the HP PWD Rest Houses. Early you book, better it will be else you can also book on the spot as well.
Hi Dheeraj,
I am going to Chitkul on 28th of August. I tried calling on 01786 253 303. But it is no longer valid & I am not getting a response over email. Is there any other way in which I can contact? Or do you have a recent no. for the Chitkul Rest house?
Thanks
Sorry Shruti, I do not have any other number. Did you try calling Reckong Peo office? They can also approve the booking for Chitkul. Also, Chitkul has a decent number of private options including nice home stays and few basic guest houses at the economic budget.
I’ll try the Reckong Peo Office. Can I get on spot rooms at Chitkul when I’m there? We are 6 people and require 3 rooms.
Thanks
Yes, less people stay at Chitkul and you should be able to find rooms on the spot as well unless you are not too particular about the stays. For stay options in Kinnaur and Spiti, check the link: Some Good Options of Stays in Spiti Valley / Kinnaur Valley.
Hi Dheeraj,
I tried the Reckong Peo Office on the no 01902-222227. But that no is now with J&K Bank. No luck there too. Now will have to look for room once I reach there.
Thanks.
Thanks for the update Shruti, I am sure you will get something on the spot for sure without much hassle.
Hello Dheeraj
Plz tell me about Dharmshala rest house, what facility of food, how many far from city
Sorry Rajesh, I never stayed at Dharamshala Rest House.
Hi, Dheeraj, what is the procedure to book a PWD Rest House Room.
Hi Satish,
The procedure I know about is already documented in the article above. Try to follow the mentioned process and you may get lucky.
Dheeraj, your block is quite useful for the persons who are living outside H.P. During the ensuing summer vacation I am planning to visit Dharmasala, Dalhousie, Manali and Rothang pass etc. Please guide me in this matter and also inform about the availability of the PWD guest house. I am a central governement employee working in GPO, Mumbai
(Sree Kumar. N )
Sree, you will need to book the PWD rest houses at these locations well in advance. Start getting connected with them as mentioned in the article above. How many days do you have in hand?
Dear Dheeraj
In my previous mail I have inadvertently messaged my mobile no. due to which I am receiving so may calls from all around India for reserving PWD Guest House in Shimla., which is quite disturbing . So, If possible, please delete my mobile number from the site and oblige.
Thanks
(Sree Kumar. N)
I have removed your phone number from your previous comment.
I really like and appreciate your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Dear DHEERAJ,
I am central govt. gazetted officer posted at Ordnance Factory ,Nagpur,Maharashtra which falls under Ministry of Defence,along with my family plan to visit Manali & Dharmashala in last week of December 2016.I want to book Govt. rest houses both at Manali & Dharmashala .is it possible to book them for me? Please guide.
Yes, it is very much possible to book them at the Govt. official rates. However, the places you choose are very popular tourist spots in Himachal and hence, you know getting the booking will be difficult. You can try for sure as almost 2.5 months are there still.
Namaste dheeraj ji.thanks for your early replies.we will reached narkanda 8th oct according to your suggested plan.i want book hotel for that day at narkanda.in your list of hotels narkanda is absent.pls pls give hotel name and no. because after 45/46 hour journey we want rest.we need budget hotel.pls answer
Naresh, most of the hotels in Narkanda are not economic and are in the range from 2000-3000. You should either stay at PWD rest house in Matiana, where less people stay so chances are you might get it available or try Theog first. Narkanda circuit rest house is also present which you can also try but many people would be looking for it. So, start trying from Theog, then Matiana and then Narkanda else book the HPTDC hotel “The Hatu”
Dear Dhiraj
Can u please suggest if there is any FRH or PWD in leh or ladakh or near by
Also while going to leh overnight stay is also required, if on the way there is any place
We are planning to go to Leh from 14 th August onwards from Manali
Thank you
Regards
MITESH Desai
9779576032
mitesh.desai@bayer.com
No Mitesh, there are no PWD guest houses open for public in Leh – Ladakh area AFAIK. Above all there are many economic guest houses and home stays in Ladakh so you do not need these guest houses.
Thanks Mr. Dheeraj for sharing this information and it help us to plan our trip better.
As I am planning to visit Losar in the month of October this year, regarding booking of New Rest House at Lossar, I called to number 01906222252, but not able to connect. Pls let me know how can i connect with them to get my booking confirm for my Losar stay.
Thanks
AK, you do not need any prebooking in October. You can land up there and book the room there. If you are doing it from Manali side, Battal makes more sense to stay being lower in altitude than losar where chances of falling sick are less.
Do You have any phone number for stay location in Battal (near Chandratal)? I have read about the PWD Rest House in Battal and a nearby Dhaba , but couldn’t get to a contact number for those!!
Really informative article…could you give an idea about how probable is it that we can get a room at kasol with a prior booking of about 5 days? What are the chances of availability?
Thanks in advance.
I see slim chances and all depends upon luck. Especially during summers, it will be surely slim.
Dear Dheeraj
Can you please provide me the telephone nos of Khoksar PWD rest house ???
Please check the list, you will find the contact info. there. It should fall under Lahaul district.
Hi could you give information on following-
1 Buses for Rekong Peo start from delhi in the evening, so do they travel whole night in mountains also ?? what time it reaches Rekong peo?
2 Are there buses from Chandigarh also for Kalpa or Rekong ?
3 How risky is driving on way to sangla ?
Hi Sandeep,
1. AFAIK, there are two buses one around 6 AM in the morning and other around 4 PM in the evening. Cost is around 225 Rs. It will take about 16 Hrs of time to reach Reckong peo
2. Chandigarh to Reckong peo are also avaulable. From Reckong peo you can go over to Kalpa
Dear sir,
I am not getting the working phone no. Of pwd off Sangla and Kalpa. Could you pl. Help me. My mail I’d is samir.roy69@gmail.com
08444859172
Please refer: http://hppwd.gov.in/report_rh.asp?idno=kinnaur
Please give me the no of pwd Kalpa and sangla
Please refer: http://hppwd.gov.in/report_rh.asp?idno=kinnaur
we are visiting dalhousie on 29th may to 31 may for two night stay, would u plz guide staying in pwd guest house of dalhousie and khajjar? and can i visit to local sight seeing of dalhousie ,khajjar and dharmashala as we shall reah dalhousie by 5 pm on 29 th mayor which places should i visit, we train at 10.00pm on 31 may from pathankot, how we should get to pathankot?
I am not sure in season time you will be able to get hold of PWD Guest House or even FRH at Kalatop. You can try booking FRH at Kalatop in advance. You do not have much time on hand, instead of visiting everything around Dalhousie and Khajjiar, it will be better that you focus on just relaxing in Khajjiar and Kalatop and enjoy the relaxing time and vistas.
hi Dheeraj. am planning to visit Kinnaur Kailash in 2nd week of May via Kullu. we are 4 families. can u suggest a decent PWD accommodation. do we need to book in advance or can we just walk in?
Yes Jatin, you will have to book in advance the PWD rest houses in Reckong Peo
Extremely informative… have stayed many a times at the forest guest house at kasauli following the same procedure..its a lovely place… plus the food generally at FRH is good , like home cooked….
Thanks Amit, yeah, completely agree with it 🙂
Quite informative… thanks for sharing. 🙂
HOW CAN I BOOK REST HOUSE ROOM IN SHIMLA
Rakesh, it will be quite difficult to get in Shimla. Best bet will be Theog, Matiana and Narkanda following the above procedure.
CAN NE1 TELL ME HOW CAN I GET A MOTORCYCLE IN PATHANKOTE OR DALHOUSIE FOR A TRIP WITH MY 11 YR. OLD SON 4M PATHANKOTE TO DALHOUSIE , DHARAMSHALA AND BACK TO PATHANKOTE IN 7 DAYS. RENTAL.
Mr. Dheeraj Sharma, the details you have provided are very good n helpful. 🙂
i am gonna travel to Dharamsala and Palampur with my family on 10th July by Bus from Delhi.
So could you please tell me the exact address of PWD Guest House in dharamshala n palampur, so tat we can ask the taxi driver to drop us their.
And also i have an doubt that if we reach directly at the guest house for stay without booking … we will have to talk with the booking office or the Chowkidar only ??
Thanks.
Rajiv, I do not have the exact address but everyone will know about PW Guest House once you will reach there and ask. If you directly land up there, then ask the chowkidar only but do read the caveats too.
Brilliant details. I have stayed in HPPWD rest houses many times and have varied experiences. This article talks about most of the important facts about bookings with HPPWD rest houses in Himachal.
Thank you VJ.
suggest me some budget hotels in mcleodgang plz? i m travelling vid my family and wants a budget hotel near some tourist place like any dal lake or BHAGSUNAG ?
Shubham, go for Pink House Guest House, here is the review: Pink House | McLeod Ganj (Dharamsala)
Hi Dheeraj,
Plz send me a contact number for booking Forest Guest/Rest House at Kala Top as i have not received any reply mail from them.
Sorry Rahul, I have only these contact or numbers
HOW CAN I BOOK REST HOUSE IN MANALI. PLEASE TELL ME THE PROCESS.
Vijay, the process is outlined in the article above.
Mr Dheeraj Sharma,
Can you please send me your contact number.
We want to visit Sarahan, sangla and kalpa shortly and want to stay at PWD guest house.
Regards.
Sanjay Sanyal
Sanjay, you can get connected with Pritam Ji HP Pwd at 098 16 629377. He is caretaker at Jeori PWD Guest House, may be he can help you out.
Hi, need some information about the rest house in Chindi. Whom do i need to contact to get a booking done?
Priya, either you can walk-in with some risk associated or else get connected with E.E. Karsog 1907 222229 ee-kar-hp@nic.in for Rest House at Chindi following the process detailed in the article above.
Thanks a lot for the prompt reply, will follow your instructions.
Going to shimla first wk of april 15.want to stay sarahan. Chitkul. Narkanda. Souja pwd accomodation. Need u r suggession.
Sandeep, good enough. I think you can stay at PWD Rest Houses at all these locations. If Narkanda circuit house not available then there is one at Matiana and theog too.
which pwd rest would you prefer if be in April in manali.
Sandeep, not sure what you mean here. I will say in whichever you can find booking 🙂
How to book Dalhousie PWD rest house or any other best?
Sanjay, the process is detailed in the article above.
Very useful information.lets see if it works.
It does not work always but sometimes do work 🙂
is there any info on JKTDC or JK FRH guest houses too ?
Yes, there is JKTDC Bungalows as well and PWD Rest Houses in Kashmir too.
I WANT PHONE NO. REST HOUSE PWD OR FRH PLEASE GIVE ME ..RAJGARH HP
Amit, the list I have is already attached, you can search the Rajgarh one in it. If it is not present in the list, I don’t have any other.
Great effort friend , in putting all the info at one place . Planning to go to Dalhaussi khajiar in mid October , let me try based on info given by you here , if I can get some accommodation in guest houses.
Regards
Best wishes for the trip Sunil, a lot of people are able to see through PWD Guest Houses. I will check and see if someone in the community have a number of caretaker or not.
Dear Dheeraj,
It does not quite work, too difficult to cut through the red tape. Called the EE office, they asked me to send a mail that I did . As there was no reply to it, I called after a week and the officer told me that booking is not done in advance these days as some VIPs come in the end and there are problems then .
He however said on last day if no one comes the allocation is done if accommodation is available . As I am traveling with family booked with a hotel.
never the less the information given by you is mighty useful for individuals traveling to explore the country side rather than visitors who like it well planned .
Regards and thanks for wishes.
Sunil, yeah, it does not quite work all times but that’s just the process. Unfortunately. However, it does work at times, so never mind giving it a shot. Else walkin to these offices and get the slip done yourself while going on to destination.
Hi ,I plan to travel to Manali during 1’st week of November with my family.is it advisable to take a trip to Spiti with a 11 yr old boy and 4 yr old child.How will the weather be during that time?
Tina, this is HIGHLY NOT recommended to travel to Spiti Valley at that time of the year. It will be quite cold conditions, rough/dry cold with most of the hotels as closed. Also, very very high danger if you follow Manali to Spiti route at that time of the year. Please stick to your normal plan to Manali and around areas.
very use full guidance .I plan to visit in the last week of sept.14 for 6-7days .can I apply now any way. how will be weather condition. how I can travel by bus. pl guide
regards
Weather will be pleasant in hill during September.
Dear Dheeraj,
Your information are very useful and handy. Thanks for all these and others on other bolgs as well.
regards,
Munish, glad to know that all the info. present on DoW was useful for you.
Dear Dheeraj,
Thanks a lot for all the detailed description of Manali Circuit House, and I must say that it is really helpful. As per your instruction, I have tried to call the the given number, however no one responded even after several attempts. Finally I have shared the travel dates and guest details with them in the given email address. Do you have any idea, will they respond to my email really?
Regards,
Kanchan
Kanchan, that’s the sorry state we have. I highly doubt for any reply 🙁
i want to book rest house @khajjiar, but the server says contact number provided here is not correct.
i will be trekking alone from kalatop to khajjiar, and most probably i vl reach there @night
if i don’t get my room confirmed is there any possibility of getting the rest house on tip basis(only for night stay)
Avish, if the FRH is not booked at Kalatop, you will be able to get the room there. But, if it is occupied then you will end up in soup there 🙁 … It is better to confirm the booking. Did you try to email them?
No I din’t tried the email coz am pretty sure that they won’t reply to it
and pls tell if there’s any other place their which is economical like FRH
There are no options of stay there at Kalatop, AFAIK apart form the FRH.
Hi Dheeraj,
Good that you have provided so much info on rest houses, which we rarely find at any of the sites. I, along with my wife have booked Chail PWD Rest house for the coming weekend . Any idea if this is better or the circuit house? Do you have any photos for the Chail PWD rest house by any chance. Sometimes these properties are not well kept up so in double mind regarding staying there. Thanks & Regards, Gaurav
Sorry Gaurav, I do not have any photo of that rest house. May be if you can once you back, will help others for sure. Yes, you are right that some times these are not well maintained and that’s the risk that you have to take it.
thanks dheeraj ji for your quick response. we will be having a three day stay in himanchal and we will travel by our own car straight from allahabad. thanks again for your effort nd i think its better to choose one or two destinations and explore them fully rather than visiting lots of places in a short time trip. after my visit i will come up to this blog and would like to share my experiences.
have a good time ahead mr. dheeraj
Srajan, Best wishes for the trip and we will wait for your pictures and trip report back in the community. If by chance you happen to be happy to help the local community, please try and support the DoW Causes up there. You can check more details about them at: DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel
thanks a lot Mr. Dheeraj 🙂 yoour blog made us to choose himanchal over uttarakhand. but have some querries and will be thankfull to u for helping us.
we r four frnds nd we will be on a three day trip to himanchal by our car from allahabad. we all are 25 age group ppl nd bachelors so we want to explore our life with some adventures and youth life styles. so pls guide us over following points…
1. as we are bachelors nd not very high on budgets( though we accept that we are fools and spending more on fuel than our visit but it has its own fun too 😉 ). and we want to leave all famous sightseeing of himanchal for our married life nd currently we want a trip for someoffbeat places and want to have some thrill in life.like theerthan valley…so plz suggest some.
2. dont want to stay in hotels nd rest houses so will the tents we are carrying help in nights nd is there any problem regarding authority from forest or govt.
3. are the roads safer in himanchal?
4 . any recommendations and advice from your side .
sorry ….m very silly with writing so please excuse for that..hope u got our point..
looking forward for your valuable reply. by the way we r leaving on 12 march .
Srajan, please find my replies below:
1. There is Tirthan Valley, Kasol, Manikaran, Pabbar Valley, Kinnaur Valley, Dharamshala/Mcleod Ganj, Dalhousie, Chamb, Khajjiar, Barot, Parashar Lake, etc.. You can opt for any one of the following. Not sure how many days you have in hand.
2. Better stay in some basic guest houses, for tents you need to find a spot, could be private land where you can pay for your stay for a while.
3. Not sure about this but they are just like other mountain roads all over except Kinnaur Valley above which are a bit more treacherous.
How are you planning? Public Transport?
Kudos Dheeraj!!!
Very detailed and informative article.
Helped a lot. Thanks
Ankur, glad to know that the info. present in the article helped you in planning trip to Himachal in some sense. Feel free to ask any queries you have 🙂
very informative. And also helpful. Budget traveling just got better!!
Yes, they are very effective in making budget travel trips to Himachal. Yet, they offer very good comfort + views. Majority of time when I travel, I stay with PWD Guest Houses only in Himachal, with or without bookings, doesn’t matter but they always comes the first choice 😀
At outset kudos to you for taking pains in preparing such info and sharing it with everyone ……
Could you also give your advice on few of nicely located guesthouses . Basically I travel quite often and prefer absolutely secluded places with nice view ….. Will request you to advice couple of such places ( should be around 10 hour driving distance from Delhi )
Deepak, within 10 Hrs from Delhi, there is Narkanda, Chakrata, Rajgarh, Chail as few options in Himachal Pradesh. Rest of them are about 12-14 Hrs of drive from Delhi.
Hey Dheeraj, do you have any idea of PWD rest houses in the Allahabad-Patna stretch? Require help as I will be traveling solo by bike from Delhi-Assam, so more economical the night stay the better !!
PS: I have my tent too; can I pitch tent in these stretches?
Suraj, I have never traversed that route, so not sure about it. Also, I am not aware if any other state has opened PWD Rest Houses for stay for tourists. Himachal is just one exception I know. Regardin pitching tents, I feel you can pitch them as long as the place is safe enough. My best bet is to put camps near by some villager farm or open land close the civilization so that you have sense of protection always. They charge you to minimal as well.
Yes, agreed Dheeraj. Other than HP, only states I know accomodates PWD rest houses are Arunachal Pradesh and certain areas in Assam.
If your advice is sought as to a new tent budgeting around 3000rs. which would you go with? And any other cautionary for tent stay other then staying away from water bodies, use of insect repellants?
Hi Suraj,
Aah, that ways. I have least knowledge of North East so was not aware of the fact. Bhai, you can go with some tents in Sadar Baazar, Delhi Cantt which are good enough. Also, you can check with pashupati tents at Rajinder Palace. They have some good options. Regarding camping, you should also take care the direction of wind blowing and pitch it where there is less wind presence. Keep your eatables packed so that open food does not attracts stray animals. IN the end, only leave your footprints behind 🙂 … A good sleeping bag is always good thing.
Regards
Dheeraj
Tnks Since I had bn travelling very frequently to HP and staying in Govt rest/Circuit / FRH only you shall get B L Dinner pocket and Gala tarrrrr kar do.
Could not understand what yo mean here.
thanks deeraj. it is rather impressive how you have tried really hard to cover the human element, indian work ethics, probability theory and several others things but still being so enthusiastically hopeful..i love it. thanks much.
Thanks alot prema, glad you the info. present was useful for you 🙂
Very useful post. The Govt guest houses have best view and are safest to live in remote areas. A post worth bookmarking…
Thanks alot Prasad!! Yeah, since there was a lot of confusion over these HP rest houses and booking so I thought better compile the article under one roof. Thanks for the bookmark too 😀
Good one, dheeraj. But my suggestion is to avoid it when hotel options are there. PWD rest houses are more easily accessible than FRHs. However, the FRH at Shongtong is superb but the caretaker is not so, unless well tipped or peer pressurized from some forest official.
Ravindra ji, yes very true. This risk about caretaker being good or not is always there. Actually, I see they are afraid of work may be that is why they do not allow. Otherwise, if there isn’t any booking then I feel they should always allow if in any case it has been opened for tourists 🙁 … Next time I visit Spiti, I will surely stay at Shontong.
Quite informative, surely gonna try this out
Thanks Suman, but make sure you feel about risks highlighted 😉
it will be very helpfull in planning our tour
thanks
Thanks alot Manish, glad it proved useful for you.