Exploring the beauty of Chakrata
The beautiful hill station of Chakrata is located in the state of Uttarakhand, at an elevation of 2118meters from the sea level, perfectly amidst the towering snowy peaks of the Himalayas. It is an ideal place for a weekend getaway in Dehradun and if you are looking for some unexplored regions in Uttarakhand, then you might consider visiting Chakrata on your next trip here.
Away from the hustle and noisy streets of the cities, this lonely quaint town is located amidst coniferous forests offering the most beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy over a weekend. The town can be reached at 90km from Dehradun, another place popular among tourists.
Why Chakrata for your getaway?
An ideal spot for bird and nature lovers, Chakrata offers a picturesque vista away from the bustling crowds of metros. With naturally gifted panoramas all around, this quaint hill station relieves your stress and lets you unwind at a leisurely pace. The popular tourist destination Mussoorie is on the east of this hill station and Kinnaur lies on the western side. The place is gifted with nature’s bounty in both flora and fauna and winters cover this entire place under a sheet of snow, giving it an ethereal look.
When we speak of a getaway, we are on the lookout for a place that takes us far from our everyday busy routine and monotony. This is why we seek a place that is in the midst of natural surroundings, like mountains, rivers, waterfalls, forests, etc. If that is your search, then your answer lies right here in Chakrata.
This beautiful hilly town has some of the most amazing waterfalls you have ever seen and is just the perfect place for you to unwind. The treks through the hilly regions of Chakrata take you along some beautiful waterfalls like the Tiger Falls, which would enchant you on any day.
If you want to feast your eyes upon the gorgeous hills and snowy peaks of the Himalayan ranges, then you can just head over to Mundali near Chakrata. It is also a place where you can go and enjoy skiing in the winter season. Additionally, there are ancient caves, temples, etc. to satiate those who love to explore unchartered territories. It is a place perfectly capable of giving joy to anyone who visits here, irrelevant of the age they belong to.
Places to visit in Chakrata
Chakrata is dotted with places of interest for all age groups and you can choose the place that you want to visit based on your preferences.
- Tiger Falls: At a distance of about 25km from Chakrata, the Tiger Falls offers you a sneak peek into the nature that is awaiting to astonish you all around this mystical place. It is a place favored by many trekkers as it is located amidst the hilly terrain and is yet to be tarnished by urbanization making it a paradise worthy of visiting. If you want to make the journey interesting you can trek to the falls from Chakrata, traveling a mere 5km with ease. Of course, you can take a cab closer to the falls and walk from there.
- Koti Kanasar: At 26km from Chakrata is the picturesque Koti-Kanasar, a highly preferred picnic spot for travelers, weekend trekkers, honeymoon couples, and everyone. With dense green forest and ample sunshine, this place is as scenic as it can be for a picnic. This is also the place housing the oldest Deodar tree in Asia, measuring 6.35mtrs in circumference, making it a place of renowned significance. There is a small temple here for the devotees in the locality and you can trek to Forest Rest House located at the hilltop, 3km from Kanasar, to get majestic views of the mountains. You can also trek to Deoban and Buder Gupha from Koti-Kanasar if you want.
- Lakhamandal: If you are looking for spiritual salvation, then you can visit the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chakrata, called the Lakhamandal. The linga of shiva in this temple is made of graphite and it shines when water is poured over it. According to mythology, this is the place where Duryodhana tried to kill Pandavas in a house of wax. This place is at a distance of 100km from Chakrata.
- Kalsi: A small town that is known for its heritage, Kalsi lies on the banks of River Yamuna between Dehradun and Chakrata. There are inscriptions of King Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor, found as rock edicts in this place. It is also the only place in North India to feature the edict of Ashoka, in the language of Pali, and hence gains more importance. There is fishing allowed near Kalsi with prior permission. It lies at a distance of about 44km from Chakrata.
- Deoban or Gods own forest: If you seek peace and tranquility, then this place is where you are meant to be. Located at a distance of 13 km from Chakrata, Deoban offers picturesque views of the mountains at a height of nearly 3000m above sea level. With dense vegetation of Deodar trees, the place has a whole range of animal and bird species and is a haven for bird watchers. A visit immediately after winter will mesmerize you more with frozen lakes in some areas. The Vyas Shikhar in Deoban is considered to be the place where Sage Vyas wrote the epic Mahabharatha.
- Chilmiri neck: At just 3km from Chakrata, is the Chilmiri neck. It is the highest peak in this region and is surrounded by dense deodar trees. You can view the majestic Himalayas and bathe in the fresh mountain air from this point. The Swarg, Rohini, and Bandarpoonch are some peaks easily visible from the Chilimiri neck. It is a birding spot that welcomes a multitude of migratory birds and butterflies making it a colorful spot to spend your time in.
Apart from the above places, there are also many activities that you can partake in Chakrata like hiking, biking, camping, bird watching, and more.