Chakrata Uttarakhand
Chakrata is a small hill town near Dehradun in Uttarakhand, situated at an altitude of 7,000 m, known for its coniferous forest, treks, caves, and ancient temples. With mountaineering being one of the popular activities in Chakrata, it is also becoming a popular destination for camping. With some beautiful waterfalls, especially Tiger Falls, Chakrata is a backpacker’s paradise and an ideal destination for those looking for unusual tranquil destinations.
The highest peak of the hill town is Kharamba Peak, situated at an altitude of 10,000 m, surrounded by dense forests and nature’s lap. Chakrata forests are home to diverse wildlife like wild birds, panthers, and spotted deer. In a small village of the Jaunsari tribe called Jaunsar Bawar, this place overlooks the Yamuna Valley. The place was developed by the officials of the East India Company and includes a military cantonment, thereby restricting entry for civilian travelers.
Places To Visit In Ranikhet
Tiger Falls
Tiger Falls is a hidden gem near Dehradun in Chakrata. Situated in the lap of mighty nature; These waterfalls have become one of the most popular places of relaxation among the locals and tourists. People turn to these natural springs to escape the hustle and bustle of the cities. The gushing water of the spring, surrounded by dense forest, creates a rejuvenating sound in the nearby hills. Also, with a height of 312 feet, it is the highest straight waterfall in India.
Deoban
At an altitude of 2200 m, Deoban offers expansive views of the Himalayan ranges and is surrounded by dense deodar forests. Home to a wide variety of Himalayan woodpeckers, white-collared blackbirds, and green-backed tit, these forests attract a large number of bird watchers. A 15-minute walk through these forests will take you to Vyas Shikhar where Vyas wrote the Mahabharata and if the weather is clear you can see the Himalayan range and a series of peaks.
Budher Caves
About 30 km from Chakrata are the Budher Caves, also known as the Miola Caves. The name Miola is named after the German man who discovered the cave and the cave is now a popular place to visit or go cave exploring.
The cave is believed to have been dug by the Pandavas during their “Vanvas” or exile before the Mahabharata war. The cave is approximately 150 meters long and is a great place for adrenaline junkies looking for some caving opportunities. The caves are mostly made of limestone rocks with spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations.
Chilmiri Neck
One of the peak points, Chilmiri is where the cantonment is situated. You can see Rohini Peak, Swarg Peak, and Bandarpoonch massif from here. The forests around Chilmiri Neck provide ample opportunities for bird watching as they are home to beautiful migratory birds and you can spot colorful butterflies adding charm to the place.
Ram Tal Horticultural Garden
One of the popular attractions of Chakrata, Ram Tal Horticulture Garden has located 9 km from Chakrata on Chakrata-Mussoorie road. Covered with varieties of climbers, conifers, lichens, ferns, flowering plants, and woody trees, the garden is home to the famous Black Headed Jay, Gray Treepie, and Oriental Turtle Dove. Apart from the vast expanse of lush green lawns, this horticultural garden has an apple orchard and a natural pond are some of the main attractions of the place.
Best Time to visit Chakrata
With beautiful weather throughout the year, This place is a hill town with rich green forests, old sanctuaries, and caves in the state of Uttarakhand.
However, summer (March-June) is the best time to visit Chakrata, densely covered with flowers, which is a spectacular sight to behold. Another ideal time is during the monsoons when the whole city comes alive. Winters are relatively cool with occasional snowfall.
Weather In Chakrata Throughout the Year(Month Wise)
Chakrata in Summer (March-June):-
Summer in Chakrata is an ideal time to engage in outdoor activities when the temperature remains comfortably between 26-37°C. After the winters are over, the temperature starts rising in March, creating a mildly cooler climate. The climate is quite convenient for tourists to explore the region, it is also suitable for exciting outdoor activities like camping, hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching. Light cotton clothes are suitable for summer.
Chakrata in Monsoon (July-September):-
Chakrata receives moderate to heavy rainfall during monsoon, which is accompanied by cool winds that bring down the temperature. The weather is pleasant as the temperature ranges from 27 degrees to 35 degrees Celsius. With the rain that brings its greenery; this place looks more fabulous than ever. Nevertheless, monsoon is not a very popular season among travelers visiting this place.
Outdoor activities are compromised due to frequent rains, but on the bright side, Chakrata’s beauty emerges, which is a sight to behold for every pluviophile. Lush green forests, lush green high mountain peaks, and breathtaking landscapes will leave you amazed.
Chakrata in Winter (October-February):-
The winters in Chakrata are quite chilly, with the temperature sometimes falling below sub-zero levels. Apart from nature lovers, winters are an excellent time for couples to plan their honeymoon. The sky remains clear for most of the day which makes it a suitable season to travel.
One can indulge in thrilling activities like camping, hiking, and bird watching which are highly enjoyable during this time. The bright and sunny days of summer welcome you to Chakrata, as this is considered the best time to visit this hill town. The pleasant weather during summer and the clearly visible view of the majestic Himalayan peaks brings out the true beauty of this place.
How To Reach
By Road:- Motorable roads connect this place to many cities in Uttarakhand and also outside the state. Buses are available from ISBT Kashmir Gate(Dehli) to Mussoorie and Chakrata.
Buses are also available from Mussoorie and Dehradun districts to this place. Chakrata is also well connected to Himachal Pradesh via Paonta Sahib. Chakrata is about 311 km from Delhi and the distance can be covered in 8 hour journey.
By Train:- The nearest railhead is located in the capital Dehradun. The distance between the railway station and Chakrata town is approximately 87 km. It is easily accessible from Dehradun city. Taxis and buses are available from Dehradun to this place. One can hire a taxi or share it with other travelers which will cost you a lesser amount.
By Air:- The nearest airport to the city is about 115 kilometers from the Jolly Grant area. Jolly Grant is a domestic airport that is well-connected to Delhi Airport. Delhi Airport is an international airport and is also connected to major cities abroad. Tourists from outside the country can easily reach the town by detouring from Delhi-Jolly Grant.
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Chakrata, Uttarakhand like the best time to visit and Activities you can do in this place, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. And If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.