Uttarakhand Chapter 2 - Chakrata

I see, I hear the hills calling me
My backpack teasing and my soul craving
for the wind tangling my hair
for the views leaving me awestruck & wonder
for the tiredness my body and eyes don't register
its time... its time I wander.

How to go

For first timers arriving at Delhi Airport

1. Delhi Metro is right at the airport to your left.

2. Get ticket for "New Delhi Metro Station", Ticket Cost - 60/-
3. From "New Delhi Metro station" get ticket to "Kashmere Gate Metro Station". Bus stand is at walking distance, ticket cost - 60/-

Delhi to Dehradun - 243KM
Duration - 6 hours

Government Local Bus Deluxe - 320/- per ticket
Other types of buses tariff can be seen on the Uttarakhand bus website.
There will be people asking you to board their private buses (800/- per ticket - AC and 550/- Non AC) to dehradun but those buses will be same as government local bus with AC. Choice is yours. After all you pay for your comfort not the journey.

Finding link to book Uttarakhand government buses using Google can be tricky so here is the link which took me an hour to search even after contacting my friends:

https://utconline.uk.gov.in/

Direct ticket counters are available at Kashmere Gate:

Not recommended for people looking for AC buses on weekends. They will be sold out online.

Dehradun to Chakrata via Vikasnagar - 90KM
Duration - 3 Hours

Dehradun to Vikasnagar - 45/- per ticket
Vikasnagar to Chakrata
Take a bus near Dehradun railway station to Vikasnagar. Baleros for Chakrata will be available right at the dropping point at Hotel Amar Lodge.

Tourist vehicle behind was our bus from Dehradun for Vikasnagar. The balero in front was our ride to Chakrata.

About the Place

We reached Chakrata around 9:30AM and trust me the place is pure and rich.

As it was heavily raining we explored nearby places hiking and eating the local food, mostly tibetan food - momos, thukpa and commonly available maggi, paratha, noodles.

Best veg momos are available at Chandra's The food court.

Evening Mist

Center Chakrata Bazaar

We stayed at Arya Samaj Temple which is a hell lot better than any other hotel there. Even the bathroom was much better and bigger than other hotels.

No. of people allowed - No limit

One room tariff - 500/- per day

Other Hotel starts from 700/- - shitty rooms upto 1500/- - 2000/- as that is the only source of income for Chakrata residents.

Temple room

Always carry plastic bed sheet or shower curtain - one of the tip mentioned in my Backpacker's Corner post. The beds can be little moist with too much moisture in air due to heavy rains.

Miraculously next day climate was clear.

View from Temple room window

But as the roads were not clear due to landslides, we couldn't go anywhere by car or taxi and anyways taxi will cost you 2500-3000/- private for any nearby points like Deoban, Lakhamandal, tiger falls.

We decided to hike to nearest point Chirmiri Top.

On the way views 

Chirmiri Top

One can easily camp here with prior permissions from forest department and military there. This is one of the best camping places I have seen.

Camping location under the stars

Add caption

I would suggest this place to any Photographer.

Famous millets

We were back to village within 4 hours and decided to leave around 3-4 before it gets dark and starts raining again.

This place has definitely got the pure essence, unexploited where nature is all yours ending with adventurous return trip on top of Balero:

NOTE: Restricted Military Area. Foreigners not allowed.

Uttarakhand State can be risky during monsoons. Avoid travelling in heavy rains. The loose sand causes huge landslides and accidents.

Triphobo.com