Chakrata is a cantonment town and also a sub district/tehsil, in Dehradun district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It lies between the Tons and Yamuna rivers, at an elevation of 2118 m, 98 km from the state capital, Dehradun. Chakrata was originally a cantonment of the British Indian Army.
Places To See
- Tiger Falls: Away from the hustle bustle of urban city dehradun, Tiger Falls is a magnificent waterfall located amidst hilly terrain near Chakrata. Untouched by commercialization, Tiger Fall is a favourite attraction among basic trekkers as well as a remote picnic spot for friends.
- Chilmiri Neck: This is one of the highest peak around Chakrata region and one of the prime touristy places to visit in Chakrata. The peak offers magnificent views of the Himalayan range including famous peaks like Bandarpoonch, Rohini and Swarg peaks. This is also home to several species of migratory birds that visit every winter, making it an ideal destination for bird watchers.
- Deoban: Located around 13km away from main Chakrata market, this is a must among places to visit around Chakrata if you are a nature lover. A dense forest of Deodar trees offers the perfect stage for birdwatching and being at one with nature. Local birds like white collared blackbirds and Himalayan woodpeckers humbly open their homes to the migratory birds that visit the area every winter.
- Budher Caves: This is one of the most exciting places to visit around Chakrata. You will need to travel around 30 km from Chakrata to visit this amazing cave full of stalagmite and stalactite formations. According to legend, the 150km long cave system was built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata period. The caves are sometimes quite treacherous and it is advisable to take a guided tour to properly explore the caves.
Chakrata does not foster too many options for food, cuisines and restaurants and your choices might get somewhat limited here. However there are a few good restaurants that serve typical Indian food and popular items, off Chinese cuisine.
How to Reach
- By Air: The Jolly Grant airport of Dehradun is the nearest airport to the town, at a distance of 116 kilometres by road. Domestic flights of various airlines connect Dehradun with Delhi. But international travellers ought to take international flights from the Delhi International airport.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station to Chakrata is Dehradun railway station at a distance of 92 kilometres from the town. Dehradun railway station is connected with the major Indian cities through a network of trains.
- By Road: Dehradun, at a distance of 92 kilometres, Ponta Sahib at 70 kilometres and Kalsi at 98 Kilometres are the nearest cities having good road connectivity with the town. State transport buses ply on these routes. The beautiful city of Mussoorie is just 80 KM away from Chakrata by road. You can also visit Rishikesh which is just 137 KM away.
Best time to visit
Boasting a beautiful weather all year round, Chakrata is a hill town with rich green woodlands, old sanctuaries and caverns in the state of Uttarakhand. However, Summer (March – June) is the best time to visit this quaint little town that gets densely covered with blossoms which is a glorious sight to behold. Another ideal time is during Monsoon when the entire town looks lively. Winters are rather cold with occational snowfall.