Overview

📍 Location

State: Uttarakhand, India
District: Dehradun
Altitude: ~2,118 meters (6,950 feet)
Distance: ~90 km from Dehradun, ~330 km from Delhi

🌄 About Chakrata
Chakrata is a secluded hill station and cantonment town nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Once developed by the British Indian Army, it now serves as a peaceful getaway surrounded by pine forests, waterfalls, and mountain ridges.
Unlike busy hill towns like Mussoorie, Chakrata remains quiet, pristine, and less commercialized — perfect for travelers seeking peace, adventure, and nature.

🌟 Top Attractions
Place
Highlights
Tiger Falls
One of India’s highest direct waterfalls (~312 ft); scenic trek (5 km from main town).
Deoban (Devban)
Dense cedar forest; offers panoramic Himalayan views including peaks like Bandarpunch.
Budher Caves (Miola Caves)
Natural limestone caves (~3 km trek); great for explorers and photographers.
Chilmiri Neck
Highest point in Chakrata; known for sunsets, birdwatching, and camping.
Ram Tal Horticultural Garden
Small lake and garden; ideal for picnics and birding.
Kanasar
Serene picnic spot with thick deodar forests and meadows (~25 km from Chakrata).

🏕️ Things to Do
Trekking & Hiking: Trails to Deoban, Budher Caves, Tiger Falls.
Camping: At Chilmiri Neck, Kanasar, or near Tiger Falls.
Waterfall Visits: Relax and swim near Tiger Falls.
Bird Watching: The area is home to Himalayan monals, woodpeckers, and thrushes.
Photography: Captivating sunrises, misty forests, and snow peaks.
Snow Fun (in winter): Chakrata receives light snow between Dec–Feb.


🍲 Food & Cafés
Chakrata is not commercialized, so most meals are served at hotels or small dhabas.
Try local Garhwali dishes like aloo ke gutke, chainsoo, pahadi dal, and jhangora kheer.
Recommended stops:
Chakrata Eco Café (near market area)
Hotel Snow View’s in-house restaurant
Local dhabas for authentic mountain meals

🚗 How to Reach
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun – 115 km (nearest airport).
By Train: Dehradun Railway Station – 90 km away.
By Road: Accessible from Dehradun (3 hrs), Mussoorie (3.5 hrs), Delhi (8–9 hrs).
Route: Dehradun → Vikasnagar → Kalsi → Chakrata
⚠️ Foreign nationals need permission (Chakrata is a military cantonment).

🕒 Best Time to Visit

🌸 Ideal Trip Duration
🗓️ 2–3 days — enough to explore main sights and relax in nature.

💡 Travel Tips
Carry cash — limited ATMs and network connectivity.
Pack warm clothes even in summer (nights are chilly).
Ideal for nature lovers, trekkers, and couples who prefer quiet destinations.
Avoid night driving — roads are steep and forested.