I was longing for a break for the last three months, things were going really awesome at my workplace and the four-corners were making me sick. It was a pure coincident when 3-4 of my friends mentioned that they were planning to go to Hemkund and Valley of Flowers and they had deliberately kept me out. Any way I made up my mind and clubbed my two day leave with Gandhi Jayanti thereby making a long weekend of 5 days, packed our bags and on the eve of our departure, we received the news that the roads towards Hemkund are all blocked due to heavy rains. Things were sinking. Suddenly the idea of going towards Chakrata flashed in my mind, I had no information at that hour except the route plan. Any way we left Delhi at 8 in the morning towards Panipat-Karnal-Yamunanagar-PaonataSahib-Kalsi-Chakrata. On this route are situated Hathnikund Barrage, a very ambitious hydel project of Haryana and Paonta Sahib, a historical Sikh Shrine.
We easily reached Kalsi at around 1 noon and took a break to visit the Rock Edict of “Asoka the Great”. The traffic towards Chakrata is regulated through gates and 2 PM was the gate time when we moved towards Chakrata.
I could not believe my eyes; Chakrata is situated on one of the best locations in the hills. One side of the hills is covered with grass that gives the hills a very special look like the meadows and the other side is forest laden. Really wonderous. The town is very small with no good hotels (except Snow-view) and literally no Hill-Station type Restaurants but the weather was very pleasing.
Tiger Falls situated nearby is an excellent excursion for one day you can trek 5 KMs or drive down+ trek 1.5 KMs. They say it is one of the highest waterfalls in India. Be it or not the place is really good. I wonder why Government is ignoring this place. The place can be converted in to an excellent picnic spot.
Kanasar Forest and Deoban are the other places that can be visited nearby. But due to a minor accident we had to cut short the trip and return immediately and could not visit Deoban and Kanasar.
I compare this place with Lansdowne but Chakrata is certainly a better and cool place.
I stayed there for two nights but enjoyed my stay.
Some pictures of the trip are available here: CHAKRATA.
Labels: Chakrata, Travels, Uttaranchal
We easily reached Kalsi at around 1 noon and took a break to visit the Rock Edict of “Asoka the Great”. The traffic towards Chakrata is regulated through gates and 2 PM was the gate time when we moved towards Chakrata.
11 Comments:
Wonderful pictures! Here as well as on flickr site.
We tried hard, but couldn't find the falls! In fact I gave up midway down the slopes. We took a route through Dehradun. And from what I have heard, Chakrata is not being promoted as a tourist destination, because it is an army base.
The waterfall looks awesome!
Wish you a very happy 2008.
grrreat pics. vaaaah!kya baat hai!
Oh wow, you have a cool blog. I am here for a quick look now and shall return again to browse through leisurely.
I am planning a Garhwal trip this summer and could get useful information from you. :)
u guys hve no idea abt chakrata..its one of the high profile seret place in india..its one of the foue centres in india of RAW INDIAN INTELLIGENT AGENCY..in chakrata raw gives training to their best commandos to create problems in our neighbouring states like paskistan and srilanka..even the LITTE army in srilanka was trained at charata ..army personal keeps a secret eye on evry visitor and their every step..
Kapil, no Army and RAW in Chakrata. Your information is dangerous (little knowledge is a ?????????)
Wanderer, your description is really good. I belong to Delhi and am planning to visit Chakrata with family. I have couple of queries:
1. Whats the best way to Chakrata? One of my friends mentioned via Kurukshetra, Kala Amb, VikasNagar. You have mentioned via Poanta Sahib. Are both ways same? If not, which one is better?
2. Are their any specific times when Army lets vehicles pass to Chakrata? You mentioned 2 pm.
3. Where did you stay? Pl suggest a decent accomodation preferably with its own lawns where kids can play or laze around.
4. How many hours drive from Kalsi to Chakrata? My kids felt giddy and vommitted on way to and fro Shimla. Howz the way to Chakrata as compared to Shimla?
Rgds
Sanjay,
Best hotel is http://chakratasnowview.com/
No need to go to Kala Amb, You will have to got to Vikasnagar, Take the route...Delhi>Panipat>Karnal>Ladwa>Yamunanagar>jagadhari>Paonta>Vikas Nagar>Kalsi>Chakrata.
Since your speed will be slow on this route, chances of vomit will be less (Consult doctor before starting.
Start early and you will be in Chakrata, well in time. Stop counting KMs.
Ensure accomodation make advance booking.
And
Enjoy.
Thanx!
Wanderer, I hope you dont mind sharing your EMAIL ID. You can mail me at sanjayk.india@gmail.com.
Cheers
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