Chakrata, Uttaranchal

Multiple trips in 2007

[About Chakrata] [Getting There] [Where to stay] [Hotel Snow View] [What to do] [Photo Gallery]
[Jagatgram] [Deo Van] [Koti Kanasar] [Daragadh] [Hanol] [Kathiyan] [Lakhamandal] [Sahia to Kwano]

Getting there.....

Getting there is fairly simple. One can either drive or take a taxi to Chakrata. It is about 4 hrs drive from Dehra Dun and 3 hrs from Ponta Sahib. There are two ways of going there, the traditional one is through Herbertpur and Kalsi (98kms) and the other is through Mussorie and Yamuna Bridge (100kms).

Road Map of Chakrata

Unfortunately there is no official road map of Chakrata available. I have tried to draw a schematic road map of Chakrata from the details of our trips to the area, religiously jotting down the name of places and the distances as we travelled through the region. Metalled roads are shown in red while country unmetalled roads are in brown. Trekking routes are dotted. If you notice any discrepancy in the map, please email me. To email me

Kalsi Route:

From Dehra Dun you take the Chakrata Road and drive about 45mins to reach Herbertpur, around 35kms away. From there one turns right to Vikasnagar (4kms) and then another 12.5kms to Kalsi. The road up to Kalsi is straight and in excellent condition, beyond Kalsi it is zig zag with occasional bad patches.
On this route, besides driving yourself, you can easily take a shared jeep from Dehra Dun to Chakrata.First one leaves at 5.00am from the clock tower (9411720362 ), the second one at 8am from Darshal Lal Chowk (9411719808) and there are three others at 2,4 and 6pm all leaving from Darshan Lal Chowk. They charge Rs 80/- per person. To ensure a seat especially in the 8am one, do reach the starting point atleast 1/2hr before departure.A private taxi will cost you Rs 1000/- from Dehra Dun to Chakrata town.
At Kalsi is an Army barrier, beyond which was traditionally a one way road. Soldiers of "Tibet army" man the gates. The Gate System has now been discontinued and the road to Chakrata is now a two way road.
At Kalsi you must go and see the Ashoka Stupa at Kalsi. Erected in 380 BC it is just 3 minutes walking distance from the Gate and is something amazing !!
See this external site for great information on Ashoka Stupas.
Interesting comments about Kalsi are in this site.

Last petrol pump is at Vikas Nagar!! So, fill up. Next one is only at Tuni.

Ashoka Stupa at Kalsi

Alternative Route:
You can also go to Chakrata via Bairat Khai. Bairat Khai is a village around 28 kms from Kalsi, 24 kms beyond which is Chakrata. This route is 10 kms longer than the straight route, but much more beautiful. To reach Bairat Khai from Kalsi, you have to travel 1.5kms on the main road to Chakrata and then turn right.

Mussorie RouteRoute:

Is also comfortable, though it has more hilly and less straight roads as compared to Kalsi route. From Mussorie, go to Kempty Falls and then onwards via Yamuna bridge to villages called Nagthat and Bairat Khai and finally Chakrata. Total distance from Dehra dun would be around 100kms. The roads are fairly decent with rough patches in between.

[About Chakrata] [Getting There] [Where to stay] [Hotel Snow View] [What to do] [Photo Gallery]
[Jagatgram] [Deo Van] [Koti Kanasar] [Daragadh] [Hanol] [Kathiyan] [Lakhamandal] [Sahia to Kwano]