An ad lib Chakrata

Tripoto
23rd Jun 2015

en-route Deoban

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

Bliss at Tiger Falls

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

The heavenly view

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

Dusk in Chakrata

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

And the amazing byway

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

Inquisitive travelers..

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

The Rain!

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

At Kanasar

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

And the enchanting Himalayas...

Photo of An ad lib Chakrata by Sharan Prakash

It was around 6 pm, we had already rented a Terrano for the trip. A trip to where? None of us (four) knew it. We were confused between Chopta, Chakrata, Auli, Mcleodganj. At a red light on Mahatma Gandhi Marg (near DU) we decided to head for unexplored Chakrta owing to the bad weather at Chopta(our first choice). And thus the trip started via Karnal and Yamuna Nagar. The roads were smooth and we had no problems whatsoever and traveled 250 kms with one break at an average speed of around 50-60 km/h.

The adventure begun near Kalsi just after crossing the bridge over the river Yamuna, as the road was not that smooth as the four lanes of NH 1. It was a typical mountain terrain with really bad roads and no lights.  It was a three hour journey on that scary road covering 40 kms to reach Chakrata at around 2 am. The city was sleeping; we roamed around for rooms but were not able to find one. After going up and down the hilly roads of Chakrata we got the room in Hotel Hill Knight which was not a great hotel but we compromised. The clock struck 5 in the morning and the first sun rays fell on the hills (covered with dense forests). The view was mesmerizing. We were so obsessed we didn’t realize that it is already 7 and we should sleep so that we can enjoy the following day. After sleeping for 4 hours we got up, had a quick breakfast and headed for Tiger falls. The road was incredible with the gripping view of the combination of sky, mountains and the valley. Tiger falls is the main attraction of Chakrata and it lived by its reputation. It is one of the highest waterfalls and the water is collected in a small pond where people have fun and enjoy the chilly bath. We were no different and spent around 2-3 hours in the falls. After that we enjoyed banned Maggi with Coke J

Leaving Tiger falls tired, we were in the hunt for good food. Our search landed us in Hotel Snow View where we had a buffet kind of lunch at Rs 250 per person. We were in love with people of Chakrata and their hospitality. After that we roamed around near the cantonment area chilling with local people (listening to their stories about how the weather is drastically changing year by year and how the snowfall is reducing remarkably).

The next day we headed for Kanasar, a forest area of Pine and Deodar trees situated 28 kms from Chakrata. The Deodar trees are considered to have the largest trunk and yes they were magnanimous. Mid-way there was a temple which is said to be one of the oldest in India. It was situated in a place which can be considered as miniature Kufri. After that we headed for some random place in the hunt for food and discovered a small village. It was drizzling continuously which made the weather more pleasant dropping the temperature under 20. We were offered food in some random house where we were so blessed by the delicious home food they offered. After that we headed back to Chakrata to start our return journey to Delhi.

There are so many places in India which are worth visiting before you plan your abroad trip. India is full of these kinds of places. Chakrata-in three days- offered us a lot with memories of lifetime.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is rapture on the lonely shore,

There is society where none intrudes,

By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:

I love not Man the less, but Nature more.         ~ George Gordon Byron

After This: Agatti, Alleppey, GoKarna, Pushkar, Panchmarhi, Mandu, Mcleodganj, Baramula, Kedarnath- Badrinath,2500 kms of Rajasthan and many more...