Chamba Travel Guide - Visit Chamba During Char Dham Yatra

In the celestial Garhwal Himalayas, lies a tiny hamlet called Chamba snuggled in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. This idyllic town is perched at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level, enveloped by the thick woodlands. It is a popular destination because of its unpolluted beauty and panoramic excursions.

The best part about visiting Chamba during your Char Dham Yatra is you can experience quietude here and let the whispering winds converse with you while you stroll through the town. If you’ll walk beyond the crowded marketplace, you'll be greeted by the enchanting views of the snow-shrouded Himalayan peaks of Thalay Sagar and Jonli.  On clear mornings you can soak the unparalleled beauty of the kaleidoscopic Langtang range that lies burnished on the northern skyline. During the full moon nights, the pearly white stars appear as if they are at an arm's distance. The Gabbar Singh Memorial and the Shri Bageshwar Mahadev temple are a must-visit. 

You can also explore the nearby tourist places like Dhanaulti, Surkanda Devi Temple, Ranichauri, New Tehri, and Kanatal that can be easily accessed from Chamba.  

Historical Fact of Chamba

Chamba was once a part of the Gorkha Kingdom which was later ruled by the kings of Garhwal Kingdom. When the name of World War I comes, Chamba also mentions some of the brave soldiers including Victoria Cross recipient, Gabar Singh Negi hailed from this region. Since Chamba is in the proximity of Mussoorie, don’t mind extending your trip as this unspoiled hamlet is fairly impressive and alluring. One can plan a combined stay at Chamba accompanied by a short visit to Mussoorie or Dhanaulti via Dehradun, Mussoorie, Kanatal, Tehri and Dhanaulti.

Weather at Chamba – Best time to Visit

There are infinite reasons to visit this small hill town of Chamba and if you are looking for a getaway full of nature then this is the right place to be in. Whether it be the sunny days of March or the cold ones of November, the land looks like a paradise in every sense possible throughout the year.

Chamba in Summers : The summer season at Chamba is short and lasts only the months of March and June, though March is also cold. The maximum temperature in summers is recorded at 30°C and minimum of 14°C.

Chamba in Monsoon : The months of July till October are prone to occasional rains which turns the hills into a colour of dark green and presents a beautiful site. It is the best time for romantic getaways at this secluded place.

Chamba in Winters : The winters at Chamba are really cold and require heavy woollens. Chamba occasionally receives snowfall during the months of January and February. The minimum temperature recorded is 4°C.

How to Reach Chamba

By Air : Jolly Grant airport is the nearest airport to Chamba, located at a distance of 75 km. One can easily gain access to taxis from the airport to Chamba.

By Rail : Being 60 km away, Rishikesh is the nearest railway station to Chamba which can be effortlessly approached by the means of bus and taxi.

By Road : Chamba is appropriately linked by road via public and private buses to major tourist attractions and cities of Uttarakhand and the country like Mussoorie, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Delhi, Haridwar and many more. Taxi service is also available to Chamba.

Places to Visit Arround Chamba

Mussoorie

Though time may have changed the silhouettes of Mussoorie, certain things remain the same. Once the retreat or in an appropriate word an escape for the British from the sweltering summer in India, Mussoorie, till today remains an ideal getaway for all those seeking respite from the harsh weather conditions. Perched on a horse-shaped ridge at an altitude of about 2006 m, Mussoorie is dubbed as the ‘Queen of the Hill Stations’ in India. Strategically positioned above the Doon Valley, this beautiful hill station of Mussoorie with a year-round salubrious weather offers a holiday in Uttarakhand unlike any other. The Gun Hill that makes the highest point of the town gives an opportunity to gaze at the distant yet mighty peaks of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Dotted by small and big wonders of nature including the Shivaliks, Kempty waterfall, this hill town is a perfect destination for a relaxing holiday in India. The dreamy hill station also displays the great colonial wealth in the form of churches, libraries, hotels and summer palaces.

New Tehri

Reckoned to be the only planned city in Uttarakhand, New Tehri boasts one of the world’s largest hydroelectricity projects. Adorned by an emerald reservoir that is formed by the cascading of Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers, New Tehri is a beautiful place to see in Uttarakhand. The city is also the headquarters of the Tehri Garhwal District, and thus, seems of more importance to the state. For tourists, apart from its imposing dam, the city offers watersports like jet skiing. There are a few Hindu temples that dot the city and add an aura of spirituality. The Old Tehri town also lies a short distance away from the city, fully submerged in the water though.

Narendra Nagar

Narendra Nagar is popular for two reasons firstly, its proximity with Rishikesh and secondly, it is situated on the Gangotri and Yamunotri route. Narendranagar is situated 16kms from Rishikesh at an elevation of 1,322mts above sea level. Narendra Nagar is a charming hamlet offering panoramic views of the Ganga River and the Doon Valley. Narendra Nagar was the former capital of Tehri state. Head to Narendra Nagar if you are looking for a quaint getaway destination, situated just 44 km away from Chamba. Bask in the beauty of Ganga river and Doon Valley. Besides you can take the privilege of spa facilities available here in the Himalayas for which the whole city is famous.

Surkanda Devi

Surkanda Devi temple is a famous shrine located near Kaddukhal, 24 kms from the town of Chamba and 40kms from Mussoorie.  Devoted to Goddess Surkanda, this beauteous Hindu temple will surely enrapture you from where you can fancy the cities nestled in the South and Himalayas in the North. Settled 23 km away from Chamba and at an elevation of 2757 m, this shrine is best known for its classic architecture and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas located far and wide on the Indian subcontinent. If you happen to be around this temple in May and June then you can be a part of the auspicious festival of Ganga Dussehra celebrated here.

Haridwar

Elegantly situated on the bank of River Ganga at an elevation of 249.7 m above the sea level and a total area of 2360 sq km, Haridwar is the ‘Gateway to Garhwal Himalayas.’ The city is the venue of Magh Mela every year, Kumbh Mela in every three years, Ardh Kumbh in every 6 years and the Maha Kumbh Mela in every 12 years. The tales from the bygone time greatly influence the contemporary era, and thus, Haridwar is often seen imbibing the spiritual feel. Believed to be amongst the four places where drops of Amrit (Elixir) fell, Haridwar is relied upon for cleansing of sins and attainment of salvation, and thus, is an important Hindu pilgrimage destination in Uttarakhand.

It is also due to this fact that Haridwar hosts the biggest human gathering in the world in the form of Kumbh Mela. Since time immemorial, Haridwar is considered as one of the important religious tourism destinations in India; it has also been the Yoga and Ayurveda centre for a decent period of time. Surviving several tests of time, the city has been able to earn itself a sensible market for business and some eminent institutes of learning like Gurukul. However, it is not all concrete in Haridwar, the city is visually beautiful and is in the close proximity to the famous Rajaji National Park and Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar making it a perfect place for wildlife tours as well.

The city formulates the base for state’s prominent Chhota Char Dham Yatra, which is held between late April and October and covers places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. True to its name, it indeed forms the Gateway to God as the ashes of the deceased are brought to the city for immersion in the holy River Ganga. In other words, Haridwar can be called as the place where faith defies the existence of everything else and the life of the people only revolves around the sacred Ghats crammed by devotees; the holy water of Ganges that is believed to cleanse the sin; the sanctified temples; and the famed Ganga Aarti that sanctifies the ambiance as soon as the sun disappears below the horizon each evening.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh has attracted people from all over the world like a magnet for decades owing to its religious and scenic attributes. Also, one of the most sought-after destinations for adventure seekers, this locale is nestled amidst the foothills of Himalayas. Surrounded by lush green forests and with the fast-flowing crystal clear Ganges crisscrossing this town, Rishikesh is indeed a place for perfect holidays.

Rishikesh is also a popular name amongst health fanatics as it is believed to be the ‘Yoga capital’ of the world. Rishikesh comes under the district of Dehradun under the state of Uttarakhand and is situated at an elevation of 372 m above the sea level. According to history, Rishikesh has always been a part of ‘Kedarkhand’ which at present is known as Garhwal. Lord Rama is said to have served his penance for killing Ravana here. The famous Lakshman Jhula which is among the best places to visit in Rishikesh has mythological importance and it’s believed that Ram and Lakshman crossed the mighty River Ganga here. Which was a jute bridge in the earlier days, but was replaced by an iron bridge in 1889. But it got washed away during the floods of 1924. A strong bridge was built and it still stands strong.

Rishikesh has a lot on its platter to offer to travel enthusiasts. Among all pilgrimage destinations of India, Rishikesh attracts millions of people as it’s the home to ancient temples like Bharat Mandir, Shatrughna mandir, and Lakshman mandir. Numerous yoga and meditation centres have come up in the town, which serves the huge population of health enthusiasts. Home to Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, 133-years old institution which is dedicated to promote and preserve Vedantic studies is yet another attraction spot here.

Dehradun

Capital City, Dehradun is the heart of Uttarakhand. Situated in the north-east corner of Garhwal region, the city is like a protagonist in a successfully running show. This Capital of Uttarakhand is fringed by the majestic Shivalik Hills, Ganges (in the west) and Yamuna (in the east); thus it is a beautiful place to visit with equally attractive people to interact with. Reckoned to be the ‘Abode of Drona’ (Dronacharya, the Guru of Kauravas), Dehradun is regarded as one of the oldest cities in India. The legend has it, after killing Ravana, Lord Rama and Lakshmana arrived here to perform penance, thus the city holds significance for religious tours as well.

Dehradun boasts being home to a number of eminent educational centres like Eton Doon School. The cherry on top, it also has the privilege of sheltering the country’s foremost army officer training academy, Indian Military Academy and headquarters of prestigious institutions like Survey of India and Forest Research Institute. A bustling capital of a laid-back state, Dehradun is also a district headquarters. The city has quite a young vibe to it and with its Basmati fields and Mango and Litchi Orchards; the fragrance of its diversity can be smelled from miles away.

The city enjoys a perfect blend of religious, colonial and modern-day structures; the Clock Tower, bakeries and restaurants lined on the famed Rajpur Road and the Forest Research Institute are some of the major landmarks here. Along with being a picturesque state capital, Dehradun is also crowned as the ‘Gateway to Garhwal Region’. Proximity to tourist attractions like Mussoorie and pilgrimages places such as Haridwar and Rishikesh make Dehradun an ideal tourist destination in India.

Devprayag

Considered as one of the most sacred places in Uttarakhand, Devprayag is situated at an elevation of 830 m above the sea level. The town comes under the district of Tehri Garhwal and its name has been derived from Sanskrit, Dev means God and Prayag means confluence. Thus, the meaning of Devprayag is ‘Godly Confluence.’ Moreover, Devprayag is a place where the important rivers of Uttarakhand, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi confluence to form an even more significant and popular river, Ganga.

Devprayag is a small town and is also a Nagar Panchayat. The place is also a part of Panch Prayag and has an immense significance in the hearts of Hindu devotees. According to Hindu mythology, it is said that Lord Rama and King Dasharatha used to perform self-mortification here in Devprayag. The town is dotted with several big and small temples and is adorned by the encircling high mountains and the view of the majestic Dasharatha Chal Peak.

Dhanaulti

Picturesque hill station – Dhanaulti is adorned with tall trees and rich grasslands, and it is perched on an altitude of 2286 m above the sea level, offering the spectacular vistas of the Himalayas and the scenic trails. Sitting on the edge of Tehri Garhwal District, Dhanaulti shares its west-side border with Dehradun.This beautiful tourists destination of Uttarakhand makes for an ideal weekend getaway because of its close proximity to Delhi and various other popular places in Uttarakhand i.e Dehradun, Mussoorie, Tehri, Rishikesh, and Haridwar.

Holiday in Dhanaulti is best during winters when the place turns into an ice blanket with the flakes of snow depositing on the branches of the trees to match its hue with the surrounding. In summers, Dhanaulti boasts blooming of rhododendrons, lush deodar and oak trees enveloped in the tranquillising charm. Indeed this scenic little place is considered one among the phenomenal points of tourist interest in Uttarakhand. The Dhanaulti Travel guide, by including some of the best places of Dehradun tourism that lie nearby, makes itself more elaborate and attractive. Blessed with alpine forests, the place owns exceptionally pleasing Eco parks by the name of Amber and Dhara, both residing just 200 m apart from each other. Developed by the forest department of Uttarakhand and maintained by the local youth, Amber and Dhara are the major tourist attractions here. Also, the government-owned Aloo khet / Potato Farm is also a place for a must visit to see the pretty sunrise.

The sightseeing tour of Dhanaulti definitely includes a visit to Surkanda Devi temple, which is quite known for being one among the 108 Shakti Peethas that are spread all over the world. For the adventure lovers, a special tour package for camping at Thangdhar, which is situated around 14 km away from Dhanaulti, comes with a fascinating opportunity to indulge into activities like trekking, mountain climbing, and biking along with camping. Whereas, shopping at an interesting place called Himalayan weavers, is among the alluring things to do while being on a vacation in Dhanaulti.

Rajaji National Park

One of the most beautiful reserves to the east of Haridwar, Rajaji National Park located in Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun and Haridwar districts of Uttarakhand. Spread over 820.42 sq. km. of area, the park embraces the Shivaliks, in the vicinity of Himalayan foothills. It’s a haven for nature and adventure lovers, who visit here to enjoy the real wildlife. It is located in the transition zone between moderate western Himalaya and central Himalaya, which increases the species diversity and the viewing forecast.

The park has large number of birds species like White-naped Woodpecker, Greater Scaup, Black-bellied Tern, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Great Hornbill, Black-necked Stork, Northern Goshawk, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Scaly Thrush, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Tytler’s Leaf Warbler, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Green Avadavat and Reed Bunting. Rajaji National Park was founded in the year 1983 by merging three sanctuaries named as Rajaji (1948) Motichur (1964) and Chilla (1977), after the name of well-known statesman and freedom fighter Sri C. Rajgopalachariya, who was popular as ‘Rajaji’. He was the first and last Governor General of independent India.

Gabar Singh Memorial

Gabar Singh Memorial located in Chamba was built in 1925 to pay a tribute to the martyr Gabar Singh Negi. The brave soldier was the recipient of Victoria Cross and served as a rifleman in the famous Garhwal Rifles in 1913. During the First World War, Gabar Singh Negi along with his battalion won the battle at Flanders, which was held against Germany.  The Gabar Singh War Memorial is erected at Shaheed Sthal Chamba in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Chamba can be approached within a 7-8 hours drive from Delhi via Haridwar, Rishikesh and Narendra Nagar (290 km away). This quaint hill station is located about 60 km from Mussoorie and can be reached within 2 hours from Rishikesh via NH 34. The Gabar Singh War Memorial is only 0.2 km from the Chamba Chowk bus stop and can be reached within 9 minutes.

Tehri Lake

Perched at an elevation of 1,700 metres, Tehri Lake is an artificial dam reservoir that came into existence during the construction of Tehri Dam when the water from the Bhagirathi River was diverted to fill the dam reservoir. Since its creation, Tehri Lake has become a popular boating destination among tourists and travellers who are looking for peace and quiet amidst nature. Being at a close proximity to Delhi and NCR regions, it has also become an ideal weekend getaway destination.

Kanatal Hill Station

Located in the picturesque settings of the Garhwal Himalayas, the charming hill station of Kanatal is a perfect weekend getaway for the weary souls. Encircled by the sun-kissed peaks and the velvety coniferous trees, Kanatal still remains relatively unexplored.  The tiny hamlet of Kanatal is perched at an elevation of 8,500 feet above sea level on Mussoorie – Chamba road. Kanatal is a perfect winter destination as it snows here and is also an ideal place for camping.

Agarkhal

Agrakhal is a small village in Tehri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand. It is situated near the state highway connecting Narendra Nagar and Ampata. New Tehri and Rishikesh are the nearest major tourist towns.

Tehri Dam

Reaching a staggering height of 260 metres, the imposing Tehri Dam is one of the tallest dams in the world and the tallest dam in India. An engineering marvel in itself, Tehri Dam not only provides more than 1,000 MW of hydroelectricity but also is a popular tourist attraction in Uttarakhand. The dam reservoir, also known as Tehri Lake, is usually flocked with tourists interested in boating and is slowly becoming a prominent hub for adventure tourism in Uttarakhand.

Chamba During Char Dham Yatra

Chamba can be visited if you are coming from Yamnotri and going to either Gangotri or Kedarnath during Char Dham Yatra. Chamba in Uttarakhand also comes if you are going to Kedarnath, Badrinath or Gangotri from Dehradun.

Chamba in Char Dham Road Route Plan

Haridwar – Rishikesh – Chamba– Tehri – Dharasu – Barkot – Sayana Chatti – Hanuman Chatti – Jankichatti – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Harsil – Gangotri (Gaumukh) – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Augustmuni – Phata – Sitapur – Guptkashi – Gaurikund – Kedarnath – Ukhimath – Chopta – Gopeshwar – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Joshimath (Auli) – Govindghat – Hanuman Chatti – Badrinath – Nandprayag – Karnprayag – Devprayag

Chamba Hotels and Resorts

There are few options for accommodation in Chamba during Char Dham Yatra. Following is the list of hotels, resorts, guest houses in Chamba.

List of Hotels in Chamba

• Amar Resorts (for booking visit here Amar Resorts)
• Classic Hill Top Resort (for bookking visit here Classic Hill Top Hotel)
• GMVN Chamba Bungalow (check more information on GMVN Chamba Guest House)

Some Nearby Hotels in Chamba

• Whispering Pines (for booking contact Whispering Pines Dhanaulti)
• Kanatal Resort (for booking contact Kanatal Resort)
• Kanatal Camp (for booking contact Kanatal Camp Carnival)
• Kanatal Hermitage Resort (for booking contact Kanatal Hermitage Resort