Uttarakhand the heavenly abode of mountain gods and goddesses is a favourite among winter destinations in India and why shouldn’t it be? With hilly backdrops and coniferous forests coupled with majestic snow-capped peaks, there is so much more to Uttarakhand than what meets the eye. If you are looking for unmatched adventure and ever-lasting memories, then we’ve just the right destinations for you to explore: Chakrata and Auli in Uttarakhand! Northern India has several offbeat destinations but if you are looking for snowy destinations with minimal footfall then Chakrata and Auli are perfect! Let’s take a virtual tour around Chakrata and Auli below to help you plan your winter itinerary hassle-free!
Chakrata- A Mystical Hill Station
Your journey to Chakrata will start from Dehradun which is in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Dehradun has a quaint airport called Jolly Grant Airport where you can land and start your journey toward Chakrata. This quiet hilly town used to be a British cantonment with a sparse population residing in it for years and years. Post India’s independence Chakrata remained undisturbed for a long time. In the early 90s, the local government decided to promote Chakrata as the next go-to hill station. To this date, Chakrata remains obscure and pristine far away from the disturbances of modern travel trends.
Why Visit Chakrata?
This magical hill station has some of the most ravishing waterfalls that are enough to soothe a weary traveler’s soul! Once you start exploring the nooks and corners of Chakrata you’ll realize that the local communities are well in tune with nature and Mother Earth which makes the travel even more special. Not just that, several treks pass through cascading majestic waterfalls, the most popular one of them being the Tiger Falls waterfall.
Nearby to Chakrata, there is Mundali, which offers majestic and undisputed views of the Himalayas. Chakrata is effectively managed by Uttrakhand Tourism, which also promotes it as the best winter destination in India. Here you can witness snowfall during the latter half of December up until January end. If you are an adventure buff then you will love Chakrata’s numerous colossal caves and ancient temples that give you an otherworldly experience, unlike other popular destinations.
Things to do in Chakrata
Till now we have talked a lot about how quaint and pristine Chakrata is now let’s talk about what are the major attractions there. The hill station has numerous ancient temples and several natural caves that add to the allure of Chakrata. To name a few there are temples like Hano Mahasu Temple and the Lakhamandal Temple who according to historians and archaeologists were built during the period of Mahabharata. These two temples are situated on the banks of the olden river Yamuna. Apart from this you can set camp in Chakrata and enjoy the clear night skies. Now you can either bring your own set up or you can connect with getaway planners to access luxury camping tents. After you set up camp take a night walk and admire the beautiful night sky filled with zillion stars for an even special experience.
Next, you can take up a trek to the Chilmiri neck, which is considered as one of the highest peaks in Chakrata for a mesmerizing sunset experience. It’ll take you close to 30 minutes to reach the top, due to its proximity to the main town. Once you are done, you can start your next day with a mandatory visit to the cascading Tiger Falls considered as one of the top attractions in Chakrata. A beautiful trek which will take you through dense deodar forest and will culminate with the majestic view of the Tiger waterfall. Keep in mind that Chakrata in winter transforms into a winter wonderland which makes the waterfalls inaccessible, hence plan your trip accordingly and if you are rather seeking the winters then make sure that you visit during the months of December, January or February. Engage in the fun of snowshoeing through pristine landscapes and engage in friendly snowball fights as you move along the snow-filled landscape. And If you are a photography enthusiast then you will be treated to the breathtaking beauty of the snow-covered deodar forests. You can conclude your trip with a cozy retreat by the bonfire, sharing elaborate stories and warm treats.
Auli- India’s Ski Resort
Auli is a quaint hill station located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. In the local dialect of Garhwali Auli is often called Auli Bugyal which translates to Auli Meadows. It is located at an elevation of 2,800 meters from the sea level and transforms into a winter wonderland during the cold months. Furthermore, Auli is a must-visit as India’s best hiking and ski destination, with people visiting from afar to take part in winter sports activities. It is surrounded by coniferous and oak forests, with a majestic and panoramic view of the peaks of the Himalayas. The snowy slopes of Auli attract both professional skiers and novices. Also, Auli offers panoramic views of several famous peaks like Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Kamat. Keep in mind that Auli is a “round the year” destination that offers the traveler lush green meadows during the summers and monsoons, dry brown vistas during the autumn season and lofty snow-covered slopes during the winters in Auli.
Tourism in Auli
The year was 2011 and Auli was beaming with sportspersons from all over the world. Auli in Uttarakhand became the first destination for the South Asian Winter Games which had several high-profile participants with French and Austrian experts who hosted the event calling Auli as one of the best ski resorts in the world. Furthermore, you can get yourself enrolled in skiing courses offered by a local government body with skilled instructors who will help you learn skiing and gain a new experience altogether. Not just skiing you can also explore biking since Auli has marked, enchanting bike trails which take you around the peaks. These bike trails transform into dirt off tracks during the summers which is even more thrilling for bike enthusiasts. If all of these aren’t enticing enough you can also add Gondola or cable chair ride to your bucket list while in Auli which is on a 4 km route and covers the most scenic parts of Auli. Once you are done exploring the beauty of Auli you can move on to nearby destinations like Gurso Bugyal, Chattrakund, Kuari Pass Trek, Chenab Lake, Vishnu Prayag, the city of Joshimath, Tapovan, Badrinath et cetera. The city of Auli attracts its maximum number of tourists during the new year and witnesses parse footfall in the later months of the year.
Best Time to Visit Auli
From November up until March, Auli becomes the winter haven for tourists from all over the world with visitors coming from winter-dominated countries as well! You will be smitten by the panoramic views offered by Auli during your stay and will be left asking for more since there is so much to explore in and around Auli. Make sure that you plan your trip according to what you want to witness.
Conclusion
We hope you are on your way to planning your Chakrata and Auli trip as soon as you get off your screens! And if you haven’t then you can always connect with tour experts at GeTS Holidays who will help you with your India tour itinerary and then customize your trip if you wish so. Happy traveling, folks!
