Chakrata is an old army cantonment in the Jaunsar-Bawar hills, about 89 km from Dehradun by road. Because it is a military town, there are few hotels, almost no new building and very little noise: you come for deodar and oak forest, Tiger Falls, the Deoban meadow and the Budher caves. It is open to Indian nationals only. Two or three nights is right; it also works as a long weekend from Delhi via Dehradun.
Compare Chakrata with another place →
When to go
March to June and October to early December are the seasons. July and August bring heavy rain and slips on the Kalsi road. Winter is cold, down to about 2°C, with occasional snow on Deoban.
Chakrata right now and the next 7 days
Loading the forecast…
Chakrata on the map
Tap anything in the list: the map zooms straight to it. Tap your starting city to see the way there.
The area
Getting there
Places to see
Day trips
Chakrata · Open in Google Maps ↗
Map by Google. Places are found by name, so check the exact spot in Google Maps before you go.
Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
Change anything and the numbers update. Prices are per the way you travel, not a package.
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Chakrata in 3 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Tiger FallsHalf day · ₹30 each · About 20 km by road, then a steep path down to the falls. ₹30 adults, ₹20 children reported. Hard to reach by public transport.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Deoban meadow and forestHalf day · price to check · About 8 km from town at around 2,850 m, with Himalayan views. A permit is needed at the forest barrier; ask there for the fee.
- 12:30Lunch break
- 13:30Forest walks around the cantonment2 h · free · Deodar and oak, birdsong and almost no traffic. Keep to public roads; parts of the cantonment are off limits.
- 08:00Budher caves and meadowsFull day · price to check · Limestone caves and a meadow at 2,800 m, about 22 km north-west of town, starting near the Budher forest rest house. Go with a local guide.
- Lunch on the way
How to get to Chakrata
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
AC minibus Cheapest
₹952zingbus Traveller, daily at 6:30 am from opposite Sarovar Premiere near Dehradun ISBT, 18 seats. Book online.
Uttarakhand Roadways or private bus
Check fareOrdinary buses run from Dehradun via Vikasnagar. The fare was not published; ask at Dehradun ISBT.
Cab
₹3,150Uber intercity from about ₹3,150 one way; MakeMyTrip sedans list about ₹4,900 to ₹5,700 plus taxes.
Flight or train to Dehradun Last leg
Check fareJolly Grant airport is outside the city: fly in the day before to catch the 6:30 am bus.
Getting around once you're there
On foot
FreeThe town and the forest roads around it are made for walking. Stay off army areas marked out of bounds.
Taxi for sights
Check priceNeeded for Tiger Falls road head, Deoban and Budher. Rates were not published; agree the price with your hotel.
Where to stay in Chakrata
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Dorm or hostel twin
₹1,525/nightThe Hosteller listed a two-bed combo at ₹1,365 plus ₹160 tax, about ₹760 a bed. 4- and 6-bed dorms too.
Hotel
₹2,500/nightBooking-site rates ran about ₹1,900 to ₹5,600 a night for two.
Better hotel
₹3,500/nightPlaces such as White Rock listed about ₹3,500 a night.
Forest rest house
₹0/nightOld forest rest houses in the woods. Booking goes through the forest department; check rates and availability with the Chakrata forest division.
What to eat, and what it costs
Café meal
₹250Cafés in town run about ₹500 for two.
Hostel or hotel kitchen
Check priceMany stays cook for guests: Jaunsari food on request. Prices not confirmed.
Tea, Maggi and pakoras at a roadside stall
Check priceAt Tiger Falls road head and on the Deoban road. Prices not confirmed.
Things to do in Chakrata
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Tiger Falls
₹30About 20 km by road, then a steep path down to the falls. ₹30 adults, ₹20 children reported. Hard to reach by public transport.
Deoban meadow and forest
Check priceAbout 8 km from town at around 2,850 m, with Himalayan views. A permit is needed at the forest barrier; ask there for the fee.
Budher caves and meadows
Check priceLimestone caves and a meadow at 2,800 m, about 22 km north-west of town, starting near the Budher forest rest house. Go with a local guide.
Forest walks around the cantonment
FreeDeodar and oak, birdsong and almost no traffic. Keep to public roads; parts of the cantonment are off limits.
Day trips and next stops
Kalsi Ashokan rock edict
Check fareStop on the way in by cab or bus
Lakhamandal temple
Check fareTaxi
Hanol Mahasu Devta temple
Check fareTaxi or local bus
Dehradun
₹952Bus or cab
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Chakrata is an access-restricted army cantonment. Only Indian nationals may visit; foreigners need prior permission from the Special Frontier Force and are generally turned back.
- Do not photograph army buildings, vehicles or personnel, and stay out of areas marked out of bounds.
- The path down to Tiger Falls is steep and slippery after rain. Do not go down late in the day.
Ways to spend less
- Book the 6:30 am zingbus from Dehradun: you are in Chakrata by mid-morning with the whole day ahead.
- Share one taxi day for Tiger Falls and Deoban with others from your hostel.
- Come in October or November: clear air, dry paths and very few visitors.
Before-you-go checklist
Chakrata in pictures
Tap a photo to see it full size.
Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Chakrata?
Mar–May, Oct–Nov is the best time. March to June and October to early December are the seasons. July and August bring heavy rain and slips on the Kalsi road. Winter is cold, down to about 2°C, with occasional snow on Deoban.
How do I reach Chakrata?
AC minibus: Dehradun → Chakrata, 2 h 45 m, about ₹952 one way. Cab: Dehradun → Chakrata, 2 h 30 m, about ₹3,150 one way.
How much does a 3-day trip to Chakrata cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹3,900 on a shoestring, ₹6,900 mid-range or ₹13,200 in comfort over 3 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is ac minibus (Dehradun → Chakrata) at about ₹952 each way.
How many days do you need in Chakrata?
3 days is right for most people. That covers Tiger Falls, Deoban meadow and forest, Forest walks around the cantonment, Budher caves and meadows without rushing.
Is Chakrata good for families or solo travellers?
Chakrata works best for solo, couples, groups, families. Solo travellers find it easy and cheap.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Chakrata?
Easy: most food in town is North Indian vegetarian, and cafés list veg and non-veg. Vegans should ask about ghee and paneer.
Will my phone and cards work in Chakrata?
Check coverage with your hotel; signal drops in the forest. Larger hotels and the hostel take cards and UPI. Carry cash: taxis and small eateries prefer it.
Sources and last check
Checked 17 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- zingbus.comDaily AC Traveller Dehradun-Chakrata 6:30 am, Rs 952, about 2 h 42 m, 89 km, boarding opposite Sarovar Premiere near ISBT
- uber.comUber intercity Dehradun-Chakrata from about Rs 3,153
- makemytrip.comSedan Chakrata-Dehradun Rs 4,873-5,699 + Rs 735 taxes; 89 km, 2 h 30 m
- makemytrip.comThe Hosteller Chakrata two-bed combo Rs 1,365 + Rs 160 taxes
- in.hotels.comChakrata hotel rates about Rs 1,900-5,600 a night; White Rock about Rs 3,500
- eazydiner.comCafé in Chakrata, about Rs 500 for two, veg and non-veg
- julian-alps.comTiger Falls entry Rs 30 adults / Rs 20 children; 20 km from Chakrata; public transport difficult
- outlookindia.comOnly Indian nationals may enter (army cantonment); Deoban 8 km, permit at forest barrier; Budher 22 km NW, 2,800 m; seasons and winter temperature (2017)
- en.wikipedia.orgAccess-restricted military cantonment, severe restrictions on foreigners; Special Frontier Force base; Wikivoyage: permission from IG SFF
Similar underrated places
Sangla & ChitkulWooden villages and apple orchards along a glacier river, ending at Chitkul, the last village on the road…From ₹1,200/day · May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Tirthan ValleyA trout river, wooden villages and the buffer zone of a UNESCO national park, an hour off the Manali…From ₹1,100/day · May–Jun, Sep–Oct.jpg/500px-Kee_monastery_Spiti_Valley_(edited).jpg)
Spiti ValleyA cold desert at 4,000 metres with monasteries on every ridge, homestays in every village, and no tour bus…From ₹1,400/day · Jun–SepMake the plan yours
Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Manojpanchal90 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: RishabhSanta · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Puneetcps · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Puneetcps · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Mustkeem Ahamad · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
