Dhanaulti Tourism
Dhanaulti, a peaceful and quiet hill station is close to the more popular and touristy hill station of Uttarakhand- Mussoorie. The tranquil town is set among thick forests of Deodars, Silver oaks and Rhododendrons at an elevation of 2250 meters in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Conveniently located on the Mussoorie-Chamba road, Dhanaulti is easy to access by road from Delhi and is fast emerging as a good weekend option from the city. It is also quieter and less crowded as compared to the more popular hill stations in Uttarakhand. In fact, Dhanaulti is close to both Mussoorie and Chamba and is a good place to stay and plan excursions to either town. There are government run forest guest houses and rest houses and also many private resorts and hotels.
You can relax at this sleepy hamlet set among the towering snow capped Himalayas. The green valleys and wooded slopes are a good place to trek and there are many trails to nearby places. The 24 kilometer trek to nearby Mussoorie is very popular and the route goes through a very picturesque green valley. There is also a trek to the temple of Surkhanda Devi.
Dhanaulti is a year round destination, though in monsoon the view of the snowy Himalayan peaks can be obstructed by clouds. In June, on the day of Gunga Dussehra, a fair is held every year at the temple of Surkhanda Devi at Kanatal and thousands of pilgrims congregate here from nearby places. In winter the town is snow bound and many tourists come here just to enjoy the snowfall. There are also provisions for pony rides, rock climbing, night safaris and camping in summer.
Best Time to visit
March to June is the best time to visit the quiet hill station. In winter the temperature touches 1 Degree Celsius and sometimes it also snows. You can visit in December January if you want to experience the snowfall.
Places to see in and around Dhanaulti
- Surkhanda Devi- The 13th century temple dedicated to the Goddess Parvati is atop a hill is nine kilometers from Dhanaulti. There is a picturesque but steep trekking route to the temple from Kadu Khal.
- Eco Park- Set up by the forest department; this is a protected forest with many walking paths and trekking trails. There is an entry fee.
- Nagtibba Trek-The exhilarating trek to the peak of Nagtibba at an elevation of 3048 meters goes through mountain dells and thick forests. Thatyur is located 16 kilometers from Dhanaulti and is the base for the uphill climb.
- Kodia Jungle- the place is a good picnic spot. There are trekking routes through thick forest which opens into a valley.
- Mussoorie- The popular hill station is only 24 kilometers away. Famously called the 'Queen of the Hills' it has many scenic spots and places of interest including Kempty falls and Jwalaji temple. The Mall at Mussoorie is a major shopping and tourist hub.
- New Tehri- The district headquarter and a new township is located 41 kilometers away from Dhaulti. It was built around the dam on the Bhagirathi River and is an interesting place to visit. It also has a number of new hotels and eating places.
- Kanatal- The small town is a few kilometers before Chamba on the Chamba Mussoorie road and 12 kilometers from Dhanaulti. Kanatal is a good place to view the Himalayan peaks such as Trishul and Chaukhamba. Surkhanda Devi temple is at the highest point here.
How to Reach Dhanaulti
Nearest Airport
Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun, 82 kilometers away is the closest. For international flights Delhi Airport, 325 kilometers away is the closest.
Nearest Railway Station
Dehradun has the closest rail head, 66 kilometers away.
Shopping
Uttrakhand is famed for its woven handlooms and woolens. You can buy woven shawls, scarves, stoles and throws in wool or silk. There are shops set up by the government where you can buy the local handicrafts. A shop called Himalayan Weavers on the Mussoorie Chamba road also stocks handlooms. You can buy apples at the town of Chamba which is an apple growing area and has a number of fruit orchards.
Last Updated on : 15/10/2013