A remote town of Uttarakhand, Dharchula is one of the most scenic places in the state. Bounded by the mountains of the Kumaon Region as well as high peaks and glaciers of the Panchchuli range, this town lies on the way to Kailash Mansarover, which is an extremely popular pilgrimage site in India.
Situated on the banks of River Kali on the Indo-Nepal border, Dharchula follows the same traditions, customs, and lifestyle as Nepal. Blessed with a large variety of flora and fauna; from Oak, Pine, Apple, and Deodar trees to animals such as dears, fox, leopard, and bear, this area can also be spotted with plenty of dry fruits. A peaceful place adorned with very few attractions, Dharchula is a good place to go only if you are looking for solitude or want to give the city life a miss for some time.
The place looks more enchanting during midwinters. So, if you are planning to explore the place, you can plan between the months of November and December.
History of Dharchula
The history of Dharchula is related to Katyuri Dynasty. Dharchula was an ancient trading town on the Trans-Himalayan trade routes. Trade was based on the barter system and was the only source of income for the inhabitants of Dharchula. Local handicrafts like carpets which are known here as ‘dan’, were exchanged with the Tibetans for food and clothing.
After the Indo-China War in 1962, all trading ties with the Tibetans came to a stop which caused hardship to the people of Dharchula. The difficulty forced people to look for alternate means of earnings. Soon the locals engaged themselves in farming, small businesses, and cattle farming. With government intervention, good tourism facilities have developed in the town.
Places To Visit In Dharchula
Dharchula is one of the offbeat tourist places in Uttarakhand. Here's the list of the nearby places to visit in Dharchula.
1. Narayan Ashram
Get your soul and mind rejuvenated while spending your time within the Narayan Ashram. While you roam around Dharchula, visiting the Ashram can be a peaceful experience.
2. Mansarovar Lake
Who doesn't or wouldn't like this beautiful lake? Being a holistic terminus, this is also a beautiful and rapturous lake that spreads the ultimate tranquil and positive aura to dwell into.
3. Kali River
A holy river flowing through the town separates Uttaranchal from Nepal. Named after Goddess Kali, it is one of the most sought-after destinations in the area.
4. Jauljibi
A beautiful place located 23 km from Dharchula with equally splendid surroundings, it is a place of confluence of two rivers namely - Gori River and the Kali River.
5. Sightseeing
Dharchula in Pithoragarh district is all about the views of the gigantic Himalayan mountains and lush green Deodar trees.
6. Shopping
Being a remote area, you hardly find a hub of shops but 3-4 shops in Dharchula Market can certainly be found with beautiful antiques, perfumes, and many other local things.
How to Reach Dharchula
Dharchula in Uttarakhand is approximately 577km via NH 9, 1700km via Mumbai Agra National Highway, 1500km via NH 19, and 2400km via NH 44 from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, respectively. Below is a compilation of the best routes via roadways, airways, and railways that you can consider if a trip is in your mind.
By Air
Traveling by plane is quick and extremely comfortable and if you too are planning to visit Dharchula by air then the nearest airport to get down at is Pantnagar Airport. The airport is nearly 330km away from Dharchula and the best route to cover this distance goes via NH 9. You can reserve a seat on a tourist bus or hire a taxi to reach Dharchula.
- Delhi - Board AirIndia flight from Delhi. The airfare starts from INR 5,000
- Mumbai - Board AirIndia flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Intl. Airport. The fare starts from INR 7,000
- Kolkata - Board AirIndia flight from Kolkata. The airfare starts from INR 8,000
- Bengaluru - Board AirIndia flight from Bengaluru. The airfare starts from INR 8,000
By Train
The nearest railway station is Tanakpur Railway Station. The station manages the arrival and departure of trains from nearby cities and metro cities. After reaching the station, you can hire a taxi to reach Dharchula or may get on a tourist bus to cover the remaining distance.
By Road
The cold breeze, motorable roads, and the sight of mountains make road trips at high altitudes fun and memorable. A trip to Dharchula via roadways will be an opportunity for you to explore the beautiful views and spend some quality time with your loved ones. You can travel via tourist buses or choose to self-drive.
- Haldwani - 275km via NH 9
- Nainital - 268km via NH 9
- Dehradun - 576km via NH 9
- Rishikesh - 435km via NH 7
- Chandigarh - 796km via NH 9
