I am assuming that everyone in their life, not once but hundreds of times, has dreamt of leaving everything behind and starting to live in the mountains. This daydream often stems from stressful work, or no balance in life, etc, etc. As long as we get the inspiration to pack our bags and head towards the heavenly and rejuvenating surroundings, it's perfectly valid. Traveling when you're soul searching is a fair reason to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You deserve to know a place where you can find serenity and peace to continue your spiritual journey and no, it's not Manali, Shimla, or Rishikesh. It’s Chakrata— a hidden gem, an adventurous spot, and an enchanting location in Uttarakhand.

This place is not a picnic or party spot, so if you're planning to have that kind of fun, please stick to Manali or Goa. Here, you come to cherish nature, experience positive energy, and get inspired to take on a spiritual journey for your own growth and evelopment. It's a piece of heaven on Earth that gives you an opportunity to connect with Mother Nature.
A place for peace seekers...
Soul searching is not easy, instead of looking outward, it demands you to look inward, hence, this place is perfect for your visit. As you look around, walking and passing by the trees, you'll sense the deep connection with nature, the nature which is a part of this planet we exist and that you're no different, you're a part of mother nature. We all are one family.

But will this trip be worth your time? Speaking from experience, yes, if you're traveling with mindful people. And no, if it's the opposite. Traveling alone here is safe, and it's convenient too. For a beginner it is recommended to be in the group or a tour guide. Chakrata is one of the best places to explore without burning a hole in your pocket.
I think we all agree that traveling is not cheap. There is no such thing as traveling under budget; it's a scam run by influencers. I would say keep at least 10k aside if you're planning a whole week trip for the fuel and accommodation charges.
Try to travel by car or taxi, because it gives you leverage to explore more spots without time limitation. The best time to visit this place would be any time of the year. The ideal time is between April and July and September, and November. If you love snowfall, better go in November or December. I like to go in July or September, as I am not a fan of snowy weather.

Before I share my experience, I want to humbly request...
Please, please, please… Don't pollute that place.
It is a clean, small town, and people there are kind and helpful and work hard to keep their home and neighborhood neat and clean.
Before you leave, booking a place to stay is a must. You can find a place on apps like Airbnb, Agoda, etc. I stayed in a hotel located in an isolated area of Lokhandi.

My plan was to first visit Tiger Falls, but unfortunately, it was raining heavily, so instead I went to Moila Top first... The trek starts from Lokhandi, where I was staying.
These are the best places to visit in Chakrata for the first time:

1. Moila Top

It's a moderate trek; anyone can do it. As you pass through the forest, you'll experience a serene yet energetic push to keep going; nature is the best remedy for all kinds of problems. You'll feel a shift subconsciously that stress and pain are leaving your mind; I think that's the magic of walking in the green. That's how relaxing and soothing this trek is going to be for you too. It's not even an hour-long trek; before you get tired, you'll be on the top. The view of the landscape will give you vibes of Kashmir. There is a Shiva temple that is dedicated to Pari Mata; it's a holy temple for the locals and cleanliness is the utmost priority for them. This temple is also called "Pariyo ka Mandir." My tour guide told me a story which I will tell you in another blog.
As a beginner or first-timer, I won't recommend going alone; be in a group or hire a local guide. And don't be out in the late night for too long. I had a local guide from the nearby village.

2. Budher Cave:

Budher cave is located on Moila Top and is also called the Moila Cave. There is a mythological story behind this cave that is connected to the timelines of the Mahabharata. It is believed that the cave was dug by the Pandavas when their castle was set on fire with the intention to kill them all by burning. Pandavas and their mother, Kunti, escaped through this passage Pandavas dug so that no one could find out that they were still alive, and they continued their life in exile for years. This was the underground passage which is now known as Budher Cave. The legends are sure that this cave is prehistoric and has existed for more than 5000 years. Although you won't be able to see much as it's deep and gets shallow as you keep going.

3. Tiger Falls:

I was amazed to see Tiger Falls during the monsoon; to be honest, the view was out of this world, and the roar of the gushing water gave me goosebumps. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in India, surrounded by hills and dense green forest. There are stories about this waterfall; one goes like this: tigers often come to drink water from the pond this waterfall makes, and hence, it's called Tiger Falls. And another story is... the fall of the water makes it sound as if it's roaring like a tiger, and that's how it got the name Tiger Falls. I believed in the second one, it is true you can hear the waterfall so loud even from a greater distance.

But who knows, if both stories are true or maybe not. If you visit Chakrata, visiting the waterfall is a must and don't forget to shower under the fall and for females, no need to worry as there are dedicated kiosks for cloth changing.

4. Deoban

One thing I love about this forest is that it took away the tiredness and mental exhaustion the moment I entered. Sorry to make it sound like some magic, but that's how I felt. What a pure joy and blissful moment to remember. Now I want to visit again as I am writing about Devoban. Maybe that's one reason to call it God's own forest. If you want to see the great Himalayas with naked eyes, you will be, from the height of the jungle. And you better go to Devoban when the weather is sunny and clear. You'll spot tall and giant Deodar trees all over the way of trekking. Can I say, in that jungle I felt that I was surrounded by giant beings, good ones, I meant. There is a spot called Vyas Shikar on the top; it is said that saint Sage Vyas wrote the whole Mahabharata there, at that spot.



These are some other places I visited such as the apple orchard, mall road, and a few others on the way home. There are many spots where you can sit for a while. I accidentally found a spot, it was so beautiful that I sat there for 2-3 hours and basked under the sun and practiced meditation. The view of the mountains and clouds is breathtaking. The pictures and videos cannot capture those heavenly views the way your eyes do and your brain remembers. But, I will dump some pictures I took for you to look at now.