Chamba: Paradise Regained

It is hard to believe that this scenic, unspoilt and beautiful hamlet is only nine hours from Delhi. Lack of exposure has retained in Chamba what most hill stations have lost or are fast losing – the air of remoteness and total tranquility. Chamba is a getaway in a very real sense. When you come here, you manage to escape most of the things that you want to get away from in a metropolis – crowds, traffic, noise pollution, noise, the relentless pace and the mundane routine.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Chamba isn’t much of a town, more a junction en route to higher and better-known destinations in the Tehri Hills: Gangotri, Yamunotri, the ancient and vanishing town of Tehri itself. After the completion of the Tehri Dam, the displaced from the abandoned Old Tehri town resettled in New Tehri and Chamba. The haphazard influx hasn’t done the mofussil mess of Chamba any good; but then, you don’t go to Chamba to stay in town. You look for higher, quieter nooks in the surrounding hills.

On clear mornings, the Langtang Range lies burnished on the northern skyline – a dozen or more remote, snow capped Himalayan peaks etched on the horizon.

Chamba is still a relatively protected world; the hills are fairly well forested and unbreached. You will often see or hear furtive hares and jackals, darting about in the bushes. The best thing about getting away to a place like Chamba is that there are no existing prescriptions on places to see or things to do. Do nothing and you’ll have done what you came here to do. And then there are walks – endless prospects of meandering in the thick cedar and pine forests, interminable little hill trails to explore.

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

The best option here is Classic Hilltop Resort (Tel: 01376-255837, Cell: 09412074108, Delhi Tel: 011- 65292650; Tariff: ₹6,500-8,500), located in seven acres of verdure. The resort also arranges treks and camping trips. GMVN’s Tourist Bungalow (Tel: 255245; Tariff: ₹590-1,240) is a decent budget option.

When to go March-June and October-December Location In the Garhwal region, at the end of the Mussoorie-Chamba Road Air Nearest airport: Dehradun Rail Nearest rail: Haridwar