[nandita_bayan21]

Prologue

After three busy weeks at the office following our Ladakh trip, Atul and I needed a simple weekend getaway to unwind. Nothing fancy—just a quick escape with Shadow on Skiddy. We wanted to take him along this time, as he had already spent 19 long days in boarding during our Ladakh trip, and we didn't want to put him through that again. While Shadow enjoys car trips occasionally, he’s not a huge fan, so we usually bring him only for 2–3-day trips or when we're heading to our hometown for longer vacations.

Chakrata had been on our travel list for a long time, so we decided it was the perfect opportunity to check it off. Our plan was straightforward: drive on Thursday night, arrive at our homestay before noon on Friday, relax on Friday and Saturday, and return home on Sunday. We pre-booked our homestay, located about 10 kms from the main Chakrata town, offering a blissful escape with peaceful surroundings and stunning views.

Some quick bytes from the trip:

Dates – 4, 5, and 6 October 2024
Vehicle – Chevy Beat
Travelers – Atul, Shadow (our fur baby), and myself
Hotel – Chakrata Green Hotel and Camping (Rs 2,500/night including breakfast and dinner)
Route taken – Dwarka, Delhi > Meerut > Haridwar > Dehradun > Chakrata > Vikas Nagar > Saharanpur > Sonipat > Dwarka, Delhi
Total kms – 750 kms
Total expenses – Rs 13,370 (Hotel – Rs 5000, fuel – Rs 5,800, toll – Rs 655, extra food – Rs 1,715, and misc. – Rs 200)

[nandita_bayan21]

Day 1 – 4 Oct 2024 – Delhi to Chakrata (Distance covered – 390 kms, Route – Dwarka, Delhi > Meerut > Haridwar > Dehradun > Vikas Nagar (by-pass) > Chakrata)

For our recent trips, we've taken to starting out with our trips in the late-night hours—between 11pm – 1am to avoid Delhi's always busy traffic. Regardless of the time, the city's streets are always bustling, but we’ve found that between midnight and 4 am, the roads are a bit more manageable. While there are still plenty of massive trucks and lorries making their exits, the journey feels less hectic overall. This approach lets us cover a lot of kilometers while the highways remain relatively empty, allowing us to reach our destination just before the usual check-in time. This saves a great deal of time, giving us extra hours to unwind and enjoy the place. If we ever feel drowsy, we pause at a safe petrol pump or a well-lit dhaba to rest. And with Shadow by our side on these car trips, we feel even more secure—he’s great at keeping strangers away from the car.

Since this was just a weekend trip, we kept the packing minimal and wrapped up in a couple of hours during the day. Besides the basics, we only added a few essentials for Shadow—his food, bowls, and a few camping utensils, along with cooking stoves and some ready to cook meals. We didn’t plan on camping but having some backup food options felt like a good idea, just in case we ran into any unexpected situations. Atul tanked up Skiddy, packed our luggage in, and got everything ready. Since Atul's shift runs from 2 to 11 pm, we planned to leave right after he finished work. We had dinner at home, locked up around 11:30 pm, and then hit the road to start our journey.

As expected, the traffic was waiting for us, with trucks dominating the streets. It took a bit to make it out of Delhi and reach the Meerut expressway around 12:30 am, with a quick pit-stop to top up our Fastag. Once on the expressway, the traffic eased, and we started making good progress. By about 1:30 am, we exited the first toll booth and entered the Meerut bypass road. Neither of us felt sleepy, so we decided to keep going. Shadow, too, began to settle down in the back seat as we moved ahead. By this time, we’d covered roughly 130 kms from home, and both Atul and I were ready for a tea break and some bio breaks, including one for Shadow. Around 2 am, we stopped at Deep Punjabi Dhaba near the Khatauli bypass. The plan was just to grab tea, but we couldn’t resist the aroma and ended up having two delicious paneer parathas as well. After a refreshing 30-mins stop for tea, parathas, paying the bill, and breaks for all three of us, we continued our journey.

We continued our journey, and Shadow gradually settled down comfortably. Around 4 am, just 20 kms from Haridwar, Atul began to feel drowsy. We decided to stop at a nearby well-lit, 24/7 dhaba for a short power nap. He parked Skiddy in a safe area not far from the dhaba, drew the window curtains to avoid attracting unnecessary attention, and took a 90-mins sleep break. Although Shadow was sleepy, he remained alert, watching for any suspicious movements. The area felt safe, with a few highway patrol vehicles passing by at intervals and usual truck traffic on the main highway.

By 5:30 am, Atul woke up but it wasn’t fully dawn yet. However, he freshened up by washing his face and resumed our journey, while Shadow and I opted for an additional 30 mins of sleep. After a while, I woke up to give company to Atul as he was driving alone while we slept. We crossed Haridwar and shortly after crossing the Song river, we left the main highway and turned left onto the Ambala-Dehradun-Haridwar road. We crossed the forest section of the Rajaji National Park. Our plan was to take the Dehradun route, even though it was longer than the usual Saharanpur route. We needed to kill some time before our 11 am check-in, and the Saharanpur route would have gotten us there too early. Additionally, we were more familiar with the food options, road conditions, and safety parameters along the Dehradun route, making it a safer choice.

Around 6:30 am, we crossed through Dehradun, which was bustling with morning traffic, mainly due to school buses picking up kids. Navigating through the typical morning chaos took some time, but eventually, we made it out of the city and onto the Vikasnagar-Chakrata road, with about 80 kms to go. Once past Dehradun and its outskirts, the traffic eased, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful morning scenery: the rising sun, lush green fields, distant mountain ranges, and the clear blue sky. The journey felt refreshing, and all we needed was a hot cup of morning tea. As we continued, we reached the foothills of Vikasnagar and Kalsi, where the curvy sections began, the start of our ascent toward Chakrata.

With most dhabas still closed, we kept an eye out for a place to grab some food. It was only 8:30 am, and with just 50-60 kms left to our destination, we’d arrive well before 11 am—giving us time to take things slow. Eventually, we found a small open restaurant that had tea and maggi. Though not an ideal early morning meal, we decided to go for it. Atul parked, and we took Shadow out for his morning rituals and some water, as he prefers to eat lightly on trips. While waiting for our food, we enjoyed the scenic surroundings, with a small stream flowing nearby, filling the surroundings with a sweet, gentle roar. After taking a few photos, our tea and maggi arrived, and we opted to enjoy it from the comfort of the car. The maggi tasted great, though the tea was a bit too sweet. Nonetheless, we finished up, paid the bill, and continued our journey, savouring every moment of the trip. It was 9 am, and we were back on the road.

The road between Kalsi and Chakrata is breathtakingly beautiful, winding through majestic green valleys and dense pine forests. As we ascended, the scenery opened to reveal wide views of rolling hills and mountains, terraced fields, and distant snow-capped peaks though covered with clouds today. The crisp mountain air and the serene silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of trees and cascading waterfalls, made the drive feel like a journey through nature’s finest scenery. Each turn offered a new, postcard-perfect view, making it a truly mesmerizing route. We rolled down Shadow’s window, and he happily sniffed the fresh air, fully immersed in the array of new scents swirling around him. We stopped at many places to click pictures and enjoy the landscapes.

By 10:15 am, we arrived in Chakrata town, though our stay was another 10 kms away on the Tiger Falls road. Atul called the hotel owner to check if we could check in 15 mins early, and he kindly agreed. About 20-30 mins later, we reached our destination, Chakrata Green Hotel and Camping—a cozy, rustic, and scenic spot perfect for nature enthusiasts. We were warmly welcomed by the caretaker, Vicky, who came across as friendly and helpful, just as many Google reviews had mentioned. Our room was simple yet clean, equipped with all the basics, and offered stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The cost was Rs 2,500 per night, including breakfast and dinner for two persons, a rate discounted for the off-season, which could go up to Rs 5,000-6,000 in peak season. Atul handled the check-in formalities, and we settled Shadow in first before I helped carry our luggage into the room.

While helping Atul with the luggage, I accidentally brushed against a wild plant, and a sudden, intense burning pain shot through my left index finger. The sensation was excruciating, and as I looked at it, both Atul and Vicky identified the culprit: the infamous Bichhu Ghaas (stinging nettle), well-known in the Himalayan regions, especially Uttarakhand. Vicky quickly brought over some medicinal herb leaves and advised me to rub them on my finger to alleviate the pain, though he mentioned that the stinging sensation might persist for a day but was ultimately harmless. We settled our things inside, freshened up, and were welcomed with a refreshing cup of tea, the perfect comfort after that unexpected encounter.

Although lunch wasn’t included in our stay, Vicky kindly offered to prepare simple dal chawal for us, since we’d missed breakfast. After soaking in the stunning landscape and letting Shadow explore, we settled down to tackle some pending office work, turning this Friday into a bit of a workcation. Around 1:45 pm, Atul received a call for lunch, and we headed to the terrace dining area. The humble Pahadi dal chawal was deliciously satisfying—comfort food at its best, and we finished it in no time.

After lunch, we returned to our room and offered Shadow some food, which he ignored. Atul and I decided to take a quick nap to shake off the travel fatigue. With the property so quiet and just us staying there, we fell asleep in no time. Before we knew it, it was already 5 pm—we’d slept nearly 3 hrs! We got up, freshened up, and stepped outside to enjoy the cool evening air, requesting two cups of tea. I wrapped up a few remaining office tasks while Atul prepared for his last meetings of the day. By 5:30 pm, our tea arrived, and we enjoyed it with some snacks we’d brought along, savoring the peace and quiet of nature around us.

While Atul wrapped up his work, Shadow and I played to keep him engaged. As the temperature began to drop, we put on our pullovers, realizing that Shadow might feel cold too. We asked Vicky for a small blanket to wrap him in, and he gladly provided a fresh, cozy blanket for our little “Tiger.” By 7:30 pm, Atul had finished his tasks, and we set our laptops aside. He also placed an order for dinner, and as the food was being prepared, we relaxed and browsed through some YouTube videos, with Shadow peacefully sleeping beside us. By now, some other folks also booked their stay here for the night.

Dinner was served around 9 pm in our room, featuring roti, chawal, chicken curry, paneer masala, and a side of salad and pickles. The food was delicious, living up to the positive Google reviews we had heard about the hotel’s food. We savored every bite of the meal and even shared some non-spicy food with Shadow, who had barely eaten all day aside from a few tidbits. It felt satisfying to end the day with such a delightful dinner together. After dinner, we asked for the plates to be cleared and took Shadow for his evening walk to finish his bathroom rituals. As we strolled through the alley, we glanced up at the sky and were amazed by the countless stars twinkling above us—a breathtaking sight that city life rarely allows us to enjoy.

After bringing Shadow back to the room and settling in for the night, Atul wanted to capture some long exposure shots of the night sky with phone, since we hadn’t packed our camera gear. Although the galactic core was faint, we could still see it clearly with our own eyes. While our photos weren't perfect, we managed to capture some decent shots of the stars. As we continued to gaze up, more stars came into view, creating the illusion of an ocean filled with sparkling lights. As the temperature dropped, we realized it was nearly 10:30 pm. Both of us decided to call it a day, with Shadow already sound asleep. We got into bed, reflecting on a wonderful day, and looking forward to an even better one ahead.

Here is the video of our Day 1 journey:

https://youtu.be/J_RLBu9pEbQ?si=rdOoCPk_stgVLTkJ

[nandita_bayan21]

Day 2 – 5 Oct 2024 – In and around Chakrata (Distance covered – 50kms)

Our morning began around 7:45 am when Shadow barked at birds chirping outside. We had a peaceful, undisturbed night, and after a short walk with Shadow for his morning routine, we freshened up and got ready to start the day. Atul got a call from the hotel that around 9 am breakfast would be served. While it was being prepared, we spent some more time in the garden, taking in the beautiful morning views. Right at 9, we were called in for a simple breakfast of aloo parathas and tea—though I requested coffee while Atul settled for tea. We enjoyed the meal, admiring the green mountains in the distance.

During our stay at the homestay, we met a friendly local dog who quickly became friends with us. After we offered her some food, she grew so attached that she’d sit by our room door, eagerly waiting for us. Whether it was a walk with Shadow or a short trip to the car, she was always by our side. Meanwhile, Shadow remained ever alert, watching over us all with his quiet vigilance, his way of ensuring we were always safe, even in front of any other dog. I named her ‘Sweety’.

After finishing breakfast, we returned to our room, realizing it was already 10 am. Originally, we had planned to trek to Moila Top, about 50 km away, but decided against it since it was late and would have meant leaving Shadow alone in the room for 5-6 hours or more. Instead, we opted for a closer destination—Tiger Falls, just 10 km away. After a shower and getting ready, we decided to leave Shadow in the room, where he seemed more relaxed. By 11 am, we were on our way to the falls.

The 10 kms drive to Tiger Falls was truly blissful. Navigating through narrow, winding roads, we were treated to stunning views of the valleys below and occasional glimpses of picturesque villages nestled in the hills, under a clear blue sky. By 11:30 am, we arrived at the parking lot, where a short 1 km trek leads to the base of the falls. There’s another route via an untarred road leading to a different parking area, from which the waterfall is just 200-300 meters away. However, we opted for the longer trek, eager to stretch our legs since we had missed out on Moila.

The parking area at Tiger Falls was not very huge, fitting only about 4-5 cars at a time; fortunately, we found a spot for Skiddy. Tickets cost Rs 30 per person and Rs 40 for the car, totaling Rs 100. From there, we began our 20–30 mins walk down towards the falls. The pathway was thoughtfully laid out with cemented stairs guiding us through the trail. Along the way, we passed small cornfields swaying in the breeze, adding a greenish-golden charm to the surroundings. Pampas grass lined parts of the path, its silvery plumes offering a soft contrast to the lush greenery. Occasionally, the path opened to reveal stunning glimpses of the valley below. The trail meandered gently, allowing us to soak in these serene views as the sound of rushing water grew louder, signaling that we were nearing the falls.

At the base, the sight was breathtaking—Tiger Falls cascaded down rugged cliffs with a powerful, roaring flow, creating a pool at its base. The scene was both mesmerizing, refreshing and tranquil, a hidden gem amid nature’s embraces. This waterfall is one of the tallest in Uttarakhand and plunges from a height of around 320 ft. Tiger Falls is believed to have earned its name from the thunderous sound it creates as it cascades down the cliffs. The powerful roar of the water resembles the growl of a tiger, echoing through the surrounding forested hills. We spent some time here, captivated by the surreal beauty unfolding before us. It felt as if the water was urging us to stay, compelling us to keep gazing at its mesmerizing cascade, as if time had slowed and we could immerse ourselves here forever. The soothing roar of the water, the misty spray, and the untouched surroundings created an almost hypnotic atmosphere. Atul and I couldn’t resist capturing the moment, so we clicked some pictures and videos to preserve the magic of this hidden paradise. We even caught sight of a rainbow emerging from the mist as sunlight hit the spray from the cascading falls.

However, as usual, there were too many tourists bathing and creating a ruckus, taking away from the experience, making it a bit irritating after a while. Half-nude men were yelling and splashing in the water, disrupting the serene atmosphere, which left me feeling uncomfortable. Many tourists engage in disruptive behavior, such as loud noise, littering, and even vandalism, which not only spoils the atmosphere but also damages the environment. In many cases, people leave behind plastic waste and other non-biodegradable materials, which pollute the water and landscape. These actions ultimately tarnish the natural beauty that originally drew people to these spots.

Nonetheless, after spending around 15-20 mins, we decided it was time to begin our walk back up. We took one last look at the magnificent falls before turning away. On our way up, Atul picked up a roasted bhutta from a local vendor for Rs 30, adding a little taste of local flavor to our trek back. It took us only about 15 mins to walk back to the parking lot, reaching around 1 pm. Before getting on Skiddy for our return, Atul and I got ourselves refreshing lassi and buttermilk to enjoy on the way back. The drive took another 30 mins, and by 1:30 PM, we arrived at our hotel room. Shadow was happily lazing around, taking a cozy nap, but as soon as he saw us, his excitement knew no bounds. We spotted Sweety wandering near the homestay, and as soon as she saw us, she ran over towards us with her tail wagging excitedly. I offered her some Drools, which she finished in no time. Seeing her delight, I couldn’t resist giving her another serving, which she enjoyed and savored to the fullest.

It was almost lunchtime, and since the hotel didn’t provide meals, we had to plan ourselves. Not wanting to venture out again, we decided to heat up some of the ready-to-eat meals we had brought with us. Atul set up our camping stove, and we heated one packet each of rajma chawal and chole chawal. The aroma filled the room, and it felt great to enjoy a warm meal. After lunch, we quickly prepared two cups of tea, which turned out to be the perfect, refreshing touch to our meal. Done with our lunch, we gave some food to Shadow and took him out for a walk.

With nothing much to do, the three of us settled into the room for a while, which turned into a refreshing power nap lasting about 2 hrs. Atul and I woke up around 4:30 pm, feeling recharged and eager to explore some nearby spots in Chakrata. We got ready, bundled up in warm clothes for the cool evening ahead, and hopped into Skiddy. We decided to leave Shadow in the room since he seemed quite comfortable there. At exactly 5 pm, we set off toward the famous Chirmiri sunset viewpoint, located about 13 kms from our hotel. The drive took us through the familiar route for the first 10 kms, leading us into the main Chakrata town, and from there, it was another 3 kms to reach the viewpoint.

Due to some cattle crossing the road, it took us a bit longer to reach our destination. Once we arrived at the viewpoint, there was ample parking space for Skiddy. There was a parking and entry charge for Rs 100. There were other tourists and cars too. The actual sunset point was about 500 mts away, requiring a short hike along an untarred path. Unfortunately, we reached the location just seconds after the sun dipped below the horizon, missing the sunset by a hair. However, the golden hour hues that followed were mesmerizing, painting the sky in soft shades of gold and lavender. We took our time soaking in the breathtaking landscapes, relishing the tranquil beauty of the moment despite missing the sunset.

Chirmiri sunset viewpoint in Chakrata offers a breathtaking panorama that captivates all who visit. As the sun began its descent, the sky transformed into a canvas of vibrant orange, pink, and purple colors, casting a warm glow over the lush valleys and distant mountains. The viewpoint is adorned with endless strands of colorful prayer flags fluttering in the gentle breeze, adding a touch of spirituality and charm to the scene. These flags, traditionally hung for good fortune and peace, fluttered gracefully against the backdrop of the setting sun, creating a serene and harmonious atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot to pause and soak in the beauty of nature, reflecting on the day while witnessing a stunning display of light and color that seems to stretch endlessly into the horizon.

By 6:15 pm, we began our walk back towards Skiddy, excited to head to Chakrata market for some momo and coffee. After parking the car, we strolled through the charming streets until we found a cozy spot that served both. We ordered two plates of chicken steamed momo and two cups of coffee. The momo were delicious, prepared just the way I like them, and they made for a perfect snack. Once we finished, Atul settled the bill, and we made our way back to Skiddy. Driving through the same familiar route, we returned to our stay around 7 pm. It was a beautiful time out.

Upon reaching our stay, Shadow was once again super excited to see us, greeting us with warm hugs and joyful jumps. Atul received a call from Vicky to place our dinner order, as they wanted to prepare it early. Once we finalized the order, we freshened up and spent some time with Shadow, snuggling under the blanket while browsing through YouTube videos. Around 9 pm, we got a call to head to the terrace dining area for dinner. Tonight’s meal featured pahadi dal, chawal, roti, pahadi chicken curry, and a fresh salad, paired with tangy pickles. As usual, the meal was sumptuous and lip-smacking. After thoroughly enjoying our dinner, we also got some extra food packed for Shadow.

After giving Shadow his food, we took him out for his night walk and bathroom rituals. The sky was stunning tonight, filled with stars, and we could see the galactic core much clearer than before with the naked eye. Atul decided to spend about 10–15 mins capturing long exposure shots of the night sky while I freshened up, got ready, and prepared the bed for sleep. With some decent shots captured on his phone, we finally decided to head inside and call it a day. Before heading back, I also made sure to give some dog food to Sweety, she was anyway near us the whole time. By 10:45 pm, we nestled into bed, ready to drift off to sleep after a fulfilling day filled with adventure.

Here is a video of our Day 2:

https://youtu.be/ElNag8-Hmxw?si=XhijwbHEVE9GP1KU

[nandita_bayan21]

Some more pictures from Day 2:

View from our hotel terrace:




Tiger falls parking lot:




While descending to Tiger falls, the beautiful scenic landscapes:


















At Tiger falls:












Finally, at the Tiger falls parking lot:




On the way to Chirmiri viewpoint:














Sunset at Chirmiri viewpoint:






Amidst the prayer flags:












One more from the galactic core:

[nandita_bayan21]

Day 3 – 6 Oct 2024 – Chakrata to Delhi (Distance covered – 310 kms, Route – Chakrata > Saharanpur > Shamli > Sonipat > Dwarka, Delhi)

At around 7:45 am, Atul and I woke up, having overslept a bit. We had hoped to get an early start for our drive home around 8:30 am, but somehow, we just couldn’t get up early. We quickly freshened up, took Shadow for a quick walk, and Atul informed the hotel staff to prepare our breakfast. The sky was overcast, with rain clouds hovering across the sky, signaling the onset of winter in this part of Uttarakhand, as Vicky mentioned—it would start getting colder from now on. By 8:30 am, breakfast was ready, so we headed to the terrace to enjoy it. We had a delicious meal of aloo sabzi, poori, green chutney, and two cups of tea. Done with food, we returned to our room to pack up and prepare for the journey back home.

Packing took a bit longer than usual today, and by the time we finished and loaded all the luggage into Skiddy, it was already 9:45 am. Once everything was packed, Atul and I got ready, and prepared Shadow for the journey. Atul settled the bill with Vicky, and I offered Sweety, the stray pup, some Drools one last time. With everything set, we said our goodbyes to Vicky, promising to return. We took a quick picture with him for memories and gave Sweety a heartfelt pet—she seemed a bit sad as we were leaving. At around 10:15 am, we set off towards Delhi. Oh, and today was also Atul’s birthday! We’ll save the cake cutting for when we reach home, but for now, the long journey begins.

About 11 km from our stay, we came across the Chinta Haran Mahadev temple and decided to make a quick stop to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. We parked the car, left a window slightly open for Shadow, and started our short climb up to the temple. The pathway was a series of well-laid cemented steps, and within 5–7 mins, we reached the temple premise. It was quiet, with just the two of us and the temple pujari, allowing us to pray undisturbed, receive blessings, and spend about 10 mins soaking in the calm atmosphere. The temple’s name, "Chinta Haran," translates to "remover of worries," and it is believed that devotees who visit with sincere devotion find relief from their troubles. Surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature, the temple offers a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for meditation and introspection. The locals also hold deep faith in the temple. We made our way back down to Skiddy and Shadow, which took only about 5 mins. It was around 11 am by then, and with Lord Shiva's blessings, we resumed our journey.

The route we followed was the same one we had taken while arriving, and with each turn and curve, we kept moving ahead, slowly descending towards the plains. In the distance, we caught a glimpse of the faint line of snow-capped Himalayas. The landscape was breathtaking, with lush green mountains, winding roads, and a small river stream flowing alongside, making the mundane journey feel worthwhile. Continuing along the Vikasnagar-Chakrata road, we reached Kalsi by 12:30 pm and then moved forward toward Vikasnagar. However, we encountered traffic congestion in Vikasnagar town. Google Maps suggested an alternate bypass route that would help us avoid the congestion altogether. Although the roads were narrow, they seemed to be free of too much traffic. We decided to take this route, which proved to be a wise choice, and by around 1 pm, we were back on Chakrata road, heading towards the UP border crossing at Herbertpur.

After some time, we entered the Langha Range Forest reserve, where tall trees towered majestically on both sides of the highway. We decided to make a quick pit stop to let Shadow stretch his legs, relax, and drink water as he seemed a bit dehydrated. After a refreshing 10-mins break, we resumed our drive. By 1:30 pm, we crossed the UP border, with another 240 km left in our journey ahead.

From this point, the drive became far less enjoyable. Small towns and villages lined the highway, with locals merging onto the road from all directions, ignoring traffic rules. I took the wheel for a while to let Atul rest, but the chaotic conditions quickly wore on me. By 3:15 pm, we reached Saharanpur, where, without a bypass option, we had to navigate directly through the city traffic. It was utter chaos, with vehicles and pedestrians coming from every direction, adding to the disorder. The only joy was Shadow and his constant want of attention.

In between all this, we noticed a Thar with a UP 11 registration driving recklessly through the dense traffic, trying to overtake us. He wasn’t obeying traffic signals and was creating risky situations. The narrow roads left Atul and other drivers with little space to maneuver, and despite waiting for a safe moment, there wasn’t one. Eventually, the Thar came up behind us, following too close. At one open median, a bike suddenly cut in front of us, forcing Atul to brake hard. As expected, the reckless Thar driver behind us couldn't stop in time and bumped into Skiddy. Atul immediately pulled over and asked the driver to step out. The young man behind the wheel began pleading, insisting he didn’t mean to hit us. Atul gave him a stern mouthful about his reckless driving, and even other drivers agreed he was at fault. Fortunately, Skiddy’s build quality held up well, with only a minor dent on the left rear bumper, while the Thar was completely unscathed. We also had the entire incident recorded on our rear dash camera. Given the minor damage, the wastage of time, and the crowd gathering in the middle of the road, Atul decided to let the driver off with a warning. I noted down his license plate number just in case. The whole episode wasted precious time and left us in a frustrated mood, but we resumed our journey. This reflects on how rule-abiding drivers often bear the brunt of others’ recklessness. Nonetheless, we continued. Maybe the route via Dehradun would have been a better option – but no point thinking of it now, when the damage is done.

It took another 15 mins to navigate through Saharanpur and finally reach the open highway. Famished and still upset from the earlier incident, we were in desperate need of a lunch break. Around 3:45 pm, we spotted a decent-looking local dhaba with ample parking space. Atul parked Skiddy, left a window slightly open for Shadow, and, after a quick check of the minor damage, we headed inside. The restaurant was nearly empty, with just one other family having food. We kept our order simple—roti, dal, paneer masala, and some curd. While waiting for the food, I offered Shadow a bit of curd water, which he happily licked. About 20 mins later, our food came, we enjoyed the much-needed break and the proper dhaba style food. After paying the bill, we took Shadow for a quick walk to stretch his legs and let him take nature's call. Feeling refreshed, we resumed our journey around 4:15 pm, ready to tackle the final stretch.

For the next couple of hours, we kept driving along the highway, passing through small towns like Shamli and Baraut. Eventually, around 6 pm, we reached the junction that would take us toward Sonipat, where we could connect to NH44. Along the way, we made a quick stop to refuel, as Skiddy was running low on petrol. As we continued, the sun began its graceful descent, casting a warm, golden glow across the horizon. The sky transformed into soft shades of orange, with the sun peeking over the horizon line, creating a picture-perfect moment. I paused to capture a few photos of the sunset, savoring the quiet magic it brought to our journey.

As soon as we hit NH44, we encountered heavy traffic, including countless vehicles and trucks. Just 60 kms from home, but with Google Maps estimating a whopping 2-hr stretch, we knew city traffic awaited us as we entered Delhi. With no option but to go through the congestion, we kept moving ahead. Finally, around 8:15 pm, we arrived at our apartment parking lot, wrapping up a solid 10-hrs journey. Once home, we first got Shadow settled inside before heading back down to gather our luggage and belongings. On the way home, I ordered a birthday cake for Atul and some food to be delivered, as I had no energy left to cook anything.

After bringing our belongings inside, we had some time before the food and cake arrived, so we quickly freshened up. When the cake came, Atul blew out his birthday candles and cut the cake, with Shadow joining in on the celebration. Though he was too tired to be excited, Shadow gave Atul a slurpy hug. Soon, the food arrived as well, and we enjoyed our meal while relaxing and watching TV. By 10:30 pm, we decided to call it a night and headed to bed.

So, once again a beautiful road trip came to an end, a trip surely filled with breathtaking landscapes, countless moments of peace and adventure. From navigating curvy mountain roads to finally making it back home through city traffic, every mile brought its own memories. As we settled in for the night, tired but satisfied, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for such great experiences in our lives. Until the next adventure!

Here is a video of our Day 3 journey:

https://youtu.be/e6g33UBS7_o?si=6bJ4djpuCtXNT3Hr

[graaja]

Moving thread from Assembly Line to Travelogues. Thank you for sharing this awesome trip.

[myavu]

WOW! Excellent travelogue.

We did this trip back in April 2017 in our humble Beat.

Beautiful Deoban Mountains and Cliffs

[mpksuhas]

Nice to see another travelogue from you with your hallmark vibrant landscape and food pics.

[sukhbirST]

Colorful trip with matching colors and smiles all the way. Nice of you to share Chakrata trip with great photos as such places are not so common.

[W.S.T.R.]

Amazing travelogue, in the recent times, which i have read through.

Though being a north Indian, i am now settled in lower half part of our beautiful country, but i miss the beautiful places and landscape of the north part, including mouthwatering food and winters of-course. But whenever i get a chance, try to travel north.

The small little towns, hamlets in the Himalayan foothills and higher up are so refreshing and soul healing, that can't be described in words. To add to it, the expressways, improved national & state highways make it easier to reach.

Keep travelling. Keep safe.

[dgoyle]

A very well-written travelogue indeed.

It transported me to the days I visited Chakrata (often pronounced as Chakraouta locally) for a few days at Estb 22—circa 1988/89. It was a very quiet, hush-hush hill station like Lansdowne. I have been there many times later, too. Been there many times thereafter, the last being 25 Dec 2014.

I am surprised at the route you took. I have always taken the Panipat, Kurukshetra, Jagadhari/Yamuna Nagar, Paonta Sahib, Herbetpur and Chakrata. It is clean, with good roads accompanied by fabulous food en route between Kurukshetra and Jagadhari.

I usually leave Delhi late afternoon say between 3 and 5 pm and enter Delhi after 11 pm to beat traffic.

You did not go to see the Deodar tree with a humungous girth?

Did you by any chance stay at Hotel Snow View? Simple clean rooms with Breakfast and Dinner; serving lunch without fuss on arrival, makes me believe that it could be the one.

Thanks for sharing and rekindling our memories.

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by nandita_bayan21

Prologue

After three busy weeks at the office following our Ladakh trip, Atul and I needed a simple weekend getaway to unwind. Nothing fancy—just a quick escape with Shadow on Skiddy. We wanted to take him along this time, as he had already spent 19 long days in boarding during our Ladakh trip, and we didn't want to put him through that again. While Shadow enjoys car trips occasionally, he’s not a huge fan, so we usually bring him only for 2–3-day trips or when we're heading to our hometown for longer vacations.

Chakrata had been on our travel list for a long time, so we decided it was the perfect opportunity to check it off. Our plan was straightforward: drive on Thursday night, arrive at our homestay before noon on Friday, relax on Friday and Saturday, and return home on Sunday. We pre-booked our homestay, located about 10 kms from the main Chakrata town, offering a blissful escape with peaceful surroundings and stunning views.

What an astounding piece of travalogue!
Chakrata is synonymous with godly peace. The serene beauty of the place, the simplicity of the area around, the fabulous treks it has to offer and great simple food, especially the local Rajma.

Your poat suggests you know Chakrata and the route very well. I'd say you folks are indeed lucky even more so by the scorpion sting that came out to be non-venomous.

Doing the trip in a Chevy must have been liberating. Smaller the car, the more fuss free is the experience. I'm sure your dog must have thoroughly enjoyed the trip too.

Originally Posted by dgoyle

A very well-written travelogue indeed.


I am surprised at the route you took. I have always taken the Panipat, Kurukshetra, Jagadhari/Yamuna Nagar, Paonta Sahib, Herbetpur and Chakrata. It is clean, with good roads accompanied by fabulous food en route between Kurukshetra and Jagadhari.

Did you by any chance stay at Hotel Snow View? Simple clean rooms with Breakfast and Dinner; serving lunch without fuss on arrival, makes me believe that it could be the one.

I'm surprised too they took the Meerut route which has more traffic and is a bit notorious to be honest.

The Yamuna Nagar/Paonta Sahib route is preferable any given day. Anyways, a Chakrata trip is soul replenishing.

Hotel Snow View reminds me of a trip we took there in 2017. It was a harrowing experience. The property no doubt is great but the staff and especially the owner were real unprofessionals and touted gundas. It was unfortunate we had to stay there and face the bad experience we had. No point in narrating the whole story now but we regretted later on not checking the 1 star ratings it has on Google Reviews. I'd suggest anyone visitng Chakrata to avoid that hotel. We had to vacate at 1 am and relocate some place else.

The rest of the stay and roaming around places there made us forget the ordeal in no time though.

Chakrata has a special strategic importance but still offers comfortable and real weekend getaway for people who are not, as OP suggested, looking for something fancy.

[R-Six]

Here comes yet another crisp write up, and accompanied by some beautiful pictures as usual. It looks like you 3 and the Skiddy had a perfect getaway in Chakrata.

There is something special about the rajma chawal in the hills. They are simple, yet wholesome. These pictures are tempting me to plan a trip to the mountains but we poor souls in the West could only get to the foot of the hills with a 2 day drive

Happy Motoring!
R-Six