Chamba Travel Guide
A quiet apple-orchard hill town between Mussoorie and Dhanaulti, with a serene atmosphere and views of the Tehri reservoir.
- Altitude
- 1,676 m
- Best season
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov, Dec–Feb (snow)
- From Dehradun
- ~65 km
- Category
- Hill Station
Why visit Chamba
- Discover a quiet Tehri Garhwal hill town that offers apple orchards, forest trails, and mountain views without Mussoorie's crowds
- Visit the ancient Baleshwar Mahadev temple, one of the most active Shiva shrines in this part of Garhwal
- Use it as a peaceful base for day trips to Dhanaulti (24 km), Tehri Lake (20 km), and Surkanda Devi temple (12 km)
- Walk through apple and peach orchards in autumn when fruit hangs heavy and the surrounding forests turn gold
- Experience a genuine Pahari hill town at a comfortable altitude without the commercialisation of larger hill stations
Chamba is a small hill town in Tehri Garhwal district at 1,676 m, sitting on the Mussoorie–New Tehri road about 65 km from Dehradun. Less visited than its neighbours Mussoorie and Dhanaulti, Chamba offers a more relaxed alternative with the same pleasant Himalayan climate, apple and pear orchards, and forest walks without the crowds. The town is a natural midpoint on the Chamba–Dhanaulti–Mussoorie circuit and can be combined with all three.
From Chamba, a day trip to the Tehri Lake — the reservoir created by the Tehri Dam, one of the largest dams in Asia — is easily arranged. The lake has become a destination in its own right for water sports. The Baleshwar Mahadev temple, an old stone shrine on the outskirts of town, is a local pilgrimage spot. In winter, Chamba receives occasional snowfall that transforms it into a quiet snow retreat without the commercialism of the larger hill stations. The town serves as a comfortable base for exploring the Dhanaulti forests and the Surkanda Devi ridge.
Explore around
Places near Chamba
Peaceful apple-orchard hill retreat with eco-huts and the Surkanda Devi trail access
The vast Tehri reservoir offering boating, water sports, and lakeside walks
The main Garhwal hill station — a longer day trip or base for those who prefer more facilities
Surkanda Devi Temple12 km + short trekHilltop Shakti shrine above the Dhanaulti forest with sweeping Himalayan views
Devprayag60 kmSacred confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers where the Ganga is said to formally begin
What to do
Activities at Chamba
Apple Orchard Walks
Chamba's surrounding slopes are covered in apple, peach, and plum orchards. September–October is harvest season — walks through working orchards with fruit-laden trees and golden forest are a highlight of the autumn visit.
Baleshwar Temple
The Baleshwar Mahadev temple at the centre of Chamba town is one of the most active Shiva shrines in Tehri Garhwal, with morning and evening aarti drawing local devotees. The temple compound is peaceful and accessible.
Tehri Lake Day Trip
New Tehri (20 km) offers boating, kayaking, and water sports on the expansive Tehri reservoir — one of Asia's largest artificial lakes. Day trips combine well with a Chamba base.
Surkanda Devi Forest Trail
A 12 km drive from Chamba toward Dhanaulti and a 2 km forest climb leads to the Surkanda Devi temple (2,757 m) — the highest point accessible from this circuit, with outstanding Himalayan views on clear days.
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Tours covering Chamba
Before you go
Chamba travel tips
- Chamba is not the same as Chamba in Himachal Pradesh — this Chamba is in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand
- Dehradun to Chamba is 60 km via the Mussoorie–Tehri road (2.5–3 hrs); the road is well-maintained and scenic
- Apple orchards are at their best September–October; rhododendrons bloom along the Surkanda trail in March–April
- New Tehri's water sports operate year-round; pre-book adventure activities on weekends when families from Dehradun visit
- Chamba market area has ATMs and basic shops; it is a functional town rather than a tourist resort, which is part of its appeal
- The road from Chamba to Tehri and onward to Devprayag (60 km) is one of the most scenic drives in Garhwal
Getting there
How to reach Chamba
Dehradun to Chamba is 60 km via Mussoorie Road and Tehri Highway (2.5–3 hrs). Rishikesh to Chamba is 88 km via Tehri. Regular buses operate from Dehradun ISBT and Rishikesh to Chamba/New Tehri.
Dehradun railway station (60 km) is the nearest railhead. Rishikesh railway station (88 km) is an alternative. From either, take a bus or taxi to Chamba.
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (80 km) has daily flights from Delhi. Hire a taxi from the airport to Chamba directly.
Where to stay in Chamba
- Chamba town has mid-range hotels and guesthouses; the market area has several options for overnight stays
- GMVN Tourist Rest House near Chamba provides reliable budget accommodation with basic meals
- Dhanaulti (24 km) has eco-cottage resorts and GMVN properties if a more scenic forest setting is preferred
- Tehri Lake resorts near New Tehri (20 km) offer the most upscale accommodation in the area — lakeside properties with water sport packages
Food & dining
- Chamba market has dhabas serving Garhwali thali, dal-rice, and standard north Indian food
- Roadside stalls between Chamba and Dhanaulti sell fresh apples, local preserves, and seasonal fruit in season
- Tehri town (20 km) has a wider range of restaurants and a lively market bazaar
- Most guesthouses and hotels in Chamba can arrange packed lunches for day trip excursions
Background
History of Chamba
Chamba is a historic market town on the ancient trade route connecting the Garhwal hills with the Doon valley. Before the modern Mussoorie–Tehri highway was built, Chamba served as a key transit point for goods, pilgrims, and administrative traffic moving between the plains and the upper Tehri Garhwal kingdom. The Baleshwar Mahadev temple at its centre has been a continuous place of worship for several centuries.
The surrounding area came under the Tehri Garhwal kingdom, which was among the last princely states to accede to independent India in 1949. The kingdom's capital was at Tehri town (now submerged under the Tehri reservoir). The construction of the Tehri Dam project (begun in the 1970s, completed 2006) dramatically changed the region — the old Tehri town was relocated to New Tehri, and a vast reservoir now occupies the Bhagirathi-Bhilangna confluence valley below Chamba.
The Tehri reservoir, visible from the road between Chamba and New Tehri, has become an unexpected attraction — the clear blue-green water surrounded by terraced hills is strikingly beautiful, though it required the displacement of tens of thousands of people from submerged villages. Chamba itself was not submerged and continues as a lively market town and transit point for Tehri, Uttarkashi, and the upper Garhwal highway.
Plan your trip
Suggested Chamba itinerary
- Day 1Drive from Dehradun to Chamba (60 km, 2.5 hrs). Afternoon: Baleshwar Mahadev temple, market walk, local apple orchards. Overnight Chamba.
- Day 2Morning drive to Dhanaulti (24 km). Surkanda Devi temple trek (4 km round trip). Eco-park forest walk. Return to Chamba. Afternoon: drive to New Tehri (20 km) for Tehri Lake boating. Return Chamba. Overnight Chamba.
- Day 3Option A: drive to Devprayag (60 km) — sacred Alaknanda-Bhagirathi confluence. Return to Dehradun via Rishikesh. Option B: continue to Uttarkashi or Tehri for onward Garhwal journey.
Common questions
Chamba FAQ
- Is Chamba in Uttarakhand the same as Chamba in Himachal Pradesh?
- No — these are two entirely different places. Chamba in Uttarakhand is in Tehri Garhwal district, on the Mussoorie–New Tehri highway, approximately 60 km from Dehradun. Chamba in Himachal Pradesh is a historic kingdom town in the Ravi river valley, much farther north.
- How far is Chamba from Dehradun?
- Chamba is approximately 60 km from Dehradun via the Mussoorie–Tehri highway. The drive takes 2.5–3 hours and is scenic throughout, passing through Mussoorie and forest sections before descending to Chamba.
- What is the best time to visit Chamba?
- March–June (spring and pre-monsoon) and September–November (autumn and harvest season) are ideal. The apple harvest in September–October gives the town a particularly attractive character. The monsoon (July–August) brings heavy rain and occasional road closures.
- What is there to do in Chamba?
- Chamba is best used as a base for a circuit combining the Baleshwar temple, apple orchard walks, Dhanaulti eco-forest, Surkanda Devi temple trek, and Tehri Lake water sports. As a standalone destination it is a peaceful overnight stop; combined with the nearby sites it makes a satisfying 2–3 day itinerary.
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