Chaukori in Uttaranchal
A hilly village in the district of Pithorgarh in the Uttarakhand state, Chaukori is a lesser known tourist destination. Perched on a valley and surrounded by the high mountains of the Kumaon region, this village features nature's blissful landscapes, unpolluted and quiet. Chaukori is located at the Indo-Tibetan (in the north) and Indo-Nepal (in the south) boundaries. The scenic Greater Himalayan peaks of Nanda Kot, Panchchuli, Nanda Khat and Nanda Devi are visible from here. Chaukori is nothing like a typical hill station as there are no sightseeing spots inside the village, except for the panoramic and breathtaking Himalayan views, and no market place either. All you can expect is to relax for a few days taking long walks amidst the forest of deodars, rhododendrons, spruce, oaks and pine trees, listening to the chirping of the birds and feeling the fresh air.
Aside from this, Chaukori is in the vicinity of Gangolihat that is known for its Hindu temples. These temples have historical as well as spiritual significance.
Location:-Uttarakhand
Altitude: -2010 m above sea level
Best time to visit Chaukori: -March to June and September to November
Distance from major cities
| Delhi - 480 km | Berinag - 10 km |
| Nainital - 183 km | Haldwani - 215 km |
| Gangolihat - 35 km | Pithorgarh - 114 km |
| Kathgodam - 214 km | Kausani - 68 km |
How to Reach Chaukori
By Air :- Chaukori is about 90 km away from the Naini Saini Airport and 230 km away from the Pantnagar Airport. Both are domestic airports, but the Pantnagar Airport is better connected with Delhi than Naini Saini.
By Rail :- The train station at Kathgodam is the nearest railhead to Chaukori at a distance of 214 km. All major tourist destinations in India are connected to the Kathgodam Railway Station.
By Road:- The village of Chaukori is well connected with the nearby cities including Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar and Haldwani. You can avail of buses and taxis to reach Chaukori. If you wish to travel from Delhi, you can board a bus from the ISBT at Anand Vihar for Almora and then take a taxi from Almora to Chaukori. There are a number of car hire agencies in the cities as well. Although, many routes lead to Chaukori, the most convenient one is via Haldwani and Almora.
About Chaukori
A lesser frequented destination, Chaukori is an ideal place to unwind from the drudgery of city life. A drive to Chaukori on the hilly roads and passing through dense alpine to temperate forests is enthralling. The mountainous terrain is a perfect location for trekkers, nature trailers and skiers. The snow covered peaks look attractive from the village during the sunrise and sunset. The Mahakali River in the east of the village is a great site for river rafting. Pilgrims who visit Gangolihat, 35 km from Chaukori, also prefer to make a stop at the village for a night or two to feel rested before beginning their journey to return home.
Accommodations in Chaukori include lodges and guesthouses. Modern facilities are available here. Experience the purity of nature's beauty in Chaukori, Uttarakhand.
Places in and around Chaukori
Chaukori itself has no sightseeing sites except for a few tea gardens, orchards and picturesque hilly terrains. But, it is close to a large number of important temples of the Kumaon region including the Ulka Devi Temple, Arjuneshwar Shiva Temple, Mostamanu Temple, Ghunsera Devi Temple, Nakuleshwar Temple, Mukteshwar Gufa, Shaileshwar Gufa and Jayanti Temple Dhwaj. You can also visit the following places:
Berinag - Located about 10 km from Chaukori, Berinag is a picturesque village at an altitude of 1740 m above sea level. It is well known for its snake temples, notably the 14th century built Nag Mandir that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the snake god - Sheshnag. The panoramic mountain peaks surrounding the temple are a breathtaking sight. You can also visit the tea gardens in Berinag, which is famous for its high quality tea leaves.
Dharamghar - This historically significant site is about 9 km from Chaukori. Dharamghar is the place where Sarla Behn, a Mahatma Gandhi follower, spent her final days. Her home is named Himdarshan Kutir, and this is a brilliant place to view the beauty of the snow clad mountain peaks.
Patal Bhuvaneshwar - Situated, about 20 km from Chaukori, at an elevation of about 1350 m above sea level, Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a sacred temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The complex is a network of caves and it is believed that it houses about 330 million deities. There are carvings, on stone, of Hindu gods and goddesses on various parts of the caves. Pilgrims and tourists find the narrow passage way into the shrine an exciting experience.
Gangolihat - Another 15 km away from Patal Bhuvaneshwar (about 35 km from Chaukori), is a town named Gangolihat. It is famous for its cave temples and rock cut shrines, especially the Mahakali Temple, which is one of the revered Shakti Peeths in India established by Shankaracharya. Other notable temples here are Ambika Dewaal, Vaishnavi Mandir and Bholeshwar Gufa. This town also attracts tourists for its picturesque landscape and mountain peak views.
Bageshwar - A holy town, on the banks of the converging Gomti and Saryu rivers, about 43 km from Chaukori, Bageshwar features several temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses, trekking facilities and scenic mountain views. Bagnath, Chandika, Sriharu, Agnikund and Baijnath temples are important shrines popular among pilgrims. During Shivratri, the city is packed with devotees coming from all parts of the country. There is a fair held in January, which also attracts both pilgrims and tourists. Trekking sites with Bageshwar as the base station are Pindari, Kaphni and Sunderdhunga glaciers.
Kausani - Well known for its scenic splendor, Kausani is about 68 km from Chaukori. Places of attraction here are the Pant Museum, Anashakti Ashram and the Kausani Tea Estate. Pant Museum is the birth place of the famous Hindi literary figure, Sumitranadan Pant. Anashakti Ashram is another museum that is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi who wrote the Anashakti Yog in the year 1929 here, which is one of his experiments with non-violence. Kausani Tea Estate is a private tea garden that is well known for its beautiful landscape and high quality tea leaves.
