Chaukori

We reached Chaukori from Munsyari, about a 6 hour drive. It is a very small hill station but a lovely lovely place known for a spectacular view of the Himalayas and sun-rise/sunset. We present pics of sun rise and Chaukori. Pic taken before sun rise.

We reached about 6.15 am. Chaukori is at a height of 2010 m. U get a view of snow clad peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchculi. It was very cloudy so did not get to see. Did not matter because got peak view from other places.

Suddenly the sky turns golden in color.

Sun behind the clouds. Close to Chaukori is Berinag ie famous for tea gardens. Short of time so did not see.

Sky changes to golden again.

Look at the skyline. If you want to relax, enjoy a view of the Himalayan Peaks Chaukori is a great place, suggest spend 2 days. Make it a base to visit Patal Bhubneshwar (app 2 hours). On your return visit NGO AVANI (www.avani-kumaon.org). It is involved in Renewable Energy, Water Management, Textiles, Farm-based activities. They sell durries, shawls, sweaters etc.

Sun rise any time now. Hotels in Chaukori are reasonably priced. Kumaon Mandal guest house rooms start from Rs 1250/. Hotel Sadbhavna Resort has good rooms range Rs 700-Rs 1000 during the month of October.

Note the colors esp on left of the pic.

Sun rise. There are many Nag (snake) temples close by like Dhaulinag, Kalinag, Bashukinag, Pinglenag and Harinag. Was short of time so could not see.

Me post sun rise. Enroute from Munsyari to Chaukori fell on a rock whilst walking down to the river hurt my nose. That is why u see the Bandaid on my nose. Pic clicked by a tourist from Tripura.

Post sun rise. The night sky is studded with millions of stars that hold you spell-bound.

Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has this watch tower for residents. U get a great view of the sun rise/peak view from here.

At this point Chaukori ends and forest starts. Take right turn for some fancy hotels. If u walk for about 10 minutes reach the point from where get a great sun rise view.

View of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam cottages - very nice and cosy. Road that u see at end of pic takes u to sun rise point. Locals say 10 years ago this entire area was forests now hotels.

View from KMVN watch tower. These are all the hotels in Chaukori - probably three more besides structures that you see in the pic. Lovely place.

View of the KMVN rooms. Nearest rail-head is Kathgodam ie 198 kms away.

I stayed at Hardik Lodge ie about 5 minutes walk from the main road and at a lower level. Clean and functional rooms at Rs 500/ a night.

This is the best point from where to click sunset pics. U need to cross the check-post that u saw earlier and walk for about 7-10 minutes on the same road.

Sunset pics from this point. I reached Chaukori before sun set but there was no indication where to go so missed seeing actual sun set. Found point as shown in earlier pic after sunset.

Another view of sun set. Strongly recommend Chaukori. It is about 1.5 hours drive from Bageshwar/Baijnath Temple which was our next destination. Make it your base point and travel around.