A small hamlet, Kanatal situated 44 km from Mussoorie at an elevation of 8,500 ft above the sea level remains untouched and unexplored by a majority of the tourists. Trip to Kanatal, a hidden jewel with some best kept secrets of nature will take you through the magnificent hills of Mussoorie and Chamba. It is named after the lake Kanatal, which by the locals is presumed to have once existed there.
View of snow-capped Himalayas from Kanatal
Things to Do and See
The best way to discover this land at the bosom of the earth is on foot. A brief excursion through the unexplored land of Kanatal takes you through the apple orchards, pine forests, and rich wildlife. A number of camps set up in Kanatal arrange adventure activities for the tourists, which include trekking, rappelling, rock climbing, sightseeing, bon fires, and other games. Some of the popular places to visit in Kanatal are:
Kodia Jungle: A trip to Kanatal is incomplete without a visit to Kodia Jungle. It is 1 km ahead of Kanatal towards Chamba and is a trek of almost 5-6 km. In case you do not wish to trek you can go on a jeep safari. An excursion through the jungle will extend the scope of encountering the wildlife. Musk Deer, Wild boars, and Kakar (the barking deer) are some animals that can be sighted easily.
Tehri Dam: 35 km from Kanatal, at the confluence of two rivers, Bhagirathi and Bhilangana, stands the magnificent Tehri Dam. Every year, thousands of visitors come to see this breathtaking dam which has submerged many mountains underneath it.
Tehri Dam-from the official facebook page of Tehri Dam
Surkanda Devi Temple: A temple dedicated to Goddess Sati, consort of Lord Shiva, holds a lot of significance among locals and tourists who come here every year. It is believed that the head of Sati fell at this place when Lord Shiva was taking her remains. One has to trek for 2 km to reach the top of the temple.
Surkanda Devi Temple – by Jitendrachamoli
If you wish to take out some extra time, there are many other beautiful hill stations in Uttarakhand to explore. Some excursions near Kanatal are Dhanaulti (17 km), Mussoorie (44 km), Chamba (16 km), and New Tehri (35 km).
Accommodation & Food
As Kanatal has remained distant from urbanisation, and has not been much infested by the tourists, it has less number of accommodation options. Nonetheless, from camps to resorts to luxury hotels, it has a range of accommodation options. To make your stay unforgettable, a lot of activities such as bonfire, adventure sports, and sightseeing are organised by some camps. Enjoy the spectacular view of snow-clad mountains from your hotel room balcony and plunge into the serenity of the nature around you. Make prior bookings to your trip, to avoid hassles later. Some of the best accommodation options in Kanatal are:
1.Club Mahindra Kanatal
Contact No.: 083930 11166
2.The Terraces
Contact No.: 0137 6283 170
3.Camp Carnival
Contact No.: 099116 74000
4.The Hermitage
Contact No.: 099176 74830
Camps at Kanatal from official facebook page of Camp Carnival
How to Reach
Kanatal, unlike many other hill stations, is well connected with motorable roads.
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport (92 km) from Kanatal. From there you can take a taxi and cover the distance in almost 3 to 4 hours. Flights from Delhi and a few other major cities ply on a daily basis to Dehradun.
By Rail: Two stations that are nearest to Kanatal are: Dehradun (85 km) and Rishikesh (75 km). A lot of buses and taxis ply on a daily basis to Mussoorie and from there to Kanatal.
By Road: Kanatal is well connected with motorable roads. By road, Dehradun is almost 77 km and Rishikesh 80 km from Kanatal. You can easily avail bus services for both the cities. For online bus booking, travellers can use ixigo app and also avail amazing offers.
Best Season to Visit
Summer months from March to June and autumn are the best time to visit Kanatal. However if you are a winter lover and want to enjoy the view of the snow-carpeted land, you may plan to visit in winters. Monsoon months bring heavy rainfall hence, it is suggested not to plan a trip to Kanatal during rains. It is best to carry light woollens in summers and heavy ones in winters.
Kanatal in winters from the official facebook page of Kanatal Orchids
Unravel the beauty of Kanatal with wild excursions into the dense forests amid the mighty Himalayas. A weekend getaway to this hidden gem is sure to add nostalgic memories to your travel diary. Leave behind the cubicles of your office, pack your bags, and head to the untouched land of Kanatal with your friends, family, and relatives. The memories that you make today shall be recalled and cherished throughout your life.
