A miniscule shangri-la: Gorchha Village!

A small hamlet in the Chakrata Block in Dehradoon, Gorchha village is located at the border of Dehradoon District and Sirmaur District. It is in close proximity to Himachal Pradesh State Border.

Unadulterated and untouched by mankind, this natural miracle lies hidden in the valleys of Himalayas. Lying in the Shivalik Range of Outer Himalayas, this magical village is consecrated with bountiful Apple Orchards and densely packed green farms. A writer’s retreat for sure, the place is secluded and unknown. Just 70km away from Dehradoon and 400 km from New Delhi, this place is facing a major migration problem.

Here we bring to you 3 nights and 4 days itinerary that is bound to give you bouts of adrenalin rush.

Day -1 | Dehradun to Gorchha (146 Km)

On the first day, drive to Gorchha village from Dehradun. Enroute to Vikasnagar, explore the very famous Tiger Falls (near Chakrata and Kanasar). A picturesque location named after God Kanasar, Tiger Falls offers all-embracing landscapes. A Temple of Kanasar Devta is located a here. Following this, continue the drive to Gorchha Village. Lacking opulence, this village does not have any fancy hotels/ accommodation. One will have to spend the night in a homestay.

                             Tiger Falls, Gorchha Village

Day-2 | Gorchha to Byar Cave (2 km trek, 2-3 hrs one way)

On the second day, one can have an early breakfast and head for an excursion to Byar Cave. Following this, one can return to the village and spend time imbibing the cultural vibes and learning the interests and pastimes of the locals. Gorchha is a hub of many agricultural activities and it is priceless to become a part of such activities.

Day -3 | Gorchha to Moyala Top (5 km trek, 3-4 hrs one way )

Located at a significant height, Moyala Top can be kept for the third day. Again, after an early and sumptuous breakfast, one can opt for a day excursion to the alluring Moyala Top. The view from this place is splendid. Vast and expansive valleys and meadows greet your eyes. In the evening, return to Gorchha village and spend time walking around and appreciating the precious gift of nature.

                           The widespread green meadows

Day -4 | Gorchha to Dehradun (146 km, 4 hrs)

The last day can be used up travelling back to Dehradoon after saving a potluck of memories and experiences.

More about Gorchha Village

This area is known for the freezing temperatures during winters and pleasant climate during summers.

Summers (March to June) are very pleasant with 10 °C (Min) and 30 °C (Max). Tourists prefer this season.

Monsoon (July to September) is associated with medium rainfall. This season is characterized by slippery roads and cold winds. Tourists mostly avoid the rainy days.

Winters (December to February) are chilly. During this season, the maximum temperature is below 15 °C and minimum touches -5 °C; it is freezing cold.

Autumn (October and November) provides a mildly cold atmosphere and the destination becomes scenic.

For the couples planning a honeymoon trip to this Shangri- la, January to February is the perfect season.

March to May is the ideal season for outdoor activities.

Better known as Jaunsari (a community of people that resides in the foothills of Western Himalayas), the people of Gorchha are affable and welcoming.In Uttarakhand, Jaunsari tribes reside in Jaunsar -Bawar region that is close to Himachal border. This tribe traces its origin to the Pandavas of Mahabharat. The dialect of Jaunsari community is also known as Jaunsari and the culture is slightly different from Garhwali and Kumaoni community of Uttarakhand. The area of Jaunsar-Bawar comes under Chakrata tehsil of Dehradun. People here are honest and hardworking. Their main occupation is agriculture.

An important aspect of the culture is festive sports and dances like the folk dance named Harul/Raso which happens during all celebrations like ‘Magh Mela‘, one of the most important festivals of the Jaunsaries. It is characterised by an animal sacrifice ritual, which celebrates the killing of ‘Maroj’, an ogre, which according to local legends, stalked the valleys for years.

Gorchha is a small place, yet it offers spectacular natural beauty. We have not been here but we came to know about it through one of our Tripoto followers. He proposed the idea of making the travellers aware of this picturesque location and encourage tourism so that the migration ceases and the culture of the place is preserved.

Hope this information comes in handy.

Happy Travelling!