Major city · India
Chamba, Uttarakhandचम्बा, उत्तराखण्ड
Half a day is enough: see the Gabar Singh Memorial, then drive to Tehri Dam for kayaking or jet skiing. Not a base — sleep in Rishikesh or Mussoorie.
Chamba is a quiet stop in Garhwal, far calmer than Rishikesh or Mussoorie. The main draw is the Gabar Singh Memorial and the nearby Tehri Dam, India's highest. Most travellers pass through in a few hours on the way to or from the hills.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heavy monsoon, landslides possible), Dec–Feb (cold, fog)
- Airport
- DED
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chamba, Uttarakhand112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chamba, Uttarakhand, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyChamba is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDED Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (About 90 km (56 mi), 2.5 h drive; taxis and buses available).DED Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (About 56 mi (90 km), 2.5 h drive; taxis and buses available).
- Getting aroundWalking covers the town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a roadside stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Chamba to Tehri Dam (one way)check₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus Chamba to Rishikesh (one way)check₹200–300 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedDorm bed in guesthouse, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedPrivate double room in guesthouse, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedPrivate double room in guesthouse, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹4,000 (≈ US$50) · High ₹8,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DED Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (About 90 km (56 mi), 2.5 h drive; taxis and buses available)DED Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (About 56 mi (90 km), 2.5 h drive; taxis and buses available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Nov (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chamba, Uttarakhand: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking covers the town. For Tehri Dam and nearby sights, hire a taxi or take a local bus from the main stand. Roads are narrow and winding.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tehri Dam
goDoor to door: About 1 h round trip
Taxi or local bus from Chamba, about 30 min
Highest dam in India; kayaking and jet skiing available seasonally.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Taxi or bus, about 2 h
Rafting, yoga, and the main ghats — a full day trip.
Door to door: About 3.5 h
Taxi or bus via Dehradun, about 3 h
Scenic hill station but a long drive for a day; better as an overnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chamba town centre
Basic guesthouses and homestays; limited options, book ahead.
Tehri Dam area
A few resorts and adventure camps near the dam, about 20 km (12 mi) from Chamba.A few resorts and adventure camps near the dam, about 12 mi (20 km) from Chamba.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–5,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private double room in guesthouse1 × 1 night × ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹4,000 | ₹8,000 |
| Taxi from Rishikesh to Chamba (one way)1 × ₹2,500 · check | ₹2,500 |
| Bus from Rishikesh to Chamba (one way)2 × ₹200 · check | ₹400 |
| Kayaking at Tehri Dam (per session)2 × ₹1,500 · check | ₹3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,640 |
| Trip total≈ ₹9,020 per person per day, bed included | ₹18,040≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a roadside stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Simple thali meal | ₹150–300 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi Chamba to Tehri Dam (one way)check | ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Bus Chamba to Rishikesh (one way)check | ₹200–300 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Monsoon (Jul–Aug) can cause landslides on the Rishikesh–Chamba road: check conditions before driving.
- No ATMs in Chamba town — carry enough cash from Rishikesh or Dehradun.
- Tehri Dam adventure activities (kayaking, jet skiing) are seasonal and weather-dependent; confirm availability in advance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Chamba, Uttarakhandचम्बा, उत्तराखण्ड
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
मुझे चम्बा शहर ले चलिएTake me to Chamba town, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Rishikesh → Chamba: about ₹2,500 (≈ US$30), about 2 h (check)
- Bus Rishikesh → Chamba: about ₹200 (≈ US$3), about 2.5 h (check)
- Taxi Chamba → Tehri Dam: ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14), about 30 min (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना है? — How much? (kitna hai?)
- बस स्टैंड कहाँ है? — Where is the bus stand? (bus stand kahan hai?)
- मुझे टैक्सी चाहिए — I need a taxi (mujhe taxi chahiye)
Hindi is widely understood; English less so in Chamba town.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chamba, Uttarakhand. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heavy monsoon, landslides possible), Dec–Feb (cold, fog) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Gabar Singh Memorial and Tehri Dam with verified hours and activity booking links.
- Eat pages for the few local dhabas and restaurants in Chamba town.
- Sleep pages for guesthouses and camps near Tehri Dam.
- Transport fixture: taxi rates from Rishikesh and Dehradun to Chamba.
Sources
Ask about Chamba, Uttarakhand
Loading…
Was this useful?