Dharchula Uttarakhand: Weather, How to Reach, Permits

Facts checked November 2026.

Almost every Adi Kailash and Om Parvat yatri spends at least one night in Dharchula. It is the last big town before the high mountains, the place where your permit is made, and the point where cars give way to local 4×4 vehicles. This guide covers location, travel, weather, stays and the Nepal crossing.

This page is part of our How to Reach Adi Kailash and Om Parvat guide. Planning the yatra? See our Adi Kailash yatra packages.

Where is Dharchula?

Dharchula sits in a narrow valley in the far east of Uttarakhand, in Pithoragarh district of the Kumaon region. The Kali river, also called the Mahakali, runs right past the town. Here the river is the border, so houses in Nepal stand just across the water.

The town is about 940 metres (3,080 ft) above sea level. That is low compared with Gunji or Jolingkong, so Dharchula is warm in summer and altitude is rarely a worry here. It lies about 90 km from Pithoragarh town, on the road that goes on to Lipulekh pass. KMVN calls it an important camp on the Kailash Mansarovar route and says the name comes from the valley’s stove-like shape.

How do I get the Adi Kailash permit in Dharchula?

To go beyond Dharchula towards Gunji, Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit. It is issued by the Pithoragarh district administration through the SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) office in Dharchula. Most groups reach Dharchula a day early so the papers can be checked and the permit collected before the drive up.

You will usually need a government photo ID, passport-size photos, a medical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor and a police verification certificate. For this permit, which is for travel inside India, our permit guide lists Aadhaar, Voter ID, passport or driving licence as photo ID. Crossing the bridge into Nepal has a different, stricter ID rule, explained further down this page. Rules, age limits and the online process change from season to season. Read our Adi Kailash permit guide for the full step-by-step list, and confirm office days and timings locally before you travel.

Remember that the district can stop issuing permits for safety. In July 2025, the Pithoragarh District Magistrate halted Adi Kailash permits during the monsoon because of landslide risk on the Dharchula–Lipulekh road, with a restart expected around 15 September.

How do I reach Dharchula from Delhi, Kathgodam, Tanakpur and Pithoragarh?

There is no railway or airport in Dharchula. You come by road, usually through Pithoragarh. The two common railheads are Tanakpur and Kathgodam, and the nearest big airport is Pantnagar. The table uses government figures; where two official pages differ, both are shown as a range. Road distances change with diversions and repairs.

• From Delhi: Most families take a train to Kathgodam or Tanakpur and continue by road. By car, Delhi to Pithoragarh is about 457 km, and Dharchula is about 90 km further.
• From Kathgodam: A full day on hill roads, or break the journey.
• From Tanakpur: The road climbs to Pithoragarh (about 138 km) and then on to Dharchula.
• From Pithoragarh: About 90 km. KMVN lists Jauljibi, Kimkhola, Baluakot and Kalika on the way. Jauljibi, where the Gori river meets the Kali, hosts the old India–Nepal Jauljibi fair in mid-November; the Chief Minister opened it on 14 November in both 2024 and 2025 (ANI).

For all route options, including flights to Pithoragarh, see how to reach Adi Kailash.

What is Dharchula weather like through the year?

Dharchula is a low, warm valley town, so its weather is very different from Gunji or Adi Kailash. The Pithoragarh district climate page gives this broad pattern for the district:

Pack light cotton clothes for Dharchula itself in summer, but carry warm layers for Gunji, Jolingkong and Nabidhang, which are far higher and colder. Our Adi Kailash weather and best time guide covers the high-altitude side.

Check the live forecast: The India Meteorological Department’s Meteorological Centre, Dehradun publishes a 7-day district forecast and 5-day district warnings for Uttarakhand, including Pithoragarh district. Open the IMD Dehradun district forecast before you leave and the night before the Gunji drive. Look for any Orange or Red alert for Pithoragarh.

Where can I stay in Dharchula?

Stay options in Dharchula are simple and limited, mostly budget guesthouses, lodges and small hotels. Book early in the yatra season, because groups fill rooms quickly.

• KMVN Tourist Rest House (TRH) Dharchula: Run by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, the Uttarakhand government’s tourism body for Kumaon. KMVN lists Double Bed Deluxe and Double Bed Super Deluxe rooms and free parking. Details and booking are on the KMVN TRH Dharchula page.
• Private hotels and lodges: Dharchula also has small private hotels and lodges. Standards vary, so check hot water, a power backup and parking before you book.

If you join a group yatra, the night in Dharchula is usually arranged for you. Ask us what is included.

Can I visit Narayan Ashram from Dharchula?

Yes. Narayan Ashram is a quiet ashram at about 2,734 metres, founded by Narayan Swami in 1936 (Kumaon division). The road leaves Dharchula, passes Tawaghat, where the Dhauliganga meets the Kali, and climbs on to the ashram. Many yatris visit on the day they wait for permits, or on the way back. Read our Narayan Ashram guide before you go.

What lies beyond Dharchula in the Darma and Vyas valleys?

Two high valleys open up north of Dharchula. Many families from the high villages move down to lower places in winter.

• Darma valley: The Dhauliganga river comes down this valley and meets the Kali at Tawaghat. It is a separate side route, not on the Adi Kailash road.
• Vyas (Byans) valley: This is the valley the Adi Kailash yatra follows, along the Kali river. It includes Gunji village, Garbyang, Kalapani and Nabidhang, and the road continues to Lipulekh pass on the Tibet border.

Can Indians cross from Dharchula to Darchula in Nepal?

Yes. Indian citizens may cross, and many yatris walk across the suspension bridge over the Mahakali to see the Nepal side, called Darchula (its headquarters is Khalanga). Carry the right ID:

• Accepted: a valid Indian passport, or an original Voter ID card with your photo issued by the Election Commission of India. A downloaded or printed copy of the Voter ID is not accepted.
• Not accepted: the Embassy of India in Kathmandu states that Aadhaar, PAN card and driving licence are not accepted for travel to Nepal. Aadhaar does not work for this crossing, whatever your age. (The embassy page is written for air travel; carry the same documents on foot.)

This Nepal rule is separate from the Adi Kailash permit. An ID that works for the permit may still be refused at the bridge.

In June 2026, news reports said security along parts of the India–Nepal border, such as Galgalia in Bihar, had been stepped up, with entry refused to people carrying only an Aadhaar card. The bridge can also close for short periods; in November 2018 it shut for 48 hours for the Dharchula municipal election. Ask locally on the day, and return well before evening.

How safe is the Tawaghat road in the monsoon?

The road from Dharchula to Tawaghat and on towards Gunji runs along steep, loose slopes above the Kali. In the monsoon, landslides here are common. In early July 2024, a landslide near Rongti Nala was reported blocking the Tawaghat road. In May 2025, a landslide near Ailagad on the Adi Kailash route left hundreds of pilgrims and local people stuck on both sides of the road while the Border Roads Organisation cleared debris.

• Avoid booking the Gunji stretch in July and August if you can.
• Keep one or two spare days in your plan for road closures.
• Check the IMD district warning and local news the night before.
• Carry dry snacks, water, medicines and a power bank in the vehicle.

How Yatra To Temples can help

Our Dharchula to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat yatra starts and ends in Dharchula, with help for the permit at the SDM office, 4×4 travel to Gunji, and darshan at Jolingkong and Nabidhang. For the Narayan Ashram visit, extra nights or other start points, ask us.

Frequently asked questions

What is the height of Dharchula?

Dharchula is about 940 metres (3,080 ft) above sea level. That is far lower than Gunji (about 3,200 to 3,500 m, sources differ), so the real altitude gain comes after you leave Dharchula.

How far is Dharchula from Gunji?

About 65 to 80 km on the border road, depending on the source. Only permit holders can go, usually in local 4×4 vehicles, and the drive can take most of a day if the road is damaged.

Is Dharchula in India or Nepal?

Dharchula is in India, in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The town across the Mahakali river is Darchula in Nepal. The names sound alike, which often confuses travellers.

Can I use Aadhaar to visit Darchula in Nepal?

No. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu says Aadhaar is not accepted for travel to Nepal. Carry a valid Indian passport or an original Voter ID card with your photo. This is different from the Adi Kailash permit, where our permit guide accepts Aadhaar.

Where is the Adi Kailash permit made?

At the SDM office in Dharchula, under the Pithoragarh district administration. Plan to reach Dharchula a day early, and see our permit guide for documents.

When should I visit Dharchula for the yatra?

The usual windows are late May to June, before the rains, and mid-September to October, after them. July and August bring landslides and possible permit pauses.

Which is the nearest railway station to Dharchula?

Tanakpur and Kathgodam are the main railheads. Government figures put Tanakpur about 200 to 238 km and Kathgodam about 272 to 280 km from Dharchula by road.

Is there a government hotel in Dharchula?

Yes. KMVN runs a Tourist Rest House in Dharchula. You can see room types and contact details on the official KMVN website.