Tarakund
Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India • 30.17°N, 78.72°E
📖 About Tarakund
- ✦At 1,491m (4,891 ft), Tarakund stays cooler than Pauri by 3-4°C year-round
- ✦Dense oak and rhododendron forests surround the village with minimal tourist footfall
- ✦July receives 369mm rainfall — roads get slippery, landslides possible during monsoon
- ✦No ATM in village, nearest cash point is Pauri 28 km away
Located 28 km from Pauri town, Tarakund sits at 1,491m (4,891 ft) in the Garhwal hills with thick oak forests and almost no tourist infrastructure. The village has one main dirt track, a handful of local homes, and a small temple that locals visit during festivals. May temperatures hit 36.8°C (98.2°F) at lower elevations, but Tarakund stays 3-4°C cooler due to elevation and forest cover. December and January see minimum temperatures drop to 3.4°C (38.1°F) and 2.5°C (36.5°F) respectively, with occasional frost on clear nights.
The oak forests here remain unexplored compared to popular Kumaon trails — you will likely walk alone on forest paths that local villagers use for firewood collection. Rhododendron trees bloom in March and April, covering hillsides in red flowers. The area has leopard and barking deer populations, though sightings happen mostly at dawn. Tarakund lacks the colonial history of Pauri or Lansdowne, so expect simple village life, not heritage buildings or curated viewpoints. The nearest motorable road ends 2 km before the village core.
This suits trekkers who want forest walks without crowds and don't need hotels or cafes. The biggest challenge: no phone connectivity after leaving Pauri, and the final 2 km track becomes muddy and difficult during the monsoon months of July and August when rainfall reaches 369mm and 310mm respectively.
🎯 Things to Do in Tarakund
The forest begins right at the village edge and stretches for several kilometres with no marked trails — locals can guide you for Rs 300-500 per day (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Carry water, snacks, and a charged power bank as phone signal disappears inside the forest. Expect complete solitude — most days you will encounter only wood collectors and occasional cattle herders, making it ideal for birdwatching and quiet walks.
The small stone temple sits in the village centre, about 200 metres from where the motorable track ends. No entry fee, open all day, but the priest visits only during morning puja around 7-8 AM. The temple sees activity during local festivals in April and October, otherwise it remains quiet with just a few villagers offering flowers and incense daily.
Late March and early April turn the surrounding hills red and pink as rhododendrons bloom across the forest slopes visible from the village. Walk 1-2 km on any forest path for close-up views — no specific viewpoint exists. Peak bloom lasts only 2-3 weeks, so timing matters; locals in Pauri can confirm bloom status before you make the trip.
A steep 3 km climb from the village reaches a ridge at approximately 1,700m with views toward the Garhwal peaks on clear mornings. The unmarked trail starts behind the temple — ask a local to point it out or hire a guide for Rs 400-600 (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The climb takes 90 minutes one way and requires decent fitness as the path has no steps or railing.
Tarakund has about 40-50 households engaged in agriculture and livestock rearing with no shops or tourist facilities. Spending a day here means watching daily routines — morning milking, afternoon firewood collection, evening cattle return. Respect privacy, ask before photographing people, and bring all your own food and water as nothing is available for purchase in the village.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | 2.5 | 20.8 | 40 | 53% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | 3.5 | 23.6 | 36 | 49% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | 6.6 | 29.6 | 50 | 48% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | 12.0 | 33.7 | 33 | 39% |
| May | 🌤️ | 15.1 | 36.8 | 62 | 39% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 18.1 | 36.8 | 129 | 52% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 19.6 | 31.5 | 369 | 83% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 19.4 | 28.2 | 310 | 89% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 17.0 | 27.7 | 174 | 84% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | 11.6 | 26.5 | 34 | 68% |
| Nov | 🌤️ | 8.1 | 23.7 | 6 | 56% |
| Dec | 🌤️ | 3.4 | 21.5 | 12 | 49% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Pauri Garhwal region, not exclusively Tarakund. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Tarakund
💡 Visitor Tips
December to February mornings drop to 2.5-3.4°C (36.5-38.1°F), so carry a fleece jacket and woollen layers even though afternoons warm up to 20-21°C (68-70°F). May reaches 36.8°C (98.2°F) during the day, but forest shade keeps you comfortable if you walk in the morning before 10 AM.
No advance booking needed for temples or forest access — this village has no permit system or tourist infrastructure. If you want a local guide, arrange it through the Pauri Forest Department office or ask at Pauri bus stand where jeep drivers know village contacts.
The final 2 km track from motorable road to village becomes impassable for cars during monsoon — a 4x4 might manage in dry months, but most visitors walk this section. Shared jeeps from Pauri drop you at the track start, not at the village itself.
No ATM, no mobile signal, and no UPI acceptance in Tarakund — withdraw cash in Pauri before heading here. The nearest ATM is State Bank of India in Pauri town, 28 km away. Carry enough cash for guide fees, jeep fares, and any food purchases in Pauri.
Stay options exist only in Pauri town, 28 km away, with budget lodges near the bus stand from Rs 600-1,000 and better hotels on the main road from Rs 1,500-2,500 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Tarakund has no guesthouses or homestays — plan this as a day trip from Pauri.
📍 More Places in Pauri Garhwal
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Tarakund
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Tarakund covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Tarakund is located in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 1491 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.