by Going beyond Chansal has always been on my wishlist, something I could accomplish lately. The visit to Dodra Kwar could materialize in 2024 when I got a chance to visit Chansal Pass and take some time out to explore these two villages. Yes, Dora Kwar are two different villages, though the name is taken collectively.
Knowing Dodra and Kwar
Dodra Kwar are different villages, though the name is often taken collectively. Crossing Chansal Pass will bring you to Dodra village first, and thereafter, you can proceed to Kwar, if you so desire. Incidentally, Dodra Kwar is quite close to Uttarakhand, and the Har Ki Doon trek can also be initiated from this region.
The beginning point of the visit to this region could be the town of Rohru, and you can easily visit Dodra Kwar via the HRTC bus service, which will first take you to the mighty Chansal Pass, which is at a height of 4500 meters.
How to Travel to Dodra and Kwar
Rohru is the nearest popular town to this region. From Rohru, you can travel further to Dodra and Kwar. It takes 6 hours to travel from Shimla to Rohru. From Rohru, you will have to cross Chansal Pass, which is 50 km from Rohru. This will lead you to Dodra village, which is 70 Km from Shimla, and a further 20 km downstream is Kwar village. The bus from Rohru leaves for Dodra at 10 AM.
While the road is well-metalled till Rohru, you will find it in patches and unmetalled once you cross over from Rohru to Chansal Pass and further downstream to Dodra and Kwar Village.
Read more on Tirthan Valley here
Where to Stay
If you decide to stop over at Chansal Pass, you will find a Bolero with a kitchen set up, which shall offer you good and hygienic food. Do not expect much at such a height! If you wish, you can instead camp at Chansal Pass itself. Just carry a study tent, and there are open meadows where you will be able to enjoy your evenings, but only in the summer months.
Stay Options in Dodra Village
In Dodra village, you can stay at Negi Dhaba, which offers food and stay for a modest amount of Rs 500. This shall be a healthy respite from your hectic city life, and you will be able to experience rustic Himachal. Explore the village before you head over to Kwar downstream.
Image Courtesy: India Mike
Stay Options in Kwar Village
A guesthouse by the name of Shimla Pani offers food and stay for Rs 500/- here too. The village also has a PWD guesthouse, but you will need prior booking. If you head to the end of the village, a trail will lead you to the Rupin River.
Nearby, you can also explore Jiskun village and some others before you decide to head back.
Do check: Travelling in Mountains
Dodra Kwar Weather
Summer is the best time to plan a visit to the area and its villages. In addition, you can also visit post-monsoon during September and October. Winters and the rainy seasons are a strict no, as it is covered in a blanket of snow and slush, respectively.
To know more about the villages of the Dodra region, click here
Architecture of Dodra Kwar
Dodra and Kwar are two small villages in a remote region of Himachal Pradesh. You will only be able to enjoy nature, interact with locals, and understand their culture. In addition, those with a keen interest in exploring the traditional architecture of rural Himachal Pradesh will find Dodra Kwar of interest. The houses here are designed in a traditional architectural style with extensive use of wood and stone. The houses have traditionally been built in the Kath Kuni architectural style, where interlocking of wood and stone is done without the use of cement. The visual appeal is soothing to the eyes, and it integrates well with the local ambiance of this region. The color combination and interlocking of wood and stone are so aesthetic that they blend in perfectly with the surrounding natural ambiance.
You will also find a common thing in all houses that have the basement floor reserved for use by cattle and the upper floor used for residential purposes.
Dodra Kwar is not only a journey. It is a lively experience that all of us should have once in our lifetime. So, let the summers come, and you should be packing your bags to explore this offbeat village in Himachal, which we also know as Dodra and Kwar!
Featured Image Courtesy: bNomadic
