New Tehri is the planned hill town and district headquarters of Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand, built on a ridge between roughly 1,550 m and 1,950 m to rehouse the people of Old Tehri after the old town was submerged by the Tehri Dam reservoir. Today the town looks down on that reservoir, now called Tehri Lake, and has grown into a water-sports and lake-tourism base around one of India’s tallest dams. This guide covers the town, the dam-and-lake story, boating and the lake festival, nearby temples, and how to plan a trip.
New Tehri, in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, is a purpose-built town overlooking Tehri Lake, the reservoir of the 260.5 m Tehri Dam. It works best as a two to three day lake and adventure break, reached in about three hours by road from Rishikesh, and is pleasant from March to June and September to November.
Key takeaways
- New Tehri sits at roughly 1,550–1,950 m and is the headquarters of Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, per the district administration.
- The Tehri Dam is 260.5 m high and built of earth and rockfill on the Bhagirathi river; the THDC complex totals 2,400 MW.
- Best seasons are March to June and September to November, with cold, quiet winters, according to Incredible India.
- Tehri Lake offers jet-skiing, kayaking, parasailing and boating; the Himalayan O2 Tehri Lake Festival ran 7–9 March 2026 at Koti Colony.
- Nearest railhead is Rishikesh (about 72 km) and nearest airport Jolly Grant, Dehradun (about 86 km), per the district administration.
- Activity and stay prices below are indicative planning estimates as of October 2026; reconfirm with operators and GMVN before you travel.
About New Tehri: quick facts
New Tehri is a planned township that serves as the administrative headquarters of Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand. According to the Tehri Garhwal district administration, it stands at an altitude of about 1,550 m to 1,950 m, roughly 11 km from Chamba and 24 km from the old town site.
The town was laid out on terraced ridges above the reservoir to rehabilitate families displaced when Old Tehri went under water. Because it was designed from scratch, its roads, market blocks and residential colonies climb the hillside in tiers, with the lake visible from many points.
Visitors mainly use New Tehri as a base for the lake, the dam viewpoint, water sports and the temples around it. The working language is Garhwali alongside Hindi, and the district site advises cotton clothing in summer and woollens in winter.
| Detail | Information | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Status | District headquarters, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand | Tehri district administration |
| Altitude | About 1,550–1,950 m | Tehri district administration |
| Near | Chamba 11 km; Old Tehri site 24 km | Tehri district administration |
| Nearest railhead | Rishikesh, about 72 km | Tehri district administration |
| Nearest airport | Jolly Grant, Dehradun, about 86 km | Tehri district administration |
| Best season | March–June, September–November | Incredible India |
The Tehri Dam and Tehri Lake story
The Tehri Dam is 260.5 m high and is widely recognised as India’s tallest dam. According to THDC India Limited, the operator, it is an earth-and-rockfill dam on the Bhagirathi river, and Incredible India describes it as the highest dam in India.
THDC lists the wider Tehri Hydro Power Complex at 2,400 MW. This is made up of the Tehri hydropower plant (1,000 MW, four 250 MW units), the downstream Koteshwar project (400 MW) and the Tehri Pumped Storage Plant (1,000 MW). The reservoir behind the main dam is Tehri Lake; the smaller Koteshwar reservoir lies downstream and acts as the lower balancing pool for the pumped-storage scheme.
The reservoir submerged the historic town of Tehri, once a seat of the Garhwal kingdom, which is why the new town was built. For travellers the result is a long, branching lake set deep among the hills, with the dam itself best seen from marked viewpoints rather than up close, as the structure is a secured facility.
The Dobra-Chanti bridge spans an arm of the lake and is described by Uttarakhand Tourism as India’s longest single-lane motorable suspension bridge. It is a popular stop for lake views and connects villages that the reservoir had cut off.
| Component | Figure |
|---|---|
| Tehri dam height | 260.5 m |
| Dam type / river | Earth and rockfill / Bhagirathi |
| Tehri hydropower plant | 1,000 MW (4 × 250 MW) |
| Koteshwar project | 400 MW |
| Tehri Pumped Storage Plant | 1,000 MW |
| Complex total | 2,400 MW |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit New Tehri is March to June and September to November, according to Incredible India, with cold but quiet winters. Spring and early summer give warm days and good conditions on the water, while the post-monsoon autumn brings clear air and settled lake levels.
Avoid the peak monsoon weeks of July and August, when hill roads in Garhwal are prone to landslides and water activities may pause. Winter nights are cold at this altitude, so carry proper woollens if you come between December and February.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring–summer | March–June | Warm days, prime water-sports window, festival season |
| Monsoon | July–August | Rain, landslide risk on hill roads; check conditions |
| Autumn | September–November | Clear skies, pleasant days, good lake visits |
| Winter | December–February | Cold, quiet; woollens essential |
How to reach New Tehri
New Tehri is reached most easily by road from Rishikesh, a drive of roughly three hours via Chamba. The town has no railway or airport of its own, so most travellers arrive at Rishikesh or Dehradun first and continue by taxi or bus.
By air, the nearest airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun, about 86 km away according to the district administration, with flights linking Delhi and other cities; Incredible India puts the road distance at around 90 km. By rail, the nearest station is Rishikesh, about 72 km away per the district administration, with Haridwar offering wider connections. By road, buses and shared taxis run from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Mussoorie into the Garhwal hills.
For wider trip planning across the state, see our Uttarakhand travel guide, and for airport and city logistics our Dehradun travel guide is useful before you head up.
| From | Mode | Distance / note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Grant airport, Dehradun | Air + road | About 86–90 km | Tehri district admin / Incredible India |
| Rishikesh | Rail + road | About 72 km; nearest railhead | Tehri district admin |
| Chamba | Road | About 11 km | Tehri district admin |
| Haridwar | Rail + road | Wider rail connectivity, then road | Incredible India |
Top things to see and do
The main draw in New Tehri is Tehri Lake, with the dam viewpoint, the Dobra-Chanti bridge and nearby temples rounding out a short trip. Most sights cluster around the reservoir, so a car or hired taxi makes the day easier.
- Tehri Lake and Koti Colony: the hub for boating and water sports on the reservoir’s banks; plan half a day here.
- Tehri Dam viewpoint: marked viewpoints give the scale of the 260.5 m dam; the dam itself is a secured facility, so admire it from the designated points.
- Dobra-Chanti bridge: described by Uttarakhand Tourism as India’s longest single-lane motorable suspension bridge, good for lake views and photos.
- Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev temple: a local Shiva shrine noted by Incredible India.
- Devprayag: the confluence where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet to form the Ganga, a worthwhile day trip mentioned by Incredible India.
| Spot / activity | Why go | Time needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tehri Lake boating | Reservoir views, calm water | 1–2 hours | Rates vary by boat and operator; confirm on the spot |
| Jet ski / water sports | Adventure on the lake | 15–30 min each | Seasonal; use licensed operators and life jackets |
| Dam viewpoint | Scale of the dam | 30–60 min | Photography limited near the secured dam |
| Dobra-Chanti bridge | Suspension bridge, lake views | 30–60 min | Can combine with a drive around the lake |
Water sports and the Tehri Lake Festival
Tehri Lake is Uttarakhand’s main still-water adventure destination, offering jet-skiing, kayaking, parasailing, banana-boat rides and scuba diving alongside ordinary boating. Incredible India lists these activities on the reservoir, with most running from the banks near Koti Colony.
The lake also hosts an annual festival. The Himalayan O2 Tehri Lake Festival for 2026 was inaugurated by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister and ran around 7–9 March 2026 at Koti Colony, with water sports, cultural performances and live music, as reported by Outlook Traveller. Earlier, the state announced its first International Acro Festival over Tehri Lake, held from 24 to 28 November 2023, focused on aerial paragliding stunts rather than water events.
Several operators also run floating huts and eco-huts moored on the reservoir, reached by a short boat ride from the Koti Colony banks. Note that these are privately run and have faced licensing scrutiny; a National Green Tribunal order in February 2024 followed reports of a floating hotel operating with a lapsed licence, so confirm an operator’s current status before booking a stay on the water.
Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadni temples
Two hill temples near New Tehri make good add-ons: Surkanda Devi, now served by a ropeway, and Chandrabadni, a Siddhpeeth on a forested ridge. Both are revered Shakti shrines in Tehri Garhwal and give wide Himalayan views in clear weather.
Surkanda Devi temple sits above Kaddukhal, between Dhanaulti and Chamba. A ropeway of about 502 m now runs from Kaddukhal to near the summit in around 10–15 minutes, cutting a roughly two-hour climb, according to Outlook Traveller; it reported an opening fare starting at about ₹177 per person, which you should reconfirm as an indicative, launch-era figure. Chandrabadni temple stands on Chandrakoot ridge at about 2,277 m, on the Devprayag-Pratapnagar border, and involves a short uphill walk from the road head.
A suggested two to three day itinerary
Two to three days is enough to enjoy New Tehri at a relaxed pace. The plan below assumes you arrive from Rishikesh or Dehradun and keep the lake as your base.
- Day 1: Drive up from Rishikesh via Chamba; check in at New Tehri or a lakeside stay; evening walk and lake views near Koti Colony.
- Day 2: Morning water sports and boating on Tehri Lake; afternoon at the dam viewpoint and the Dobra-Chanti bridge.
- Day 3: Day trip to Surkanda Devi via the Kaddukhal ropeway, or to Chandrabadni temple and Devprayag on the way back down.
Where to stay
Stays near New Tehri range from the government GMVN rest house in town to private lakeside resorts and floating huts on the reservoir. Government options are the most dependable for a simple, central base, while private resorts cluster around Koti Colony and the lake shore.
The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) runs a Tourist Rest House in New Tehri with economy rooms and family suites, a restaurant and parking; book through the GMVN portal. Private lakeside resorts and floating-hut operators offer mid-range to premium stays, often as packages that bundle a boat transfer and activities.
| Type | Indicative per night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / GMVN rest house | ₹1,000–₹2,500 | Government-run, central; book early in festival season |
| Mid-range resort | ₹2,500–₹6,000 | Lakeside or ridge properties; many include breakfast |
| Premium / floating huts | ₹6,000 and up | Packages with boat transfer; confirm operator licence |
Food to try
Food around New Tehri is simple Garhwali hill fare with the usual North Indian menus at hotels. Look for local dishes in smaller eateries and at homestays, where the kitchen cooks what the family eats.
- Mandua ki roti (flatbread of finger millet, a hill staple).
- Phaanu (a thick lentil preparation from soaked and ground pulses).
- Chainsoo (a dal made from roasted, ground black gram).
- Jhangora ki kheer (a pudding made from barnyard millet).
- Aloo ke gutke (spiced sautéed potatoes, a common hill snack).
Budget breakdown
A two-night trip to New Tehri costs roughly ₹6,000–₹12,000 per person on a mid-range plan, excluding long-distance travel to Rishikesh or Dehradun. The figures below are indicative planning estimates as of October 2026; actual costs vary with season, group size and operator, so treat them as a starting point and reconfirm.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (2 nights) | ₹2,500–₹6,000 | Mid-range, two sharing |
| Local transport | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | Shared taxi from Rishikesh and local runs |
| Food | ₹1,000–₹2,000 | Three meals a day |
| Water sports / boating | ₹1,000–₹2,500 | A few activities; rates vary |
| Entry / ropeway / misc | ₹500–₹1,000 | Surkanda ropeway, small fees |
| Total (approx.) | ₹6,500–₹14,500 | Excludes travel to Rishikesh/Dehradun |
Permits, water-safety and eco rules
No inner-line or special permit is needed to visit New Tehri or Tehri Lake, as it is open to Indian and foreign travellers alike. The constraints are practical rather than regulatory: the dam is a secured facility with photography and access limits near the structure, and water activities carry their own safety rules.
- Always wear the life jacket provided and follow the operator’s briefing; do not swim in the reservoir outside supervised activity zones.
- Use licensed boat and water-sports operators; floating-hut operators have faced licence scrutiny, so check current status before paying.
- Respect photography limits near the dam, which is a protected installation.
- Carry your waste out, avoid single-use plastic on the lake, and do not disturb lakeside camps or wildlife.
Practical tips
New Tehri is a small town, so plan for limited services and carry some cash. Mobile network and UPI work in the town and at Koti Colony, but can drop on the drive in and at the temples.
- Cash and UPI: ATMs are in New Tehri town; carry cash for boat operators and small eateries.
- Health: the district hospital is in New Tehri; for anything serious, Dehradun has larger hospitals.
- Altitude: at about 1,550–1,950 m there is no serious altitude concern for most visitors, but nights are cold.
- Solo women: the town and lake are generally calm; travel between points by day and use registered taxis.
- Packing: light layers and sun protection for summer; warm layers for autumn and winter; quick-dry clothes and a towel for water sports.
Nearby places
New Tehri pairs well with Chamba, Dhanaulti, Surkanda Devi and Rishikesh, all within an easy drive. These let you combine the lake with hill viewpoints, temples and the river towns of the lower Garhwal.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Chamba | About 11 km | Quiet hill town, lake and valley views |
| Dhanaulti | Via Chamba, about 1–1.5 hr | Deodar forests, eco-parks, cool climate |
| Surkanda Devi (Kaddukhal) | Near Dhanaulti | Hilltop Shakti temple with a ropeway |
| Devprayag | Day trip | Bhagirathi–Alaknanda confluence forming the Ganga |
| Rishikesh | About 72 km | Yoga, the Ganga and onward rail links |
If you are building a longer loop, our Uttarakhand travel guide helps string these together with the rest of Garhwal.
Frequently asked questions
Where is New Tehri and why was it built?
New Tehri is the headquarters of Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand, set at roughly 1,550–1,950 m above Tehri Lake. According to the district administration, it is a planned township built to rehabilitate residents of Old Tehri, which was submerged when the Tehri Dam reservoir filled on the Bhagirathi river.
How high is the Tehri Dam?
The Tehri Dam is 260.5 m high, which makes it widely recognised as India’s tallest dam. According to THDC India, the operator, it is an earth-and-rockfill dam on the Bhagirathi river, and the wider Tehri Hydro Power Complex has a total installed capacity of 2,400 MW across three projects.
What water sports can you do at Tehri Lake?
Tehri Lake offers jet-skiing, kayaking, parasailing, banana-boat rides, scuba diving and ordinary boating, according to Incredible India. Most activities run from the banks near Koti Colony. Use licensed operators, wear the life jacket provided, and confirm seasonal availability, as some activities pause during the monsoon and high winds.
When is the best time to visit New Tehri?
The best time to visit New Tehri is March to June and September to November, according to Incredible India. Spring and early summer suit water sports, while autumn brings clear skies. Winters are cold but quiet, and the July-August monsoon is best avoided because of landslide risk on hill roads.
How do I reach New Tehri from Rishikesh or Dehradun?
Reach New Tehri by road: it is about 72 km from Rishikesh, the nearest railhead, and around 86-90 km from Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun, per the district administration and Incredible India. The drive from Rishikesh via Chamba takes roughly three hours by taxi or bus. There is no railway or airport in the town itself.
Is there a Tehri Lake festival?
Yes. The Himalayan O2 Tehri Lake Festival for 2026 ran around 7-9 March 2026 at Koti Colony and was inaugurated by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, with water sports, music and cultural events, as reported by Outlook Traveller. The state also held its first International Acro paragliding festival over the lake from 24 to 28 November 2023.
Last updated and sources
New Tehri suits travellers who want a calm lake-and-adventure break in Garhwal rather than a crowded hill station. Go between March and June or September and November, and keep your plans flexible around the water and the weather.
Last updated: 19 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: THDC India, Tehri Hydro Power Complex (thdc.co.in); Tehri Garhwal district administration, New Tehri (tehri.nic.in); Incredible India, New Tehri (incredibleindia.gov.in); Uttarakhand Tourism (uttarakhandtourism.gov.in); Outlook Traveller on the Tehri Lake Festival and the Surkanda Devi ropeway (outlooktraveller.com). Accessed September 2026.
