Chaubatia Orchards

Chaubatia Orchards is a historic government-run botanical garden and fruit orchard located approximately 10 kilometers south of Ranikhet in Uttarakhand's Almora district. Established during British rule in the late 1860s, the gardens span over 600 acres at an elevation of around 1,800 meters. The site features extensive orchards of apples, peaches, plums, apricots, and other fruits, along with panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi and Trishul.

Visitors can explore sprawling terraced fruit orchards covering hundreds of acres on gentle slopes. The gardens offer walking trails through apple, peach, plum, and apricot trees with scenic Himalayan mountain views. Visitors can observe various fruit varieties, purchase local produce such as honey, jams, and juices from cooperative shops, and enjoy peaceful nature walks. The site includes viewpoint areas offering vistas of snow-capped peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nilkanth.

The Chaubatia Gardens were established during British colonial rule in the late 1860s. In 1868, British Viceroy Lord Mayo visited the area and was charmed by its beauty, which influenced the decision to establish a British cantonment in Ranikhet in 1869. The gardens have served as a government-run horticultural research facility for over 150 years.

The gardens represent an important horticultural heritage site managed by the Government of Uttarakhand's Horticulture Department and associated with the VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry. The site serves as both a tourist attraction and a fruit research center preserving diverse fruit varieties.