Dharchula is a town and a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Dharchula is situated in a beautiful valley at 915 m elevation and is 83 km from its district headquarters, Pithoragarh. The way from Pithoragarh to Dharchula is alongside the Kali River and is a 3 to 3.5 hours journey. The chief modes of transportation available are private jeeps and state government buses. However, reaching Pithoragarh itself from the plains is a tiring journey. One can reach Pithoragarh from either Haldwani or from Tanakpur (both towns situated on the foothills of Himalayas in the Uttarakhand district).

Geography of Dharchula
Dharchula is an ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes. It is surrounded by very high mountains and is situated in a valley, on the banks of the Kali River at 915 m (3,002 ft) elevation. The Kali is the western boundary of Nepal with India. Nepalese and Indian nationals cross unrestricted, however there is a customs checkpoint for goods. Dharchula lies about 83 km (52 mi) northerly of Pithoragarh along the route of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. The name of the town may originate from the Hindi words for "mountain peak" (dhar) and "stove" (chulha) because the valley in which it lies resembles a stove.

Climate of Dharchula
Dharchula is very cold during winters, but it does not usually get snow. Summer temperatures are similar to the plains.

Demography of Dharchula
According to the Population Census in the year 2011, Dharchula had a population of 6424. The males constituted 54% of the population and females 46%. Dharchula had an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy was 80% and female literacy was 69%. In Dharchula, 12% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Culture of Dharchula
Darchula is about 22 km (14 mi) air distance northeast. The people of both towns have similar traditions, culture and lifestyle and move across the border without hindrance and without passport or visa. The area has a mixture of Kumaouni language and Doti language, traditions and culture. Dharchula is mainly inhabited by the Rung tribe known for its dynamism, resilience and culturally rootedness. It has its own unique culture and the members of this tribe feel proud of their rich heritage.

Tourism in Dharchula
Dharchula has an ample of tourist attractions. Some of the tourist attractions are Tankapur, Lucknow, Haridwar and Bareilly. Tanakpur can be reached from Lucknow or Bareilly by an overnight train journey, the modes of transportation from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh being same as from Haldwani to Pithoragarh. However, the distance from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh is shorter and takes approximately 6 hours. Although the roads towards this side of the hills have more curves and can create nausea, the journey to the town provides the travellers the magnificent sightseeing opportunity of the grand Himalayan peaks.