A travel Guide to Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Tourism

Carved out with some beautiful hilly districts of Uttar Pradesh, the state of Uttarakhand came into existence around two decades ago. Due to many pilgrimages and temples across the whole state, Uttarakhand India is also known as the Dev Bhumi (God's Land). Guarded and draped by Himalayan walls, the province is divided into two regions – Kumaon and Garhwal. Uttarakhand is also the origin of holy rivers like Yamuna and Ganga, which are sacred and idolised across the country.

Uttarakhand tourist attractions include a few of India's finest trekking, wildlife and tourist towns with Himalayan peaks, dense forests, quiet hillsides and lively cities. So, if you wish to spend some quality time with your family or loved ones or desire to put some spice of adventure in your life, then Uttarakhand tours are just perfect for you.

Your journey to Uttarakhand tourist places will gratify you and will make you fall in love with all of them. So pack yourself up to feel great about being around nature and adventure.

Places to visit in Uttarakhand

1. Haridwar

If you wish to seek spirituality, then do visit the Gateway of God – Haridwar. With a captivating gathering of sadhus, worshippers, and pundits around the River Ganga, Haridwar is a must-see place to keep in your Uttarakhand travel guide. Every night, Haridwar witnesses a series of traditions at Har-ki-Pauri Ghat's iconic Ganga Aarti, where many worshippers gather to worship the river. You can shop all kinds of brass products, ayurvedic medicines and religious products from the Bara Bazaar. As a side trip, you may also pay a visit to Rishikesh for viewing numerous yoga institutes and ashrams there.

2. Nainital

One of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand is the Lake district – Nainital. The city is praised for its beautiful lakes like Naini and Bhimtal, where you could have a soothing experience of boating. The city has something for everybody. The Hanuman Garhi and Naina Devi temple for the prayerful ones, Tibetan and Mall road market for the free-spending ones, and Jim Corbett National Park, Snow Viewpoint, and Nainital Zoo, for the adventure and nature lovers. The icing on the cake is the impressive Naina Peak, which will give you a magical and unforgettable view of the Nainital and the Himalayas.

3. Mussoorie

You just can't miss pinning Mussoorie in your Uttarakhand travel guide. Being the Queen of Hill Stations, it holds many charming tourist sites like Mussoorie Lake, Nag Tibba, Dhanaulti, Mall Road, and many more. Gun Hill is the highest peak of Mussoorie from where you can see Nanda Devi, Badrinath, and Kedarnath's mighty peaks. While Kempty Falls astonish you with the milky-appearing water streams, the Lake Mist allows you to spend and enjoy a peaceful time to relax. All in all, Mussoorie is a wonderful place to have a relaxed holiday.

4. Chamoli

Spread all across the Himalayan Garhwal area, Chamoli is counted amongst some great Uttarakhand attractions. The district is located on the embankments of the Alaknanda River. Auli from the region is a ski tourist attraction where you can experience a breathtaking view of the Himalayas and experience many adventurous activities. Chamoli also holds the admirable Sikh destination, the Hemkund Sahib. The highlight of Hemkund Sahib is the Hemkund Lake. The worshippers here dive into the lake's holy water to clear all sins. You can also enjoy trekking to the beautiful biosphere reserve, the Valley of Flowers, which is stretched over 87 sq km in Chamoli.

5. Almora

Are you a fan of picturesque hill terraces, streams, and forests covering tall hills? Then Almora is your place. Also recognised as the City of Temples, it possesses the famous Nanda Devi temple in its centre. The Almora city in Uttarakhand tourism offers magnificent locations like Kausani, Ranikhet, and Dwarahat. Sitlakhet, situated between Ranikhet and Almora, is a place that has a serene landscape, jaw-dropping Himalayan peak views, and fruit orchards. Besides, Almora is also an ideal site for camping.

Things to do in Uttarakhand

Things to do in Uttarakhand are innumerable, but some of them are just mind-blowing. These activities are what make the state exciting.

Char Dham Yatra

There is hardly anything more devotional in Uttarakhand than a trip to the Char Dhams. On the occasion of Akshay Tritiya in Chaitra month, the Char Dham Yatra opens and stays open till Bhai Dooj. You will have to spend 11 to 12 days in the full yatra.

The trip to Yamunotri Dham, following a trek, marks the start of the Char Dham Yatra. The Gangotri Dham is about 100 km away from Yamunotri. Next is Kedarnath where you can reach via Rudraprayag, 180 km from Uttarkashi. Badrinath Dham is 160 km from Rudraprayag, which becomes your yatra's final location.

Bungee Jumping and Rafting in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is famous for thrilling adventurous sports such as bungee jumping and rafting. Bungee jumping is performed under the supervision of trained tutors in Mohanchetti (Jumpin Heights). You can also make a short tour around to enjoy the scenery and the pleasant air before free-falling.

Uttarakhand tourism offers four rafting routes - Brahmpuri-Rishikesh, Shivpuri-Rishikesh, Marine Drive-Rishikesh, and Kaudiyala-Rishikesh. Certified operators take care of all arrangements which allow you to enjoy rafting without any fear.

Nag Tibba Trek Expedition

Recognised as the best treks for the weekend, Nag Tibba Expedition is among the Uttarakhand attractions that will offer you a 10,000 ft trek on the snow-covered mountains. The glory of the trek is marked by the magnificent views of Gangotri and Kedarnath. It will make you pin this trek in your Uttarakhand travel guide. The journey will make you admire the diverse array of fauna and flora including the oaks-deodar forests, the home to exotic wildlife.

So, if you are looking for a weekend off from the busy city life and want to enjoy an easy expedition in a peaceful environment, this trek is worth opting for.

Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand

Although Uttarakhand is a year-round tourist spot, the time from March to April and September to mid-October is regarded as the best time to visit Uttarakhand. Activities like Char Dham Yatra, paragliding, and trekking are mostly opted for during the summers. Thus, summer is marked as the best season to visit Uttarakhand.

As for winters, the time between November and February is considered a good time for rafting in Rishikesh, wildlife-spotting in Jim Corbett National Park, and snowfall watching in Mussoorie and Nainital.

How to reach Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is very well-connected with the entire nation and can be reached in many ways. The information on how to reach Uttarakhand is given below.

By Airlines: Uttarakhand has two domestic airports. One is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun that offers non-stop aeroplanes to and from Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Chennai. Another is the Pantnagar Airport, which provides access to nearby locations in Uttarakhand including the main hillside stations in Kumaon, Jim Corbett, and Bareilly.

By Railways: Currently, Uttarakhand consists of nearly 16 railway stations connecting Uttarakhand with major Indian cities. Trains to and from major cities like Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh specifically travel to Dehradun and a few other important Uttarakhand attractions.

By Roadways: About 1000 public buses run in and out of the state and connect it with the rest of the country. Some important Uttarakhand tourist places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Badrinath are connected to Delhi by NH 34 and NH 7, passing through Dehradun on the way.