Uttarakhand Tourism and Top Destinations for Tourists:
Uttarakhand is an entirely different world in the Himalayan ranges. It is a place where people worldwide come, live, and dream of spending their whole life in the womb of Himalaya. They also feel the positive vibes, miraculous pleasantness, and extreme happiness in Uttarakhand for the spiritual people. Your Travelling Story has listed 10 best visiting places in Uttarakhand on the basis of tourist visit, government data and our own primary research. Before diving in, let us know some interesting facts about Uttarakhand.
According to Hindu mythology, Uttarakhand is spiritually famous as the Char Dhams (four abodes) are – Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri. Devbhoomi is the second name of the holy land Uttarakhand that means “Land of God.”
The excellent combination of nature in the thrilling view of tall mountains and holy rivers makes everyone’s life joyful.
In your Uttarakhand trip, you will not only enjoy but also know the meaning of life. It is a land of seekers where introspection is the best tool to know yourself in depth. It nourishes your soul and mind.
Uttarakhand shares an international border with Tibet (now occupied by China). Diversified geography and flora and fauna make Uttarakhand the top visiting place among adventurous travellers not only in India but all over the world.
Apart from spirituality and mythology, Uttarakhand tourism is a paradise for trekking nature lovers and nostalgic people looking for some heartbreaking adventures from snow skiing to camping in India’s top mountain peaks.
Uttarakhand has an entirely different topography than Himachal Pradesh, India. Uttarakhand state lies on the southern slope of the Himalayas ranges. The climate and vegetation greatly vary with elevation. The entire geography is divided into Garwal (Ancient name Kedarkhand) and Kumaon (Ancient name Manaskhand).
Why visit the exotic beauty of Uttarakhand once in your life:
The presence of several hill stations, wildlife parks, pilgrimage places & trekking routes make Uttarakhand an attractive tourist destination. Every year, domestic tourist inflow in the state is more than 34.36 million and foreign tourist visits crossed over 0.13 million.
- Blissful beauty in valley of flowers
- Trip to Jim Corbett National Park for wildlife and Adventurous
- Crazy Naini Lake
- Bridge at Garjia for a lifetime memory
- Breathtaking river rafting in Rishikesh
- Thrilling bungee jumping
- The Trishul mountain
- Mindrolling Monastery
- Skeleton lake at Roopkund
- Make a dip into the icy waters of the Satopanth Tal.
- The queen hill station of Mussoorie
- Skiing in the world-class resorts of Auli
Apart from the ancient temples and history, the mountains offer a peaceful life in the lush green forests, 71% of the total state land.
Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand:
Being a bit biased, I like winter the most, because of peak winter sports activities in snow-capped mountains scenery.
January-March is an excellent time to explore for the travellers, families, couples, and solo travellers. During these months, most destinations such as Auli, Chopta, Rishikesh, Nainital, Mussoorie, and Chamoli are accessible with the least risk in terms of landslides.
To some extent, you may find heavy snowfall in high terrain, but, except few places, the entire Uttarakhand is explorable in winter.
Off-course, summer is excellent to plan a trip, rejuvenate your mind and body. From April to June is the peak season to visit Uttarakhand.
Moreover, pilgrims, families, old age people, and spiritual travellers came for the holy Char Dham Yatra.
Monsoon is when the entire state changes into an unpredictable predator because of landslides, heavy rain, lightning, and high time floating rivers. So, you should avoid a trip to Uttarakhand during the rainy season, especially from July to September.
Geographic Division of Uttarakhand:
Kumaon Division: Nainital, Badrinath, Auli, Lansdowne, Niti valley, Pithoragarh, and Almora.
Here is the List of Top 10 Visiting Places in Uttarakhand for your Perfect Vacation:
1. Nainital-Uttarakhand:
Garhwal division: Kedarnath, Chamoli, Haridwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Tehri, and Rudraprayag.
You can spend at least one most beautiful and memorable week of your life in the lake city-Nainital. The entire valley is in the sloppy hill form and situated between the two mountains that make it the perfect hill station to enjoy for couples, families, or friends.
The charming beauty of the mall road near Naini lake is one of the best streets in Uttarakhand and North India.
You would inhale the magnificent view from the mountains’ top with the inherent pure hill vibes.
4-5 hours drive from New Delhi, India’India’ss capital city, makes it the best choice for the weekend. Nainital is the pleasant gateway from the hustle and bustle of robotic day to day life. Nainital offers snow mountain views, lakes, spiritual temples, water sports, and adventurous activities.
Even the most thrilling national park of India- Jim Corbett National Park, is in Nainital, where you can have an adventurous safari ride.
Best Places to Visit in Nainital:
- Nainital Lake
- Tiffin Top
- Ropeway View Point
- Cave Garden and Naini Peak
- Mall Road
- Naini Temple
- Neem Karoli Baba Ashram
- Jim Corbett National Park
2. Auli- One of the Best Visiting Places in Uttarakhand:
Auli is located 15km from Joshimath. It is a skiing destination in India, which is a less explored hill station.
Auli is the real gem of true adventure and a lifetime experience. It is the cradle in the snow-capped mountains.
Auli is one of the scarce places where skiing is a major center of attraction. There is no shortage of Auli’s neutral beauty in the middle of apple orchards, meadow, and old oak.
Artificial lake, skiing resorts, 360-degree view of the top mountain peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul Peak, Gurso Bugyal, Hathi Peak makes Auli a charming hill station for families, youngsters, and couples.
India’s longest ropeway takes you to Auli’s peak from Joshimath, which saves more than 1 hour to reach the top.
Auli’s skiing route is adjacent to the Military training center, which sometimes helps locals train like a pro.
Best Places to Visit in Auli, Uttarakhand:
- Skiing Resorts
- Artificial Lake
- 360-degree view of Himalayas
- Gurso Bugyal
- Tapovan
3. Niti Valley, Uttarakhand:
Niti Valley is one of the best visiting places in Uttarakhand. It is almost unexplored beauty of Uttarakhand. But the beauty is not less than any heaven. That is why Niti Valley is called Ladakh of Uttarakhand.
It is only a 2 hours short drive from Joshimath that gives you a completely different experience. While driving on roads, you will get a few military checkpoints.
Here in Niti Valley, there is no mobile network, no traffic jams, and very least humans’ presence, just you and rocky mountains.
Niti Valley is an entirely different terrain from the Tibetan plateau. The remote location and less accessible route make it a hidden gem of Uttarakhand.
Niti is the last Indian village, and Malari is the oldest village of Uttarakhand that still exists on the planet.
A famous temple of Lord Shiva and Timarsen temple in the village has a unique identity of milky water crossing. Dronagiri mountain ranges have a spiritual identity across the world.
Best Places to Visit in Niti Valley, Uttarakhand:
Timmersain Mahadev Temple
Malari Village
Ghamshali Village
Dronagiri Ranges
Nanda Devi National Park
4. Badrinath and Valley of Flower National Park-One of the best Visiting Places in Uttarakhand:
Badrinath is a heaven and one of the best visiting places in Uttarakhand. The flower valley is a bouquet of nature, bestowed with the rare and exotic Himalayan flora that is peacefully snuggled in the Kumaon region.
Valley of Flower consists of more than 500 species of flower, and you can be the eyewitness of its sprinkling beauty throughout the year, especially in monsoon seasons.
Badrinath is the birthplace of lord Vishnu.people pray and chant to the holy land over the Alaknanda river.
Many spiritual leaders, gurus, and people do meditation and spend quality time in the mountains like a Yogi.
In Badrinath, Mana village is the last civilian village, and then the international boundary starts. Vasudhara is another must visiting place that falls only in the 2km trail from Mana village. If you desire to see beyond Mana village, you need an Inner line permit from Joshimath’s administration.
Best visiting places in Badrinath and Valley of Flower:
- Badrinath Temple
- Vasudhara Falls
- Mana Pass
- Valley of Flower
- Hemkund Sahib
- Hathi Parvat Trek
5. Pithoragarh- Best Tourist Destinations in Uttarakhand:
Pithoragarh is a district with famous pilgrim spots of Kailash, Om Parvat, and the holy lake Mansarovar. Due to its fantastic location among the hillocks of the almighty Himalayas, the place is a popular tourist destination and one of the best visiting places in Uttarakhand.
Munsyari, Dharchula, Gangolihat, Arjuneshwar temple, and Thal Kedar are famous places to visit in Pithoragarh.
Best Visiting Places in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand:
- Munsyari
- Dharchula
- Brahma Parvat
- Champawat
6. Almora- Perfect Vacation Place for Tourists, Families and Couples:
Almora has cultural diversity, a vast range of forests and mountains, heritage, delicious cuisines, and handicrafts.
Almora’s landscape attracts hundreds of tourists each year as it is one of the business hubs in the Kumaon region.
Kesar Devi Temple, Mrig Vihar Zoo, Jogeshwar Dham, Katarmal Surya Mandir, Nanda Devi Temple, and Hippie hills are some of the famous places to visit in Almora.
Best visiting places in Almora, Uttarakhand:
- Zero Point
- Jageshwar Temple
- Katarmal Sun Temple
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Martola
- Deer Park
- Kalimath
7. Haridwar and Rishikesh- Spiritual and Adventurous Place in Uttarakhand:
Haridwar and Rishikesh are one of the holiest cities in India. Rishikesh is emerging as the Yoga capital of the world that offers spiritual knowledge and meaningful life. It is transforming the lives of millions of people around the globe.
Rishikesh is a fascinating tourist place for adventurous junkies who are looking for thrilling experiences. One of the most exciting and longer river rafting in the cold river Ganges is in Rishikesh.
Camping in the forests is the new emerging trend among youngsters. Small villages near Rishikesh are famous for peaceful holidays.
Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula (hanging bridge) are the lifelines for daily commuting. Har-Ki-Pauri is the focal point of Haridwar that offers world-famous Aarti with a spectacular view.
Best Places to Visit in Haridwar and Rishikesh:
- Har-Ki-Pauri
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Gau and Vishnu Ghat
- Rajaji Tiger Reserve
- Ram and Laxman Jhula
- The Beatles Ashram
- Laxman Temple
- Phool Chatti
8. Kedarnath and Rudraprayag: Heaven of Uttarakhand Tourism:
The name is enough to define the divine beauty of Kedarnath and Rudraprayag in the high rise mountains. The heavenly place needs no introduction to the beauty of nature, tourist spots, and spending the most memorable time of life.
The new trek is 18-km long to reach from Sonprayag to Kedarnath. But, your every effort is worth taking towards Kedarnath as it is filled with joy, happiness, and positive vibes.
The holy temple, Vasuki Tal, caves, Guptakashi, and Karnprayag are widely known and the center of attraction for tourists.
Rudraprayag is the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini river, which becomes the Ganges from there. Towns like Devprayag, Chamoli, Srinagar, Tehri, and Pauri are the hidden gems for the tourists.
Best places to visit in Kedarnath and Rudraprayag:
- Kedarnath Temple and Vasuki Tal Lake
- Guptakashi
- Ukhimath
- Satopanth
- Kalyasaur
- Rudranath
9. Dehradun and Mussoorie (Uttarakhand)- One of the best Hill Station, Honeymoon Destination and Tourist place:
The other paradise of earth, Dehradun and Mussoorie, is 250-km from the capital city of India. These hill stations and tourist spots become more crowded on weekends and vacations. Dehradun is also an education hub that provides world-class quality education to the children. Dehradun is also known as Drona Nagri or Doon Valley. The indo-British architecture of the modern schools located in lush green mountains makes this city “the Boarding school hub of North India.”
Most visiting places in Dehradun are Sahastradhara, Robber cave, Tiger Falls, Lachhiwala, Har-Ki-Dun, Tapovan, and Kedarkantha.
Mussoorie is a small hill station that is only t 33km from Dehradun. La Tibba, Kempty Fall, the Mall Road, Company Garden, Gun Hill Point are the center of attraction for tourists worldwide. La Tibba offers a panoramic view of Himalayan ranges.
Best places to visit in Dehradun and Mussoorie:
- Lachhiwala
- Sahastradhara
- Rajaji National Park
- Mindrolling Monastery
- Gun Hill Point
- La Tibba Point
10. Chopta- Heavenly Tourist Place in Uttarakhand:
Chopta is a small hill state between Guptkashi and Rudraprayag. The 50km route is one of the best ways to reach Uttarakhand. Tungnath is also in Chopta.
The small mountainous village becomes a picturesque hamlet when snow kisses in winter. Chopta is also known as Mini-Switzerland of Uttarakhand.
You will wake up with a cold, salubrious breeze and chirping of birds in Chopta, which is more relaxing from the cities’ blaring horns.
Most interestingly, Devariya lake, near Chopta, is an emerald lake perched at the height of 2438m above the sea level.
During winters, on a clear day, Devariya blesses the tourists with the miraculous reflection of Chaukhamba peaks with its crystal clear water.
Best places to visit in Chopta, Uttarakhand:
- Tungnath
- Devariya Lake
- CHandrashila Trek
- Sari Village
- Baniyakund
Closing Keynote:
Uttaranchal is a region of outstanding natural beauty. The high Himalayan ranges and glaciers cover most of the northern parts of the state, while the lower reaches are densely forested. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to a large number of animals (including bharal, snow leopards, leopards and tigers), plants and rare herbs. Two of India’s mightiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna take birth in the glaciers of Uttaranchal, and are fed by innumerable lakes, glacial melts and streams in the region.
The Himalayas are for tough people, and Uttarakhandi (Pahadi) is the best example after the Gorkha people in the race of survival in the remotely located mountains.
Here, living is not a choice but a destiny for the people of Himalaya. There are so many places still there is no electricity, no internet, and proper food supply.
Visiting Uttarakhand may surprise you with the creature. The unpredictable life of the mountainous people is not a joke.
To be more specific, if we talk about the unpredictable and life-changing events of life. You can be the eyewitness of how a good looking mountain collapses within a second during landslides. What you see today can be invisible forever.
You can not go camping anywhere like Himachal Pradesh. But, with a well-planned tour, you can live your whole dream in Uttarakhand.
FAQs:
Q.1: Which is the most beautiful and 4 best visiting places in Uttarakhand?
Almora- perfect honeymoon destination, Mussoorie- the Queen of the Hills, Auli- skiing destination, and Nainital with Naini Lake and mesmerizing views are the best visiting places in Uttarakhand
Q.2: Which are some weekend getaways in Uttarakhand from Delhi?
Some weekend getaways from Delhi in Uttarakhand are Nainital at a distance of around 335 km, Jim Corbett National Park at a distance of 280 km, Lansdowne at a distance of 288 km, Rishikesh at a distance of 268 and Ranikhet which is around 390 km from Delhi.
Q.3: What are the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in December?
Auli, Dhanaulti, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Mukteshwar, Nainital, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, and Chopta are some of the best places one can visit in Uttarakhand in the month of December.
Q.4: Which are the best visiting places in Uttarakhand in summer?
Almost all the beautiful places such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Nainital, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Auli, and Almora can win your heart with its beauty.
Q.5: Which are the best visiting places in Uttarakhand for a honeymoon trip?
Almora, Auli, Nainital, Mussoorie, are the most romantic honeymoon destinations in Uttarakhand.
Q.6: Can I plan a Solo Trip to Uttarakhand? Is it safe?
Yes. You can plan a solo trip for Uttarakhand and have life time experience. Even one of our Partners plan 15 days solo trip to Uttarakhand and explored many off beat places in Uttarakhand that are unimaginable and breathtaking.
