21 Best Destinations To Visit In Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is the most beautiful Himalayan state in India, sharing borders with Nepal and Tibet. It is divided into two regions Garhwal & Kumaon. In the north part, there is the Garhwal region and in the south, there is the Kumaon region. The Dev Bhoomi tags Uttarakhand as the holiest part of the Himalayas is the Best Destinations To Visit In Uttarakhand

There are plenty of hill stations, pilgrimage sites, natural lakes, meditation caves, Himalayan valleys, densely forested hills, and waterfalls. The cultural atmosphere, lake water sports, camping, skiing in Auli, and wildlife Safaris are the prominent feature of the state are the Best Destinations to visit in Uttarakhand.

For cultural and spiritual lovers, there are many holy sites to see in Uttarakhand such as Char Dham, Badrinath, Haridwar, Mukteshwar, Jageshwar Dham, Dwarahat, Mahavatar Babaji cave, Adi Badri, Panch Badri, and other ancient sites.

For adventure like-minded lovers, this state offers many uncharted destinations on google like Tehri water sports, Lohjung, Nelong Valley, Mount Abbott, Kalap, Chakrata, Lansdowne, etc. along with regular visiting places Dehradun, Auli, Mussoorie, Nainital, etc.

How To Reach Uttarakhand

When you visit the Himalayan state Uttarakhand, then a question comes in the mind “how to reach Uttarakhand “  and it is a worthy question that frequently asked by visitors. . By roads are the most convenient way to explore the hilly land of Uttarakhand. There are also two airports that connect both regions and railway stations

Air Travel: The main airport in Uttarakhand – Jolly Grant International Airport in the capital city of Dehradun that connects the Garhwal region. Another airport is Pantnagar Airport that connects Kumaon Region.

Rail Travel:  Uttarakhand has three major railway stations that connect this hilly state with all major cities in India. The major stations are Haridwar, Yoga Nagari Rishikesh, Kathgodam  & Dehradun.

Road Travel: Roadways offers the best travel option in Uttarakhand. Highways like NH 108, 109, 119, 121, 123, and 72A connect the state with the rest of the country. Uttarakhand Road Transport offers all kinds of bus accessibility. Private and Public Taxis are also functional to all destinations in the state.

Uttarakhand Himalayas
Uttarakhand Himalayas

Best Time To Visit Uttarakhand

  • March to April is the best time for mid-altitude trekking, hiking, rafting & camping
  • May- June is the season for pilgrimage tours such as  Chardham Yatra, Do Dham Yatra, Panch Badri, and Panch Kedar pilgrimage
  • July – August is the monsoon season & not suitable for any activities except the Valley of Flowers trek because the flower blooms in the month of August only
  • September to November  – Yoga, meditation, trekking, and paragliding, Hiking, pilgrimage tours, etc.
  • December to  February –  Skiing, Snow- Crafting, Snow Camping

Things To Do In Uttarakhand

  • Forest Healing in Ranikhet
  • Nature Diving  in the sceneries of Kanatal
  • Birding at Pangot
  • Rock climbing at Mukteshwar 
  • Skiing at Auli 
  • Nature Photography at Mount Abbott
  • Yoga & Meditation, River Rafting, Camping, Day Trekking, Village Hiking at Rishikesh 
  • Sattal lake for Birding & Fishing 
  • Chardham- Do Dham – Panch Kedar – Panch Badri 
Baijnath Temple
Baijnath Temple

21 Best Destinations To Visit In Uttarakhand

Here, I chalked out some great attractions that you must add to your Must-Do list.   Below is the list of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand:

#1 Haridwar

The ancient city is famous for starting point of the Chardham Yatra and  Kumbh Mela events. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. It is also known for its temple and evening Ganga Arti.

#2 Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi City junction point for the Gangotri Temple, various trekking adventure activities & Nehru Insititute of Mountaineering. It sits along the River Ganges attracting thousands of Hindu pilgrims and adventure lovers.

#3 Sattal 

Sattal or Sat Tal has incorporated a group of 7  Himalayans natural sweetwater lakes. The Sattal lake lies in the Shivalik range of the Himalaya very close to Bhimtal. It is a tiny town in the Nainital district.   Nowadays it is becoming famous for Birdwatching, watersports, and leisure tourism.

#4 Landour

Landour is an uncharted destination near Mussoorie. It is a tiny town, famous among the offbeat tourist. You can reach Landour from Mussoorie. If you like remoteness then you’ll love Landour.

#5 Kalap

It is a very small village in the Garhwal region. You can go there on foot only.  Kalap is the best offbeat destination to experience the simplicity & serenity of nature

# 6 Nelong Valley 

Nelong valley bordering Tibet and China located 100 km from Uttarakashi District. You can go there only in the daytime after getting permission.  You are not allowed to make overnight there.

#6 Bhimtal

The Bhimtal constitutes a group of seven freshwater lakes with lush green and eye-soothing backgrounds. The seven lakes are – Naldaymanti Tal, Ram Tal, Sita Tal, Lakshman Tal, Bharat Tal, Sukha Tal, and Panna Tal.

#7 Kanatal

A small but wonderful typical Himalayan village in Mussoorie. Kanatal lies on the Chamba-Mussoorie road. The village gives you a scenic vista of green pine trees and brown landscapes.

#8 Munsiyari

A little town encircled by soaring mountains & peaks. It sits in the district Pithoragarh bordering Nepal & Tibet. The Munsiyari purposes many opportunities for mountaineers and trekkers. Trekking to Khalia and the much longer trek the  Milam Glacier. The Tribal Heritage Museum enriched with local Kumaon artifacts worth seeing.

#9 Jim Corbett National Park

The most renowned national park is famous for wildlife. Jeep and elephant safaris. The Dhikala zone of the park provides exemplary valley vistas and backgrounds for the nature-lovers.  It is one of the best parks to visit in Uttarakhand.

#10 Binsar

Binsar sits in the midst of a wildlife sanctuary. Since the Binsar considers under the not-much-explored destination.  It gives you a majestic view of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Nanda Kot, and Chaukhambha peak.

#11 Chakrata

Unlike most other places in the state of Uttarakhand.  Chakrata has gained a distinct value among hill-lovers for the wonderful natural beauty and serenity. The remoteness of hills and the background sounds of birds chirping make it a dreamy destination among nature-lovers.

# 12 Niti Village 

Niti Village lies on the border of Tibet and China. It is famous for Shiva Temple and Nada Devi Broresevere Park. The Timbersain Mahadev Temple is similar to Amaranth Temple Kashmir. There is a nature-formed cave in which the Iced Shiva Lingam appears during the winter season.

#13 Rishikesh

Rishikesh sets along the holy river Ganges on the foothills of the Himalayas. It has gained the mind of the self-styled Yoga Capital of the world. A must-visit place among the places to visit in Uttarakhand.

#14 Bhowali

Bhowali is a tiny place and gained popularity as a hill station.  Bhowali lies between Nainital and Bhimtal. The hamlet gives fantastic vistas mountains and is the suited place to unwind.

#15 Auli

Auli is the first place among skiing lovers. It has a three-kilometer-long snow carpeted slope. You enjoy here the chairlift, gondola, and ski lift.  Auli town is for National skiing sports. You must follow the famous trek-route Kuari, the trail of which runs through Nanda Devi National Park.

#16 Chardham

The Chardham pilgrimage is the spiritual source of four sacred Himalayan rivers- The Yamuna, The Ganges, The Mandakini, and The Alaknanda and four temples, they sit along these four sacred rivers namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath Temple.

#17 Valley of Flowers National Park

The Valley of the flower is a popular adventurous place that becomes alive in the monsoon. It grows around 300 distinct Himalayan flowers. And, the holy site for Sikhs – Hemkunt Sahib Gurudwara.

#18 Chopta

If you are looking for a regular but beautiful destination?  Undoublty you can count on Chopta Town. It is a very point from where the holy treks begin – The Tungnath and Chandrashilla. Through trekking, you encounter Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Chaukhambha peaks.

#19 Nainital

It is not more than a holiday destination for families and couples. The city is settled among beautiful mountains and gives an escape from a busy lifestyle.  It has gained popularity as Lake District of India with some scenic views like Naina Peak, Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, Eco Cave Gardens, and Snow View.

#20 Dwarahat

Dwrahat is famous as the Temple city of Uttarakhand. There are many Hindu ancient Temples dating back to the 10th century such as Shiva Temple, Badrinath Temple,  Yogoda Satsang Society Ashram, and many more.

#21 Kukucchina 

Kukucchina is the least famous destination in Uttarakhand and the last hamlet falls on the way to Mahavatar Babaji cave from Dwarahat town. It is famous among devotees of Babaji and some trekkers-lovers. Apart from the Babaji cave, there is Pandavakholi Ashram and Mata Dunagiri Temple.

Author

Namaste! I am Om. I am a licensed Tourist Guide ( Approved by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India), I’m originally from Varanasi. Now, I am living in Rishikesh. I set up this blog to share my tips and experiences for traveling to inspire and help you to travel more. Hari Om

Comments are closed.