With the bewitching valleys, the soaring mountains, and picturesque landscapes, Uttarakhand the home to the magnanimous beauty of the Himalayas that blends with the cultural beliefs, this place is a must-visit.
Uttarakhand is a place of quiet spirituality and breathtaking natural beauty, sometimes referred to as Devbhoomi, or the land of gods. It is divided between two main regions, Garhwal and Kumaon, that provides a range of experiences away from the hustle bustle metropolitan cities. Travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind and amazing experience will find Uttarakhand to be a mystical area of mountains, mythology, sceneries, adventure, wellness, and yoga.
If you are on an expedition to explore your country and its states, pack your bags as we bring you the list of top places you can visit in Uttarakhand. This piece of paradise awaits and welcomes you.
Top places you can visit in Uttarakhand
1. Dehradun
Dehradun is a popular hill-station in India surrounded by high mountains and lush Sal forests. Known for its pleasant weather and scenic surroundings, it is a gateway to popular hill-stations and pilgrimage sites. The city offers a blend of landscape and modern amenities.
Best time to visit- weather is pleasant all year long so any time in the year is best
Ideal duration- 2-3 days
Places to explore- Dehradun’s National Parks, Lakes, Kempty Falls, Benog Hill, Jwalaji Temple, Monastery, Resorts, and Forest Research Institute.
2. Mussoorie
Mussoorie is a wonderful hill resort 38 kilometers from Dehradun with verdant hills, a varied flora and fauna, and breathtaking views of the Roorkee, Saharanpur, Haridwar, and the Himalayan mountain ranges.
Best time to visit- April to June
Ideal duration- 2-3 days
Places to visit- Gun Hill, Kempty Falls, Mall Road, Lal Tibba, Landour, and the Tibetan Buddhist Temple.
3. Nainital
Nainital is another top best place that families and friends love to visit in Uttarakhand. Offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks, it is close to the well-known Naini Lake. Those looking for peace are drawn to Nainital by its scenic surroundings and boating opportunities.
Best time to visit- All year long
Ideal duration- 2-3 days
Places to visit- Nainital Lake, Snow View, Tiffin Top, GB Pant High Altitude Zoo, Naina Devi Temple, and Hanuman Garhi.
4. Jim Corbett national Park
Jim Corbett National Park, located in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district, is part of the largest Corbett Tiger Reserve. Established in 1938, it is known for its Royal Bengal Tigers and boasts 600 bird species, 488 plant and tree types. The park hosts annual safaris and hiking trails through the dense forest’s buffer zones, making it a top destination for visitors in Uttarakhand.
Best time to visit- January to May and September to December
Ideal duration- 2 days
Things you can do- Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari, Camping, Trekking, Fishing, Mountain Biking, River Crossing, River Rafting, Rock Climbing.
5. Rishikesh
Rishikesh, known as the world capital of yoga and meditation, is a holy town with pleasant weather throughout the year. It’s a popular destination for Beatles fans and offers white water rafting and adventure sports. The ancient town is also a gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas and hosts the annual International Yoga Festival, attracting thousands of yoga enthusiasts.
Best time to visit- March, April and September to October
Ideal duration- 3-4 days
What you can do – Rafting, Bungee jumping, Yoga, Trekking, Giant Swing, zipline your, rock climbing
6. Haridwar
Haridwar, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, is a city known for its temples and ashrams, and is one of the four holy Indian cities that hosts the Kumbh Mela, every 12 year gathering of millions of Hindu ddevotees.
Best time to visit- October, November, December, January and February
Ideal duration- 1-2 days
Places to explore- Ganga Aarti at Haridwar, Religious Sites, Har ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple
7. Chakrata
Uttarakhand’s Chakrata is a charming town with breath-taking views of the Himalayan mountains and a calm atmosphere. Chakrata is a sanctuary with a variety of animals and medicinal plants that appeals to nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and ornithologists. Only Indian citizens are permitted entry into the town; visitors from other countries are permitted up to Kalsi.
Best time to visit- Between April and June, and from September to November
Ideal duration- 4-5 days
Places to explore- Tiger falls, Kanasar, Kalsi, Lakhamandal, Deoban, Chilmiri neck, Kimona fall, Ram Tal horticulture garden, Moigad fall, Budher caves.
8. Auli
Auli is hillspot with amazing panoramic views of the Himalayas and snow-capped peaks and is close to the sacred sanctuary of Badrinath. The place is best for those who love the mountains and mountain sports. For adventure sports enthusiasts. It is India’s top ski resort, is a popular destination for tourists and professionals, hosting snow adventure events in wwinter.
Best time to visit- October to March
Ideal duration- 4 days 5 nights
Places to explore- Gorson Bugyal, Chattrakund, Auli artificial lake, Kwani Bugyal, Saildhar Tapovan
9. Valley Of Flowers National park
The Valley of Flowers National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Chamoli area. It is a stunning location with over 600 varieties of exotic flowers, sub-alpine woods, tumbling waterfalls, and untamed streams and rare species of animals including flying squirrel, red fox and snow leopard. It is one of the two central zones of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve founded in 1931 by British mountaineers.
Best time to visit- May to October
Ideal duration- 6-7 days
What to explore- Hemkunt Lake, Hemkunt Sahib, Govindghat, Joshimat, Mana, Pandukeshwar, Ghangharia
10. Dhanaulti
Dhanaulti is 60 miles from Mussoorie Hill Station and offers a tranquil setting with lots of picturesque sights. It is the starting point for many hikes into the Himalayas, nestled amidst dense virgin forests of deodars, oaks, and rhododendrons.
Best time to visit- April, May, June
Ideal duration- 3 days
What to explore- camping at Eco Park, Ziplining, Rappeling, Snow Adventure, Top Tibba, Sahastradhara
11. Chardham (Yamnotri, Gangotri, Badrinath And Kedarnath)
A spiritual escape into mountains that will help you purge all the negativity and stress. The place is best for family visits. Chardham carries the spiritual essence of the country that is worth exploring.
Best time to visit- anytime except monsoon
Ideal duration- 5 to 6 days
What to explore- Spiritual pilgrimage, visit the temples, and enjoy the hilly areas.
Uttarakhand is a vast land of mesmerising scenic beauty that echoes culture, religion and mythology. Apart from these places the list is still huge that you can explore.
FAQs
- How many days are enough to explore Uttarakhand?
You need atleast a month or two to cover every place in Uttarakhand. If you are planning a short trip, you can visit Nainital, dehradun and chardham for a glimpse of the beauty of the state.
2. Which time is best for Uttarakhand trip?
In Uttarakhand, March through April and September through October are regarded as the ideal travel seasons. The state enjoys fantastic year-round weather. In the summer, when Uttarakhand experiences its peak season, the most popular activities are trekking, paragliding, and the Char Dham Yatra.
3. What is the distance between Uttarakhand and Delhi?
It is 340 km this will take around 4 hours and 30 mins by National Highway 334.
