Uttarakhand, the name itself is magical enough to excite a traveler in you. This state in northern India has everything a tourist might want! For those who are looking for outdoor and exhilarating activities can explore this land of myths. Uttarakhand offers numerous spiritual sites for pilgrims, abundant wildlife, vibrant festivals for those travelling for culture, and the list goes on. To know the top 11 places to visit in Uttarakhand, keep reading the blog.
Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand: The Land of Incredible Beauty
Uttarakhand has a variety of tourist attractions that would appeal to a wide range of visitors. check out these top 11 places in Uttarakhand that offer stunning landscapes and exhilarating adventure, wellness, and yoga. Natural beauty abounds in the enormous Himalayas, which are present throughout the state, ensuring a rich growth of flora and fauna, a pleasant climate, and a tranquil and scenic environment.
1. Nainital: The Charming Himalayan Lake Town
Nainital is also referred to as the "Lake District," one of the most well-liked tourist destinations in India. It is a town rich in regional customs and culture. It is one of the best places in Uttarakhand, that draws attention of thousands of domestic and international visitors each year. Nainital's never-ending abundance of stunning beauty is nothing less than a passionate connection with majestic and unspoiled Mother Nature. There are numerous adventure sports activities available in Lake City that you simply must experience.
Best Time to Visit: March and June
Popular Attractions: Sat Tal Lake, Naina devi temple, Mall Road
Thing to Do: Enjoy boating, view sunrise, shop for souvenirs, visit temples, enjoy ropeways ride, visit sanctuary and Nainital zoo
Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 days are enough to explore this beautiful hill station
How to Reach: The closest railway station to Nainital is Kathgodham , which is situated about 34 kilometers away. Nainital is well-served by trains and you can hire a private or shared taxi that can transport you to Nainital
Distance from Delhi: 248 km
2. Mussoorie: The Queen of Hills
Mussoorie is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and thriving scene, after taking a quick look at it you'll realize why it's known as "The Queen of the Hills". It is an alluring vacation destination decked with the splendors of nature plan a vacation with Mussoorie tour packages to explore the vistas of this hill station. The town is the ideal escape because of its pleasant but occasionally chilly weather. It offers abundant flora and fauna as well as breathtaking panoramic views of the nearby snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Mall Road surrounded by the city is the liveliest place to stroll and shop. It is also known as “gateway of Mussoorie”, making it one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand appealing to both couples on their honeymoon and families.
Best Time to Visit: April to June
Popular Attractions: Kempty falls, St. George Everest, Mussoorie lake
Things to Do: Trekking, wildlife safari, zip swing adventure, boating, river rafting, paragliding and rock climbing
Ideal Duration: 2 days are enough to enjoy thrilling activities in Mussoorie
How to Reach: The nearest airport to Mussoorie is Jolly grant domestic airport in Dehradun. There are direct flights. You can use local cabs or buses to get to Mussoorie
Distance from Delhi: 274 Km
3. Auli: Mini Switzerland of India
Auli is a well-known hill station and a perfect getaway in India. Known for its snowy slopes, Auli has everything the perfect traveler could want for, including Himalayan Views, Meadows, adventurous activities, romantic vistas, cable cars, and much more. The divine beauty of Auli draws tourists in with its breathtaking views to see majestic mountain peaks like Mana Parwat and Hathi Parbat among others. The primary draw for tourists to Auli is snow skiing. This offbeat place in Uttarakhand offers a variety of intriguing experiences besides skiing.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Popular Attractions: Joshi Math, Mt. Nanda Devi, Auli's artificial lake
Things to Do: Skiing, camping, ropeway ride, visiting Nanda devi national park, hiking and trekking
Ideal Duration: 3 days are good enough to enjoy the adventurous activities
How to Reach: One can reach Auli by air as the nearest domestic airport to Dehradun is Jolly Grant. This hill station is well connected by motorable roads, hire private and shared taxis and buses to reach Auli
Distance from Delhi: 504 km
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4. Dehradun: The Home of Valley
Dehradun, a stunning hill town in Uttarakhand that is encircled by the great Himalayas is a must-visit. The oldest city is situated between the Yamuna and Ganges River and the Dehradun to Haridwar distance is only 51 km. The city serves as a gateway to the surrounding area and is renowned for its exotic terrain and slightly kinder temperature. Dehradun is adorned with the Himalayas and historical elegance which makes it one of the places to visit in Uttarakhand for couples to spend quality time.
Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November
Popular Attractions: Robber’s Cave, Shikhar Falls, Tiger Falls
Things to Do: Visit Robber’s cave, take a dip in Sahastradhara, paragliding, go shopping, trekking, bird watching etc
Ideal Duration: 3 days are enough to seek tranquility in this calming hill station
How to Reach: Domestic airport is Jolly Grant, also Dehradun is connected by regular train, buses and taxis services one can enjoy road drive to Dehradun
Distance from Delhi: 258 Km
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5. Rishikesh: The Adventure Capital of India
Rishikesh is known as the Capital of Yoga in the World. Both Indian and foreign tourists frequently come here in search of peace and spirituality. This holy land has something to offer everyone, from rafting in the Ganges rapids to meditating on ashrams. It is not surprising that Rishikesh has grown to be a popular holiday destination for people from all over the world. It has a long history of being a holy place and is dominated by the great Himalayas and has clean Ganga flowing through it. Its breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural legacy make it one of Uttarakhand’s famous places.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Popular Attractions: Triveni Ghat, Ram Jhula
Things to Do: river rafting, cliff jumping, bungee jumping, kayaking, see live aarti at ganga etc
Ideal Duration: A trip of 2 days is enough to explore Rishikesh at its best
How to Reach: The closest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It is advised to take the train to Haridwar and then either take a bus or call a taxi to get to Rishikesh because the city has a decent transport network and is a well-known tourist destination
Distance from Delhi: 253 Km
6. Dhanaulti: Discover this Little Paradise on Earth
Dhanaulti is a small, picturesque village close to Mussoorie that offers the ideal getaway. A charming hill town in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalayan range, it is well-known for its verdant slopes, clean air, a sense of serenity and seclusion, and stunning mountain views. This scenic treasure, which has gained much popularity, has plenty of charm in store for everyone. Dhanaulti is renowned for its stunning scenery and unspoiled beauty. It is a unique hill town in Uttarakhand with a tranquil atmosphere that is great for vacation planning.
Best Time to Visit: September to June
Popular Attractions: Surkanda Devi Temple, Tehri Dam
Things to Do: Trekking, camping, hiking, valley crossing, paragliding, mountain biking etc
Ideal Duration: In total of 2 days, you can explore this place with numerous of adventure activities
How to Reach: The best way to go to Dhanaulti is by car, so you can either rent a car or take a taxi. You can travel from Rishikesh to Dehradun to reach Dhanaulti as there is no direct route to reach dhanaulti
Distance from Delhi: 301 Km
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7. Jim Corbett National Park: A Safari Through Wilderness
Due to its abundance of flora and fauna, it's one of the famous places in Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most popular tourist's destinations. It is the country's second-largest Tiger reserve after the Sunderbans. The entire region is covered with grasslands, hills, marshy depressions, and river belts. All this adds to the list of best places to visit in Uttarakhand. It is home to the Royal Bengal Tigers, a large cat that attracts tourists from all around India and worldwide. Tourists continue to come to this location because of its special geographic location, which allows it to remain open all year.
Best Time to visit: Open for the whole year
Popular Attractions: Kosi River, Corbett Falls
Things to Do: Jeep safari, camping, river crossing rock climbing, bird watching etc
Ideal Duration: You might need 2 to 4 days for Jim Corbett as well as to explore the popular places nearby
How to Reach: The Jim Corbett Park is conveniently located close to India's National Capital City and is reachable via both rail and road
Distance from Delhi: 183 Km
8. Munsiyari: Explore the Panoramic View of Little Kashmir
A charming village called Munsiyari, one of the beautiful places in Uttarakhand, is situated in the Pithoragarh district of the state of Uttarakhand, tucked away among the snow-capped Himalayan hills. This soothing place offers breathtaking views of the beauty of nature. Munsiyari, which is also known as Little Kashmir due to its valley covered with the white sheet of snow in winter." Munsiyari is also a great place for those looking for adventure as they can go skiing or even on an exhilarating Snow Leopard Trek during the winter.
Best Time to Visit: Mid-September and October
Popular Attractions: Thamri Kund, Panchachuli Peaks
Thing to Do: Rafting in gori ganga river, skiing in Khalia top, trekking and bird watching
Ideal Duration: A total of 3 days is good enough to explore the vistas of this charming hill station
How to Reach: Both Tanakpur and Kathgodam, railways stations are close to Munsiyar but you need to access cab to reach munsiyari as stations are around 200 km away
Distance from Delhi: 612 Km
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9. Uttarkashi: Where Spirituality is Redefined
Uttarkashi is a very popular tourist destination situated along Gangotri's main thoroughfare. Another significant pilgrimage site is Gangotri. For all pilgrims, Uttarkashi is one of the ideal locations because of its serene beauty, which includes beautiful hills, remarkable natural beauty, old temples, and swift rivers. This location is considered heaven as Uttarkashi is serenely located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River where spirituality is redefined, making it one of the famous places of Uttarakhand.
Best Time to Visit: March to November
Popular Attractions: Gangotri, Gaumukh, Maneri Dam
Things to Do: Camping, trekking, mountain biking etc
Ideal Duration: About 2 days are great to explore this beautiful place
How to Reach: The nearest domestic airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun as well as Frequent buses and taxis are available to reach Uttarkashi via road
Distance from Delhi: 412 Km
10. Chopta: Places with Stunning Natural Vistas
One of the most amazing experiences might be trekking across the Himalayas in the winter while the mountains are covered with snow. Chopta Valley, one of Uttarakhand’s famous places, is regarded as the most impressive trek among all the others. This trek is one of the greatest to take part in winter because it is located in the breathtaking Kedarnath valley. Chopta is rich in flora and wildlife because of the diminishing pines, deodars, and other conifers that can be found in this area that surrounds this quiet home.
Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November
Popular Attractions: Tungnath, Chandrashila Trek
Thing to Do: Hike on Tungnath trek, camp at Medows, encounter the rare wildlife, trek to Bisuri Tal
Ideal Duration: 4 days are recommended for exploring its natural vistas in Chopta
How to Reach: The closest airport to Chopta is Jolly Grant airport, either a taxi or a bus must be used to complete the remaining distance. From Jolly Grant Airport, taxis are easily accessible
Distance from Delhi: 401 km
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11. Almora: A Charming Town Tucked Away in the Himalayas
Almora is a starting point for exploring one of the beautiful places in Uttarakhand, but it also has a lot more to offer. Stunning vistas of the snow, lush jungles, picture-perfect towns, rare temples, and pure rivers are all within walking distance of Almora. The enchanting hill town, which is well-known for its cultural richness. The snow-capped Himalayas stand in supreme grandeur to please the visitor from different places, adding to the beauty of the surroundings.
Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November
Popular Attractions: Ranikhet, Jageshwar Dham
Things to Do: Trek to point Zero, encounter wildlife, shop at thana bazar, picnic at Kalimath
Ideal Duration: 2 days are good enough to discover this charming place with breathtaking views
How to Reach: Almora is best reached by road because it is well connected to all significant North Indian towns as well as other hill stations
Distance from Delhi: 369 Km
The peaks are beckoning to you! These top places to visit in Uttarakhand will leave you awe-stuck. The ethereal environment of Uttarakhand in the Indian Himalayas includes shimmering streams, eye-catching meadows, imposing glaciers, and lakes that makes it most liked attraction in India for tourists. There are numerous options for travel, sight-seeing, adventure, and wildlife in each of these. This North Indian state has a lot of temples and hiking routes hence a popular tourist destination. Sounds exciting? What are you waiting for, then? On your next trip to Uttarakhand, visit and explore these picturesque hill stations. Book your Uttarakhand tour packages and explore this beloved land with your family and friends!
FAQs
Uttarakhand is accessible throughout the year. The state's mountains and meadows are alive with wildflowers and lush carpets of green in the summer, and excursions are not difficult.
It is difficult to single out a few "must visit" locations in Uttarakhand because the state offers a variety for everyone. Auli, Almora and Corbett national parks, Dehradun, and Mussoorie are a few notable locations.
The distance from Haridwar to Dehradun is around 51 km and you can simply travel via car or cab.
Here are the top destinations of Uttarakhand for an amazing vacation:
- Auli
- Almora
- Dhanaulti
- Dehradun
- Chopta
- Uttarkashi
About a week is sufficient and good enough to explore all of the popular destinations with the breathtaking beauty of this scenic state, Uttarakhand.
Weather in Dehradun can be expected moderate due to its proximity in Himalayas and though can be visited throughout the year.
Hiking, skiing, sky walking, cliff jumping, river rafting and crossing, camping and cable riding are some of the activities that Uttarakhand offers for a perfect vacation.
The town is well known for its many natural features as well as for having a pleasant climate all year round. Boating and sailing, as well as historic temples and structures, are just a few of Nainital's allurements.
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