100 Best Places To Travel in Uttarakhand That Everyone Must Explore Once

Why Uttarakhand is a Dream Destination for Nature Lovers

• Known as the “Land of Gods”

• Surrounded by the Himalayas

• Perfect for spiritual, adventure, and peaceful travel

• Offers a mix of temples, rivers, valleys, forests, and hill stations

Most Popular Hill Stations in Uttarakhand

• Nainital – Beautiful lake town with boating, zoo, and mall road

• Mussoorie – Queen of hills, great for couples and families

• Ranikhet – Peaceful town with apple orchards and army charm

• Almora – Rich in culture and local crafts

• Lansdowne – Clean, quiet, and full of nature

• Kausani – Known for wide Himalayan views

• Auli – Skiing paradise and cable car ride

Top Religious and Spiritual Places in Uttarakhand

• Kedarnath – One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, trekking required

• Badrinath – Part of Char Dham and spiritually powerful

• Haridwar – Ganga Aarti and bathing in the holy river

• Rishikesh – Yoga capital of the world, peaceful and spiritual

• Jageshwar Dham – Group of ancient temples in dense forest

• Yamunotri – Origin of Yamuna River, pilgrimage spot

• Gangotri – Start point of the sacred Ganga

Beautiful Lakes in Uttarakhand You Must See

• Naini Lake – Center of attraction in Nainital

• Bhimtal – Less crowded than Naini Lake

• Sattal – Group of 7 lakes, peaceful and untouched

• Naukuchiatal – Nine-cornered lake, perfect for kayaking

• Tehri Lake – Offers water sports and dam views

Adventure Travel Spots in Uttarakhand

• Rishikesh – River rafting, bungee jumping, zip-lining

• Auli – Best place for skiing in India

• Valley of Flowers – UNESCO site, full of colorful flowers

• Roopkund Trek – Mystery lake with skeletons

• Nag Tibba Trek – Easy beginner’s trek

• Chopta – Mini Switzerland of India and Tungnath trek

• Binsar – Wildlife sanctuary and Himalayan views

Hidden Villages and Offbeat Places in Uttarakhand

• Mana Village – Last Indian village near Indo-Tibet border

• Chaukori – Tea gardens and Himalayan peaks

• Munsiyari – Base for many treks and peaceful stay

• Pangot – Bird watchers’ heaven

• Khirsu – Surrounded by forests and silence

• Peora – Great for nature walks and organic farms

• Jharipani – Tiny hill village near Mussoorie

Famous Waterfalls in Uttarakhand

• Kempty Falls – Near Mussoorie, great picnic spot

• Tiger Falls – One of India’s highest direct waterfalls

• Corbett Falls – Surrounded by dense forest

• Sahastradhara – Healing sulphur springs near Dehradun

• Birthi Falls – Scenic stopover while going to Munsiyari

National Parks and Wildlife in Uttarakhand

• Jim Corbett National Park – Tiger sightings and jeep safaris

• Rajaji National Park – Elephants, birds, and leopards

• Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary – Dense forest with birds and deer

• Askot Sanctuary – Musk deer and Himalayan wildlife

Best Places for Snowfall in Uttarakhand

• Auli – Skiing and heavy snow in winters

• Munsiyari – White views of Panchachuli Peaks

• Chopta – Snow-trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila

• Dhanaulti – Quiet snowy escape from Mussoorie

• Dayara Bugyal – Snow-covered meadows perfect for trek

Cultural and Heritage Travel Spots

• Dwarahat – Ancient temple town

• Baijnath – Old stone temples by the river

• Katarmal Sun Temple – Historical and less known

• Patal Bhuvaneshwar – Underground limestone cave temple

• Dehradun – Mix of colonial history and modern lifestyle

Food You Must Try in Uttarakhand

• Aloo ke Gutke

• Kumaoni Raita

• Bhatt ki Churkani

• Chainsoo

• Gahat Dal

• Bal Mithai (sweet)

• Singodi (coconut sweet)

Handy Travel Tips for Uttarakhand

• Always check weather updates before travel

• Respect temple and local customs

• Pack warm clothes even in summer for high-altitude places

• Carry basic medicines for hills

• Avoid plastic usage and support eco-tourism

• Book stays in advance during Char Dham season

Suggested Travel Itineraries

3-Day Trip: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Mussoorie
5-Day Trip: Nainital → Kausani → Ranikhet
7-Day Adventure Trip: Rishikesh → Auli → Chopta → Badrinath
Family Tour: Dehradun → Mussoorie → Dhanaulti → Tehri
Backpacking Tour: Almora → Munsiyari → Pithoragarh

FAQs

Q1. What is the best time to visit Uttarakhand?
March to June and September to November are best for most places.

Q2. Is Uttarakhand safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, most tourist areas are safe, especially Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Nainital.

Q3. Can I find snowfall in Uttarakhand during December?
Yes, Auli, Munsiyari, and Chopta receive good snowfall in December.

Q4. Is Auli better than Manali for skiing?
Yes, Auli has better ski slopes and is less crowded than Manali.

Q5. Are there budget-friendly places to stay in Uttarakhand?
Yes, homestays, hostels, and small hotels are available in most towns and villages.

Also Read: Swarnagiri Temple: A Religious and Historical Place

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