Uttarakhand is a scenic wonder and spiritually uplifting. It is also called Devbhoomi or a land of Gods. It is indeed Godly and you can witness raw nature and some of the holiest places in Hinduism during your journey to Uttarakhand. This complete ‘Uttarakhand Travel Guide’ is aimed at helping you make best use of your time and resources to enjoy the scenic wonder of Uttarkhand to the fullest.
Uttarakhand is to the Northeast of Delhi, while it borders Nepal and Tibet and together form a beautiful landscape in the Himalayas. The mountains of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions rise from the fertile sub-Himalayan plains and for two major sub-division of Uttarakhand.
The region has its own distinct languages and cultures, and successive deep river valleys shelter fascinating micro-civilizations, where Hinduism and Buddhism meet animism.
The snow peaks here rank among the most beautiful mountains of the inner Himalayas, forming an almost continuous chain that culminates in Nanda Devi, the highest mountain in India at 7816m.
Garhwal is the more visited region, busy with pilgrims who flock to its holy spots. At Haridwar, the Ganges thunders out from the foothills on its long journey to the sea. The nearby ashram town of Rishikesh is familiar from one of the classic East-meets-West images of the 1960s; it was where the Beatles came to stay with the Maharishi.
From here pilgrims set off for the high temples of Char Dham – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri, the source of the Ganges. Earthier pursuits are on offer at Mussoorie, a British hill station and now a popular Indian resort.
The less-visited Kumaon region remains largely unspoilt, and boasts pleasant small towns with panoramic mountain views, among them Kausani, Ranikhet, and the tiny hamlet of Kasar Devi, as well as the Victorian hill station of Nainital, where a lakeside promenade throngs with visitors escaping the heat of the plains. Further down, the forests at Corbett Tiger Reserve offer the chance to go tiger-spotting atop an elephant. Both districts abound in classic treks, many leading through bugyals – summer pastures, where rivers are born and paths meet.
Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand-Uttarakhand Travel Guide
Uttarakhand is good to visit all year round except the monsoon periods, especially for higher locations. During monsoons (lJuly/August), heavy rains bring landslides, causing long transport delays, while snowfall in winter may lead to roadblocks.
Summers are mostly pleasant, especially in the hills, famous hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital can get crowded in May/June.
Must Visit Places in Uttarakhand-Uttarakhand Travel Guide
The most important aspect of any travel
1. Char Dham Yatra
This is one of the most spiritually satisfying and pleasing journey you can experience anywhere in the world. The spiritual destinations are breathtakingly beautiful and the destinations are full or greenery, flowers and wild. The pilgrim circuit to the four sacred sites of Garhwal region in Uttarakhand reveals a cross-section of the Indian Himalayas’ most superb scenery.
2. Haridwar
Haridwar is a beautiful abode of Hinduism
The spectacular nightly Aarti ceremony in one of India’s holiest cities sees thousands of devotees floating lamps down the Ganges.
3. Rishikesh
This busy pilgrimage place on the banks of the icy Ganges is a renowned yoga and meditation centre. We have a travel guide for Rishikesh which you can refer to know the place better
4. Gangotri
Gangotri the origin of Ganga river in Uttarakhand
Trek beyond the tree line to Gaumukh Glacier, source of the Ganges, where sadhus offer accommodation for spiritual retreats.
5. The Valley of Flowers
The lush meadows of this remote, hidden valley are a botanist’s dream: come in monsoon season to see the flowers in full bloom.
6. Kuari Pass trek
A five-day trail through the upper reaches of Garhwal, offering stunning views of the Great Himalayan Watershed.
7. Jim Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park was established in the 1930s, It is India’s most well known nature reserve is renowned for its population of endangered tigers.