Northern India has emerged as one of the top destinations to be visited by tourists all year round. Ranging from high-rise mountains, lush green fields, and enchanting snow-capped mountains to picturesque flower valleys, it has a lot to offer to tourists who are open enough to explore themselves, and one such place to visit in northern India is definitely the land of the gods, i.e., Uttarakhand.
With the majestic presence of the Himalayan ranges and the nth number of hill stations, Uttarakhand has a lot in store for those who want to visit here, offering the sublime and serene beauty of the mountains, with myriad displays of lakes, temples, valleys, and caves. The beauty of Uttarakhand has a lot to offer.
The holy Char Dhams, and many such ancient places here; this is also perfect tourist spot to visit with one family and friends.
Want to visit Uttarakhand? Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand for a fun-filled vacation!
MUSSOORIE
One place in Uttarakhand that needs no introduction has to be Mussoorie, described in the most romantic way possible through the novel of the great writer, Ruskin Bond, which made this place immortal in the hearts of every book lover. The beauty of this place has been used so many times as the backdrop of his novels, which feels no less than living in the place as the main protagonist.
Also known as the “Queen of the Hills,” Mussoorie’ s history dates back to the 19th century when the ruling East India Company made this place a holiday paradise to relax in the hills.
Located at a distance of about 40 km from the capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, Mussoorie is a very beautiful and picturesque hill station. Once you visit Mussoorie, you can also visit the monasteries, national parks, and Kempty Falls.
RANIKHET
Located in the district of Almora, Uttarakhand. Ranikhet is one of the most popular destinations among tourists. This little paradise is blessed with an immense amount of beauty and some of the most scenic places you will ever see in your life. This place is a perfect way to detoxify yourself in the lap of nature and soothe your heart away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The climate of Ranikhet remains tropical all year round, and you can visit this place any time of the year. This place experiences an average temperature of about 19.8-degree Celsius and the best time to visit Ranikhet is either between March and June or September to November when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
If you are looking for some spiritual experience, then you must visit the Haidakhan temple, Dunagiri temple, Upat Kalika temple, and the Jhula Devi temple. Chaubatia gardens Are one of the most famous places in Ranikhet, where you can just chill, relax and leisure with your friends and family.
The scenic place offers an amazing view of the quaint Himalayas and has an incredibly peaceful environment. It also has some of the most beautiful thick and dense forests with cascading waterfalls, alluring the visitors with this never-ending beauty.
AULI
Also known as the skiing capital of India, Auli is a hill station located in the Garhwal region in the state of Uttarakhand. From the plethora of names of hill stations located in the region, Auli stands true to its meaning of “meadows”.
This particular hill station is located on the slopes and offers an enchanting view of the lush green meadows and surrounding hills. Auli is a place where nature truly comes alive in its full glory. The cherry on top is the weather of this place, which stays moderate most of the time during the year.
The slopes here are as high as 9000 feet above sea level and give a breathtaking view of the surrounding Himalayan peaks such as the Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, and Mana Parvat. The hill station also has a huge number of wildflowers and trees like deodars, oak, pine, and some coniferous trees.
Auli artificial lake is yet another attraction for visitors. It is one of the highest man-made lakes. Also, Chaturkund and Chenab are two more lakes which are worth visiting in Auli.
TEHRI GARHWAL
Tehri Garhwal is a beautiful and mesmerizing district in the state of Uttarakhand. With countless numbers of temples present here, this place is very famous for its spiritual significance. Every year, pilgrims flock here in huge numbers to seek solace and to feel spiritual energy. It is a place where the Ganga arrives in its original form at Devprayag, and the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi also merge over here.
Tehri experiences tropical weather most of the time of the year, and the average annual temperature over here is around 15.3 degrees Celsius. The temperature drops by 10 to -10 degrees Celsius during the winter. Hence, summer (March-May) is an apt time to visit Tehri since the weather remains quite pleasant during this time.
The calm and tranquil places offer you an immense amount of serenity, hence unwinding you from the toxic day-to-day life, it has some of the most scenic forests where you can see a large variety of flora and fauna. Its hilly terrain and cascading rivers make you feel like you are in paradise.
The top tourist attraction which lures visitors to Tehri is the Tehri dam, which is “Asia's largest and highest dam." Chamba is also yet another popular destination that offers a serene and tranquil view of the majestic Himalayas, accompanied by a breathtaking view of the Bhagirathi River. So, if you are planning a trip to Uttarakhand, don't forget to visit Tehri.
LANSDOWNE
A town situated in the Pauri district of Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is well known for its pine timberlands and the rich history of Garhwal rifles. A quaint hill station perched at an elevation of 1700m above sea level, Lansdowne offers you a plethora of memorable experiences and memories. Covered with thick-oak forests, mesmerizing hills, and spellbinding views, there is so much to see and explore in Lansdowne.
Lansdowne's close proximity to Jim Corbett National Park makes it an ideal site for bird-watching and nature walks. You can also see some of the creatures that belong to this area, such as tigers, sambhar, barking deer, hog deer, and porcupines.
You can also do some trekking on the treacherous hills of Lovers Jane and explore the market of the Lansdowne main market to visit some of the very famous temples such as the Durga Devi temple and the Jwalpa Devi. There is an immense amount of beauty to be explored in Lansdowne.
KAUSANI
If you love to explore places that are not that crowded yet very serene and enchanting, Kausani is your destination. Located in the Bagewhwar district of Uttarakhand, Kausani is a beautiful small hill station. Kausani is one of the places in Uttrakhand you must visit in the summer season because of the majestic and panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Panchchuli.
The place is perfect for couples and newlyweds to spend some quality time together and enjoy beautiful sunsets. The melodious chirping of birds wakes you up in the morning, and the scenic views of the meadows, grasslands, and valleys keep you bewildered in this place.
The best time to visit Kausani in summer has to be April to June, but if you want to make a visit in the winter season, the best months are September to December.
If you want to have some moments solely with your partner or loved one, do visit Kausani. You won't regret it.
CHOPTA
Also known as the “mini-Switzerland of India”, Chopta is one of the least explored hamlets in Uttarakhand. At an elevation of about 2680m from the sea, Chopta is an absolute delight to visit. It is considered one of the very hill-station which will tempt you for life. With a balanced blend of adventure and peace, it almost suits everyone's taste. Chopta is also very famous for providing a base point for the famous treks of Tungnath and Chandrshilla.
Chopta is one of the most beautiful hill stations to visit in Uttarakhand. This very unexplored region is the perfect destination for nature lovers as well as adventure junkies. From trekking, rock climbing, camping and spotting rare Himalayan wildlife, this place is quite fun to experience.
One of the very famous highlights of Chopta is the 1000-year-old Tungnath temple, one of the highest Shiva temples in the world, including other historic temples such as Kalimath, Ukhimath, and Omkar Ratneshawar Mahadev. In its true nature, Chopta is a beautiful place covered in emerald green meadows with 1000-year-old mystic temples invoking a true sense of mysticism.
NAINITAL
When talking about Uttarakhand how can we forget one of the most popular hill stations Of Uttarakhand i.e the lake city “Nainital” quilted in the Kumaon foothills, Nainital is a beautiful retreat at an elevation of about 2000m.
Once very popular and famous for its weather among the Britishers, Nainital is still very captivating and scenic in its nature. From Naini lake to Raj Bhawan and mall road, there is so much to explore here.
The weather, especially in summer, is to die for. If you want to visit Uttarakhand to chill and relax, you must visit Nainital. The weather around summer is not quite hot, giving you a very nice and calm vibe away from the scorching heat of the main cities. Also, there are many picturesque views and famous cafes and attractions to experience.
Uttarakhand has a lot to offer, from snow-clad mountains to lush green meadows sparkling in the sunshine, you name it and Uttarakhand has it. So, if you are planning to visit Uttarakhand, plan your trip according to your taste and experience the true sense of paradise on earth.
BINSAR
From the orison of mesmerizing orchards, mumbling streams and enchanting picturesque views, Binsar is a beautiful erstwhile valley situated at an elevation of 2,420 m. Binsar is an ideal destination for every nature lover; an ideal getaway for every bird watcher and nature lover. The former summer capital of the Chand dynasty monarchs, who ruled Kumaon from the 7th to the 18th century AD. Binsar has been popular ever since.
This sleepy hamlet has a breathtaking view of the Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Shivling, and Panchachuli. The common belief among the localities is that Binsar is named after the Bineshwar Mahadev temple, a16th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Travellers can also pay a visit to the complex of Jageshwar, one of the 12 jyotirlingas located about 50 km from Binsar. The best time to visit Binsar is between March and June or October to December to enjoy the sole soothing beauty of this sleepy town.
RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK
Named after C. Rajagopachari (Rajaji), a prominent leader of the freedom struggle, the second and last governor-general of independent India and one of the first recipients of the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. The Rajaji National Park is an Indian national park and tiger reserve that encompasses the Shivaliks near the foothills of the Himalayas.
Spread over 820km, the Rajaji national park is most famous for its elephant population. Located at the Himalayan foothills, near Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, and Dehradun the park includes three districts of Uttarakhand.
In 1983, three sanctuaries in Uttarakhand- Rajaji, Motichur, and Chilla were amalgamated together and named Rajaji National Park, a large protected area. The best time to visit Rajaji national park is between November and June. The park is closed during the monsoon.
PITHORAGARH
An idyllic hill station, Pithoragarh is an ideal destination for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day life. Situated in the easternmost district of Uttarakhand in north India, at an elevation of about 1,630 meters above sea level, Pithoragarh is also known as the “little Kashmir” because of its one-kind beauty and exquisite scenery.
Pithoragarh has a lot of historical importance too. It had been one of the major centers of power during the rule of the Chand kings of Kumaon. It is also home to some of the holiest shrines in Hindu culture, such as Mansarovar and Kailash. You also get an amazing view of the snowcapped mountains of Nanda Devi, Panchachuli, and Appi in Nepal from the top of Chandak Hill, located at a height of 2000 metres.
While summer is bliss in Pithoragarh, winters are extremely chilly, so the best time to visit Pithoragarh is between the months of April to November to make the most of your trip.