Boasting of enchanting views of the Himalayas, and cultural ethos that speaks of simplistic living amidst nature and harmony – Uttarakhand is a land of sublime natural beauty and serene spirituality. And to top it, is the availability of numerous can’t miss experiences ranging from water sports to the ashrams where you can connect with your inner self.
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Uttarakhand has everything in store for any tourist who is daring enough to face heights of the Himalayas, crazy enough to sail on the snow, and keen enough to explore himself/herself. With some magnificent places to visit in Uttarakhand, there’s no reason you should be a part of the urban grind for more than 2 months at a stretch!
DEHRADUN AND MUSSOORIE:
The capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun has a picturesque location with a beautiful view of the Himalayan ranges and river Ganga flowing on either side of the city. Mussoorie is located at a distance of about 38 km from Dehradun. It is praised to be the ‘Queen of Hills’ and attracts many tourists every year to visit famous Uttarakhand destinations which also makes this the most beautiful places in Uttarakhand. This place is Ideal for Peace lovers, honeymooners, family and friends. This place can be visited all around the year.
Places to visit in Dehradun Itself are the National Parks, Lakes, Kempty Falls, Benog Hill & Jwalaji Temple, Monastery, Resorts and Forest research institute in Dehradun.
NAINITAL AND RANIKHET:
One of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand and a popular getaway for couples and families is Nainital. Located by the famous Naini Lake in the valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides where one can enjoy majestic vistas of nature here. Plus, there is plenty to explore with some interesting tourist places in Nainital. Also these are two of the places to visit in Uttarakhand in monsoon!
It is also known for trekkers to trek up the green mountains. This place is visited by Honeymoon couples, office goers, couples and families too and can be visited all around the year.
Jim Corbett – Wildlife Heaven:
If you’re looking for famous Uttarakhand tourist places then this pace is a must visit. Formerly known as Haley’s National Park, Jim Corbett was established in 1938 and attracts visitors for its Royal Bengal Tigers.
The park is home to some 600 species of birds, an equal number of animals and around 488 different types of plants and trees and is amongst the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. Jim Corbett organises safaris and hiking trails through the dense forest’s buffer zones all through the year. The Safari tour also remains one of the best things to do in Jim Corbett. This is the place for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and nature lovers.
This place can be visited all-year round, except Monsoon (June to August) and one can explore Elephant rides, elephant safaris, Jeep safaris, photography, and unplanned excursions.
Rishikesh and Haridwar-Adventure Capital:
These are the must visit places in Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is the adventure capital of India and Haridwar is the pilgrimage capital of India. Haridwar is a place where tourists get enchanted by the rustic touch and spiritual energy of the place and its surroundings. Rishikesh is considered to be one of the best exotic places to visit in Uttarakhand. Some of the thrilling things to do in Rishikesh include river rafting, bungee jumping, mountain biking and many more.
It is suitable for everyone – friends, couples and families and can be visited at all times round the year except monsoons.
Things to do here are taking part in the Ganga aarti in Haridwar, a holy dip in the river Ganga, going for a boat ride, eating the local delicacies and talking to the spiritual gurus. Visit the ashrams in Rishikesh; go for water sports adventures in Rishikesh and trekking up in the hills.
Almora- Famous offbeat places:
From Uttarakhand points of interest, Almora is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Uttarakhand, especially in summer to escape the heat. The picturesque views of Almora are especially recommended to the mountain lovers. The romantic destination allures you with its magnificent beauty. This is one of the most wonderful places in Uttarakhand.
Lans downe- Picnic Destination:
The cantonment town of Lansdowne was founded by the Viceroy of India, during the British period and is considered to be the best in terms of Uttarakhand points of interest The city is known for its serene and quiet atmosphere. It is mainly a picnic destination for those who wish to have a quiet time in the hills. Other popular things to do in Lansdowne are trekking, camping and nature walk.
Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib – Paradise for nature lovers
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Uttarakhand is the Valley of flowers. For those who admire the beauty of nature, the valley of flowers near Hemkund Sahib is a paradise. Other than that, it is a great place for trekking. Hemkund Sahib is a holy place for the Sikh community and amongst the best Uttarakhand Destinations.
It is ideally suitable for family- friends and couples too, one can Trek to Hemkund Sahib for spiritual worship.
Chardham(Yamnotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath):
This place has a lot to explore, if you are thinking of a vacation, this place brings a trek with spiritual journey. It is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites according to the Hindu mythology. Badrinath and Gangotri are accessible by road. The remaining two destinations of Kedarnath and Yamunotri require extensive trekking. There’s also a Himalaya Darshan helicopter service that allows people to cover the trip in two days. Nearby railway station is at Rishikesh. From there on, tourists will have to hire a vehicle or bus service to reach the site.
UttarKashi- Quaint Hill Town:
This is one of the younger parts of Uttrakhand, Uttarkashi is one of the most visited sites due to its religious relevance. The religious site houses two of the total four holy shrines of Hindu mythology. This is not all, the entire place also boasts of natural beauty and opportunities for trekking and other adventure activities. You can also visit the lakes here which are in large numbers.
This place is a must-visit to rejuvenate yourself inside out. It is not only for religious travelers but also attracts non religious tourists due to the various adventure activities it offers. Also Visit Dodital Lake, Nachiketa Lake, Shakti Temple and enjoy trekking.
Chamoli- Abode of Gods:
Chamoli is popularly known as the ‘abode of Gods’. Famous for its shrines, temples and connections with Hindu mythology and stories — Chamoli is also the town that sparked off the famous Chipko movement.
The place is frequented by tourists for its villages and rich Garhwali traditions.
Here one can do trekking, sightseeing, photography, skiing, and cable car ride.
Joshimath- Religious Hub for Hindus:
This is one of the best hill towns that can be found enveloped within the awe-striking Himalayas covered with snow. Lying at an altitude of 6,000 feet, this is one of the cold places to visit in Uttarakhand. You can even go for trekking from here to the Valley of Flowers that is closeby. There’s a major mythological significance attached to this place that is associated with the Hindu text of Atharva Veda.
Madhyamaheshwar- Fourth Temple of Panch Kedar
This is one of the places in Uttarakhand that are a blend of mysticism and picturesqueness. This place is well known for the Madhyamaheshwar Temple that has been established specially for the Lord Shiva. The whole village comes to pray at this temple. This place is best for getting enlightenment on the culture inculcated in the hamlets of Uttarakhand. There are strong spiritual vibes that can be felt in this part of Uttarakhand owing to the presence of Madhyamaheshwar Temple.
Guptakashi- Temple Town
Located at a distance of 47 kms from Kedarnath, Guptakashi has an enchanting view of the snow-covered peaks of Chaukhamba mountains and certainly one of the best tourist places in Uttarakhand.
The town is a perfect destination for a vacay housing two ancient temples namely Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ardhnareshwar Temple. The place has great religious significance attracting pilgrims from far across. Another popular destination in town is Manikarnik Kund.
Gaumukh- Holy Land:
If you’re looking for the best Uttarakhand tourist places, Gaumukh is one of the holiest lands of Uttrakhand. It is not a tourist town but a trekking destination located within Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It got its name Gaumukh as the end of the Gangotri glacier is in the shape of a cow’s mouth. It is loved by both religious traveller and trek lover too.
Rudraprayag- Land of Meeting:
Resting at the confluence of River Alaknanda and River Mandakini, Rudraprayag is considered one of the sacred places out of one of the Panch Prayags. Located in Uttarakhand, this beautiful town holds a surreal charm and spiritual vibes to enjoy a peaceful getaway.
Here it is said that after taking a dip in holy water one can get fruit of visiting both Badrinath and Kedarnath.
Devprayag- The Holy land:
Marked by the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, Devprayag is a religious place that is quite famous as a pilgrimage and also considered to one of the most beautiful places in Uttarakhand. Located at the Himalayan ranges, Devprayag is surrounded by ancient temples and lush greenery. Holding a strong religious importance.
Rajaji National Park:
A famous tourist attraction in Uttarakhand, this national park is home to elephants and tigers along with a rich flora and fauna. This national park is sprawling across a 34 km jungle. It is surrounded by the Shivalik ranges and a favourite haunt for wildlife and animal lovers.
It is accessible from Haridwar, Garhwal and Dehradun via many buses and taxis. Dehradun is just 21 km away from the park whereas Haridwar is around 43 km. You can also take a taxi.
Patal Bhuvaneshwar:
A paradise that is hidden away amidst the majestic Himalayas, it lies at a height of 1350 m above sea level and is ideal for a spiritual retreat. It is famous for a Shiva Temple that carries lots of myths and devotees love to visit the temple.
Tungnath- An Ancient Holy Town:
Tungnath is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand especially for the spiritual travellers. Tungnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be more than 1000 years old. Other than being a popular destination among the pilgrims, it also offers gorgeous trekking trails and other famous attractions to explore.
It is mainly known for its Spiritual importance, but one can trek to this place also.
These are some of the best places one can visit in Devbhoomi(Uttarakhand) which offers beauty with spirituality.