Here Are The Most Loved Tourist Destinations In Uttarakhand

Famous as the “Devbhumi” or ‘land of the Gods’ due to numerous Hindu temples and pilgrim centers found throughout the state, Uttarakhand is equally famous for its natural environment and scenic beauty of the Himalayas, the Bhabar, and the Terai regions. Undoubtedly the state of Uttarakhand is one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists be it for religious fervour or an invigorating vacation & adventure sightseeing. Among the many places to visit in Uttarakhand, a few have been selected here just for you to get the best lifetime experience of this Himalayan state. 

Let Us Take A Look At The 9 Must-Visit Places In Uttarakhand

Rishikesh

Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas along the banks of River Ganga, Rishikesh is one of the most sought-after tourist places in Uttarakhand that provides almost everything from spirituality, yoga retreats, temple hopping, and adventure activities to nightlife. If you enjoy trekking up in the hills, and water sports like river rafting Rishikesh is the place for you.

A visit here will let you practice Yoga Asanas with a perfect backdrop of the mighty Himalayas at Swarg Ashram or go for a jungle safari at the Rajaji National Park. But do not forget to experience the thrill of swaying over the crystal clear Ganga from the Ram and Laxman Jhula. For those of you who wish to experience spirituality, Triveni Ghat is the place to visit for Ganga Aarti. Pay homage to Lord Shiva at Neelkantha Mahadev Temple, one of the famous and sacred places in Uttarakhand. You will find Rishikesh one of the most happening places that will never cease to amuse you with a blend of tranquillity and adventure.

Chopta

Popularly referred to as the ‘mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand’ Chopta at a distance of 162 km from Rishikesh, tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. Chopta offers you an all-year holiday destination with its pleasant summer, rain-fresh monsoon, and snow-clad dreamy land in winter. You will love this serene hill station with lush valleys very popular for camping, trekking, and bird watching. You can see over 240 species of birds here, including native and migratory species like Himalayan monal, Himalayan swiftlet, griffon, scarlet finch, hill partridge, and many more.

Chopta is home to one of the best treks in Uttarakhand. It is the base point for a 3 Km trek to Tugnath Temple which is the highest Shiva shrine in the world. You can trek a further 1 Km from Tugnath to reach Chandrashila summit located at a dizzying altitude of 4020 meters for enjoying a stunning view of the gigantic Himalayan peaks including, Nanda Devi, Trishul,  Bandarpunch, and Chaukhamba that is sure to give you a never before experience.

Mussoorie

Known as the “Queen of Hills” Mussoorie located at a distance of 38 km from Dehradun is full of scenic views and beautiful landscape that makes this place one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. It is a popular weekend destination and has well-developed facilities for the convenience of tourists. You can take a cable car to Gun Hill for a panoramic view of the surroundings and the Himalayas. Laze around enjoying a nature walk along Camel’s Back Road or go out for a fun-filled picnic at Kempty Falls. You can also enjoy boating on Lake Mist or go trekking and camping at Nag Tibba for a great outdoor experience. Mussoorie with its natural splendour, stunning waterfalls, and impressive colonial architecture will never fail to satisfy your cravings and you would want to return again and again.

Nainital

Named after Naini Lake the city of Nainital also known as the City of Lakes is one of the most popular and romantic places to visit in Uttarakhand. Situated at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas with snow-covered mountains in the backdrop and the scenic beauty of lovely lakes, lush flora around this serene hill station immediately catches your fancy for experiencing memorable moments in your life. Popular among honeymooners, while at Nainital, never miss the romantic boat rides or yachting on the lake. You can spend the day trying angling or opt for an enjoyable ride in the cable car. Other attractions of this tourist place in Uttarakhand are Naina Peak, Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, Eco Cave Gardens, and snow viewpoint which is there for you to explore and be delighted.

The Jim Corbett National Park

Located in Nainital district and Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India and one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. With a span area of over 520 square kilometers, the Park comprises hills, marshy depressions, riverine belts, grasslands, and a large lake and is the best place to explore the implausible wildlife of India. You can choose from a wide variety of safari rides offered by Jim Corbett National Park that include elephant safari, jeep safari, canter safari, and so on. These tours are all well equipped with loads of fun and you are sure to enjoy and experience a lot about wildlife.

Almora

Situated on a ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand, Almora is a bewitching hill station known for its cultural diversity. Almora is one of the famous places in Uttarakhand for its alluring beauty, panoramic view of the Himalayas, rich cultural heritage unique handicrafts, and delicious cuisines. It is one of the business hubs of the Kumaon region and has several shopping centers which also include the 200-year-old Lala Bazaar thronged by numerous tourists every year. Almora offers you a vast array of activities to test your strength and endurance like rock climbing, Burma Bridge, Spider Web, and so on. You can also enjoy the fun of cycling with family and friends through the dense forest area of Binsar Wildlife. Before you head home pick up some apparel made from Angora wool, popular in Almora.

Badrinath

Badrinath lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The Badrinath Temple, also known as the Badrinarayan Temple is situated here which draws a large number of pilgrims each year. With Lord Vishnu as its presiding deity, the temple remains open for six months in a year. In winter it becomes inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. Because of the religious fervour of devotees, Badrinath is one of the famous places in Uttarakhand that a large number of people from all over the world visit every year. Combining your religious pilgrimage with sightseeing you can enjoy the amazing scenic beauty of the place or explore the beauty of Vasundhara Falls. Trekking and sightseeing in Badrinath is as delightful an experience as being one with the deities in this serene land.

Auli

Also known as Auli Bughayal, which means “meadow” is located in the Chamoli district in the Himalayan Mountains of Uttarakhand. Auli is a hiking and Ski destination and is one of the popular tourist places in Uttarakhand. The name meadow follows from the fact that the valley between June to October has one of the highest numbers of flower species found anywhere in the world with 520 species of high-altitude plants of which 498 are flowering plants.

Auli is surrounded by coniferous and oak forests with a panoramic view of the peaks of the Himalayas. The slopes of the hills here are intended for skiers both professionals and novices. If you love winter sports Auli is the destination for you as it is the skiing capital of India. Auli is also famous for its ropeways which are the highest and longest in Asia and offers magnificent views of the Himalayan peaks.

Haridwar

Haridwar located on the banks of River Ganga in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand is considered to be among the seven holiest cities in India and one of the famous places in Uttarakhand visited by pilgrims from far and wide. You can visit the various temples here with unique features of their own but do not miss the Ganga Aarti held at the river ghat, Har ki Pauri every evening with a million tiny flickering lamps being floated in the river amidst sounds of bells and devotional chanting. You can enjoy a boat ride or take the ropeway to Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi. Before returning home do enjoy the delicious food at the famous Chotiwala for a delightful experience.

Also Read: Why You Should Visit Mana, A Paradise in Uttarakhand

Have A Unique And Unforgettable Experience

Uttarakhand has many more destinations inviting you for a lifetime unique experience so be prepared to be drawn to this wonderful state of India again and again. We would love to hear about your travel stories to Uttarakhand. Let us know in the comments below.