Uttarakhand Tourism

About Uttarakhand Tourism

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is the state in India one can easily fall in love with. The surreal landscape that comprises lofty Himalayas, glistening streams, eye-catching meadows, imposing glaciers and surreal lakes, all make Uttarakhand a coveted tourist destination in Indian Himalayas. The state is divided into two regions: Garhwal and Kumaon. Each of these offers plenty of opportunities for tourism, sightseeing, adventure and wildlife. Dotted with sacred Hindu temples and trekking trails, this North Indian state is a travel destination where along with seeking the blessing of the Almighty, one can indulge in adventure and recreational activities.

Plenty of adventure to be had!

For those who seek adventure tourism, Uttarakhand offers some incredible trekking, mountain climbing, and white-water rafting opportunities. Uttarakhand is one of the best trekking destinations in India, with the famous treks in Uttarakhand are Auden’s Col, Kalindi Khal, Nag Tibba, Bedni Bugyal, Valley of Flowers, Chopta Chandrashila and many more.

Skiing enthusiasts also have a lot to look forward to in Uttarakhand, with Auli being one of the top skiing destinations in India. Camping is another popular adventure activity, with the top camping destinations being Jharipani, Dhanaulti, Kanatal and Corbett National Park.

Peak climbing enthusiasts can enjoy scaling the mountain peaks in the Garhwal Himalayas in both the Garhwal & Kumaon region, with the most climbed mountain peaks being Hathi Parbat, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Kedar Dome and Bandarpoonch.

Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, Mussoorie and Pithoragarh are the top places where you can enjoy paragliding. Mountain biking in Uttarakhand is enjoyed at destinations like Rishikesh, Chopta and Lansdowne.

River Rafting Adventure in Uttarakhand

When it comes to river rafting, Rishikesh is the most popular destination in Uttarakhand. It is a famous river rafting destination in Uttarakhand since it offers various stretches and grades on the River Ganga. Both amateur and advanced rafting enthusiasts can enjoy river rafting in Rishikesh. There are four river rafting grades in Rishikesh: Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV.

The main stretch of white water rafting starts from Kaudilaya and ends at Laxman Jhula, consisting of 13 major rapids and taking 8-9 hours. The course is dotted with several whirlpools and crosses sandy beaches like Byasi, Marine Drive, Shivpuri, and Brahmpuri. The course consists of 13 major and challenging rapids that ranges from grade II and III to IV+, with the most famous ones being Denial Dip, The Wall, Black Money, Cross Fire, Three Blind Mice, Return to Sender, Roller Coaster, Golf Course, Club House, Double Trouble, Hilton and Terminator.

The first stretch from Marine Drive to Kaudilaya is about 9-10 kilometers, with rapids ranging from grade III to IV+. The second stretch of 11 kilometers takes approximately 2-3 hours and is from Marine Drive to Shivpuri. Some of the popular rapids that you will be tackling in this stretch include Black Money, Cross Fire and Three Blind Mice that ranges from grade II to III+. The third stretch from Shivpuri to Brahmpuri that covers a distance of another 10-11 kilometers and takes approximately 2-3 hours combats rapids similar to rapids of the Marine Drive to Shivpuri stretch. The major rapids on this stretch are Return to Sender, Roller Coaster, Golf Course and Club House.

The final stretch from Brahmpuri to Rishikesh, which is also the easiest, throws rapids like Double Trouble, Hilton and Terminator, which ranges from grade I to II+, at you.

The peak season for river rafting in Rishikesh is March, but it can also be enjoyed from mid September to early December, as after that the water starts turning extremely cold.

Battling the rapids with white water rafting in Uttarakhand can also be enjoyed in River Tons (Grade I to IV), Alaknanda and Bhagirathi (Grade IV to V rapids) and Damta to Yamuna Bridge.

Uttarakhand, aptly called Devbhoomi, where spirituality abounds!

Rightly called Devbhoomi, meaning, the land of the gods, Uttarakhand is where the spiritual aura is prominent. The state is home to a large number of Hindu temples that are situated in its remote corners. There are several holy rivers like the River Ganga which make it a sacred pilgrimage destination as well. Haridwar is one of the top pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand and serves as the Gateway to the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand. Har Ki Pauri is a major religious attraction in Uttarakhand.

The Kumbh Mela is held in Haridwar in Uttarakhand once every 12 years. The state is also home to the Panch Badri, Panch Kedar and Panch Prayag. All of these are important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus and attract a large number of devotees each year. Each of these places are also associated with the mythologies in Hinduism, and hence, are extremely significant spiritually for the Hindus. These religious places are also blessed with spectacular natural beauty, so you can also enjoy the surreal beauty of Uttarakhand along with a spiritual experience.

Panch Badri is a total of 5 holy places where Lord Badri, a form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped under 5 different names, which are: Vishal Badri (Badrinath), Yogdhan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Vridha Badri and Adi Badri. All of these religious destinations are visited by a large number of devotees of Lord Vishnu from all across the country. Badrinath Temple is the main temple of Lord Vishnu, and is one of the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. It is situated at an elevation of almost 10,279 feet. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu, who has a black granite statue in the temple. The deity is believed by Hindus to be one of the eight self manifested deities of Lord Vishnu.

Panch Kedar, which comprises five temples, are located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, and all of them are major pilgrimage destinations. The five temples are Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. The Kedarnath Temple is also a Jyotirlingas and is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. All of the religious places in Panch Kedar are dedicated to Lord Shiva, and attract devotees of Lord Shiva as well as other tourists from all over the country. There are also mentioned in several mythologies in Hinduism, one of which links their origins to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Indian epic, Mahabharata.

Uttarakhand is also the holy land of Panch Prayag, which refers to the Five Confluences which occur at Vishnu Prayag, Nanda Prayag, Karn Prayag, Devprayag and Rudraprayag, to form the River Ganga. The Panch Prayag is respected by millions of Hindus because it is one of the holiest confluences in India, after Allahabad. It is believed that taking a dip in the confluences cleanses the body, mind and spirit, and takes an individual closer to mukti or liberation.

The famous Char Dham Yatra is a major pilgrimage for Hindus in Uttarakhand. The Char Dham refers to the four pilgrimage destinations, which are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It starts from Yamunotri, then proceeds to Gangotri and Kedarnath and finally ends at Badrinath. The state is also home to Sikh pilgrimage destinations like Hemkund Sahib, located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is the highest gurudwara in India.

Spot rare & exotic Himalayan wildlife & other animals!

Uttarakhand, located in the lap of the Himalayas, has some of the best high altitude wildlife parks and national sanctuaries in India. In these wildlife hotspots, you get to see rare and exotic Himalayan wildlife, which is not usually seen in other parts of the country. The state is also home to the third largest population of Royal Bengal Tigers in India. There are rare flora & fauna species like snow leopards and Brahma Kamal.

The state’s Valley of Flowers National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to more than 500 species of flowering plants which come to life in the monsoon season (June-September). This treasure trove of fauna was unknown to the world before 1931, when the famous mountaineer, Frank S Smith, discovered it. The Brahma Kamal flower, which is found only in the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, can be seen in the Valley of Flowers National Park. It is a rare flower species which also finds a mention in several epics of Hinduism. The flower is considered to be a medicinal herb in Tibetan medicine. It is also the state flower of Uttarakhand.

Jim Corbett National Park, India’s oldest national park and the largest tiger reserve in the country, is one of the best wildlife destinations to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger, besides other wildlife. It is one of the main attractions of a wildlife tiger safari in Uttarakhand, and venturing deep into the jungle is an unending adventure unto itself! Other things which make it a top wildlife holiday destination are bird watching, fishing and sightseeing.

Rajaji National Park, with its Royal Bengal Tigers, striped hyenas, Asiatic Elephants, Sloth Bear and a large number of bird species, is another top wildlife destination in Uttarakhand.

Naina Devi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can spot exotic Himalayan wildlife like snow leopard, Himalayan Tahr, musk deer and birds. However, the Valley of Flowers National Park deserves a special mention, as it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to almost 350 species of flowers. Red fox and musk deer are two of the exotic animals found here.

Uttarakhand boasts the most beautiful hill stations in India!

Uttarakhand boasts a number of hill stations that are loved by tourists across the country. This makes it one of the best holiday destinations for families as well as for honeymoon couples. The Lake District, Nainital and the Queen of the Hills, Mussoorie, are the two popular hill station holiday places.

Nainital draws tourists for its spectacular Naini Lake, Cable Car Ride, Mall Road & shopping opportunities. Mussoorie is hit among tourists for its tourist Kempty Falls, temples, go boating, take a Cable Car Ride & hangout at the Mall Road. Lansdowne is another top hill station in Uttarakhand that attracts tourists for a wide variety of activities like birdwatching, camping, boating, hiking and nature walking.

Those who want to seek blessings at the highest temple in the world dedicated to Lord Shiva should visit the hill station of Chopta, which also offers other activities including sightseeing, camping and trekking. The picturesque Abbot Mount along with Kausani, the place with the 360 degree view of the Himalayas; Dhanaulti that looks heavenly when it snows; and the home of author Ruskin Bond, Landour are also the best places to visit in Uttarakhand.

Besides the above-mentioned hill station, there are several offbeat and relatively unexplored hill stations in Uttarakhand which you should visit not just for their pristine beauty but because of their untouched landscape. Some of these are Naukuchiatal, Kausani, Lohaghat, Kakrighat, Chaukori, Shitlakhet, Mori, Munsiyari and Ramgarh.

Waterfalls: Serene and great for a picnic!

Waterfalls in Uttarakhand, are the beautiful places from where you can frame a perfect picture of water descending from a height with the gushing sound of water. And that's not all because the picture can never be complete without the mighty snow-capped peaks of Uttarakhand, painted in the background. Most of these charismatic waterfalls are perfect for a short trek, away from the busy tourist attractions in Uttarakhand, whereas there are few like the Kempty Falls in Mussoorie that remain unbelievably crowded throughout the year. Most of these falls have an average height of 126 m and are situated at an approximate elevation of 1400 m above the sea level.

One of the best things about these waterfalls is that they add more charm to the nearby cities and towns like Mussoorie, Haridwar, Pithoragarh, Rishikesh giving visitors another reason to plan a holiday here. These small yet dreamy falls in Mussoorie are a delight if you are looking for a peaceful retreat away from the city.

Another must visit waterfall is the Mossy Falls, which gets its name from the covering of mossy that envelopes the whole area making the place look even beautiful. Jimi Ghat Waterfalls in the Pithoragarh District is another popular waterfall which offers scintillating views of the Nanda Devi range, and is surrounded by the rhododendrons and birch.

Fairs and festivals: local customs, folk dance, music & celebrations!

The two regions of Uttarakhand, Garhwal and Kumaon host a number of fairs and festivals throughout the year. One of the grandest and renowned all over the country is the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years in Haridwar. Another famous festival which is famous throughout the country and attracts people both from India and abroad is the International Yoga Festival. The festival is held over a week and is marked with over 70 hours of different styles of Yoga including Vinyasa, Bhakti, Iyengar and Kundalini.

Other famous festivals held in Uttarakhand are Sharadotsav, Gindi Mela, Baikunth-Chaturdashi Mela, Gauchar Mela, Hariyali Devi Mela, Nanda Raj-Jat, Nanda Devi, Binsar Mela, Uttarayni. The much-celebrated festivals in the state include Auli Festival, Dikar Puja, Bhitauli, Harela, Olgia or Ghee Sankranti, Kandali, Hilljatra, Basant Panchami, Phool Dei, Vat Savitri, Ganga Dussehra, Ghughutia, Khatarua, Ghuian Ekadashi, Kumaoni Holi, and Janopunyu A trip to Uttarakhand during any of these fairs and festivals let the tourists witness the zeal of locals preparing for the festivities and greeting each other with pure hearts and love.

Enjoy the authentic dishes of Garhwal & Kumaon regions!

The cuisine of Uttarakhand can be described as simple yet tasty. The two regions, Garhwal and Kumaon, have their own distinct dishes that are equally tasty and enjoyable. The dishes in Garhwal deeply connect to its people, the food is prepared with the right amount of spices, which only entices one to savour it. Phanu, Kafuli, Thechwani, Chainsoo, Jholi, Gahat ke Paranthe, Roat and Baadi are some of the finger-licking Garhwali dishes. Meanwhile in Kumaon, Aaloo Gutuk, Dubke, Thathwani, Kaapa, Chudkani, Jaula and Sisunaak Saag are the mouth-watering presentations.

The side dishes in Uttarakhand are equally important and therefore are prepared with utter care, Bhangeera ki Chutney, Mooli Thechuwa and Hara Namak are some of the sides that add to the flavour of main course meals. Concluding the gastronomic journey in Uttarakhand are its melt in mouth deserts, of which Singal-Puha, Jhangora ki Kheer, Singodi and Bal Mithai are few prelude. One noticeable and worthy of trial is Sana Hua Nimbu, which is by far the clear attention grabber in the palatable cuisine of Uttarakhand.

Shop for a handicrafts products like Aipaan & Waxworks!

Uttarakhand also offers an enjoyable shopping experience as there are bakeries, bazaars, to places where you will find the best quality of leather. Besides this, one can fancy a number of local handicrafts, wooden work, carpets, gems, jewellery, squashes , homemade jams, woolen articles to keep you warm and Garhwali paintings to take back home. Then there are markets full of unique handmade accessories and gems, woodcrafts which can be found in Munsiyari, Mussoorie, and Nainital.

Another thing that Nainital is famous for is its wax candles, it is in the Bara Bazaar and Mall Road, one can find some exquisitely designed candles. Besides all the colourful and vibrant markets, one more place you would like to find yourself in is the Chowk Bazar. This market in Almora is famous for Angora clothes made from the fluffy fur of angora rabbits. A good variety of copperware is also available in Almora and Bageshwar. Some of the most popular shopping items in Uttarakhand are Ringaal Handicraft, Aipan, Copperware, Rambaans Handicrafts, Waxworks, Spices and Pickles.

Tour My India presents Uttarakhand travel guide that can assist in planning interest based tours in the state. Complete information on places to visit, things to do and shop, places to eat and how to reach are provided. Information on varied holiday packages in Uttarakhand are also offered so that you can plan your trip here with ease.

Top 10 Most Visited Tourist Destinations of Uttarakhand

• Rishikesh : Internationally known as the Yoga capital, spiritual, religious and adventurous tourism hub, Rishikesh is one of the top visited places in Uttarakhand in the Himalayas and is visited by domestic and international tourists every year.

• Nainital : Nainital is one of the top 10 most visited tourist destinations of Uttarakhand not just for its charming Naini Lake, but other sightseeing opportunities & a rich colonial heritage.

• Mussoorie : What makes Mussoorie counted among the top 10 most visited tourist destinations of Uttarakhand is Kempty Falls, temples, boating,Cable Car Ride & Mall Road.

• Corbett National Park : Visit Corbett National Park, the oldest national park in India as well as the largest tiger reserve. It’s one of the best places to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger in India.

• Valley of Flowers : Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to more than 350 species of flowers. Red fox and musk deer are some of the exotic animals found.

• Auli : Auli is one of the top skiing destinations in India & the world & most visited destinations in Uttarakhand by skiing enthusiasts. Tourists can also enjoy camping & sightseeing.

• Kedarnath Dham : Kedarnath Dham is one of the most visited tourist pilgrimage destinations of Uttarakhand. Situated at 3,584 meters, it’s one of the 12 Jyotirlingas & most important among Panch Kedars.

• Haridwar : Har Ki Pauri is one of the most sacred ghats in Haridwar which is said to contain the foot imprints of Lord Vishnu. The evening Ganga Aarti is a major attraction.

• Chopta - Tungnath : Chopta is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Uttarakhand for its Tungnath Temple, the highest Shiva Temple in the world. Sightseeing, camping & trekking are also popular.

• Chakrata : Chakrata finds a place among the most visited tourist attractions of Uttarakhand because of its spectacular views, Tiger Falls, ambience and a picnic spot.

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