Uttarakhand is located in the laps of the enormous Himalayan mountains. It is separated into two regions, Garhwal and Kumaon, consisting of 13 districts. It’s one of the most beautiful family tourist destinations in India. While exploring it, you are left enchanted by its unbelievable beauty, hill stations, lakes, meadows, rivers, Himalayan wildlife and also its cuisine. For families looking for a tourist destination filled with adventure and sightseeing, it is the best option.
Uttarakhand is rich in Himalayan wildlife. It is home to some of the most famous national parks in India like Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park and Nanda Devi National Park. Some of the Himalayan animals which you can spot during a wildlife safari are snow leopard, black bear, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Monal Pheasant and Bharal. Other famous attraction is the Royal Bengal Tiger.
The state is home to important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Families visiting Uttarakhand can also visit the various religious sites. Known as Devbhoomi, the spiritual aura is present everywhere. There are several Hindu temples as well as holy rivers. The most famous Hindu pilgrimage sites are the Chota Chardham- Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Families can also visit Panch Prayag and Panch Kedar, both of which attract a lot of devotees. The highest gurudwara in India, Hemkund Sahib, is also located in Uttarakhand and draws a large number of Sikh pilgrims.
There are several adventure options for families in Uttarakhand. Some of the adventure activities which can be tried out by families are rafting, trekking and boating. There are numerous trekking trails which lead to its beautiful alpine meadows (called Bugyals), high altitude mountain passes, alpine national parks and even base camps of many Himalayan peaks (depending on your fitness level and trekking experience). You can also enjoy water rafting in River Ganga and River Tons (the grades depend on your experience and rafting skills). Boating can be enjoyed at famous boating spots in Uttarakhand like Lake Naini, Lake Bhimtal, Lake Naukuchiatal, Rani Jheel and Lake Mist.
Another thing to do for families visiting Uttarakhand is visiting its lakes and waterfalls. You will come across the most clear, beautiful and tranquil lakes like Lake Naini, Deoria Tal. Sattal, Kanatal, Roopkund and Nanak Sagar. There are several waterfalls which makes for a lovely family outing. Some of the popular waterfalls in Uttarakhand are Kempty, Mossy, Bhatta, Tiger, Jharipani and Vasudhara Falls.
Another major tourist attraction for families in Uttarakhand are the hill stations. With their rich colonial legacy and several things to do, they are extremely popular among tourists, including families. The most famous hill stations in Uttarakhand are Nainital, Mussoorie, Lansdowne, Munsiyari, Binsar, Ranikhet and Dhanaulti. Some of the top things to do in these hill stations are birding, nature walking, church visits, sightseeing and boating.
While in Uttarakhand, families can also try out its interesting cuisine as well as go shopping. Some of the authentic local dishes which are famous are Gahat ke Paranthe, Phanu, Kafuli, Chainsoo, Jholi and Aloo Gutuk. Shopping is also a fun filled experience with handicraft products being extremely famous. Some of the popular shopping items in Uttarakhand are Ringaal Handicraft, Aipan, Copperware, Rambaans Handicrafts, Waxworks, Spices and Pickles.