Nainital
Nainital is a charming hill station located at the foothills of the Kumaon ranges in Uttarakhand. Located close to Dehradun and Delhi, it is the most visited hill station in North India. Nainital is a perfect weekend getaway from Delhi and the nearby places.
Nainital experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year, making it a popular hill station for families, couples and even solo travellers. It is easily accessible from nearby major cities by road and is ideal for a 2-day visit. The Naina Lake is the centre of Nainital with Mall Road on one side, Thandi Sadak on the other side, and the bus stand opposite it.
Rishikesh
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga River, Rishikesh is a small town in the Dehradun district, located close to Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Rishikesh (also called as Hrishikesh) is known for its adventure activities, ancient temples, popular cafes and as the “Yoga Capital of the World”. Gateway to Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh is also a pilgrimage town and one of the holiest places for Hindus.
Mussoorie
Mussoorie is one of the most popular hill stations located at a distance of 290 km from Delhi in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. With a backdrop of the Shivalik range of Himalayas and doon valley, Mussoorie, also known as Queen of The Hills, stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level. With a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year, Mussoorie was once the British summer capital.
Auli
Dotted with the apple orchards, old oaks, and pine trees there is no dearth of natural beauty in Auli. Apart from skiing you can also go for numerous treks in the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the spellbinding views of the snow-draped mountains. Auli is a popular hill resort in the Himalayan range dating back to the 8th Century AD. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVL) runs a ski resort and a ski rental shop.
Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park set amidst the foothills of the Himalayas in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Known for housing the endangered Bengal tiger, Corbett National Park is part of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Famous for its wildlife safaris, Jim Corbett National Park has multiple resorts set on the riverside. Home to more than 650 species of rare and migratory birds, it is a haven for bird watchers. The most popular attraction at Corbett National Park is Dhikala, a forest lodge located on the border of Patil Dun Valley, which is known for the stunning location and rich wildlife.
Lansdowne
Lansdowne is a quaint little hill town located at a distance of 258 km from Delhi in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. Laden with oak and pine forest and dotted with buildings of the colonial era, this hill station is a haven for bird watchers, casual hikers and weekenders from NCR.
The town was discovered by British and got its name from the then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne. The guesthouses here are fading reminders of the colonial period, and they offer a stunning view of the mountains from their balconies.
Mukteshwar
Mukteshwar is a small hill town located around 50 km from Nainital in Uttarakhand. Known for adventure sports and a dazzling view of Himalayan ranges, Mukteshwar is named after the 350-year-old Shiva Temple housed here called Mukteshwar Dham.
The quaint town got its name from the belief that Lord Shiva killed a demon here and gave him Mukti or salvation. With lush green trails and narrow lanes, Mukteshwar is a popular destination for trekking, apart from rock climbing and rappeling. Major attractions here are the picturesque orchards, coniferous forests, rolling meadows, and little cottages and homes built in quaint colonial style. The charm of Mukteshwar lies in spending tranquil time – enjoying nature and listening to the chirping of the birds.
Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers is located in Chamoli district (near Badrinath) of Uttarakhand, approximately 300 km to the north of Rishikesh. Valley of flowers is a World Heritage Site for its wild untamed blooms surrounded by white peaks. It is open from June to September every year.
At the meeting point of the Himalayan ranges, Zanskar and Western and Eastern Himalayas, the valley of flowers discovered by Mountaineer Frank S Smith in 1931 has been declared a world heritage site for its wild untamed blooms surrounded by white peaks. Famous for its exotic varieties of medicinal herbs, it is also believed that Hanuman brought Sanjivani to the ailing Lakshmana from the valley of flowers. A perfect place to laze around the umpteen number of Himalayan water-falls, streams and paddocks and let the beauty of the place sink in.
Dehradun
Dehradun is the capital city and the largest city of Uttarakhand. Dehradun is located at an altitude of 1400 feet above sea level and has a pleasant climate all year round. Located just 30kms from Mussoorie, Dehradun is known as the gateway to Mussoorie and Rishikesh and Haridwar. Dehradun is also known as the “Educational Hub of Uttarakhand” with some of the country’s prestigious universities and boarding schools.
As you would expect from a city located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun abounds in caves, waterfalls and natural springs. One such popular spot is Robber’s Cave, which is a natural cave surrounded by hills. Dip your feet in the ice-cold water or walk through it – travellers are free to take their pick, making Robber’s Cave one of the most popular picnic spots in the city. Another popular spot for nature lovers is Lacchiwala, where you can sit and enjoy a relaxing sunset around the man-made lake and the lush greenery around it. Lacchiwala also has arrangements for trekking and birdwatching if you’re up for it.
Haridwar
Haridwar, considered among the seven holiest cities in India, is an ancient city located on the banks of River Ganga in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Dotted with temples, ashrams and narrow lanes across the city, Haridwar is a famous Hindu temple town where millions of devotees come to take a dip in the holy Ganges. It’s believed that taking a dip in the sacred Har Ki Pauri relieves you of all your sins.
Every evening, Haridwar witnesses a set of rituals for the famous Ganga Aarti at the Ghats (River Banks), where thousands of devotees come together to pray to the river. In addition, once in every twelve years, Haridwar is host to the mega-gathering during the world-famous Kumbh Mela, which sees millions of visitors from all over the country. Along with Prayagraj, Nashik and Ujjain, Haridwar is one of the only four cities in India which can host the Kumbh Mela.
Haridwar also acts as the base destination for some of the other tourist towns of Rishikesh and Devprayag as Hardwar is well connected by trains and roads. Apart from the religious angle, Haridwar is also now developing as a multifaceted cultural and spiritual centre. It’s also known for its food and some of the must-try dishes include kachoris at Kashyap Kachoriwala and the aloo puri at Mohanji Puriwale.
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