Uttarakhand Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit, Best Time and Travel Tips
Welcome to our Uttarakhand travel guide. Uttarakhand, the land of the gods, lies in the Himalayas north of Delhi. It has two regions: Garhwal in the west, with Mussoorie, Rishikesh and the Char Dham shrines, and Kumaon in the east, with Nainital, Almora and Jim Corbett. This Uttarakhand travel guide tells you where to go, when to visit, how to get there and how to plan your trip.
Uttarakhand Travel Guide at a Glance
- Regions: Garhwal and Kumaon
- Known for: hill stations, the Ganga, Himalayan shrines, tigers and treks
- Time needed: five to eight days for a first visit
- Best time: March to June and October to November
- Nearest airports: Dehradun (Jolly Grant) and Pantnagar
Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand
Every Uttarakhand travel guide starts with the hill stations, but the state also has holy towns, national parks and high valleys.
Nainital
The Lake District of India: a town around Naini Lake, with boating, the Naina Devi temple, Snow View Point and Tiffin Top. Read our Nainital travel guide.
Mussoorie
The Queen of Hills, with the Mall, Gun Hill, Kempty Falls and long views of the Doon Valley. Read our Mussoorie travel guide.
Jim Corbett National Park
The oldest national park in India, famous for tigers, elephants and birds, with jeep safaris in several zones. Read our Jim Corbett guide.
Rishikesh and Haridwar
Holy towns on the Ganga. See the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, and yoga, ashrams and river rafting in Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world.
Kedarnath, Badrinath and the Char Dham
Four high Himalayan shrines, open from about April or May to October or November. See our Char Dham Yatra packages.
Auli
Snow slopes with views of Nanda Devi, and the best place in India for skiing from January to March.
Valley of Flowers
A high valley of wild flowers, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Nanda Devi National Park. It is open from June to October.
Chopta and Tungnath
Green meadows and a short trek to Tungnath, one of the highest Shiva temples in the world.
Almora, Ranikhet, Kausani and Binsar
Quiet Kumaon hill towns with pine forests and wide views of the snow peaks.
Things to Do in Uttarakhand
- Go boating on Naini Lake.
- Take a jeep safari in Jim Corbett.
- Watch the Ganga Aarti in Haridwar or Rishikesh.
- Try river rafting or a yoga class in Rishikesh.
- Ski in Auli in winter.
- Trek to the Valley of Flowers or Tungnath.
Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand
- March to June: pleasant in the hills, and the best time for Jim Corbett.
- July to September: monsoon rain and landslide risk. Most of Jim Corbett is closed, but the Valley of Flowers is in bloom.
- October to November: clear skies and the best mountain views, good for treks.
- December to February: cold, with snow in the hills and skiing in Auli. The Char Dham shrines are closed.
How to Reach Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is easy to reach from Delhi. This part of our Uttarakhand travel guide covers the main routes.
- By air: Dehradun (Jolly Grant) airport for Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Haridwar, and Pantnagar airport for Nainital and Kumaon.
- By train: Dehradun and Haridwar stations for Garhwal, and Kathgodam station, about 35 km from Nainital, for Kumaon.
- By road: Delhi is about six to eight hours from Mussoorie, Nainital and Rishikesh, and five to six hours from Jim Corbett.
Where to Stay in Uttarakhand
Choose lake-view hotels in Nainital, heritage and luxury hotels in Mussoorie, jungle resorts near Jim Corbett, riverside ashrams and camps in Rishikesh, and homestays in the quiet Kumaon villages.
Uttarakhand Travel Guide: Tips for Your Visit
- Carry warm layers all year; nights are cold in the hills.
- Check road conditions in the monsoon.
- Book Jim Corbett safaris and Char Dham hotels early.
- Dress modestly at temples and ghats.
- Carry some cash for small hill towns.
- Read our India travel tips before you go.
Ready-Made Uttarakhand Tours
If you want us to plan everything, these private tours start and end in Delhi. See all our Uttarakhand tour packages.
- 5-day Mussoorie Nainital tour: the Queen of Hills and the Lake District of India.
- 5-day Nainital Jim Corbett tour: Naini Lake and two jeep safaris.
- 7-day Mussoorie Nainital Jim Corbett tour: hills, lakes and tigers.
- 8-day Haridwar Mussoorie Nainital Jim Corbett tour: Rishikesh, the Ganga Aarti, the hills and a tiger safari.
Uttarakhand Travel Guide FAQ
Which is better, Garhwal or Kumaon?
Garhwal has Mussoorie, Rishikesh and the Char Dham. Kumaon has Nainital, Jim Corbett and quieter hill towns. A first trip often includes both.
How many days are enough for Uttarakhand?
Five to eight days for the main hill stations and Jim Corbett, and more for the Char Dham or treks.
Is Uttarakhand safe in the monsoon?
Rain can cause landslides from July to September, so we suggest other months for long mountain drives.
Where can I see snow in Uttarakhand?
Auli, Mussoorie, Nainital and Chopta often get snow from December to February.
Do I need permits?
Not for the main hill stations. The Char Dham yatra needs online registration, and some treks need forest permits.
Plan Your Uttarakhand Trip
We hope this Uttarakhand travel guide helps you plan. Shamrock Journeys has planned Uttarakhand holidays since 2002. See our Uttarakhand tour packages, our Himachal tour packages and our best North India tours. Request your free quote
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