15 Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a north Indian state blessed with serene natural beauty, snow-capped mountains, and magnificent parks and forests, attracting millions of tourists from all across the globe every year. Due to being home to numerous religious sites and Hindu temples, Uttarakhand is famous as the “Devbhumi,” which means the “Land of Gods.” Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, this state offers immensely beautiful natural landscapes for its visitors. If you’re planning to visit Uttarakhand soon, this article is worth reading for you as we have summarized some of the best places that you can explore here.

15 Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

1. Rishikesh

If you’re a spiritual person and want to embark on a soul-stirring journey in Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is your must-visit place. Nestled on the banks of the holy Ganga River, this place is a spiritual paradise offering powerful spiritual energy to its visitors. There are many ancient temples in Rishikesh that help you learn about Hindu religion and culture. This enchantingly beautiful town doesn’t disappoint you in terms of fun activities. From white-water rafting to trekking, Rishikesh has everything to make your visit exciting.

2. Haridwar

Haridwar is an ancient city famous for Hindu pilgrimage sites and temples. It’s one of the religiously sacred places in the country and popular as a spiritual hub because millions of devotees visit here every year. Haridwar has many beautiful destinations to visit, including Har Ki Pauri Ghat and The Brhmakhund. Similar to Rishikesh, Haridwar is situated on the bank of Ganga River. So, it’s a perfect place if you love boat riding. The city is also famous for its delicious and unique cuisine.

3. Nainital

Nainital is a breathtakingly beautiful town in Uttarakhand famous for its cold yet pleasant weather. The town sits in the Himalayan Mountains’ lap, offering visitors a majestic and awe-inspiring view. One of the world-famous attractions of Nainital is Naini Lake, which is surrounded by mountains and offers a natural scenery of unparalleled beauty. If you’re looking for fun activities in Nainital, boat riding in Naini Lake is the best thing to do. The town has numerous magnificent shops to buy handicrafts and jewelry items. Most of these shops are on the Mall Road. You can also trek here if you have an adventurous nature.

4. Mussoorie

Mussoorie is an amazing hill station in Uttarakhand. It’s famous as the “Queen of Hills,” offering a stunning view of the surrounding mountains. We recommend you come to Mussoorie from Dehradun, which is a 38-km ride but full of captivating natural landscapes. This beautiful town has many tourist attractions, like Kempty Falls. Mussoorie has winding lanes to make it easier for visitors to explore its natural beauty.

5. Auli

Auli is another stunning hill station that offers a majestic view of the mountain ranges of the Himalayas. It’s one of the most romantic places in the country and often remains crowded with honeymoon couples. There’s a ski resort in Auli where you can do adventurous and exciting fun activities, like skiing and snowboarding. This resort is sandwiched between tall standing oak and coniferous trees, taking its natural beauty to the highest level. You should also visit the picturesque Chattrakhund Lake here. Auli is also a great spot for mountaineering, provided you have the basic training.

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6. Dehradun

Besides being the capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is a gorgeous city full of numerous spots from where you can have stunning views of Mussoorie. Its pleasant weather attracts millions of tourists every year. Dehradun is home to the Forest Research Institute campus, which is a beautiful building of the colonial era. If you want to increase your knowledge about forests, include this campus in your must-visit list. The city also has campuses of many other important and famous educational institutes, like the Wildlife Institute. Dehradun is a great place to shop for handicrafts, jewelry items, and souvenirs. The famous Garhwali food of the city is a tantalizing treat for the tastebuds and stomach.

7. Jim Corbett National Park

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, Jim Corbett National Park is the best place to visit in Uttarakhand. Here, you’ll have close interaction with the endangered Bengal tiger. It’s more like a safari park where you can go through a thrilling journey of observing wildlife and nature closely. You can take a jeep safari to observe the natural habitat of tigers. Jim Corbett National Park is located near Nainital, sitting on the foothills of the Himalayas.

8. Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a hill station getting more and more popular among adventure enthusiasts. Sitting around 2200m above sea level, it’s a picturesque place for numerous fun activities and sports, like hiking, horse-riding, and rappelling. Dhanaulti is one of the best places for camping in Uttarakhand. If you’re planning a picnic at a spot where you can have magnificent views of the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Dhanaulti is an excellent option. It’s also home to the famous Surkanda Devi Temple. You can also visit Dhanaulti Eco Park if you’re a nature lover.

9. Ranikhet

Ranikhet is a cantonment town home to many historic buildings from the British Colonial Era. It’s also a beautiful Himalayan hill station that offers a majestic view of peaks. Ranikhet has many ancient temples attracting devotees from all around the world. Although you can do several fun activities in this beautiful town, it’s the best for trekking. Nothing is more refreshing and calming than trekking alongside scenic vistas here. Ranikhet is best to visit in the early winter because of the pleasant weather here.

10. Lansdowne

Lansdowne is a beautiful cantonment town that gets its name from its founder (Briting Viceroy). If you’re looking for a peaceful place to visit in Uttarakhand, include Lansdowne in your itinerary now because it’s one of the quietest destinations in the state. The town is home to the Gharwali Museum, where souvenirs (arms, rifles, and army uniforms) are preserved. You can also visit the famous Bhulla Lake here. The town is surrounded by charming pine forests, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers. You can do trekking and camping here. Nature walking and sightseeing are also good options.

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11. Almora

Almora is another Himalayan hill station in Uttarakhand that welcomes natural beauty lovers and adventurists with open arms. Standing in Almora, you can have a captivating view of the Himalayan peaks. Besides delicious cuisine, magnificent handicrafts, and tall trees, this town has many things to do, including mountaineering, trekking, sightseeing, camping, and picnicking. The top tourist attractions here are Deer Park, Zero Point, and Simtola. It’s also home to the famous Nanda Devi Temple.

12. Munsiyari

Munsiyari is a stunning village in Uttarakhand situated around 2200 meters above sea level. It’s famous as a paradise for trekkers and adventurers. While standing in Munsiyari, you can enjoy the enchanting view of snow-capped Himalayan mountains. The village is home to many lush green forests, offering a scenic natural beauty to the visitors. The famous places to visit in Munsiyari include Panchachuli Peaks, Birthi Falls, and Balanti Potato Farm. You can enjoy lots of fun activities here, such as trekking, skiing, and sightseeing.

13. Chopta

Chopta is the dream destination for campers with its lush green stunning meadow. It’s one of the most peaceful places in Uttarakhand. Sitting at an altitude of 2900 meters, Chopta offers an enchanting panoramic view of the peaks of the Himalayas. It’s also the home to the holy Tungnath Temple, one of the sacred places for devotees in India. Being a part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Chopta is a great tourist attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. Besides camping, this pretty meadow also features an enthralling trek, offering a great space for trekkers.

14. Harsil

If you’re a nature lover, Harsil is a paradise for you. Besides lots of fun and adventure activities like trekking and hiking, Harsil is home to extensive apple orchards. The water coming from the Bhagirathi River nourishes these orchards, making this village one of the biggest producers of apples. Situated at an altitude of 2600 meters, Harsil is a great place to spend some quality time with yourself. You can also visit the famous Dodital Lake here. If you’re fond of glacier-sighting, the beauty of Gangotri Glacier won’t disappoint you.

15. Kausani

If you want a stunning view of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli, Kausani is the best place to visit. It’s a beautiful village surrounded by tall blue pine forests, offering picture-perfect natural landscapes for visitors. Kausani is a charming hill station. It’s famous as the “Switzerland of India” due to the similarity in the scenery. When you visit Kausani, don’t forget to shop from its local market. You can also visit the Gandhi Ashram here, located in the upper part of the town. Most of the hotels of Kausani are situated in this area. Some other attractions of Kausani include Anashakti Ashram, Lakshmi Ashram, and tea gardens.

Conclusion

Uttarakhand is undoubtedly home to stunning, charming, and enchanting tourist attractions, among which we have listed some of the best ones to visit for you. These top 15 places perfectly showcase the beauty and elegance of Uttarakhand state. If you’re planning to spend your vacation visiting Uttarakhand, include these places in your itinerary because you won’t want to miss them!

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