Quick facts

• Capital: Dehradun (winter), Gairsain (summer)
• Best time to visit:
  • March–June: Pleasant weather for sightseeing and trekking
  • September–November: Clear skies and excellent mountain views
  • December–February: Snowfall in destinations like Auli and Mussoorie

Top places to visit

• Nainital – A beautiful hill station centered around Naini Lake, ideal for boating and relaxing.
• Mussoorie – Known as the "Queen of the Hills," famous for Mall Road, Kempty Falls, and panoramic Himalayan views.
• Rishikesh – The Yoga Capital of the World, offering river rafting, yoga retreats, and the evening Ganga Aarti.
• Haridwar – One of Hinduism's holiest cities, best known for the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
• Auli – A premier skiing destination with spectacular views of peaks like Nanda Devi.
• Kedarnath – One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and an important stop on the Char Dham pilgrimage.
• Valley of Flowers National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its colorful alpine flowers during the monsoon season.
• Jim Corbett National Park – India's oldest national park and a popular destination for tiger safaris.

Popular activities

• Trekking to Kedarnath, Valley of Flowers, Har Ki Dun, or Roopkund (when open).
• White-water rafting on the Ganges in Rishikesh.
• Skiing and cable car rides in Auli.
• Wildlife safaris in Jim Corbett National Park.
• Camping, mountain biking, and stargazing.

Famous foods

• Kafuli
• Aloo ke Gutke
• Chainsoo
• Jhangora Kheer
• Bal Mithai
• Singori

Suggested itineraries

5–6 days

• Dehradun → Mussoorie → Rishikesh → Haridwar

7–8 days

• Nainital → Jim Corbett → Rishikesh → Haridwar

9–10 days

• Rishikesh → Auli → Joshimath → Kedarnath (seasonal)

Why visit Uttarakhand?

Uttarakhand is ideal if you're looking for:

• Peaceful Himalayan landscapes
• Spiritual experiences and pilgrimage
• Adventure sports like rafting, trekking, and skiing
• Wildlife and nature
• Cool weather and scenic hill stations

Compared with neighboring Himalayan destinations:

• Uttarakhand is best for a mix of spirituality, adventure, and accessible hill stations.
• Himachal Pradesh offers more café culture, road trips, and high-altitude deserts like Spiti.
• Kashmir is renowned for its lakes, alpine meadows, and dramatic mountain scenery.