Studded by the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, Uttarkhand is a breathtakingly beautiful state. Also known as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ which literally translates as the land of Gods, the Uttarkhand experience is simply divine.

Uttarakhand is home to important Hindu pilgrimages, most located at high altitudes and difficult to reach. Yet, these obstacles do not deter the faithful. The mighty Himalayas also means a plethora of adrenaline pumpings adventure activities like river rafting, trekking, skiing, camping, rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing, mountaineering, paragliding and hot ballooning making Uttarakhand a favourite among the adventure-seekers.

Uttarakhand is broadly divided into two zones Kumaon and Garhwal.

Garhwal

Mussoorie, the most popular hill station in Garhwal has green hills and varied fauna and flora making it colourful and picturesque. It also offers an enchanting view of the Doon Valley.

Haridwar, the religious capital for Hindus, literally means ‘Gateway to Gods’. It is a gateway to three important pilgrimages: Rishikesh, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. Haridwar is popularly known as the Yoga Capital of the World and attracts many foreign visitors. Adorned by the sacred Ganges River, Rishikesh, is also very popular for river rafting.

Lansdowne, developed by the British, is an important military cantonment with scenic beauty that is breathtakingly inviting.

Chamba, in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand, is an unexplored, unspoilt destination studded with pine and deodar trees.

Auli, 8 km from Joshimath is an ideal winter resort and is often called the skiing capital of the country as its slopes are fit for skiing round the year.

Kumaon

Nainital is the most popular tourist destination in the Kumaon region. Situated around Lake Naini, the hill station is a wonderful holiday retreat from the hectic routine of the cities.

The ancient town of Almora is another serene Himalayan sojourn, famous for its magnificent beauty, panoramic view of the Himalayas, rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts and delicious cuisine.

Ranikhet is a great destination to view nature and its elements in their full grandeur.

Mukteshwar, 52 km from Nainital, is another pristine Himalayan resort. Covered with orchards and thick coniferous forest, it provides a majestic view of the Himalayas and the Almora town below in glittering moonlit nights.

Jim Corbett National Park is ideal for the wildlife enthusiast. The park is home to 488 different species of plants and a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered tiger and around 600 species of birds.

Chhota Char Dham

The Chota Char Dham (the small four abodes) is an important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand. The circuit includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Most pilgrims to this circuit embark from the famous temple town of Haridwar.

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