Uttarakhand is fast becoming a crucial destination for serious trekkers in the lookout for virgin treks across the Himalayas. It is a place that is most preferred by the tourists because of its scintillating beauty and calm atmosphere, away from the mundane. Nature lovers find this place absolutely magical and divine. We are providing you with a list of 15 offbeat places to visit in Uttarakhand that will leave you awestruck and mesmerized.
Uttarakhand – Conquering the mountains
Uttarakhand is known for its religious significance and has earned the moniker of Land of Gods. This is the place where Shiva and Parvati are known to have been married. The place has many temples which are famous all over the world. It offers a plethora of activities one could indulge in, starting from rafting to exploring the wildlife to trekking and conquering the mountains. Apart from that, the panoramic views from certain hill stations in Uttarakhand are simply spectacular. Once you land, make sure the chosen places to visit in Uttarakhand are worthwhile and well visited.
Places to visit in Uttarakhand
Nainital
Nainital is popular among people as the City of Lakes. It is a place that is sought after in Uttarakhand. It consists of several lakes which are basically the main attractions of this city. You can have a rendezvous with Mother Nature at this location amidst the divinity and the serenity. It stands at one thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight meters above sea level. The major attractions of this place are the Naini Lake which surrounds Nainital, Naina Peak, Eco Cave Gardens, Snow View and many more. An ideal duration to stay and explore this place satisfactorily would be 2 days.
Mussoorie
Mussoorie stands tall at an altitude of about six thousand feet and is a hill station that mainly attracts newlyweds. They come here to spend their honeymoon in this magical location. The view of the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas is alluring. The weather during summer is comfortable and pleasant whereas, during winter, it is excruciatingly cold. The footprints that have fallen on Mussoorie till date has been a lot because of its beautiful landscapes and rejuvenating weather. The places to visit in Mussoorie are Kempty Hills, Gun Hill, and Mall Road for shopping and many more. 2 days sounds sufficient for you to take a stroll around in this city of Uttarakhand. This can be said to be one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand.
Dehradun
Of all the most amazing places to visit in Uttarakhand, Dehradun is also one and is also its capital. The amazing picturesque of its landscape steals hearts right away. On one side of the city is River Ganga and on the other side is River Yamuna. The majestic Himalayas add to the beauty of the place. The display of architectural work in this city is quite famous among tourists. There are temples like the Saharsthadhara and Tapkeshwar Temple which are major tourist attractions. You can visit the Tiger Falls, Robber’s cave and many such places which induce in you a sense of interest to explore more. 24 hours should be enough for you to take a look at the important tourist spots and enjoy the day to the fullest. However, you can choose to extend your stay if you wish to experience the beauty a little more.
Kumaon Division
The Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand consists largely of the Kumaon Range of the Himalayas stretching almost three hundred and twenty kilometres south to north. Nanda Devi believed to be the protector goddess of Kumaon rises up in a sheer wall of granite almost 3000 metres high. Legend has it that the mountain is the incarnation of the Hindu goddess Parvati. The mountain has two summits, separated by a two-kilometre-long ridge. The lower summit is associated with Sunanda Devi, Parvati’s younger sister. This location is ideal for trekkers and is not recommended for the faint-hearted.
Rishikesh
A beautiful amalgamation of tranquility is an adventure is what you get to experience in this location. The two rivers named River Ganga and River Chandrabhaga meet in this location. Adventure activities like white water rafting are immensely in demand in Rishikesh. Sometimes, adventure enthusiasts travel to Rishikesh solely to experience white water rafting which is thrilling and fun at the same time. This place is also famous for Lakshman Jhula which is a sought after tourist spot. There are several Ashramas in Rishikesh which instills in you peace and positivism. The beauty of this place is incomparable and stands out in its own classic way. You can spend about two days in Rishikesh to explore every nook and corner and engulf all its beauty before leaving.
Haridwar
Haridwar is a place that is considered sacred by the Hindus as there are many temples in here. The Ganga Aarti in the evening is a delightful sight. The very atmosphere changes as the Aarti begins. Several people assemble in front of River Ganga and chant mantras for the well-being of themselves and their family. Taking a dip in River Ganga is considered to be sacred as it washes away all impurities and mistakes that you may have committed in your life. There are three main temples situated in Haridwar namely Chandi Devi Temple, Maya Devi Temple and the Mansa Devi Temple. You can spend one or two days in this sacred land to properly explore and learn about the rituals carried out here.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is frequented by a large number of Hindu pilgrims every year. It is a place which carries enormous religious significance. Located in the gigantic Himalayan ranges is the temple of Kedarnath which continues to stand tall in spite of what it has been through. When Kedarnath experienced huge losses because of the floods and torrential rainfall in the year 2013, the Kedarnath Temple was the only unaffected structure that stood tall through everything.
Badrinath
Badrinath is another religious destination that has gained massive significance over time. The surroundings are absolutely remarkable. Badrinath is surrounded by the Nar Mountain Range and the Narayana Mountain Range. The Badrinath Temple located here is the reason why pilgrims from all over the country travel here to offer their prayers. Hot Springs in Badrinath is known to cure skin ailments.
Kausani
Kausani is a hill station which upon seeing, you will realize how much magic and divinity Mother Nature has bestowed on us. It is famous for its panoramic views of the sunset. It stands as tall at one thousand eight hundred and ninety metres. You can visit a number of places at this location which are Rudradhari Falls and Caves, Bajinath Temples for those who are spiritually inclined, Kausani Tea Estate and Lakshmi Ashram. 24 hours in Kausani is a good amount of time to know the place quite well.
Almora
Almora is located towards the east of the state of Uttarakhand. It is popular because of its scenic beauty. Places to visit in Uttarakhand has this location included because the view of the Himalayas from Almora is breath-taking. The wildlife at this location is also noteworthy. Apart from that, the handicrafts and food in Almora have quite a reputation among tourists. The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary houses birds, a variety of animals and dense forests. Other places to visit in Almora are Zero Point, Martola and the Kasar Devi Temple.
Pithoragargh
If you have heard of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, you should know that Pithoragarh is where they halt for a while. Uttarakhand’s easternmost part houses this place which is also famous for its natural beauty. Trekking is an activity that can be indulged in, in Pithoragarh. You will find temples, sanctuaries and many other tourist spots to visit at this marvelous location. 1 days’ time is sufficient for you to take a look around this place and relax amidst the beauty of nature.
Ranikhet
Lush greenery and dramatic landscapes are what describes this place perfectly. The beauty of the Himalayas doubles when it is viewed from Ranikhet. It is known as Queen’s Land, which is rightfully so. You can visit the temples located here like the Dwarahat Temples, Jhula Devi Temple and Mankameshwar Temple. Plan your trip in a way that you do not miss out Ranikhet as this is one of the most alluring places to visit in Uttarakhand.
Bageshwar
This is one of those charming places situated in Uttarakhand but it is not that heard of. It can be termed as a hidden jewel in Uttarakhand. It is believed that Lord Shiva took the appearance of a tiger and visited this place to stay here. Since then, the name Bageshwar has been given to this place. This place, like most other places in Uttarakhand, consists of many shrines. However, the most attractive part of this place is the enigmatic beauty of the Himalayas that it offers.
Pauri
Pauri is a place in Uttarakhand that is culturally rich and diverse. It has River Ganga towards its South and the majestic Himalayan Mountains towards the North. That is what enhances the beauty of these places and makes it a visit-worthy location situated in Uttarakhand. Visit the Kandoliya Temple from where the view of the sunset gives your goosebumps.
Auli
This is one of those places that most people do not know of. Auli is unique in its own way. This is an ideal place to spend your honeymoon and also for the adventure junkies who want to indulge is skiing. You can also visit the Nanda Devi from Auli, which ranks second when it comes to India’s highest mountains. This place looks best when visiting during summer and spring.