Uttarakhand - The Land of Gods

Uttarakhand - described by many as the land of the Gods, the abode of the towering Himalayas, a treasure house of exotic flora and fauna, a reviving holiday retreat, and a paradise on earth - lures everyone from everywhere.

Uttarakhand earlier known as Uttaranchal is the holiest of all Hindu pilgrimage centers as the land is home to four great religious sites - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Uttarakhand boasts of perfect natural exquisiteness, pompous mountains, and romantic glaciers, gurgling hill brooks, flower bedecked valleys, rare wild life and opportunities galore for adventure sports. Uttarakhand is neighbored by Uttar Pradesh.

The cool climate of a hill station is undoubtedly the best option to beat away summer blues. A hill station for that matter becomes the heaven to laze away a humid summer week or two. And what do we do when there is bounty of such worth exploring? We excavate the finest of the most excellent to spend a few special days of ecstasy. Although, every hill station has its own charisma to attract diverse minded people different ways, some unique destinations always feature in the must visit hill stations list. For example, Uttarakhand being blessed with lofty mountains and a great therapeutic climate is itself a world to explore. So blessed is the land that every step you take in Uttarakhand brings pleasant surprises.

Nainital, Mussorie, Rishikesh, Almora and Ranikhet are some of the most popular destinations of Uttarakhand. Do not miss visiting the Valley of Flowers National Park in the Gharwal region, Haridwar, Rishikesh and the famous Corbett National Park.

Quick facts of Uttarakhand

Capital: Dehradun

Official language: Hindi

Closest airport:
a) Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
b) Pantnagar Airport (Pantnagar)
c) Naini-Saini (Pithoragarh)
d) Uttarkashi
e) Gochar (Chamoli)
f) Agastyamuni (Heliport) (Rudraprayag)

Top attractions:

Nainital:

Once known as "the Lake District", Nainital is a ravishingly beautiful and serene hill station set amidst seven hills of Kumaon. Nainital best represents the Himalayan charm and is blessed with an awe inspiring view of high mountains and as many as 60 Lakes. It is the abode of lakes with emerald settings, the British colonial architecture, adventure and recreational activities doubles its appeal. The scenic places also worth a visit are Naukuchiya Tal, Mukteshwar, Sat Tal, Dorothy's Seat (Tiffin Top), Naini Lake, Mall Road, Hanuman Garhi, Astronomical Observatory etc.

Mussoorie:

"The queen of hill stations", Mussoorie, located in the Garhwal hills, is famous for its natural serenity and scenic background. The name, Mussoorie, is consequential from plants of 'Mussoorie' which were then found in plenty here. Over the years, this hill station progressively developed as a center of education, business and tourism. Blessed by the abundance of natural charms like wild streams, waterfalls, pleasant climate and verdant woods make it an ideal no-stress vacation spot. The popular spots include lively shopping malls, manicured gardens, and modern architecture, Tibetan Temple, Lake Mist, Mussoorie Lake, Municipal Gardens, Gun Hill, Kempty Fall, Nag Devta Temple, Van Chetna Kendra and Jwalaji Temple (Benog Hill). Mussoorie is considered as Nainital's best cousin to hang out. The contemporary architecture quite in disparity with the wild setting is the genuine call of this place.

Rishikesh:

A gateway to Himalayas, Rishikesh not only offers spiritual solace but also a perfect summer retreat. It is part of the religious circuit covering Haridwar and Mukteshwar, two other significant places, Rishikesh offers a proximity to the holy Ganges. If the feral force of the water doesn't jolt you and you find taming the unstoppable irresistible then Rishikesh should be your call this summer. River rafting sessions and beach volleyball near the campsites by the Ganges are the most favorite activity of the visitors at Rishikesh. A moonlit bed of sand by the waterway as illumined as the moon makes a wonderful escapade from the summer in the cities.

Almora:

A place covered in snow during winter, and an ideal site to trace the remnants of the snow, Almora is blessed by Mother Nature with her immaculate love with serene solitude surroundings. One of the most exquisite places in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Almora is a fantastic spot for nature lovers and seekers of isolation unlike the glamour and glitter of Nainital. Almora's scenic beauty remains to this day unspoilt. You will find here the strong forts, quaint old-world monuments and spectacular palaces built by the rulers of Chandravansh and Katyuri dynasty.

To add to the romantic surroundings, besides the city flows the Koshi (Kaushaki) and Suyal (Salmali) rivers. Public Museum, Nanda Devi Temple, Chetai Temple Katarmal, Bright End Corner, and Simtola are the other key tourist attractions of this place.

Some rugged forts, tranquil temples and picturesque valleys compose the lyrical side of Almora.