Places To Visit In Uttarakhand

Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand is one of the places that boasts its scintillating views of the Himalayas, picturesque places, and yes the famous pious pilgrimage sites too. Uttarakhand is home to the four holy sites, Chardham- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. With so much to explore and witness, Uttarakhand is undoubtedly one of the exotic destinations one cannot afford to miss. Here is a list of some famous Tourist places in Uttarakhand-

• Haridwar
• Rishikesh
• Dehradun
• Mussoorie
• Nainital
• Chakrata
• Jim Corbett
• Auli
• Chopta
• Kausani
• Munsiyari
• Ranikhet

1. Haridwar

One of the seven holiest cities in India, and beautifully located in Uttarakhand state of India, Haridwar is a must place to visit. This place holds ashrams and revered temples where several devotees come to take a dip in the holy Ganga.

Places to visit : Har Ki Pauri, Chandi Devi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple, Rajaji National Park, Shanti Kunj, Bharat Mata mandir, Daksha Mahadev temple, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Pawan Dham, Ma Anandamayi Ashram, Gaurishankar Mahadev temple, Birla Ghat, Gau Ghat, and Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar.

Things to do: Ganga aarti at Har ki Pauri, birdwatching, trekking, and shopping.   

Best time to visit: the perfect time to visit Haridwar is October and February. The weather during this particular time remains quite salubrious.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: Chotiwala, Sardarji Restaurant, Big Ben Restaurant, Pandit Ji Poori Wala, Hotel Raghuwanshi Gujarati Bhojnalay, Dada Boudir Hotel, Next 2, and Ksheer Sagar.  

2. Rishikesh

Credit: IG - himalayas_trakkers

Plan your next trip to the Yoga Capital of the World, Rishikesh with your loved ones this year. This beautiful place is located in Uttarakhand and holds so many revered places. Rishikesh is majorly known for its thrilling adventure activities and yes for meditation and yoga centers. The major highlight is the Ganga aarti which is conducted every day at Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat.

Places to visit: Triveni Ghat, Parmarth Niketan, Neelkanth Mahadev temple, The Beatles Ashram, Tera Manzil temple, Kaudiyala, Neer Garh Waterfall, Geeta Bhawan, Bharat Mandir, Muni Ki Reti, Swarg Ashram, Ram Jhula, Raghunath temple, and Janki Setu.

Things to do: River rafting, trekking, attending the pious aarti at Parmarth Niketan and Triveni ghat, bungee jumping, Flying Fox, Rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, attending the sessions of Yoga and meditation, nature walks, local market tour, cliff jumping, and ayurvedic massage and therapies

Best time to visit: October to April is the perfect time to visit Rishikesh. During this particular time, the weather remains quite salubrious and is apt for exploring the beautiful places in Rishikesh.

Famous cafes/Restaurant: Freedom café, Little Buddha café, 60’s Beatles café, café Karma, The Pyramid café, Bistro Nirvana, Divine Café and Bakery, Café De Goa, Pure soul café and organic kitchen, Madras café, and Echoes café.

3. Dehradun

The Winter capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is a must-visit place for every kind of traveler. Be it its salubrious weather, astounding places, hidden gems, and exotic cafes, Dehradun attracts several tourists every year. Dehradun is also known as the educational hub of Uttarakhand as you will find prestigious universities and boarding schools.

Places ot visit: Robber’s cave, Sahastradhara, Tapkeshwar Temple, Mindrolling Monastery, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun Zoo, Regional Science Centre, Daat Kali Mandir, Fun Valley, Paonta Sahib, Shikhar Falls, Khalanga War Memorial, Lacchiwala, Maldevta, Shiv mandir, Bhadraj, and Sai Mandir.

Things to do: Trekking, birdwatching, Shopping at the famous market Paltan Bazaar, Pacific Mall, Centrio Mall, Mall of Dehradun, Crossroad Mall, and camping.

Best time to visit: Plan your trip between April and June and October to March for a wonderful experience. The weather during these particular months remains quite pleasant.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: Motimahal, Kumar’s, Elloras Melting Moments, Chetan Puriwalla, Yeti Restaurant, AMA café, Café De Piccolo, First Gear Café, YCafe, Razzmatazz, Kalsang, Udupi, Foxtrot, and Black Pepper.

4. Mussoorie

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One of the most popular hill stations in Uttarakhand, Mussoorie, the Queen of Hills stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level. With so much to explore, Mussorie holds a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year. With the backdrop of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and Doon Valley, Mussoorie is surely a must-visit place in Uttarakhand.

Places to visit: Mall Road, Kempty Falls, Camel’s Back Road, Landour, Dalai Hills, Gun Hill, Lal Tibba, Jharipani Falls, Company Garden, George Everest, Cloud’s End, Kellogg Memorial Church, Bhatta Falls, Dhanaulti, Shedup Choepelling temple, Mussoorie Lake, Mossy Falls, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, Library Bazaar, and Bhadraj temple.

Things to do: Rock climbing, rappelling, trekking, enjoy the ropeway ride to Gun Hill, the second highest peak in Mussoorie, enjoy the boat ride in the Mussoorie lake, and enjoy the aerial safari at George Everest.

Best time to visit: Head towards Mussoorie from April to mid-July and September to mid-November and experience the jaw-dropping view of the mist-enveloped Himalayas. For snow lovers, December to February is the best time to experience snowfall.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: Lovely Omelette Centre, Neelam, The Tavern, Casa Mia Bakery, Emily’s, Tip Top Tea Shop, Little Llama café, Urban Turban,

5. Nainital

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Have you ever been to Nainital? If not then make sure to plan your vacation in the City of Lakes, Nainital this year. A very famous hill station nestled at the foothills of the Kumaon ranges in Uttarakhand, is a fantastic getaway destination and quite popular among travelers.

Places to visit: Naini Lake, Nainital Zoo, Naina Devi temple, Mall Road, Tiffin Top, Eco Cave Gardens, Raj Bhawan, Snow View Point, Naina Peak, Hanuman Garhi, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal,

Things to do: Enjoy the boat ride at Naini Lake, Seek blessings at Naina Devi temple and Hanuman Garhi, capture the enchanting views from Tiffin Top, shop at your heart’s content at Mall road, enjoy the Kumaoni food, indulge in the trek to Naina Peak, spot the wild animals at Nainital zoo, and take a guided tour of the Governor’s house.

Best time to visit: Nainital is a year-round destination. Still, the perfect and fantastic time to visit Nainital is between March and June, and October to February.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: The Lazy Leopard, Machan Restaurant, Sakley’s Restaurant, Embassy, Sonam Chowmein Corner, Café Lakeside, Sher E Punjab, Café de Mall, Chandini Chowk, Zooby’s Kitchen, Moonlight Restaurant, and Shiva Restaurant.

6. Chakrata

A beautiful place near Dehradun, Chakrata is popularly known for its coniferous forest, treks, caves, and ancient temples. Explore the gushing waterfalls and camp in the prettiest destinations in Chakrata for a surreal experience. It is indeed an offbeat destination to explore.

Places to visit: Tiger Falls, Deoban, Budhar Caves, Chilmiri Neck, and Ram Tal Horticultural Garden.

Things to do: Camping, trekking, visiting the ancient temples, enjoying the sunset from Chilmiri neck, Birdwatching, rock climbing, and Waterfall rappelling.

Best time to visit: Plan your visit between March and June October to February for a fantastic experience. During this particular time, the weather remains quite pleasant. Avoid the monsoon season which is between July and September.

7. Jim Corbett

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Home to the Royal Bengal tiger, Jim Corbett is the oldest national park set amidst the foothills of the Himalayas in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Majoly known for its wildlife safaris, Jim Corbett has multiple resorts set on the riverside. This national park is home to 650 species of rare and migratory birds. The wildlife safaris are organized in all the zones in two shifts by the forest officials.

Places to visit: Corbett waterfall, Garjia temple, Corbett Museum, Sitabani temple, Kosi river, and Kalagarh dam.

Things to do: Jungle safari, river rafting, rock climbing, rappelling bird watching, Elephant safari, visit to Garjia temple, attend the Gyan Yatra program that is designed to share the knowledge about Jim Corbett.

The best time to visit: Jim Corbett remains closed from July to October in the monsoon season, but the Jhirna, Dhela, and Sitabani tourism zones remain open for tourists throughout the year. Head towards Jim Corbett between November and February during the winter season when all the zones are open.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: The best option for food in Corbett tends to be the hotels and resorts here. You can find North Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, continental, and Kumaoni cuisines.

8. Auli

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Visit the skiing destination of India, Auli this year for an unmatchable experience. Dotted with the apple orchards, the beautiful oaks, and pine trees, there is no dearth of natural beauty in Auli. This destination holds numerous ski resorts situated amidst the Himalayan range and is home to the mountain ranges of Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Kamat Kamet.

Places to visit: Gurso Bugyal, Trishul Peak, Joshimath, Hanuman temple, and Chenab Lake.

Things to do: Skiing, trekking, enjoying the ropeway cable car ride, and camping.

The best time to visit: Auli for skiing is between December and March. Auli is a throughout the year but the perfect time to explore is between April to June.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: Cliff Top Club, Auli D’s Food Plaza.

9. Chopta

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A fantastic getaway, Chopta is a place you cannot miss. Chopta is surrounded by the mighty Himalayas making it the perfect trekking destination like Chandrashila, and Tungnath.

Places to visit: Tungnath, Deoria tal, Chandrashila, Ukhimath, Madhyamaheshwar Mandir, Rohini Bugyal, Sari village, Omkar Ratneshwar Mahadev, Kalimath temple, Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary, and Baniyakund.

Things to do: Trekking, and camping.

Best time to visit- plan a trip between March to May and October and February for an unmatchable experience. Avoid visiting between June and September as it is the monsoon season.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: Mayadeep Herbal Resort, Shri Mangalam Dhaba, and Snow View Restaurant.

10. Kausani

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Labeled as the Switzerland of India by Mahatma Gandhi, Kausani is truly a must-visit place located in Bageshwar in Uttarakhand. With so much to explore, Kausani is ideal for honeymooners, nature enthusiasts, and adventure seekers. Have a look at some famous routes from Kausani- Adi Kailash trek, Base Kausani trek, and Bageshwar-Sunderdhunda trek. 

Places to visit: Rudradhari Falls and Caves, Anasakti Ashram, Baijnath temple, Kausani Tea Estate, and Sumitranandan Pant Gallery. 

Things to do: Trekking, Nature Walk, Tour of Kausani tea estate, Shop to your heart’s content, Watch the mesmerizing sunrise over Nanda Devi, rock climbing, and visit the Starscapes Observatory.

Best time to visit: the most apt time to visit Kausani is between April and June and October to February when the weather remains quite salubrious. In December and January, Kausani receives snowfall.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: Have a gastronomical experience in the very famous restaurants/cafes located here- Yogi Restaurant, Bro’s Café, Quality Restaurant, Himalayan Valley Restaurant, and Garden Restaurant.

11. Munsiyari

Rightly labeled as Little Kashmir, Munsiyari is a beautiful hamlet located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Capture the panorama of the snow-capped Himalayan range. This destination is perched between the borders of India, Tibet, and Nepal and is the base for three glaciers- Namik, Milam, and Ralam glaciers.

Places to visit: Birthi Falls, Maheshwari Kund, Panchachuli Peak, Thamari Kund, Kalamuni Top, Khaliya Top, Betulidhar, Nanda Devi Temple, and,  Darkot

Things to do: River rafting, shopping, skiing, camping, trekking, Birdwatching

Best time to visit: Plan your visit between March and May and October to February for an impeccable experience. Avoid the monsoon season which is between June and September.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: Zara’s Resort and Restaurant, Buddha Restaurant, Pandey’s Restaurant, Munsiyari Kitchen, and Milam Inn Restaurant.

12. Ranikhet

Visit this amazing destination, Ranikhet this year for a fantabulous experience. Ranikhet is renowned for offering jaw-dropping views of Nanda Devi peak, trekking ranges, mountainous climbs, golf courses, and revered temples. Ranikhet is beautifully located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 1830m.

Places to visit: Jhula Devi temple, Upat Golf Course, Dwarahat, Bhalu Dam, Chaubatia Orchards, Haidakhan Babaji temple, Katarmal Sun temple, Mankameshwar temple, and Majkhali.

Things to do: Nature walks, attend the pious aarti at the revered Haidakhan Babaji temple, indulge in playing golf, trekking, adventure sports in Ashiyana Park, Hiking, and camping.

Best time to visit: Plan your trip between March to June and post-monsoon that is September to November when the weather remains quite salubrious.

Famous cafes/Restaurants: West View Hotel, Mayur Restaurant, Chevron Rosemount.