10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

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They call it the ‘Land of Gods’. Mysterious, beautiful, exotic, charming, and magnificent, that’s Uttrakhand in a nutshell. The enchanting land is blessed with some amazing tourist places and when you visit this place you can better judge why the Gods chose Uttrakhand to make it their abode. With several beautiful places to visit in Uttarakhand, a trip to Uttarakhand should definitely be in your bucket list of places to see in India. If you are already on your way to plan a trip, here is a list of places to visit in Uttarakhand.

Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand ( 2021 Updated )

Places to Visit in Uttarakhand	Best time to Visit
Dehradun	Mar to Jun
Mussoorie	Apr to Jun
Nainital	Mar to Jun
Rishikesh	Aug to Oct
Haridwar	Aug to Oct
Ranikhet	Aug to Oct
Auli	Sep to Nov
Chamoli	Oct to Mar
Lansdowne	Jul to Sep

1. Dehradun

Dehradun is the capital of Uttrakhand and a lively city surrounded with charming views of the mountains of Musoorie. Dehradhun is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist places in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit: Don’t miss the beautiful Forest Research Institute campus in Dehradun.The colonial building is very picturesque. They are open between 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.
• Things to do: Shop for pretty woollens, handicrafts, handlooms, juices, jams, jellies and clothes in the local market. Don’t forget to try out the delicious Garhwali food at the local restaurants.
• Best time to visit: Plan a trip between March to June to beat the summer heat as the weather is pleasant. March to June is the best time to visit this beautiful place in Uttarakhand and to beat the summer heat as the weather is pleasant.

2. Mussoorie

The ‘Queen of Hills’, Mussoorie, is a pretty hill station located at a distance of about 38 km from Dehradun, a ride from Dehradun to Musoorie is full of scenic views and beautiful landscapes which makes this place one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. The captivating beauty of Musoorie easily makes a spot for itself in the top 10 places to visit in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit the place: Don’t miss the stunning Kempty Falls near Mussoorie.
• Things to do: Walk through the winding lanes of the tiny town and explore its beauty. Also, try your luck in spotting resident author Ruskin Bond, who enjoys a stroll through the markets
• Best time to visit: April to June are the best months to come here. If you want to see snowfall, plan a trip during the winter months.

Recommended Read: Top 50 hill stations in India

3. Nainital

Sandwiched between the majestic mountains, right in the lap of Naini Lake, Nainital is popular as one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand, surrounded by mountains from every corner offering a majestic view of Himalayas. The ‘Lake city of India’ is also a well-known tourist place in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit place: The sparkling Naini Lake offers a grand boating ride which is unmissable.
• Things to do: Shop for woollens, handicrafts, jewellery and soveniour in the shops on Mall Road. If you love adventure, then there are options for trekking. .
• Best time to visit: Nainital has good weather throughout the year, but people mostly come to this hill station between March to June.

Our Uttarakhand holiday packages will acquaint you with the quaint beauty of Uttarakhand.

4. Rishikesh – Among the best spiritual places to visit in Uttarakhand

For the spiritualist in you, one of the places to visit in Uttarakhand is Rishikesh. This charming town exudes a rustic touch and spiritual energy that is infectious. The ancient temples and popular cafes make Rishikesh one of the best places in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit place: One of the interesting places to see in Uttarakhand is the Beetles Ashram. While you are surrounded by serenity, do make it a point to see the graffiti on the walls. Entry fee is Rs 150 per person
• Things to do: A thrilling white water rafting in Rishikesh is an experience of a lifetime and is one of best things to do in Uttarakhand. Looking for a diving experience, take a dip in the holy Ganga and feel spiritually cleansed with the divine experience.
• Best time to visit: You can go to Rishikesh anytime you feel like a holiday, however, the best time to visit this tourist place in Uttarakhand is from August to October.

5. Haridwar

Popular as a Hindu pilgrimage Haridwar is one of the most visited places by the spiritual people. A trip here during your Uttarakhand holiday should be a part of your itinerary. This ancient city is also the headquarter of Haridwar district and a major tourist place in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit place: Har ki Pauri ghat is a must visit place while you are in Uttarakhand.
  The Brhmakhund, which is visited by hordes of devotes is known to have one of the most amazing arts and is a surreal experience.
• Things to do: Take a dip in the holy Ganga and also enjoy a serene boat ride there. Eat the delicious local food to get a real feel of the place.
• Best time to visit: Though summers are hot, it gets pleasant here once the sun sets. The best time is between the cooler months of August to October

6. Jim Corbett National Park

The Jim Corbett National Park is a forested wildlife sanctuary and one of the top 10 places to visit in Uttarakhand in India’s northern state. One of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand is Jim Corbett National Park. The park houses around 500 species of birds, and 400 types of trees.

Our Uttarakhand tour packages will show you the best of Jim Corbett.

• Things to do: Go on a  jungle safari and spot the exotic animals.
• Best time to visit: It depends on where your interest lies. Let’s say bird watching is what you like then plan a trip in winters and if you want to spot the animals then summer is the best time, though it will be hot there.
• Fees: You will need to pay Rs 4500/ jeep to enter the park.

Suggested Read: Retreat to Jim Corbett National Park

7. Ranikhet

One of the places to see in Uttarakhand is Ranikhet. Ranikhet is a tiny hamlet in the Himalayan wonder which has a heavy colonial hangover. Beautiful stone buildings of the British Era add a great charm to the little town. making it one of the most beautiful places in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit place: Tour the British Era buildings here found in plenty. There are also a host of beautiful temples in and around Ranikhet which is very charming and should not be missed.
• Things to do: Ranikhet has several tiny local off-road trekking routes offering scenic vistas. A trek here can be very refreshing and enjoyable.
• Best time to visit: Early winters, starting from September until November is the best time to visit Ranikhet.

8. Auli

This magnificent hill station offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges and an interesting place to visit in Uttarakhand. This picturesque hamlet is a great honeymoon destination as well. This Himalayan ski resort and hill station is a very popular tourist place in Uttarakhand surrounded by coniferous and oak trees.

• Must visit place: A trip to the beautiful Chattrakund lake should be on your places to see here.
• Things to do: Auli is the skiing and snowboarding hub of India. You can try your hand at skiing here. There are different courses to learn the sport. Try your lick at mountaineering here and you will have an unforgettable experience.
• Best time to visit: You can visit Auli anytime of the year. However, winters can be extremely cold and you will need to bundle up.

Suggested Read : The Best Hotels in Uttarakhand for Every Budget

9. Chamoli

Chamoli is also known as the “Abode of Gods’. This beautiful town is well-known for its lovely shrines, temples and charming Garhwali traditions. Chamoli is also the town known to spark the famous ‘Chipko’ movement. Chamoli is the largest district in Uttarakhand and one of the best places in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit place: Head to the Valley of Flowers and be surrounded by the most amazing sight of beautiful blooms
• Things to do: Enjoy the cable car ride here. The ride is very scenic and enjoyable. Trekking is another option to indulge in this wonderful town.
• Best time to visit: Head to Chamoli before the onset of Summers, between October to March.

10. Lansdowne

The pretty cantonment town was founded by the British Viceroy and bears his name. If a quiet time amidst nature is your thing, then this is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. Lansdowne is one of the quietest hill stations of India and is easily ranked among the top 10 places to visit in Uttarakhand.

• Must visit places: Head to the Gharwali Museum that houses a collection of arms, rifles, army uniforms, and some rare photographs of the days gone by. The museum is open from 9.00 am to noon and 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm.
• Things to do: Enjoy a peaceful walk or simply sit and stare at the beauty of nature. You can also go on the forest trail to explore the wilderness of this beautiful place.
• Best time to visit: July to September is one the best times to visit, apart from the summer season. Winters can be extremely cold. So plan your Uttarakhand trip accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit in Uttarakhand:

1. Which is the best destination in Uttarakhand for honeymoon in December?

Uttarakhand is home to several places which invoke the feelings of relaxation, love and peace. Places like Dehradun, Auli, Landsowne, Ranikhet, Nainital, etc. are some of the best destinations here for honeymoon in December.

2. What adventure activities are there in Uttarakhand?

Uttarakhand is a gold mine of adventure activities. From varying intensity treks, skiing, and paragliding to white water rafting and camping, there are enough activities for the adventure junkie in you to explore and experience.

3. What is the best time to visit Uttarakhand?

You can visit Uttarakhand all year long and the experience will be thrilling. However, summertime from March through June and winter days from October to February is supposed to be the best time to visit. The weather is pleasant and is sure to give you the most amazing vacation feels.

4. What can I buy from Uttarakhand shopping markets?

Uttarakhand is popular for woollen items, handicrafts and wine. The local tribes in the region are skilled artisans who practice various art like Ringaal, Rambaans, wooden craft, Aipan, spices and pickles, and copperware.

5. What can you expect while visiting Uttarakhand?

Traveling to Uttarakhand, you can expect to feel the spiritual powers of the mountains reverberating as you drive down the treacherous roads or trek the mighty mountains. The scenic beauty is overwhelming and feels as close to paradise as it can get. You can surely expect to feel rejuvenated and replenished after a visit to this glorious place.