There might be some uncertainty while choosing between the two tourist locations, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Check out my Himachal Pradesh travel guide if you're likewise perplexed.
Both have environments that are quite similar, but what distinguishes them is the kind of guests they draw. Himachal Pradesh is more of a resort state while Uttarakhand is a place of culture and religion.
With that stated, expect better vacation experiences in Himachal Pradesh, including improved infrastructure and transportation, and a little less of everything while travelling in Uttarakhand. Expect to see an increase in Indian tourists as well.
Let's first talk about some practical travel tips before I reveal the top places to visit in Uttarakhand.
Avoid going to Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Nainital, which are well-known cities.
The bulk of the hikes in this area require a guide, according to the regional tourism authority. Guides typically charge close to 1000 Rupees each day. Hence, use caution and negotiate wisely. You may check the most recent prices that have been approved by the government as well as other useful information on the official tourism website.
In contrast to Himachal Pradesh, camping is less common there. In accordance with a ruling from the Uttarakhand High Court, the state government was compelled to remove all permanent campsites from the grasslands and meadows in 2018. Also, it imposed restrictions on temporary campers.
This state had some of the most severe rainstorms in the whole Indian Himalayas. Between June and August, high elevations frequently see landslides. Be careful to look up the weather forecast before your travel to Uttarakhand.
It is nearly impossible to find either of these items given that it is considered a land of gods and that Hinduism forbids and further restricts tourists from consuming alcohol and eating any meat, particularly within a 50-kilometer radius of the four pilgrimage sites of Gokarnath, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. Several hotels and restaurants in this area don't even serve onion and garlic.
These were only a few quick tips. Our travel guide now includes information on the top sights in Uttarakhand.
Top Places To See In Uttarakhand
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is the hub of yoga in India. Each year, a large number of tourists go to Rishikesh to engage in yoga and meditation. There are obviously a plethora of yoga schools accessible.
I previously spent two months learning yoga and getting spiritual guidance at the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh. And the encounter has actually changed who I am. I suggest that you follow suit if you have two months to spare and are travelling to Rishikesh. Just being a man of Indian heritage would do, as Sivananda Ashram does not accept women or men of other countries. You may apply on their website. Also, the two months of accommodation and food are free.
Rishikesh is a fantastic place to meet other travellers, live cheaply, and maintain a laid-back, hippie lifestyle. Keep in mind while making your hotel reservations that "Laxman Jhula" is the best district in the entire town. You may check out my website on the best hostels in Rishikesh for hostel tips. Check out my tour guide to Rishikesh for additional details on the finest things to do there.
Jangalia Gaon
Jangalia Gaon, which is less than 350 kilometres from Delhi, offers a holiday that feels quite rustic. At 15 kilometres from Bhimtal, it is well situated.
I just got the opportunity to visit Jangalia Gaon during a month-long motorcycle journey in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand (in October 2020), and I quite appreciated it. The route to Jangalia Gaon is very straightforward, and if you want to go shopping or take part in tourist activities, Bhimtal is a well-known site that is nearby.
Auli
In my list of the top places to visit in Uttarakhand, Auli comes in #1.
The area in India that is most practical for learning to ski or snowboard from New Delhi is Auli. Moreover, Auli has some of the most reasonable prices for ski instruction worldwide.
An initial 6-day training costs little more than 15,000 Rupees, accommodation and food included. A lengthy chairlift ride, several hiking routes, and camping are also available in the town as extra adventure activities. Watch what it was like for me to go to Auli and camp there all summer.
Auli is around an 8 to 10-hour drive from Rishikesh.
Pindari Glacier
The southeasterly portion of the Nanda Devi mountain range is home to the Pindari Glacier, which is also the source of the Pindari River. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in the Pindari Glacier walk. The Pindari Glacier's base camp, also known as the zero point, has drawn interest from a variety of travellers, including experienced trekkers and transitory tourists.
Pindari is still somewhat unique compared to the bulk of other treks in Uttarakhand, though. During a 5-day journey that leads you there, you can glimpse the Pindari's summit at a height of 3,660 metres above sea level.
In the distance, one can also make out Panwali Dwar (6,683m), Maiktoli Peak (6,803m), and Nanda Devi Peak (7,816m), which is the 23rd-highest peak in the world and the second-highest mountain in India.
As I previously stated, the primary goal of travel in Uttarakhand is to see holy places. The most popular pilgrimage sites are the four holy sites of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath.
These four areas are the most well-known and important tourist destinations in Uttarakhand, and they are open from April through November each year.
The distances to Yamunotri and Kedarnath are 5 km (and back) and 16 km (and back), respectively, in contrast to Gangotri and Badrinath, which can be accessed by car or bus.
Haridwar, For Ganga Arti
If you can handle some of the chaos of Indian towns, I believe you must witness the daily Aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar at least once in your life. But, some individuals may find the experience to be chaotic and hectic.
You may drive to Haridwar for a few hours and then return to Rishikesh, where you may find calm serenity, in only 45 minutes.
Darma Valley
The Darma Valley is by far my favourite tourist destination; it reaches all the way to Tibet and is situated in eastern Uttarakhand, not far from the Nepal border.
The Pandavas, according to Hindu myth, cooked their farewell meal in the Darma Valley before ascending to heaven on the five peaks of Panchachuli. In English, the word "Panchachuli" or "Panch Chuli" refers to a five-pointed oven.
The popular Panchachuli Base Camp Trek is also held in the Darma Valley.
Kalagarh and Jim Corbett
If you appreciate wildlife, go to the national parks of Kalagarh and Jim Corbett, both of which are close to New Delhi. These regions often have leopard sightings. The nature of Kalagarh is more unusual than Jim Corbett's.
It's likely that lodgings in Jim Corbett look a little more pricey and hard to get when compared to Kalagarh.
Khati Village
One of my favourite settlements in all of Uttarakhand, if not the whole Indian Himalayan region, is Khati. There is more to see and shoot in the neighbourhood than only the mountains, such as a beautiful location, gracious locals, and incredible graffiti.
Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers is, in essence, a vision of boundless colour stretched across an uneven landscape for as far as the eye can perceive. Because to the focus on flowers, the location is only accessible during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September.
A minimum 3-day hike through lovely meadows of alpine flowers that have sprouted and burst into red, purple, and yellow colours is required to reach the valley.
Perhaps the most picturesque trip in the entire Indian Himalayas is the Valley of Flowers hike. The Valley of Flowers Trek is situated in the Valley of Flowers National Park, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gomukh Trek
What Is The Best Time To Travel Uttarakhand
The ideal time to visit Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Auli is during the winter months of November to March.
Most other well-known tourist locations are best visited between April and June or September and October.
Except for Valley of Flowers, monsoon is the worst time to go.
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