Being a land of sublime beauty and poetic spirituality, Uttarakhand welcomes tourists from all over the world every year and fills every visitor with a feeling of awe towards the potency of naturally beautiful and spiritually charged surroundings. With umpteen number of options available in sight-seeing, one cannot miss this chance to connect with one’s inner self, once you step in here. There are several places to visit in Uttarakhand and these range from water sporting centers to skiing corners of the Himalayas to ashrams.

Let us take a quick look at each of the top 44 amazing places to visit in Uttarakhand and find out how many are already off our bucket list.

44 Astounding Places To Visit In Uttarakhand (2024)

Do you believe in getting away from the urban chaos once every two months? Check out this countdown of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand and plan your next getaway into the laps of serenity.

• Dehradun And Mussoorie – Known for its picturesque locations, Dehradun is on the banks of the Ganges and surrounded by Himalayan ranges with great views. Mussoorie is known as the Queen of Hills and a must-visit for those to love to hit the higher altitudes. Places to visit in Dehradun include National Parks, Lakes, Kempty Falls, Benog Hill, and Jenoji Temple. In addition to these, there are monasteries, resorts, and the Forest Research Institute which show the diversity of the place.

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• Nainital And Ranikhet – Known to be a popular getaway for people residing in North India, Nainital is located on Naini Lake and is surrounded by picturesque hills. Ranikhet has huge trekking options in the forests around and several temples which take more than a day-long to visit. The Nainital Zoo and Naini Lake are the major attractions of the place along with the treks and temples. For peace and beauty, a lot of honeymoon couples, office goers, and families spend their time there.

• Rishikesh And Haridwar – The spiritual capital of Uttarakhand is Haridwar and Rishikesh. Both have tremendous spiritual potency and also help the lovers of sports explore several adventure sports possibilities. These include river rafting, mountain climbing, and bungee jumping. Spiritual activities include participating in the Ganga aarti at Haridwar, going for boat rides and visiting the Ghats, taking a holy dip in the Ganges, and visit the spiritual Gurus in the ashramas. Do not forget to check out top things to do in Rishikesh

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• Jim Corbett – The National Park was set up in 1938 and is the must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts since it hosts 600 species of birds, 600 species of animals, and 488 different types of plants and trees. In short, it is the flora and fauna capital of the country and is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. The safaris and hiking trails are great fun to attend and thoroughly adventurous.

• Almora – In Uttarakhand, Almora is one of the most famous offbeat places, which promises peace and tranquility to visitors. It has very few options like you can only shop around for handicrafts, or go mountain trekking or simply sit back and enjoy the natural magnificence. However, it still is a favorite destination for people who want to get away from the summer heat. It is, therefore, well provided with premium staying places and hotels where nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and couples can book their stays and enjoy quiet time.

• Auli – A popular hub of ski enthusiasts, Auli is located right next to Badrinath and is cold all around the year with surroundings lined by the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. It is one of the best places for enjoying snow sports in Uttarakhand like skiing, snowboarding, and trekking. The place is not open in monsoons and is best visited in the summer and winter seasons. Know more about seasons in India here.

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• Chakrata – This secluded hill-town is a picture-perfect destination known for its quietness and warmth and is one of the best tourist places of Uttarakhand. It has postcard size homes, and ample moments to dive in natural beauty with birds chirping every morning and evening. There is no rush and hustle of the urban cities. The crowd is also limited all around the year, which makes it for a peaceful destination. Therefore, travellers from all over india, solo travellers, couples, and trekking enthusiasts visit this place.

• Chopta – To further enhance your experience of the quietness and peace of Uttarakhand, you must visit Chopta, a hamlet that is filled with the largeness of quaint and serene hills. It is at an elevation of 2680 metres from sea level and is the base camp or starting point for treks to Tungnath and Chandrashilla. It is surrounded by Trishul, Nandadevi, and Chaukhumba peaks. Trekking and camping along with photography are the best things to do here.

• Lansdowne – A popular picnic destination. Lansdowne is best known for its quietness and trekking, walking, and picnicking trails. This is a man-made hamlet made by the Viceroy of India and is visited by families, groups of friends, and couples. It has made its appearances in many movies and postcards. People can take walks, enjoy the serenity of nature, discover nearby towns, museums and viewpoints. Since it is manmade, the alleyways and roads are pretty systematic.

• Valley Of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib – Noted as a paradise for nature lovers, Hemkund Sahib is a favourite Sikh destination and a place of worship that is surrounded by the Valley of Flowers. Several horticultural marvels are seen here coming up naturally in the lap of nature and this makes it compulsory on the list of places to visit in Uttarakhand. Therefore, this is a spiritual cum natural beauty filled destination and one of the most sought after tourist places in Uttarakhand. The Hemkund shrine adds to the peace of the place.

• Chardham (Yamnotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, And Kedarnath) – Known for its spiritual potency, Uttarakhand is famous for the Chardham Yatra where pilgrims walk or trek or take buses and cars to four very potent historical destinations of Uttarakhand, namely Yamnotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. While Yamuna and Ganges are known to have originated in Yamnotri and Gangotri respectively, Badrinath and Kedarnath are the naturally made shrines of Lord Shiva. Some people trek these destinations on foot while some take the helicopter darshan service and visit the 4 destinations in 2 days.

• Dhanaulti – Not known to many as a great tourist destination, Dhanaulti is still known for its gorgeous snowfall and lovely forest treks since it is surrounded by picturesque deodar and pine trees. The best part of visiting this place is that you can plan day-long picnics and treks with family and groups of friends and not tire. The place is quieter than its hilly counterpart Mussoorie which is just 60km away. It gives you rare sunset and sunrise views and is a great destination for long jungle camps.

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• Kanatal – Located on the Mussoorie – Chamba Road, Kanatal is a serene village, with great views of the Shivalik mountains. The journey is pretty simple as one can take a private city or state taxi from Dehradun and reach this place within a few hours. Most visitors spend days here bird watching, trekking, and watching the beauty of nature around.

• Mukteshwar – This town is known for fun adventure sports like rock climbing, trekking, and rappelling. It is a simple town situated near Nainital and has lush green meadows, coniferous forests, picturesque orchards, little cottages, and temples. It offers awesome views of Himalayan ranges and attracts experience seekers and nature enthusiasts.

• Binsar – Offering spellbinding views of Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Kedarnath, and Chaukhamba hills, Binsar is an offbeat hilly destination that goes a bit off course to make you cut off from the rest of Uttarakhand destinations. It is no wonder, therefore, that writers, poets, artists, and thinkers visit here and enjoy the homestays. It is also known that the homestays in Binsar are the best in the country. The place also has mythological significance n the history of the place. Adding to the thrill is the fact that the town itself is situated within a wildlife sanctuary.

• Bhimtal – This place is known from olden days and is an offbeat version of Nainital, there are breathtaking views for you to enjoy from. The town has dense oaks, pines, and shrubs and a magnificent lake surrounded by hills. This makes it a destination that is straight out of a postcard.

• Uttarkashi – This is a quaint hill town that has four major religious shrines of Hindu mythology, which draw visitors in large numbers at the peak seasons of the year. The best way to enjoy this place however is to trek around the various rivers and lakes and take in the breathtaking views of the holy place. It has many adventure activities and therefore, other than religious travellers and pilgrims, this younger part of Uttarakhand has many adventure lovers visiting it. Prominent places are Dodital Lake, Nachiketa Lake, and Shakti Temple.

• Landour – A non-regular hub for tourists, this is the haven of peace seekers not very far from Mussoorie. It is a serene corner of Uttarakhand that is less commercialized and crowded and has a complete set of majestic views. People visit here on day-long trips from Mussoorie and the place is best enjoyed through walks amidst the cold wood. Visitors come all around the year since the climate is pleasant and calm here for the most part o the year.

• Chamoli – Rich in Garhwali traditions, the place is a must-visit for those who enjoy folklore and merchandise pertaining to it. Local history is rich in Garhwali culture and you can enjoy the song and dance routines and programs of the people. Also, Chamoli has historic significance since the famous Chipko movement started here. It is also famous for its shrines, temples, and worship places and has been called the ‘adobe of Gods’, owing to its many connections in Hindu mythology and therefore, is an ideal peaceful retreat with adventurous, religious, and natural significance.

• Pithoragarh – Known for its tranquillity, this mountain town is a sprawling place that can be visited any time of the year except the monsoons. The town has the feeling of a fortress because it is located in a strategic valley surrounded by hills. However, in present times, it has many monasteries and the place is well connected with the outside world. There are temples to visit and the local eateries offer great food too.

• Munsiyari – This spot is in the foothills of Uttarakhand and the best spot for biking activities. The place offers a splendid sunset view from the Panchchuli peak and is a favourite biking destination. The place also encourages you to learn trekking, something that can be hard in the higher altitudes if you are new to it. It is also peaceful and offers spectacular views for the ones looking for a silent getaway or break while on the roads.

• Sattal – Enchanting views await you at Sattal. As the name suggests, the place has seven lakes that have lush green surroundings and promise a whole lot of birds to watch, while enjoying scenic beauties. The seven lakes are Lakshman Tal, Naldaymanti Tal, Sukha Tal, Ram Tal, Bharat Tal, Panna Tal, and Sita Tal. The place is so eye-pleasing that it soothes your soul and often encourages you to cancel all other plans and extend your stay here.

• Joshimath – It is a lovely hill town which is a stone’s throw away from the Valley of Flowers. The Hindu Atharva Veda holds significance in the history of this place. Therefore it is also a religious hub for Hindu pilgrims who look to visit the source of Vedic literature and places holding that significance. The fact that it is close to the valley makes it a trekking point for many nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

• Naukuchiatal – A picturesque lake set amidst a small village is the highlight of this place near Nainital. It has not been commercialised much so far and therefore is a serene and calm place to visit and stay. The lake itself has nine corners which have an interesting myth attached to each. This makes the place a secret haven of peace and tranquillity that you must visit while planning out on the best tourist places of Uttarakhand. This also supports paragliding which is a great experience in itself since the views around are more mesmerizing than just the lakeside peace.

• Madhyamaheshwar – The Panch Kedar trip packages will introduce you to this place where cabs and buses ferry you to this silent corner of spiritual significance. The fourth temple of Panch Kedar is situated here dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known as the Madhyamaheshwar Temple. The entire village is seen praying at this temple and records a medium rush on significant days. The valley is silent and one of the favorite activities here is valley crossing. Trekking, camping, and nature walks are the other favorite adventure sports available here.

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• Tehri Garhwal – This place has immense spiritual significance since it has many temples and hold a religious vide throughout. To add to its beauty, the Garhwal area has numerous trekking trails and rock climbing areas that can be explored and this fact makes the place on top of the list of trek lovers. The place also has a big lake that is picturesque and beautiful and has a dam which adds to the experience of the area. Some people simply enjoy great views whilst staying here since this is a mediumly frequented destination and therefore, less crowded.

• Bageshwar – With a vibrant Baghnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, this place is also known as Uttarakhand’s Kashi. The temple is known to be a spiritually potent destination and is considered highly auspicious by pilgrims who come in large numbers every year. The area is in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas and is surrounded by beautiful locales and hills. There are temples, mountains, and rivers in the same area that you can enjoy from.

• Kausani – Kausani is an enchanting hill station that is located in the Bageshwar district. You can enjoy picture-perfect views and ace photography moments when here. Watch out for the beauty of Panchuli peaks, Trishul, and Nand Devi hills. The place is a favourite for those who love to enjoy serene sunsets. The treks routes that are famous here are the Base Kausani trek, Adi Kailash Trek, Bageshwar-Sunderdhunda trek, and a few more.

• Kumaon – The Kumaon region is most famous for the Jim Corbett National Park although it has a host of lakes, gardens, and temples to visit too. It is a perfect place for a rejuvenating vacation with family and friends with easy modes of transport, accommodation options, and travels around options. Religious travellers enjoy visiting the temples and always do a break journey here whenever in Uttarakhand as it is also one of the well-connected bases of the state. Nainital is close and other places like Bhimtal and the rest.

• Ramgarh – Known to less number of people, this is an upcoming tourist destination that houses several orchards of peaches, apples, and pears. It is, therefore, correctly called the fruit bowl of Kumaon region. The mesmerizing views of the Himalayas also encourage you to take walks and treks around whilst living much away from the rush of city life and also tourist centres.

• Guptakashi – This temple town has two temples namely Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ardhnareshwar Temple dedicated to a form of Lord Narayana. It also houses the holy Manikarnik Kund and it is a perfect holiday destination with family.

• Dharchula – This is a remote town on the way to Kailash Mansarovar and is famous for a variety of flora and fauna. It is also home to beautiful pine, deodar, and apple trees and animals like bears and leopards. It follows Nepali tradition and is a place known for its solitude.

• Gaumukh – Located within the Uttarkashi district, Gaumukh is a trekking destination and is considered one of the holiest lands of Uttarakhand.

• Pauri Garhwal – A beautiful tourist spot that promises you the extravagance of Garhwal mountains with many temples and majestic viewpoints. You can go sightseeing, indulge in photography, watch the sunset or simply go trekking.

• Rudraprayag – The holy land of the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and river Mandakini, it is a holy spot where hundred of pilgrims gather every year. It is one of the Panch Prayags and holds a spiritual charm at the confluence. You explore the temples and feel re-energised.

• Devprayag – This is the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. It is a place with strong religious vibrations and you can pay a visit to the temples here or trek to the nearby Dashrath Chal Peak.

• Mount Abbott – It is a peaceful hamlet having a Church and a line of cottages that give it a feeling of the golden days of British rule. It is best for trekking, photography, bird watching, and peace-loving moments.

• Chaukori – The majestic beauty of this place is a great relief to visitors who find this sweet village shaped in the form of a bowl welcoming them every time with a lot of warmth, views, and the opportunity to take long walks.

• Rajaji National Park – Explore unending opportunities to get close to wildlife at this National Park that is surrounded by the Shivalik ranges and a 34-kilometre jungle where you get rare sightings of animals and birds.

• Bhowali – This is located between Bhimtal and Nainital and is a peaceful place where people can get rest and relief.

• Patal Bhuvaneshwar – It is a peaceful spiritual retreat that holds a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and carries a lot of myths and fables around the auspiciousness of the place from historical times.

• Tungnath – This holy townhouse the more than the 1000-year-old Tungnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is a popular destination amongst religious travellers.

• Champawat – Rich in architecture, you will find Nagnath Temple, Baleshwar Temple, and Kranteshwar Temple amongst other prominent temples here. There is the Lohaghat where you can take a solemn dip.

• Pangot – This is a perfect heaven for bird lovers since it is known for different species of birds flocking here. It is a peaceful hamlet close to Nainital and also offers trekking and adventure sports options.

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