Top Destination
Auli
Dotted with the apple orchards, old oaks, and pine trees there is no dearth of natural beauty in Auli. Apart from skiing you can also go for numerous treks in the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the spellbinding views of the snow-draped mountains. Auli is a popular hill resort in the Himalayan range dating back to the 8th Century AD. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVL) runs a ski resort and a ski rental shop.
Auli is a popular skiing destination in India because of its glittering slopes and clean environment. Dotted with apple orchards, oaks and deodars, Auli is a popular hill town with numerous ski resorts situated amidst the Himalayan range. Located at 2800 meters above sea levels, it is home to mountain ranges of Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat and Kamat Kamet.
Chopta
Situated on the Gopeshwar – Ukhimath road, about 40 kms. from Gopeshwar at an altitude of about 2900 mts., Chopta is one of the most picturesque places in the entire Garhwal region. It provides a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges and surrounding areas.
Popularly referred to as the ‘mini Switzerland’ of Uttarakhand, Chopta (at an approximate altitude of 2,608 m) is a slice of paradise tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas. Surrounded by bugyals or velvety meadows and pristine snow-capped peaks, Chopta is an all-year holiday destination: pleasant in summer, rain-fresh in monsoon and a snow-clad fairyland in winter.
Nainital
Nainital is located amidst the mountains and the rivers flowing from the Himalayas. It is an exceptionally beautiful hill station and has a lot to offer to its tourists. Winter is the best time to visit Nainital when everything is covered with snow. The picturesque view of nature you get here is unparalleled. Horse Trekking is something which is not available in many places in India except Nainital. It is often considered as one of the most popular tourist destination in Northern India.
Attractions: Nainital Lake, Tiffin Top, Snow View Point, Mukteshwar Temple, High Altitude Zoo, Kainchi Dham
Things to do: Cliff Rappelling, Artificial Wall Climbing, Bungee Jumping, Boating, Camping
Mussoorie
Mussoorie, also known as Queen of the Hills, is among the most popular hill stations of the country. A Britisher, Captain Frederick Young, accompanied by an official named FJ Shore, had climbed up the hill from the Doon valley in 1827 and found this ridge offering great views and a salubrious climate. This visit laid the foundation for this grand hill station.
A captivating paradise for leisure travellers and honeymooners, it is a perfect summer resort. Located on a 15-km-long horseshoe ridge with the grand Himalayas as a backdrop, Mussoorie spreads across at a height of 2,000 m above sea level. From this vantage point, it offers scenic views of Himalayas peaks in Western Garhwal.
Chakrata
Chakrata known for its serene environs and pollution-free atmosphere, is situated at a distance of 98 kms from Dehradun at an elevation of about 7000 ft(2118 mts). It is having a cantonement township and the northern part of Chakrata sub-division provides a fascinating landscape for trekkers and nature lovers.
Virgin forests of conifers, rhododendrons and oaks are best suited for long walks. A vast dense forest, dotted with attractive villages of the Jaunsari tribe, the area has the 10,000 ft(3084 mts) high peak of Kharamba. On its northern slopes is situated Mundali 9000 ft(2776 mts) where in the months of November to April skiers can enjoy skiing.
Munsiyari
Munsiyari is the name of a town and a tehsil in the Pithoragarh District in the hill-state of Uttarakhand, India. Munsiyari, the center as well as the Gateway of Johar Region is situated 128 Km from Pithoragarh at an elevation of 2298 meters and is snuggled in the folds of snow clad mountains. Munsiyari is 624 kms from Delhi and around 300 kms from Nainital and Almora to Munsiyari is 192 kms.
Munsiyari’s name refers to a ‘Place With Snow’. Situated on the banks of Goriganga river, it is a fast growing tourist destination, and mountaineers, glacier enthusiasts, high altitude trekkers and nature lovers commonly use it as their hub or base camp.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is also known for its connection with The Beatles. In February 1968, members of the legendary English rock band visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram (now popularly known as the Beatles Ashram) to learn transcendental meditation. The band composed nearly 48 songs during their time at the Maharishi’s ashram, many of which appear on the White Album (and a few from Abbey Road).
John Lennon recorded a song titled, ‘The Happy Rishikesh Song’ after his visit. Several other international artists, including Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Paul Horn, Donovan and Gyp Mills, visited the site to contemplate and meditate. It is associated with Ram. According to legend, hare he came on the advice of sage Vasishtha to do penance for killing Ravana. the king of Lanka.
Harsil
Harsil is an unspoiled and hidden jewel of Uttarakhand state offering ample scope for people seeking peace and serenity in the lap of Himalayas. It is situated on the banks of Bhagirathi River at an elevation of 2620 mts above sea level. This quaint hamlet has become popular in recent years among travel enthusiasts and nature lovers.
There are several adventurous trekking routes that you can do in the vicinity of Harsil. A holiday at Harsil is a rejuvenating experience where you can do meditation and yoga.Seated on the bank of River Bhagirathi, Harsil is one of the hidden gems of Uttarakhand. This beautiful village in the Garhwal Himalayas is situated at an altitude of 2620 m and is part of the equally gorgeous Uttarkashi District.
Kausani
The ideal way to explore this picturesque hill-station is to come without a plan. You can spend an entire day just watching the magical play of colours on the mountain peaks surrounding Kausani.
This village, perched on a ridge covered with chir and blue pine forests, is most well-known for the spectacular panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi, and the mighty Panchachuli. Enjoy a picture-perfect sunrise from one of the many viewing platforms in the village. As the sun peeps above the horizon, the snow-crested peaks take on every hue of the rising golden orb.Or you can explore the surrounding forests, filled with babbling creeks, chirping birds and serenity. A paradise for bird lovers, here you can spot more than 50 different species of birds such as woodpecker, barbet, parakeet, robin and fork tail.