State · North India

Uttarakhand travel guide

उत्तराखण्ड

Every district of Uttarakhand and what it is known for — 306 places to visit across 13 districts, with how to reach each one, the best time to go and where to stay.

  • Capital Dehradun
  • 13 districts
  • 306 places
Open Uttarakhand on the mapRead the Uttarakhand chapter

Before you go

Places come from Uttarakhand Tourism's official destination pages; districts were assigned by location. Char Dham pilgrims must register; portal opening and closing dates are announced each year.

Monsoon (July-September) brings landslides that close hill roads. Kumaon stays are KMVN rest houses; GMVN's Garhwal list could not be read.

Top places to visit in Uttarakhand

One place from each district that our guide covers in depth.

  1. Jageshwar

    Almora district · Temples and pilgrimage

    A serene temple town located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, Jageshwar is a cluster of more than 100 stone temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which have inspired its popular name, “Valley of Gods”. (Uttarakhand Tourism)

  2. Baijnath

    Bageshwar district · Temples and pilgrimage

    Nestled deep inside the Garur valley, Baijnath is a small but ancient town that was the capital of the erstwhile Katyuri dynasty. Remnants of that era can be seen even today in the temples located on the banks of the Gomti river. (Uttarakhand Tourism)

  3. Valley of Flowers

    Chamoli district · Peaks, parks and lakes

    With a stunning backdrop of the mighty Himalayan ranges, the Valley of Flowers National Park presents an ethereal view and an unforgettable experience for visitors. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

  4. Champawat

    Champawat district · Hill stations and towns

    TThe capital of the Chand dynasty (10th to 16th century), Champawat is steeped in history and heritage. Today, it is best known for its temples, many of which date back to the times of the Chand rulers. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

  5. Mussoorie

    Dehradun district · Hill stations and towns

    Mussoorie, also known as Queen of the Hills, is among the most popular hill stations of the country. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

  6. Haridwar

    Haridwar district · Temples and pilgrimage

    One of the holiest pilgrimages in India, Haridwar, or the ‘gateway to gods’, is located where Ganga, the sacredest of all Indian rivers, enters the Indo-Gangetic plains. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

  7. Nainital

    Nainital district · Hill stations and towns

    Nainital, the charming Himalayan lake town, is a picture-postcard perfect hill-station and one of the most popular in Northern India. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

  8. Lansdowne

    Pauri Garhwal district · Hill stations and towns

    A quiet town with old-world colonial charm, Lansdowne is an unspoiled expanse of lush greenery nestled in the Himalayas. The hill station is dotted with pines and oaks and is perched at a height of 1,700 m. (Uttarakhand Tourism)

  9. Chaukori

    Pithoragarh district · Hill stations and towns

    Surrounded towering Himalayan peaks and lush forests, Chaukori is an idyllic tourist destination. It is replete with snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, deodar and rhododendrons, and picturesque views as far as the eye can go. (Uttarakhand Tourism)

  10. Kedarnath

    Rudraprayag district · Temples and pilgrimage

    One of the most revered temple destinations of India, Kedarnath town is nestled in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

  11. New Tehri

    Tehri Garhwal district · Hill stations and towns

    A modern town and the headquarter of the Tehri-Garhwal district, New Tehri is an adventure tourism hub. (Uttarakhand Tourism)

  12. Nanakmatta

    Udham Singh Nagar district · Temples and pilgrimage

    A small town in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, Nanakmatta is famous for its eponymous and revered Sikh shrine. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

  13. Gangotri

    Uttarkashi district · Temples and pilgrimage

    One of the char dhams (the most sacred pilgrimage circuits in northern India with four holy destinations), Gangotri, in Uttarkashi, is a small town with the temple of Goddess Ganga at its heart. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)

Districts of Uttarakhand 13

13 (Garhwal 7, Kumaon 6) — 13 districts; proposed new districts (Kotdwar, Yamunotri and others) not created; boundaries frozen for Census 2027. Guides live for all 13.

Festivals and dates to plan around

  • Char Dham portals open — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath: Late April-May; 2027 dates to confirm
  • Char Dham portals close — Same: October-November; dates to confirm
  • Valley of Flowers season — Chamoli: Monsoon bloom; opening dates to confirm
  • Kanwar Yatra — Haridwar: Shravan (July-August); dates to confirm
  • Ganga Aarti — Har ki Pauri, Haridwar; Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh: Daily at dusk (estimate)