13 Places To Visit In Uttarakhand This Summer

The first thing that people do is look for Uttarakhand Packages or Himachal trips and then decide accordingly. 

If you have finally decided that you are going to explore Uttarakhand and some of its cities, then you have made the right choice. There are plenty of places to explore in Uttarakhand, and you are going to see the sublime beauty and stunning landscapes. You can also experience some of the best adventure activities for that adrenaline rush. 

Everything is there in Uttarakhand, from adventure sports to serene locations to a spiritual vibe, you are in for a trip of a lifetime. 

Let’s check out some of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand: 

1. Dehradun- The Capital City
2. Nainital- Honeymooner’s Paradise
3. Jim Corbett- The most loved National Park
4. Auli- The Ski Resort of India
5. Bhimtal- The Lake Built By Bhim
6. Pataal Bhuvaneshwar- The Cave Underground
7. Adi Kailash- The Holy Abode Of Lord Shiva
8. Om Parvat- The Mountain with Om Impression
9. Tungnath- Place of The Highest Lord Shiva Temple
10. Chaukori- The Majestic Retreat
11. Dharchula- The Indo-Nepal Border
12. Rishikesh- For A Spiritual Trip
13. Kanatal- The Serene Village of Mussoorie

1. Dehradun- The Capital City

You can often see youngsters from Delhi having a weekend getaway in Dehradun. The weather is absolutely pleasant, making you want to prolong your stay in Dehradun. It is an ideal place for families, friends, and honeymooners looking for a quiet, romantic place amidst the mountains, making it one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. 

Best Time To Visit: You can visit Dehradun anytime, and it will still be perfect. The weather remains pleasant throughout the year. However, you should avoid going during monsoons because there are chances of landslides. 

Ideal Duration: 2-3 days are enough for exploring Dehradun.

How To Reach: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport; if you are planning to fly, however, it takes approximately 5 hours to complete the journey by road.

Places To Visit: Kempty Falls, Benog Hill, Jwalji Temple, National Parks, etc.

2. Nainital- Honeymooner’s Paradise

Boating on the Naini Lake while watching the stunning mountains that surround the city, the tranquil water makes you calm. The sound of silence can be heard and felt every minute that passes by. 

It is popular among honeymooners and can be visited during the monsoon season as well. You can enjoy the exotic views of the Himalayan ranges and can also go for camping activities. 

Best Time To Visit: You can visit the place all year round, even during the monsoon season. 

Ideal Duration: The ideal time to spend in Nainital is 4-5 days to explore the city and try out all the adventure activities. 

How To Reach: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, which is about 34 km from Nainital. You can also drive from Delhi for the distance is just 7 hours. 

Places To Visit: Nainital Zoo, Naini Lake, Boating, camping and trekking can also be done here. 

3. Jim Corbett- The most loved National Park

The Jim Corbett boasts of having 488 varieties of plants and trees and 600 species, making it one of the top places to visit in Uttarakhand. 

The most popular activity in Jim Corbett is the Jungle Safari, organized by Jim Corbett itself, which is an experience that one must have. The National Park also allows you to go hiking, offering some of the best hiking trails in the dense forests. 

If you are into wildlife and are a photography enthusiast, then you should not miss this place. 

Best Time To Visit: You can visit the national park any time of the year except between the months of June and August, which is the monsoon season. 

Ideal Duration: 2-3 days are enough to explore the place. 

How To Reach: Ramnagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station, while the Dehradun Airport is the nearest airport. There are several buses from Delhi and Ramnagar, so there is an ease of accessibility. 

Places to Visit: National Park, go for hiking and jungle jeep safari, for the best experience.

4. Auli- The Ski Resort of India

Auli has to be on your list of places to visit in Uttarakhand and is highly recommended for mountain lovers. It is also a smart choice for honeymooning, so you can also plan your honeymoon in Auli. 

The title of the ski resort of India has been given to Auli for people from all over the country to come to Auli for skiing.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Auli is from October to November when there is plenty of snow, and people can ski as much as they want. 

Ideal Duration: 5 days are enough to enjoy Auli to the fullest. 

How To Reach: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport, whereas the nearest railway station is 6 hours away, so taking a flight is more advisable. 

Places to Visit: Visit the ski resort and ski all you want. 

5. Bhimtal – The Lake Built By Bheem

As per legends, the lake was built by Bheem, one of the Pandavas, when his wife had trouble crossing the river, he took a huge boulder and placed it, and hence Bhimtal was made. 

The best part about Bhimtal Lake is that it has an island. Can you believe the lake has an island of its own? On the Island, there is an aquarium and a cafe where you can savour your taste buds with lip-smacking snacks. The aquarium allows you snacks while enjoying the mountain and lake views. 

Best Time To Visit: The ideal time to visit Bhimtal is March to June and September to December to enjoy the best weather. 

Ideal Duration: 2 days are enough to enjoy Bhimtal, perfect for a weekend getaway from Delhi.

How To Reach: The closest railway station is Kathgodam, located at a distance of just half an hour from Bhimtal. 

Places to Visit: Bhimtal Lake, Island Aquarium and Cafe is a must-visit in Bhimtal. You can reach the island with the help of a boat.

6. Pataal Bhuvaneshwar- The Cave Underground

Pataal Bhuvaneshwar is a 90-foot-deep cave of great religious significance to the Hindus. The cave is said to be one of the spiritual places, and it is believed that if you visit this cave, it is equal to completing Chota Chard Dham Darshan. 

There is a chain with which you can descend into the cave. Initially, the cave looks scary, and some people find it difficult to go inside, but as you move forward, the area of the cave becomes bigger. 

You can have your guide here, who will tell you about the various structures inside, as you can see the beheaded structure of Lord Ganesha and the teeth of Sheshnag. 

The entire tour of the cave is something you have never seen before and will definitely be worth the visit if you are in for some adventure. 

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Pataal Buvaneshwar is between the months of October and June.

Ideal Duration: 2 days are enough to explore Pataal Bhuvaneshwar. 

How To Reach: Pataal Bhuvaneshwar is connected to the main cities of Dehradun and Rishikesh and is easily accessible.

Places to Visit: Pataal Bhuvaneshwar Cave. 

7. Adi Kailash- The Holy Abode Of Lord Shiva

It is a place full of spiritual significance for the Hindus, as it is believed that Lord Shiva resides there, and it is his holy abode. It is also believed that Lord Shiva’s marriage procession passed from Adi Kailash, and they stopped there. 

Every year, hundreds of pilgrims visit Adi Kailash to worship their lord. Initially the yatra was done on foot, where people had to trek for several kilometres, but now the roads have been constructed so vehicles go up to Jyolingkong, which is the last spot. From Jyolingkong, there is a trek 3 km up to Parvati Sarovar and then a 5 km trek to Gauri Kund. The oxygen level is quite low at Gauri Kund, so it is advisable that if you don’t feel well, you don’t go up to Gauri Kund. 

The view of Adi Kailash from Gauri Kund is a sight to behold, and the cold wind makes it even more heavenly. It’s a little hard not to get goosebumps when you see the first sight of Adi Kailash. 

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Adi Kailash is between May to June and then again from September to October. 

Ideal Duration: 2 days would be enough to explore Adi Kailash, for you cannot stay there because of the extreme weather conditions, so you have to come down to either Gunji or Nabi. 

How To Reach: You can hire a 4*4 vehicle to reach Jyolingkong, the last point of Adi Kailash.

Places to Visit: Parvati Sarovar, Gauri Kund, Shiv Parvati Temple.

8. Om Parvat- The Mountain with Om Impression

At the Omparvat, the borders of three countries meet India, Nepal, and China, but the impression of Om is only seen from the Indian side. 

You can witness the mountain from Nabhidang’s viewpoint, and it is mostly on your luck if you are able to see the Om Impression. Sometimes it becomes very cloudy, and the mountain isn’t visible.  

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Om Parvat is between May to June and then again from September to October. 

Ideal Duration: 1 day is enough to explore Om Parvat, for you cannot stay there because of the extreme weather conditions, so you have to come down to either Gunji or Nabi. 

How To Reach: You can hire a 4*4 vehicle to reach Nabhidang, the viewpoint of Om Parvat

Places to Visit: Sheshnag Parvat. 

9. Tungnath- Place of The Highest Lord Shiva Temple

The temple is believed to be 1,000 years old and attracts thousands of visitors every year. People visit the temple out of their love for trekking or for religious purposes. It is one of the budget-friendly places to visit in Uttarakhand. 

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit is between the months of April to November.

Ideal Duration: 1 or 2 days are enough to explore Tunghnath.

How To Reach: The nearest railway station to Tungnath is Haridwar, located at a distance of 225 km. You can reach Chopta and then take a bus

Places to Visit: Tungnath Temple

10. Chaukori- The Majestic Retreat

It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Uttarakhand, with its lush green tea gardens and snow-capped peaks.

During winter, you can also witness snowfall, which is the most beautiful time of the year in Chaukori. It is an ideal place for nature lovers and people seeking peace and serenity for you will find that in abundance. The peaceful surroundings and the calm make it one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand. 

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit is between the months of October to March. 

Ideal Duration: 1 or 2 days are enough for exploring Chaukori and its beauty. 

How To Reach: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, located at a distance of 340 km. 

Places to Visit: Some of the best places to visit in Chaukori is Baijnath Temple, Pataal Bhuvaneshwar, and Pindari Glacier. 

11. Dharchula- The Indo-Nepal Border

The most important river here is the Kali River, which acts as a barrier between India and Nepal. 

You can see Nepal from Dharchula, and the other side is called Daarchula by the people of Nepal. 

A bridge above the Kali River can be crossed, and you can go to the other side, which is Nepal. 

You don’t need a passport; just an Adhaar card is required for you to cross the bridge. 

Photography is strictly forbidden since it is a border area, so avoid taking any pictures on the bridge. 

Make sure you don’t have a drone flying anywhere near the Kali river because the army officials will shoot your drone and may land you in trouble. 

You can buy stuff from the Nepal market and hang out by the Kali river, which is quite a peaceful experience. 

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Dharchula is between the months of May to June, and September to December.

Ideal Duration: 1 day is enough to explore Dharchula

How To Reach: The nearest airport is the Pantnagar airport, from where you can hire a taxi to reach Dharchula

Places to Visit: Nepal, Kali River, Nepal Market. 

12. Rishikesh- For A Spiritual Trip

Rishikesh is the adventure capital of Uttarakhand and is one of the most exotic places to visit in Uttarakhand. 

You can indulge in various activities, including bungee jumping and river rafting, which is the best thing to do in Rishikesh. If you are a biker, mountain biking is your adventure sport. 

Don’t miss out on the Ganga Aarti at Har ki Pauri, which is one of the popular things to do in Rishikesh. The trip is going to be a peaceful one that will clear your mind and your heart. 

Take a dip in the Ganga river and wash away your sins and anything that makes your heart heavy. Rishikesh is one of the budget-friendly places to visit in Uttarakhand.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Rishikesh all year round except in monsoon when it should be avoided because the area becomes a little risky. 

Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 days are enough to enjoy Rishikesh to the fullest. 

How To Reach: You can take a train up to Rishikesh or Haridwar and then take a bus from Rishikesh to Haridwar. 

Places to Visit: Don’t miss out on Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, Ram Jhula, Ganga River.

13. Kanatal- The Serene Village of Mussoorie

Kanatal, located at the Chamba-Musoorie road, at an elevation of 8,500 feet above sea level is a quaint and serene village in Mussoorie that is going to rejuvenate your mind and soul. 

You can also indulge in adventure activities such as rappelling and rock climbing to awaken the thrill seeker in you. 

The views of the lush green mountains, pine forests, and stunning vistas of the Shivalik Range are what make it one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Kanatal is between April to June and October to January. 

Ideal Duration: It takes almost about 2 days to fully cover Kanatal.

How To Reach: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, located at a distance of 75 km from Kanatal. Besides, you can also take a private taxi from Dehradun ISBT.

Places To Visit: New Tehri, Dhanaulti, and Surkanda Devi Temple are some of the best places to visit in Kanatal.