Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is where the Ganges leaves the Himalaya, and it carries two identities: the spiritual and adventure towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar on the plains' edge, and the high-altitude Char Dham pilgrimage and hill stations further into the mountains. September to April suits the towns; the Char Dham is open only roughly May to October.
By Experience My India Editorial Team · Reviewed by Experience My India Editorial Team · Updated 1 Sept 2026
Government-approved operatorApproved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Places to visit in Uttarakhand
About Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand sits where the Ganges finally leaves the mountains for the plains, and its main destinations split into two groups. Rishikesh and Haridwar, close together at the edge of the foothills, are the state's spiritual and adventure hub: ashrams, the evening Ganga Aarti and white-water rafting. Further into the Himalaya, the demanding Char Dham pilgrimage and hill stations like Nainital and Mussoorie, and the tiger reserve of Jim Corbett, spread the state out into a full mountain holiday.
Rishikesh
The Yoga Capital of the World, with ashrams, the Ganga Aarti and white-water rafting.
Haridwar
The pilgrimage gateway city, best known for the evening lamp ceremony at Har Ki Pauri.
Char Dham
Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, the demanding high-Himalayan pilgrimage circuit.
Nainital
A colonial-era lake hill station, popular for its lake and mountain views.
Jim Corbett National Park
India's oldest national park, and a reliable tiger-safari destination.
Mussoorie
A hill station above Dehradun, known as the Queen of the Hills.
Best time to visit
September to April suits Rishikesh, Haridwar and the hill stations, with cooler, clearer weather from October to February. The Char Dham shrines open only roughly from May to October or November and close for winter under snow, so that circuit needs its own separate timing.
How many days do you need
Rishikesh and Haridwar together are comfortably done in three to four days. A hill-station add-on, Nainital or Mussoorie, wants two to three more. The Char Dham Yatra is its own trip: ten to twelve days and genuine fitness for the higher shrines.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Uttarakhand best known for?
Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world, and the demanding Char Dham Himalayan pilgrimage are the two names most travellers know; Jim Corbett and the hill stations of Nainital and Mussoorie follow close behind.
Can I combine Rishikesh and Haridwar?
Yes, they sit close together and are almost always visited together, one for the ashrams and rafting, the other for the aarti and pilgrim atmosphere.
When is the Char Dham open?
Roughly May to October or November, weather permitting; the shrines close for winter and reopen once the snow clears.
Is Uttarakhand good for a first trip to India?
Rishikesh and Haridwar work well for a first trip, especially paired with Delhi; the Char Dham and high-altitude circuits are better suited to a second, more adventurous trip.
Tour packages in Uttarakhand
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Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra tour
Private vehicle and driver for the whole circuit
Price on request
Haridwar
Haridwar day trip from Rishikesh
Private guide and vehicle
Price on request
Char Dham
Helicopter Char Dham
Price on request
Char Dham Yatra — 11 days
Char Dham Yatra — 11 days
11 days / 10 nights • Private guide and vehicle
Price on request
Spiritual India — Varanasi and Rishikesh
Spiritual India — Varanasi and Rishikesh, 8 days
8 days / 7 nights • Private guide and vehicle
Price on request
8 Days Mathura Vrindavan Kedarnath Haridwar Rishikesh Tour
8 Days Mathura Vrindavan Kedarnath Haridwar Rishikesh Tour
8 days / 7 nights • Private guide and vehicle
Price on request
Experiences in Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett tiger safari
Private naturalist guide and vehicle throughout
Price on request
Valley of Flowers National Park
Valley of Flowers trek, Uttarakhand
Private guide and vehicle throughout
Price on request
Rishikesh
Rishikesh river rafting
Private guide and vehicle for transfers
Price on request
Rishikesh
Rishikesh bungee jumping
Private vehicle for the transfer to and from the jump site
Price on request
Rishikesh
Rishikesh riverside camping
Private vehicle for transfers to and from the camp
Price on request
Rishikesh
Rishikesh yoga retreat
Price on request
Rishikesh
Yoga teacher training in Rishikesh
Price on request
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