Uttranchal Tour

Auli: It is nestled in the lap of snow-capped peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas. Also known as a skier’s paradise, it has one of the best slopes in the world to take up winter sports activities. The 3km long slope ranges from 2519 m to 3049 m offers a magnificent panoramic view of great Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi (7817m), Kamet (7756m), Mana Parvat (7273m) and Dunagiri (7066m).

Badrinath: An ancient religious centre, it attracts tourists because of its natural beauty. Founded by Shankaracharya in the four quarters of India, the place derives its name from the word ‘badri’, meaning berries that once grew here abundantly. It is situated on the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Rishi Ganga. The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to God Vishnu.

Kedarnath: It is one of the four main Hindu pilgrim centers in Uttarakhand. Though mainly famous as a religious centre, this place, surrounded by mountain ranges, also attracts tourists because of its beautiful landscape. The most famous Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Shiva who is worshipped mainly in the form of a linga.

Dehradun: It is one of the most beautiful resorts in the sub mountain tracks of India, known for its scenic surroundings. It is a quiet town in the foothills of the Shivalik Range, and is called the ‘gateway to Mussoorie’. Famous for its educational institutions, lots of people and students take up educational tour of this place.

Haridwar: Literally means the gateway to Hari, an epithet for Vishnu, the Creator in the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer. It is also called Gangadwara, because it is near Haridwar that the Ganga, the most sacred river of the Hindus, enters the Great Plains. Haridwar is one of the seven holy cities of the Hindus that are also known as Moksapuri or Sapta-Puri. Thousands of pilgrims come here to pray at the numerous temples that dot the city.

Rishikesh: It is a peaceful town and is also one of the holiest towns of India. There is a mystical air about the place. A famous centre for yoga (mystical and spiritual training) and meditation, the town is dotted with numerous ashrams which offer yoga and meditation courses.

Rudraprayag: It is situated on the confluence of the rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda. It is home to the Rudranath Temple that is dedicated to Shiva. Near the temple is the place where Narada, an ancient Indian sage reputed to be the inventor of the Veena, a musical instrument, is believed to have meditated.

Nanital: It is the pride of the Kumaon region in Uttaranchal; Nainital is certainly the most popular tourist destination in Kumaon. It`s a pleasant hill station.

Ranikhet: It is the apex of a triangle which includes Nainital and Almora, driving along gentle slopes and pine covered hillsides, leading to picnic spots in shady glens or to sheer cliffs with breath taking views of the snow covered Himalayas, offering various moods and colors, from the misty morning sun to pink, gold and cobalt blue in all their majestic glory.

Mussorie: It is among the most popular hill stations of India, and is called the Queen among the hill stations. A hill resort at a height of around 7000 ft above the sea level, straddles a ridge in the Garhwal Himalayas - a region which is developing into a major tourism destination. The holy and mighty river Ganga is visible from one end of the ridge and another famous river Yamuna from the other, a stretch of around twelve miles in all. It has always been a gossipy place - with an air of informality and a tradition of romance - The Honeymoon capital of India.

Almora: An enchanting place in the Kumaun region lies in the east of Uttaranchal in India and offers breathtaking panoramic view of Himalayas and attracts tourists from all over the world to witness its enticing natural beauty. Almora is famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, delicious cuisine and wonderful wildlife.

Hemkund Saheb: It is near the Valley of Flowers that is 20km from Joshimath. It attracts thousands of Sikh pilgrims because Guru Govind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru (spiritual head of the Sikhs), had meditated by the Hemkund Lake in his previous birth. Nature too has been bountiful in making this place beautiful. There is a majestic Gurudwara (a Sikh place of worship) near the lake where people offer prayers after bathing in its cold waters. The place also attracts Hindus in large numbers.

Joshimath: 42km from Badrinath, Joshimath is a pilgrim centre in north India in its own right. The temple is about 1200 years old. Dedicated to Vishnu, the presiding deity of the temple is Narsimha, the half-man, half-lion and fourth incarnation of Vishnu. The Vasudeva Temple is one of the most famous Vishnu temples in north India. It was considered very sacred by the Tamil vaishnavite saints known as alvars.

Corbett National Park: The Park is one of the favorite tourist spots of people from all over India and even to people from across the world. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, this wonderful sanctuary is home to some exotic variety of ferocious cats like the tiger and the leopard. Corbett National Park has a good bio-diversity. In a riverine topography comprising of plateaus and temporary marshy landscape, the park is home to 110 species of trees. Amazingly it has about 50 species of mammals and 580 bird species

Kasauni: At the hill resort of Kausani the mountains rise so dramatically as if to reach the heavens. In fact not just Kausani the entire Kumaon Hills have been known for their idyllic beauty with the huge mountains silhouetted against the sky. Kausani was originally called Valna. Kausani offers the magic of the deep pine forests and the majestic mountains. The major attraction at Kausani is that is offers wondrous vistas of the Kumaon Himalayas. You may enjoy the endless stretch of famous peaks like the Nanda Devi, Trishul, and the Nandakot.

Valley of Flowers: This U-shaped alpine valley, formed by retreating glaciers, remains snow-covered from November to May. the valley is rich with herbs, medicinal and flowering plants, which burst into a profusion of colour in July and August. The Valley has been associated with Lakshman, who is believed to have meditated on the banks of Hemkund. The `Sanjeevani Buti`, which revived him when he was wounded in battle with Meghnad, son of Ravana, is said to have been from here. The southern slopes at the base of the rock wall consist largely of meadows or bugyals, with a variety of alpine flowers, including anemones, asters, fritillarias, gentians, geraniums, larkspurs, lilies, orchids, poppies including the Himalayan blue poppy, potentillas and primulas, marsh marigolds. T Medicinal herbs, such as rhubarb and aconite, are also found in the valley and Brahma Kamal, the celestial flower which is offered to the gods, grows on the higher reaches.