'''Uttarakhand''' [http://gov.ua.nic.in/uttaranchaltourism/index.html], until 2007 known as '''Uttaranchal''', is a stunningly beautiful state in the Himalayan North of India. It is broken up into a western part, named "Garhwal", and an eastern part named "Kumaon". Garhwal is more
easily accessed.
Regions
Two main regions of Uttarakhand are Garhwal and Kumaon. These two regions have their own distinct culture and language.
Cities
Dehradun - the capital, called "Oxford of India" known for boarding schools - Doon School, has Indian Military Academy, Survey of India and ONGC headquarters, Forest Research Institute, Rajaji National Park & lots of other beautiful picnic places & many Govt./ Educational Institutions.
<!-- capital top, the rest in alphabetic order -->
Almora - a hill station
Bedni Bugyal - another beautiful bugyal in Chamoli District, providing breath taking views of Trishul & Nanada Devi peaks.
Chamba - near to Mussoorie, provides a great view of Chamba Valley & the Bhagirathi River (The Ganga). It's a paradise for nature lovers, as it's surrounded by Alpine forests. It's proximity to Dehradun, Rishikesh & Tehri Dam is a great plus.
Chopta - It's in Rudraprayag, also known as "Switzerland of Garhwal" for it's beautiful meadows. It has the highest Shiva temple in the world - Tungnath and from Chandrashila (4300 m/14,107 ft) one can get the most panoramic view of the Central Himalayas.
Dayara Bugyal - a beautiful bugyal in Uttarkashi District. A world class ski resort is coming up there.
Ghangaria
Gwaldam - it's a beautiful hamlet in the Chamoli District, one can get close up views of Trishul & Nanda Devi peaks, it's a base camp for Roopkund & Bedni Bugyal (meadows).
Haridwar - holy city on the Ganges and one of the sites of Kumbh Mela, the world's largest festival
Harshil - a real paradise on the earth, on the way to Gangotri.
Hemkund
Kotdwar - is a developing town. Famous kanvashram is situated here which is linked to the story of shakuntala and Dushyant.
Jageshwar - temple town
Joshimath - gateway to Badrinath, valley of flowers, Hemkund and the ski resort of Auli
Lansdowne - a beautiful hill station, there's Garhwal Rifles Headquarters.
Mukteshwar
Munsyari, Pithoragarh - Paradise on earth
Mussoorie - hill station, also known as "The Queen of Hills". It provides panoramic views of both the Himalayas & Doon valley.
Nainital - hill station; The Lake District
Pauri - a hill station, it commands 180 degree view of the Central Himalayas, from Kandolia one can see all the known & unknown peaks of the Himalayas, plus a beautiful valley on the other side. The sunset here is mesmerizing. There are lots of temples here, the known one is Kunkaleshwar temple dedicated to lord Shiva, established by Adi Shankaracharya (who had established the char dham of Sanatan Dharm).
Panwali Bugyal - One of the most beautiful bugyals (meadows). It's in Tehri District, on the trek from Gangotri to Kedarnath.
Rishikesh - the Yoga capital of the world, the biggest agglomeration of ashrams, meditation centers and temples. It is famous for its lakshman and ram jhula also.Sachcha Dham, ashram of Sachcha Baba is near lakshman jhula. Also there is Neelkanth Mahadev temple few kms from Rishikesh.
Roorkee - the education capital of Uttarakhand. One of the seven Indian Institutes of Technology is located here.
Ranikhet-is a wonderful town to see.
Uttarkashi - the valley of saints
Other destinations
Auli - Ski resort
Badrinath - temple of Vishnu
Bhowali
Kedarnath - temple of Shiva
Peora
Corbett National Park - The oldest National Park of India
Gangotri - The source of the holy Ganges river
Yamunotri - The source of the Yamuna River
Chakrata - Picturesque, less frequented Hill station [http://www.pandeyji.com/chakrata/gettingthere.cfm]
Gopeshwar - Dense Forests
Bhojwasa - On way to Gomukh.A must visit.
Valley of Flowers National Park
Choukari- A sleepy picturesque hill station. You would get one of the best view of Mount Nandadevi
Understand
Talk
The local languages are Kumaoni and Garhwali, but everyone also speaks Hindi. English is not so common, but well-understood and spoken in some parts.
Get in
there are many ways to enter Uttrakhand . If you are interested to see Garhwal region you can enter through Haridwar and Kotdwar though Haridwar is more popular entrance. For both the places there is regular bus services available from New Delhi and train services are available through New Delhi railway station.
Get around
See
Nainital, Mussoorie and Ranikhet though it's better to treat these slightly overcrowded, touristy 'hill stations' as base camps to explore lots of other hidden jewels further afield in UK. In Garhwal, Pauri and Gwaldam are very peaceful & scenic places. In Kumaon region if near to almora you want to stay secluded you may choose Peora or Mukteshwar also. But do remember in Uttarakhand the journey itself is destination.
Hotels
[http://www.uttrakhandhotels.com/gangakinare/index.htm]http://www.uttrakhandhotels.com/gangakinare/index.htm
"'''Hotel Ganga Kinare''' (237, Virbhadra Road, Rishikesh, India, +911146223300, uhl@uttrakhandhotels.com)is '''''the best located hotel in Rishikesh''''' ( http://wikimapia.org/313600/Hotel-Ganga-Kinare ). The hotel is located along the right bank of the Ganga and overlooks the picturesque Rajaji National Park. Hotel Ganga Kinare has played host to the internationally renowned '''International Yoga Week''' on 9 occasions and has played a huge role in spreading the popularity of rishikesh as the most important Yoga destination globally. Its list of clientele includes various heads of states, international personalities and celebrities from both within India and internationally.
The hotel has two beautifully landscaped lawns - Ganga Vatika and Sadhna. These lawns are liked most by the Yoga Groups for their morning sessions and for spiritual lectures and programs. The property also boasts of probably one of "the most idyllic coffee shop - Rangoli - anywhere in the world". Sitting on the deck gives one a feeling of moving on water as the river flows below it. The Hotel also has a Machan, a place on the bank of river Ganga overlooking a beauty of nature, where in-house guests can have small gatherings, right in the lap of nature.
Hotel Ganga Kinare also has the Ganga Devi Temple situated on its private ghat where an in-house Pujari is available for private pujas and rituals. Daily Ganga Aarti in the morning and evening is performed. A special Aarti for Guests is also arranged on request in advance. Hotel has a PRIVATE GHAT for bathing and holy dip in the river Ganga, Private Bathrooms and Changing rooms at Ghat for those who want absolute privacy, bath towels and Gowns available on request."
Do
Uttarakhand is a great place for '''[http://www.trekkingingarhwal.com/ trekking]'''. At the lower levels, there are forests and wildlife. At the upper reaches, you go past the tree line to snow clad mountains.
There are many trip designs which can be conceived of, but there are perhaps around 20 trips
which are the most popular. See also: Leave-no-trace camping and Wilderness backpacking
Roopkund Trek - Bedni Bugyal, Chamoli District - one of the most popular treks
Panwali Bugyal Trek, Tehri District - it leads to Triguninarayan, a place where the eternal flame of Shiva & Sati's (Parvati's previous incarnation) marriage is still kindling
Gangotri Glacier Trek - Tapovan (meditation ground of Gods), Gaumukh (source of Ganga)& Shivling Mountain
Satopanth Trek - near Badrinath, one of the most pristine treks
Pindari glacier trip
Chandrashila Trek, Chopta - Chandrashila commands the most beautiful view of the Himalayas in the whole region, especially Chaukhamba & Nanda Devi. There's one of the Panch Kedars - Tungnath's temple - the highest temple of Shiva
Madmaheshwar Trek, near Ukhimath, Rudraprayag - one of the most beautiful treks leading to a Panch Kedar, it's at the base of Chaukhamba Peak (7300 m/23,950 ft).
Kuari Pass Trek - near Auli, quite popular with foreign tourists
Khatling Glacier, near Gangotri
Valley of Flowers Trek, near Badrinath - the most beautiful valley
Har ki doon - very scenic trek, near to Swargrohini peak, from where Pandavas went to the heaven.
Trekking inside Nanda Devi Sanctuary
Sunder dhunga trek
Thailisan - Binsar Trek in Pauri, an uplifting trek, providing panoramic view of Himalayas
Milam glacier trek
Kafni glacier trek
Kalindni Pass Trek - Gangotri to Badrinath - a lifetime dream for many an adventurer.
Eat
Pretty much all kinds of food are available here.
Kumauni
Garhwali
Indian
Chinese
Tibetan
In the tourists centers such as Badrinath, Gujarati, Marwari, and other regional cuisines are available for the hordes of religious pilgrims that descend on the holy sites every summer.
Drink
Uttarakhand has high excise taxes on beer and alcohol: a bottle of beer can cost 80-90 rupees, nearly double the price of some other states in India. Quite a few holy towns including Haridwar and Rishikesh are officially dry. Cannabis is illegal, but widely used anyway.
Stay safe
The roads are a bit tricky, and taxi rides in the hills may appear dangerous, but otherwise Uttarakhand is a pretty safe place for tourists. However, tourists are known to encounter problems in the urban centers and the plains districts such as Haridwar.
Get out