Uttarakhand

₹10k–22k (5 days)5–7 daysBest: Mar–JunMountains#yoga#family#rafting

Rishikesh for the soul, Nainital for the family.

Why this weekend?

Ganga aartiYoga shalasNainital lake

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · Rishikesh
- Ganga ghats
- Laxman Jhula & cafés
- Rafting stretch
- Evening aarti
Day 2 · Haridwar
- Har Ki Pauri
- Chandi Devi or Mansa Devi
- Dusk lamps
Day 3 · Mussoorie
- Cloud End & Kempty
- Landour bakery walk
- Dehradun forest lane
Day 4 · Nainital loop
- Lake boats
- Snow View ridge
- Bhimtal quiet

Geography & terrain

Uttarakhand spans the central Himalaya of northern India — from the Ganga and Yamuna plains at Dehradun and Haridwar up to the Kumaon lakes and the Garhwal peaks, with the Char Dham pilgrimage towns, the river valleys of Rishikesh and the border villages of the Tibetan country forming its sacred and scenic spine.

History & culture

The region is the mythological heart of the Himalaya — Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri and the Char Dham yatra have drawn pilgrims for centuries, while the British hill stations of Nainital, Mussoorie and Almora grew from the 1800s as the Raj's mountain escapes; modern Uttarakhand (formed 2000) combines the yoga-and-rafting culture of Rishikesh with the trekking lines to the Kedarnath-Tungnath peaks and the Rajaji and Corbett wildlife reserves.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Ganga aarti
Har Ki Pauri
Nainital lake
Mussoorie ridge
Corbett

Eat & drink

Kafuli (spinach curry)
Bhatt ki dal (black soybean)
Aloo ke gutke
Bal mithai (Almora sweet)

Getting there

Fly: Dehradun (DED)
Train: Haridwar, Kathgodam, Dehradun stations
Road from Delhi: 250–450 km depending on valley
Getting around: Shared taxis and buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹13,000–35,000 (5 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹600–1,000

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Mar–Jun
Connectivity: Patchy in high valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

Rishikesh is strict veg and smoke-free near the ghats — respect the town
Char Dham roads run May–October; book the yatra season early
The Kumaon village loop is the underrated half of the state — add a day for it

Frequently asked questions

How many days does Uttarakhand need?

Five to seven days run Rishikesh–Haridwar–one hill town; Kumaon and Garhwal deserve separate loops.

When is the best season?

March–June for the hills, September–November for crisp rivers and ridges; December–February for snow towns.

Where do I begin?

Dehradun or Rishikesh for the west; Kathgodam for the Kumaon side.