Uttarakhand Tour Packages

4. Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib- UNESCO's Alpine Garden

The Valley of Flowers National Park is exactly what its name promises and somehow more: a 90-square-kilometre UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, at 3,500 to 4,000 metres, that bursts into bloom each monsoon season (July to September) with over 300 species of wildflowers including Brahma Kamal, Blue Poppy, and rare Himalayan orchids. The valley was discovered by British mountaineer Frank Smythe in 1931 and its beauty so moved him that he wrote a book about it and gave it its name. The trek from Govindghat follows the Pushpawati River through increasingly dramatic mountain scenery for 17 kilometres to the valley entrance; the final walk into the valley floor, when the entire bowl of flowers opens before you, is the most moving landscape reveal in Uttarakhand trekking. Hemkund Sahib- a Sikh shrine at a glacial lake at 4,329 metres, one of the highest gurudwaras in the world, is 6 kilometres from the Valley of Flowers on a parallel trail and is typically combined with the valley in the same trek.

Best Time to Visit- July to September (the ONLY time the valley is in bloom and accessible) • Best window: 15 July to 20 August (peak bloom) • Valley is closed October to May • Hemkund Sahib opens in June, closes October

Places to Visit- Valley of Flowers National Park • Hemkund Sahib • Ghangaria • Govindghat • Pushpawati River • Badrinath (24 km) • Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

What to Eat- Langar at Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara (free community kitchen dal, rice, and roti served to all trekkers, one of the finest meals on any trek) • Garhwali Dal Bhat at Ghangaria guesthouses • Maggi and chai at trail tea stalls • Rajma Chawal

Top Things to Do

• Valley of Flowers full day- enter the national park at 7 AM when it opens, spend 5–6 hours walking the valley floor and photographing the bloom.
• Hemkund Sahib (4,329 m)- the glacial lake gurudwara is one of the most sacred Sikh shrines, surrounded by seven snow peaks.
• Ghangaria to Govindghat forest trail- the return trail through rhododendron and oak forest is excellent for birdwatching including Monal and Snow Partridge.
• Pushpawati River walk- the river runs along the valley floor through the flowers; walking beside the river in the early morning light is extraordinary.
• Brahma Kamal spotting- the sacred lotus of the Himalayas (Saussurea obvallata) blooms in August; finding it is considered an auspicious sighting.
• Badrinath Dham visit (24 km from Govindghat)- one of the Char Dham, the Badrinath temple at 3,133 m is open May to November.

5. Kedarnath- Shiva's High Himalayan Abode

Kedarnath sits at 3,583 metres in the Rudraprayag district, one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and the highest of India's most sacred temples. The Kedarnath temple, built in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya on an even older foundation, is a grey stone structure of extraordinary solidity it survived the catastrophic 2013 cloudburst that killed thousands in the valley partly because a massive boulder came to rest immediately behind it and deflected the debris flow. The 16-kilometre trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath through the Mandakini Valley, passing Rambara and Linchauli, is one of the most significant religious treks in India,10 lakh pilgrims make it each year between May and November, the months when the temple is open.

Best Time to Visit- May to June (opening season, relatively less crowded) • September to October (post-monsoon, clearest skies, best mountain views) • Temple opens: Akshaya Tritiya (April/May) • Temple closes: Diwali (October/November) • Closed November to April (snow)

Places to Visit- Kedarnath Temple • Gaurikund • Rambara • Vasuki Tal • Gandhi Sarovar • Phata Helipad • Sonprayag • Triyuginarayan Temple (wedding venue of Shiva-Parvati)

What to Eat- Langar at the Kedarnath temple complex (free community meal during pilgrimage season) • Garhwali Aloo Ke Gutke • Mandua Roti with Geeth ki Dal (local black lentils) • Singori (Kumaoni sweet in a maloo leaf) • Hot chai at Rambara tea stalls

Top Things to Do

• Kedarnath temple darshan at dawn- the 4 AM to 6 AM morning aarti is the most atmospheric time; requires overnight stay in Kedarnath.
• 16 km trek from Gaurikund- start by 4 AM to reach Kedarnath by 9 AM before the main crowds and before afternoon clouds obscure the peaks.
• Vasuki Tal trek (6 km from Kedarnath)- high-altitude lake at 4,135 m with Chaukhamba massif views; a full-day extension for fit trekkers.
• Helicopter to Kedarnath- Phata to Kedarnath helipad in 7 minutes; book 2 months ahead for peak May–June and September–October windows.
• Shankaracharya Samadhi- the tomb of Adi Shankaracharya behind the temple; open to visitors, a quieter moment in a busy pilgrimage site.
• Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal)- glacial lake 3 km above Kedarnath at 3,900 m, named after Gandhi's ashes were immersed here.

6. Jim Corbett National Park- India's Oldest Tiger Reserve

Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest national park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and renamed after the legendary hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett who spent his life in these Shivalik forests and wrote "The Man-Eaters of Kumaon" from his direct experience of them. Covering 1,318 square kilometres of Shivalik hills, terai grassland, and the Ramganga River valley in the Nainital and Pauri districts, Corbett has over 260 tigers one of the highest tiger densities in India and its Dhikala zone is consistently rated by wildlife photographers as one of the finest open grassland safari zones in Asia. Unlike many Indian tiger reserves where dense forest limits visibility, Corbett's chaurs (open grasslands) at Dhikala give unobstructed views across distances that make big cat sightings both more common and more dramatic.

Best Time to Visit- November to June (park open, Dhikala zone accessible) • February to May (best tiger sightings, Ramganga River low, excellent visibility) • Park closed July to October (monsoon) • Dhikala zone closes 30 June

Places to Visit- Dhikala Zone • Bijrani Zone • Jhirna Zone • Ramganga River • Corbett Museum (Kaladhungi) • Garjia Devi Temple • Sitabani Buffer Zone

What to Eat- Forest Rest House canteen food (simple dal-rice-sabzi served at the Dhikala FRH; eating inside the park at dawn is an experience in itself) • Kumaoni Bhaang ki Chutney (hemp seed chutney) • Aloo Ke Gutke • Kumaoni Raita • Kafuli (spinach curry) • Ramnagar's local restaurants for Garhwali thali

Top Things to Do

• Dhikala Zone jeep safari- the finest zone in Corbett; open grasslands with elephant herds, deer, and the highest tiger sighting rate.
• Ramganga River canter safari (Dhikala)- the riverbank safari at dawn when tigers come to drink and crocodiles sun on the banks.
• Bijrani Zone evening safari- dense forest zone, excellent for leopard and sloth bear alongside tiger.
• Corbett Museum at Kaladhungi- Jim Corbett's winter home, now a museum displaying his personal belongings and hunting equipment.
• Sitabani Wildlife Reserve (buffer zone)- open year-round, good bird and elephant sightings, useful when core zones are closed in monsoon.
• Garjia Devi Temple (en route)- temple on a rocky island in the Kosi River, an easy stop between Ramnagar and the park gate.

7. Nainital- Lake District of India

Nainital is built around a crescent-shaped lake of extraordinary beauty, the Naini Lake at 2,084 metres in the Kumaon hills, surrounded on three sides by forested ridges and on the fourth by the town's main road and shopping street, the Mall. The lake is sacred (its name derives from the eye naina of the goddess Sati, believed to have fallen here) and pilgrims bathe at the Nainital Lake's Mallital end year-round. The town has a colonial character second only to Mussoorie in Uttarakhand: St. John in the Wilderness church (1844), the Raj-era Government House, and a cluster of boarding schools give Nainital a distinctly different atmosphere from other Kumaon destinations. Snow View Point (cable car, 2,270 m) on clear winter days offers views of Nanda Devi (7,816 m), India's second-highest peak 100 kilometres to the north.

Best Time to Visit- March to June (spring, pleasant weather, Naini Lake full) • October to February (clear Himalayan views, possible snowfall, off-season quiet) • Monsoon (July–September) landslide risk, very crowded before and heavy rain during

Places to Visit- Naini Lake • Snow View Point • Naina Devi Temple • Pangot • Mukteshwar • Bhimtal • Sattal • Naukuchiatal • Mall Road

What to Eat- Kumaoni Thali, Kafuli, Aloo Ke Gutke, Bhaang ki Chutney, Chainsoo, Bhatt ki Churkani • Bal Mithai (Kumaon's iconic brown fudge sweet coated in white sugar balls) • Singori (sweet in maloo leaf) • Ras (spiced rice pudding) • Snow View's Maggi and chai (a Nainital ritual)

Top Things to Do

• Naini Lake boating- the lake is best at dawn before the rowboat fleet gets busy; rent a boat from Mallital for 45 minutes on the empty water.
• Snow View Point cable car- the 4-minute ride to 2,270 m, best October to March when the Himalayan peaks are visible.
• Naina Devi Temple- at the Mallital end of the lake, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, most active at dawn.
• Pangot birding (14 km)- one of India's best birding villages with 580+ species; the Jungle Lore Birding Lodge runs excellent guided walks.
• Mukteshwar day trip (51 km)- 19th-century research station turned hill town with the finest view of Nanda Devi from any road in Kumaon.
• Sattal and Bhimtal lake circuit- seven interconnected lakes 22 km from Nainital, quieter and forested, excellent for birdwatching and kayaking.

8. Auli- India's Best Ski Slopes

Auli is India's premier ski destination, a 4-kilometre ski slope at 2,519 to 3,050 metres in the Chamoli district of Garhwal, with the Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Mana Parvat, and Kamet peaks forming the backdrop to runs that international skiers consistently rate as among the finest in Asia. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) has operated ski infrastructure here since 1988 and the Auli Ropeway one of Asia's longest cable cars at 4 km, connects Joshimath to the ski slopes in 25 minutes. In summer (April to September), Auli transforms into a trekking and camping base for the Kuari Pass trek and the approach to Nanda Devi National Park. The ski season runs from December to March, with February typically offering the best snow conditions.

Best Time to Visit- December to March (skiing best snow January to February) • April to June (trekking, Kuari Pass open, flowers on the meadows) • Ropeway operational year-round (weather permitting)

Places to Visit- Auli Ski Slope • Auli Ropeway • Gorson Bugyal • Kuari Pass • Joshimath • Nanda Devi National Park (viewpoint) • Badrinath (50 km)

What to Eat- GMVN canteen food (simple but hearty dal, rice, roti, sabzi at altitude) • Garhwali Kafuli • Mandua Roti • Hot Soup at ski slope teashops • Garhwali Thali at Joshimath restaurants • Singori sweet

Top Things to Do

• Skiing at Auli- 4 km of runs from 3,050 to 2,519 m; ski hire and certified instructors available from GMVN at the slope.
• Auli Ropeway- the 4 km cable car from Joshimath is the longest ropeway in Asia, with extraordinary Himalayan views throughout.
• Kuari Pass Trek (5 days from Auli)- moderate 5-day trek through oak and rhododendron forest to a 3,650 m pass with the finest views of Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand trekking.
• Gorson Bugyal meadow walk- 3 km from Auli ski slope, an alpine meadow at 3,056 m blanketed in flowers in summer.
• Joshimath town and Adi Shankaracharya's Math- the 8th-century monastery established by Adi Shankaracharya, 13 km below Auli.
• Badrinath day trip from Joshimath (50 km)- the Char Dham temple at 3,133 m, accessible May to November.

9. Chopta & Tungnath- Uttarakhand's Secret

Chopta is the least-known of Uttarakhand's great trekking bases, a small settlement at 2,680 metres in the Rudraprayag district, surrounded by dense forest of oak and rhododendron, from which the Tungnath–Chandrashila trek (one of the finest in the Garhwal) begins. The Tungnath temple at 3,680 metres is the highest Shiva temple in the world and part of the Panch Kedar, the five sacred Shiva temples of the Garhwal Himalayas. The Chandrashila summit at 4,090 metres, 1 kilometre above Tungnath, gives a 360-degree view of the Himalayan arc that includes Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Bandarpunch, and Kedarnath peaks one of the finest panoramas available to a non-technical trekker anywhere in Uttarakhand. Chopta itself, away from the few guesthouses on the main road, is a meadow of extraordinary beauty.

Best Time to Visit- April to June (rhododendron bloom, clear skies) • September to November (post-monsoon clarity, best Himalayan views) • Tungnath Temple opens May, closes November • Winter (December to March) — the trek becomes a snowshoeing route, extraordinarily beautiful

Places to Visit- Chopta Meadow • Tungnath Temple • Chandrashila Peak • Deoria Tal • Rohini Bugyal • Ukhimath • Dugalbitta

What to Eat- Simple Garhwali Trail Food at Chopta guesthouses- Rajma Chawal, Dal Bhat • Maggi at trail teashops • Carry packed food for the Chandrashila overnight • Kafuli and Mandua Roti at Ukhimath restaurants

Top Things to Do

• Tungnath Temple to Chandrashila summit (14 km round trip)- start by 5 AM for the summit sunrise; the 360-degree Himalayan panorama from 4,090 m is the finest in Uttarakhand trekking
• Overnight camping at Tungnath- the highest Shiva temple in the world makes an extraordinary overnight camp, with dawn views before day-trippers arrive.
• Deoria Tal lake (6 km from Sari)- a high-altitude lake that reflects the Chaukhamba massif in the early morning; one of the most photographed images in Uttarakhand.
• Rohini Bugyal meadow walk- a hidden alpine meadow 3 km from Chopta, rarely visited, excellent for wildflowers in July.
• Rhododendron forest walk (March to May)- the forest between Chopta and Tungnath turns red in rhododendron bloom, one of the finest forest walks in the Garhwal.
• Ukhimath and Omkareshwar Temple (14 km)- the winter seat of the Kedarnath deity, an important temple with elaborate architecture in the valley below Chopta.

10. Char Dham Yatra- The Sacred Four

The Char Dham Yatra is Hinduism's most important pilgrimage circuit in north India, four temples in the high Garhwal Himalayas that Adi Shankaracharya established in the 8th century as the defining sacred sites of the northern tradition: Yamunotri (source of the Yamuna River), Gangotri (source of the Ganges), Kedarnath (Shiva's abode at 3,583 m), and Badrinath (Vishnu's abode at 3,133 m). Each temple is accessible only between May and November, when the snow retreats enough to open the approach roads and trails. The Yatra is typically done sequentially west to east, beginning at Yamunotri, moving to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, then Badrinath, and takes a minimum of 10 days to complete properly, though 12–15 days gives the experience the time it deserves. An estimated 4 million pilgrims complete the circuit each year.

Best Time to Visit- May to June (opening season, all four temples open, pilgrimage energy at peak) • September to October (post-monsoon, clearest skies, smaller crowds than peak May-June) • All four temples close by Diwali (October/November) • Exact opening dates follow the Hindu calendar confirmed annually

Places to Visit- Yamunotri Temple • Gangotri Temple • Kedarnath Temple • Badrinath Temple • Gaumukh Glacier • Mana Village • Tapt Kund • Triyuginarayan Temple

What to Eat- Langar at all four dhams (free community food served to all pilgrims) • Garhwali Thali at dham towns • Singori sweet • Mandua Roti • Rajma Chawal • Aloo Ke Gutke • Herbal teas made from high-altitude plants at Gangotri and Badrinath.

Top Things to Do

• Yamunotri Temple- trek 6 km from Janki Chatti, the source of the Yamuna River; cook rice in the Surya Kund hot spring as offering.
• Gangotri Temple (3,048 m)- the Dham at the Bhagirathi River's origin, 18 km below the Gangotri Glacier; day trip to Gaumukh glacier head.
• Kedarnath Temple darshan at dawn (3,583 m)- 16 km trek or helicopter from Phata/Sirsi; the 4 AM aarti is the most sacred moment.
• Badrinath Temple (3,133 m)- the final Dham, open longest; visit Mana village (1 km) the last Indian village before the Tibet border.
• Gaumukh Glacier trek (18 km from Gangotri)- the source of the Ganges, a 2-day trek to the snout of the Gangotri Glacier at 4,023 m.
• Tapt Kund at Badrinath- hot sulphur spring at the temple steps; pilgrims bathe before temple darshan as ritual purification.

Adventure Activities in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is one of India’s top adventure destinations, offering experiences that range from high-altitude Himalayan trekking and skiing to white-water rafting, wildlife safaris, camping, and mountain expeditions. The state’s combination of rivers, forests, alpine meadows, glaciers, and snow-covered peaks makes it ideal for both beginner and experienced adventure travellers.

River Rafting in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is India’s most popular river rafting destination, with rafting stretches ranging from beginner-friendly rapids to Grade 3–4 white-water sections between Shivpuri and Rishikesh. Adventure packages often include riverside camping, cliff jumping, kayaking, and bonfire experiences.

Trekking in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand offers some of the finest trekking routes in the Indian Himalayas. Popular treks include Valley of Flowers Trek, Kedarnath Trek, Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila Trek, Kuari Pass Trek, Har Ki Dun Trek, Roopkund Trek, Nag Tibba Trek. These treks pass through alpine meadows, forests, glaciers, high-altitude lakes, and Himalayan villages.

Skiing in Auli

Auli is India’s premier skiing destination with ski slopes between 2,500 and 3,000 metres. Winter ski packages include beginner lessons, ski equipment, ropeway rides, and snow activities with panoramic Himalayan views.

Camping in the Himalayas

Camping experiences in Uttarakhand range from riverside camps in Rishikesh to high-altitude Himalayan camping in Chopta, Kedarnath, Auli, and Valley of Flowers regions. Many trekking routes also include overnight camping under Himalayan skies.

Wildlife Safari in Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park offers jeep safaris, canter safaris, birdwatching, and wildlife photography opportunities across its famous Dhikala, Bijrani, and Jhirna safari zones.

Bungee Jumping & Adventure Sports

Rishikesh is also known for adventure sports including Bungee Jumping, Giant Swing, Flying Fox, Ziplining, Rock Climbing, Rappelling. Jumpin Heights in Rishikesh operates one of India’s highest fixed-platform bungee jumps.

Paragliding & Mountain Activities

Several destinations including Mukteshwar, Pithoragarh, and Tehri offer paragliding, mountain biking, and outdoor adventure experiences with Himalayan valley views.

Snow Activities in Winter

Winter destinations like Auli, Chopta, and Mussoorie offer snowfall experiences, snow trekking, skiing, snowboarding, and winter photography tours during December to February.

Whether you are looking for a short adventure weekend, a Himalayan trekking expedition, or a complete adrenaline-filled Uttarakhand holiday, Vayable Trip offers customised Uttarakhand adventure tour packages for every travel style and experience level.

Best Time to Plan your Uttarakhand Tour

Summer (March to June)- The best season for hill stations, Char Dham Yatra opening, trekking, rafting, and family holidays. Mussoorie, Nainital, Auli, and Rishikesh are especially popular during summer.

Monsoon (July to September)- The Valley of Flowers reaches peak bloom during monsoon, and the mountains become intensely green and dramatic. However, some regions experience landslides and heavy rain.

Winter (October to February)- Perfect for snowfall experiences in Auli, Chopta, and Mussoorie. Winter also brings the clearest Himalayan mountain views across Kumaon and Garhwal.

How to Reach Uttarakhand?

Uttarakhand is well connected to major Indian cities by air, rail, and road, making it accessible for both short holidays and long Himalayan journeys.

By Air

The main airport in Uttarakhand is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, which connects the state with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other major cities. The airport is the primary entry point for destinations like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Mussoorie, Char Dham routes, and Auli.

For Kumaon region destinations such as Nainital and Jim Corbett, travellers can also use Pantnagar Airport.

By Train

Major railway stations in Uttarakhand include Haridwar, Dehradun, Kathgodam, Rishikesh, Ramnagar.

Kathgodam is the nearest railway station for Nainital, Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, and other Kumaon hill stations, while Haridwar and Dehradun serve Garhwal destinations.

By Road

Uttarakhand has excellent road connectivity from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and nearby north Indian cities.

Approximate travel times:

• Delhi to Haridwar: 5–6 hours
• Delhi to Rishikesh: 6–7 hours
• Delhi to Mussoorie: 7–8 hours
• Delhi to Nainital: 7–8 hours
• Delhi to Jim Corbett: 6–7 hours

Road trips are one of the most popular ways to explore Uttarakhand due to the scenic Himalayan routes, river valleys, forests, and hill roads.

Ready to Plan Your Uttarakhand Journey with Vayable Trip?

From peaceful hill stations and sacred pilgrimage routes to Himalayan treks, wildlife safaris, yoga retreats, and snow adventures, Uttarakhand offers experiences for every kind of traveller.

At Vayable Trip, we create customised Uttarakhand tour packages based on your travel style, preferred destinations, budget, and trip duration. Whether you are planning a family holiday, honeymoon, trekking adventure, Char Dham Yatra, or weekend mountain escape, our travel experts help you design the perfect Himalayan journey.

Plan your Uttarakhand trip with Vayable Trip and experience the mountains, spirituality, forests, lakes, and adventures that make Uttarakhand one of India’s most unforgettable destinations.