Having traveled to many countries both as a tourist and for work, I can confidently say that India tops my list. It’s an amazing country to visit, especially for foreigners on a budget, with its endless natural beauty and spiritual richness. From the Arabian Sea in the south to the stunning landscapes of the Seven Sisters in the east, the snow-capped Himalayas in Uttarakhand, the unique Kutch region, and the national parks in the west, to the cities nestled among the Aravali mountains in central India, the caves of Maharashtra and Orissa, the majestic forts and deserts of Rajasthan, the beautiful beaches in Goa and Karnataka, and the incredible temples in Tamil Nadu—the list goes on and on. You could explore all of Europe from east to west in just two months, but it would take you ten years to truly experience all that India has to offer. While Europe is undeniably beautiful, especially with its Alps, India is unique in that it offers glimpses of the beauty found in Europe, South America, North America, and Southeast Asia—all within its borders. Plus, it’s safer than many other countries around the globe. I’m not exaggerating; my extensive travels in India and beyond have inspired me to share these thoughts about this incredible country.
In my visits to Uttarakhand, I planned to cover Uttarakhand in many itineraries. Uttarakhand is divided into two regions: Kumaon and Garhwal.
Garhwal Region Districts: Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Dehradun, Haridwar and Uttarkashi
Kumaon Region Districts: Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar
Uttarakhand is a state in India nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. It’s often referred to as “Dev Bhoomi” or “Land of God” because it feels like God took his time creating it. Plus, the sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna both start here. You can find Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in this area. Not to mention, there are also the confluences like Vishnu Prayag (where Alaknanda meets Dhouli Ganga), Nand Prayag (where Alaknanda meets Mandakini), Karn Prayag (where Alaknanda meets Pindarganga), Rudr Prayag (where Alaknanda meets Mandakini), and Dev Prayag (where Alaknanda meets Bhagirathi). A whopping 86% of the state is mountainous, and around 70% is covered in forests. Additionally, you can find Panch Badri (Badri Vishal, Yog Badri, Bhavisya Badri, Dhayan Badri, Bruhad Badri) and Panch Kedar (Kedarnath, Madhyameshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar) in this region. The twelve National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries make up 13.8% of the state’s total area. It’s truly a land of towering Himalayan peaks, massive glaciers, flowing streams, and beautiful lakes.
Uttarakhand is broadly divided in 2 regions – Garhwal and Kumaun.
The below complete trajectory comes under Kumaun.
How to reach
The last railway terminal is Kathgodam, located around 310 KM from Delhi. There are plenty of buses and trains available. The nearest airport is Pantnagar, but I believe Delhi is a better option if you’re flying.
Where to stay
The big question is where to stay in these places. I personally always prefer to stay in GVMN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) rest houses, which can be booked online. Staff is good, though not all GMVNs are maintained so well, but their surroundings and campus are beautiful everywhere. I blindly book state-run hotels everywhere. I recommend it for average and budget hotels. For Kumaon region the KVMN (Kumaon Vikas Mandal Nigam) rest houses can be booked. It’s best to steer clear of tourist spots during peak seasons since finding hotels can be tough and transportation costs can skyrocket. You can definitely find some good deals if you try to negotiate.
Approximate cost of tour
During the season, hatchback taxi rates are Rs.2200 for a day, while SUVs cost Rs.3500 per day. In the off season, the rates drop to Rs.1800 and Rs.2700 respectively. Hotel prices also double during the season. I’ve noticed that a lot of Bengalis visit during the off season, and people have started referring to it as the Bengali season. Overall, a total cost for an 11-day tour could be around Rs. 60000 for either a couple or a single traveler.
My itinerary
In 2011, I made a trip to Uttarakhand after a break of over 35 years, and then I went back in 2015 and 2017. My visit in 2017 was more detailed. Friends met up at the last railway station, Kathgodam, and it was their plan. So, I think this must be the most accurate itinerary.
| Visiting places | Station | Time to spend | Schedule | Points |
| Kathgodam | Start early from Kathgodam | Departure 6 AMDay 1 | ||
| 1 | Almora | 3 hours | Arrival 10 AMDeparture 1 PMDay1 | Katarmal Sun temple – 9th CEKasar Devi – 2nd CE |
| 2 | Lakhudiyar | 15 minutes | Arrival 11 AMDeparture 11.15 AM Day1 | artistic expressions of early cave dwellers 40,000-10,000 years |
| 3 | Jageshwar Dham | 1 hour | Arrival 3 PMDay1Departure 4 PMDay1 | 9-13th CE |
| 4 | Patal Bhuvneshwar | Stay at Patal 1 Night | Arrival 7 PMDay1Departure 11 AM Day2 | See Patal Caves 2nd CE and tiger top mini trekking |
| 5 | Gangolihat | 1 hour | Arrival 12 PMDay2Departure 1 PMDay2 | Haat Kalika Mandir ( Kumaun Regiment temple) |
| 6 | Chaukori | 15 mins | Arrival 3 PMDay2Departure 3.15 PM Day 2 | Himalaya views |
| 7 | Munshiyari | Stay 2 night | Arrival 8 PMDay2Departure 7 AMDay4 | Himalaya views and trekking(We skipped this) |
| 8 | Bageshwar | 2 hours | Arrival 1 PMDay4Departure 3 PMDay4 | Chandika Temple Bagnath Temple 15th CE |
| 9 | Baijnath dham | 30 mins | Arrival 4 PMDay4Departure 4.30 PM Day 4 | 7-11th CE |
| 10 | Kausani | Stay 2 night | Arrival 6 PMDay 4Departure 3 PMDay6 | See sunset , Pindari Glacier |
| 11 | Ranikhet | Stay 1 night | Arrival 6 PMDay6Departure 5 PMDay7 | Chaubatia,Heda khan, Binsar Mahadev, Jhula devi |
| 12 | Nainital | Stay 2 nights | Arrival 8 PMDay7Departure 4 PMDay 9 | See local sights and Mukteshwar |
| Kathgodam | Arrival 5.30 PM |
The places at a glance
When I visit any place my choice holds on to Himalayan beauty of forest or just historical places. So normally I escape the temples and have not described or even visited.
Epilogue
Uttarakhand is a destination for everyone, whether you’re into religion, nature, solitude, young love, or you’re a senior citizen—basically, it caters to all. This unique state boasts lakes, rivers, temples, and lush forests filled with pine, silver oak, green oak, and bruce flower trees. Plus, there are vast fruit gardens, especially in Mukteshwar, known for its fruits and potatoes. There’s also the famous “Kainchi Dham” temple, which has inspired notable figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs.
When I look back at Uttarakhand from the 1980s to 2017, I see not much has changed. The forests are even safer and better protected now. I believe everyone should visit Uttarakhand at least once to experience this natural treasure.
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