When you are traveling in Uttarakhand, even the journey seems like a beautiful destination because of its overall beauty enroot. Reaching the destination becomes better when you indulge in some adrenaline-pumping activities and explore some of the most serene places by walking through the breathtaking forests. The exploration can be a little effortless when you already know what lies ahead. So, go through our comprehensive list of things you can do while you are in Uttarakhand.
1) Adventure Sports in Chakrata Hills
Step into the natural beauty and the wilderness of the Chakrata region of Uttarakhand is an ideal stop of various adventure activities. It also offers an astonishing view of the snowy Himalayas that are also covered by the woody hills of Himalayan Oak, Deodar, and Rhododendron. You can find your route through Dehradun-Mussoorie and Dehradun-Vikasnagar.
Chakrata city is a charming place that was turned into a British cantonment about 125 years ago. You will find some guesthouses that are as old as this cantonment and were set up by the British. You can discover some unconventional places located in remotely located villages or sit beside the Tiger waterfall enjoying the silence of the valley.
Since this is a cantonment, the army has control over the place, and non-Indians are not allowed in this. Not many people know or consider this place to spend holidays, and this makes it an even better place in terms of peace and isolation.
Some adventure activities include trekking, cycling on uneven terrains, waterfall sightseeing, and rafting against the waves of the Yamuna River. Brace yourself for some river crossing, rappelling, body surfing, duckie rides, bridge slithering, and much more.
2) Kuari Pass Trek
Lord Curzon discovered this beautiful place during British rule and appreciated it for its spectacular views and calmer climate. The trek lies in the Garhwal Himalayas and starts from Joshimath in the Chamoli district. The trek to the Kuari Pass is one of the most exciting treks in the Garhwal region and is known for its extensive view and the rough terrain it offers.
Moving through the pass, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of Chakhamba, Kamet, Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Nanda Devi East. The stretch is also known as ‘Curzon Trail’ that takes you through the Sangam of various streamlets, beautiful forests of Oak and Deodar, grassy fields, or Bugyals. If you are lucky, you may also find some places where you can spot the footprints of Leopard and Himalayan Bear. This range also offers exciting skiing destinations like Auli. The best time to visit this trek is during December and January.
Temperature ranges between 11°C to 4°C during the day and between -2°C to -8°C in the night. The colder days are accompanied by a freezing climate and snowfall.
3) River Rafting in Rishikesh
Float through the gushing waters, jump on the biking trails, treks, and outdoor adventure rafting. Uttarakhand offers an experience that you will remember lifelong. The meandering rivers, high mountains, lovely lakes, and soaring sights of the ferocious Himalayas make this landscape perfect for all kinds of adventure activities. Rafting on the water cascading through the Himalayas is one of the most unusual experiences. The best time to go rafting is between the months of October and June.
Rafting is one experience in Rishikesh that is not only adventurous but also gives you a nirvana-like feeling when you jump into the freezing water of Ganga. If you ask us, we suggest you hit the water early in the morning when you won’t find other rafters crowding the river and the environment feels much fresher. Depending on the level of adventure and expertise in river rafting, you can choose to get into different kinds of rapids that will excite even the most expert rafters. From the stretches of Brahmpuri to Rishikesh meant for beginners to the stretches of Kaudiyala to Rishikesh meant for expert rafters, rafting is a must-do adventure activity when you are in Rishikesh
4) Mountain Biking in the Himalayas
Biking in the rough terrain of the Himalayas has to be on your bucket list. Mountain biking can be started from Haridwar, which can be followed through the route of Rishikesh, and then goes deeper into the meandering roads of the Pauri Garhwal region.
The overall journey feels like bliss due to the presence of endless beauty all around the Himalayan range and the beautiful view of the Ganga racing with you along the road. You can visit some major places like Lansdowne, Mussoorie, and Tehri Dam, and some hidden spots like Thatyur, Chamba, and Vyasghat.
5) Jump, Swing, and Fly in Rishikesh
Indulge in one of the amazing fun experiences of bungee jumping on India’s first fixed platform in Rishikesh. It is located in the Mohan Chutti, a location set in the Shivaliks, about 52 km away from Rishikesh.
The journey to this spot itself is an amazing adventure and the beauty of nature appeals to your eyes, giving you the view of mountains and curvy roads.
There are different time slots between 9.30 in the morning to 2.30 in the evening.
The instructors ensure complete safety and give you all the safety tips, understanding of your gear, and jumping techniques so that you can jump without any fear.
You will be jumping from a height of 83 m, and you will be lowered to a drop zone at around 2feet of water.
After that you can spend some time at the nearby cafeteria, recollecting the experience and enjoying the beauty of the area, and taking in the cold winds around you.
If you feel more adventurous, you can even try some thrilling activities like Giant Swing and Flying Fox.
6) Skiing
Uttarakhand is the perfect place to be during winters and an ideal spot to ski. With the advent of snowfall, a thick layer of snow covers most of the hilly areas and makes this region a fantastic place for some fun activities. The immaculate location, the state-of-the-art amenities, and the excitement of gliding down the snow-capped mountains attract tourists from all over the country. The height and enormous stretch of snow offer opportunities to professional and amateur skiers. Snowfall commences from the month of November and continues up to February.
Some of the popular places where you should be heading for skiing are Auli, Munsyari, Dayara Bugyal, and Mundali. Auli is the most popular one and is considered the best, even according to international standards. Even if you do not visit these places for skiing, these places are an amazing gift from nature to tourists.
7) Camping in Rishikesh
Uttarakhand state is blessed with nature and camping is one of the best ways to savor nature. Forget the monotonous nature of your life and simply relax and live a different life for a while in the bliss of valleys, cascading streams, and mountains with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise through the snow-capped peaks.
It is best for people who want to spend some time out in nature away from the toxic lifestyle. The clear view of the stars at night is spectacular, and nothing can be compared to the warmth and cozy summer vacations in Uttarakhand.
The most popular places where you can go camping are Rishikesh, Dhanaulti, Roopkhand, Tons valley, Kanatal, and Chopta. The months around the summer, i.e. from March to June, and around Autumn, i.e., from October to November are the best time to set a camp in one of these regions.
8) Explore the conserved forests
Uttarakhand is home to six national parks, eight wildlife sanctuaries, and one biosphere reserve. Among them, Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Valley of flowers, and Gangotri National Park are the main attractions.
Encompassing the Shivaliks, forest reserves are abundantly rich in biodiversity and prove to be an amazing holiday goal for people who want to explore nature at its best.
Not only do you get to see some exotic wildlife but also these places offer some beautiful residential places and resorts that can be pre-booked before you reach this place. It is advisable to check with authorities as most of the resorts are fully booked all around the year. Alternatively, you can look for some private resorts nearby which are situated in equally mesmerizing locations.
The most suitable time to visit these forests is between the months of November and June. Most parts of the forests are closed during monsoon. However, you can still enjoy some adventurous activities like rope climbing during the monsoon season and trekking through the nearby area which entices you with its greenery.
9) Awaken your soul with Yoga
If you are someone who is interested in practicing yoga and gaining some spiritual knowledge, there can be no better place than Rishikesh. With the variety of ashrams, Rishikesh offers yoga lessons for both beginners and experts. You can also hire private instructors for better understanding and knowledge.
Parmarth Niketan is a popular yoga center in Rishikesh situated on the banks of the Ganga. Some other famous centers are Sanskriti Yogpeeth, Sivananda Ashram, and Swami Dayananda Ashram.
If you are interested in yoga, then the best time to visit Rishikesh would be in the first week of March when Rishikesh celebrates the International Yoga festival with great fervor and people from all around the world join the week-long yoga sessions to participate in this festival.
10) Connect with your spiritual side
Uttarakhand is a place of temples. You will find tourists coming here from all over the country to take the blessings of their beloved gods and in the hope of washing away their sins in the holy water of Ganga. Starting from Haridwar, followed by Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Gangotri, the route consists of the travel to the famous Chaar Dhaam Yatra, and you will witness pilgrims walking all along the route.
Even if you don’t plan to visit all of these places, an evening witnessing the Ganga aarti near the “Ganga Ghats” is enough to arouse the spiritual side of your soul. The holy ambiance is enhanced by the chants, hymns, and prayers of the priests accompanied by the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers.
11) Glide in the sky
If you want wings to fly, paragliding can be an activity that you must try when you are in Uttarakhand. The adventure of flying in the air like a free bird while enjoying the scenic beauty around you can be one of the most memorable moments of your life.
You don’t need any prior knowledge to do paragliding, and trained experts will guide you throughout the process so that you can have a wonderful and safe experience. The best months during which you should try paragliding are between March to June and September to October.
Mukteshwar, Pithoragarh, and Ranikhet are the most popular places for paragliding in Uttarakhand.
