- Mussoorie: Mostly known as the ‘queen of the hills’, Mussoorie is the pride of Uttarakhand Tourism industry and a significant source of revenue for the state. Breathtaking scenic beauty of Mussoorie compels the travelers to accept the truth that nature has painted the canvas of this astounding tourist spot with sheer concentration. Nestled amidst the undulating Himalayan ranges, this region seems like a nest of peace. The average altitude of Mussoorie is 1,880 m whereas the highest peak is more than 2,290m high making it a paradise for the thrill seekers. March to June and September to November is the best time to visit this splendid spot. Some of the most enticing trekking trails in Mussoorie are:
- Bhadraraj Temple trek (15 kms.)–
- Benog Hill Trek – (3 kms.)
- George Everest Park – (3 Kms.)
- Kempty Falls Trek – (8 kms.)
- Yamuna Bridge trek – (20 kms.) "Night Safari and Night Camping in Mussoorie Wild life (Bird) sanctuary is the first of its kind in India".
Nainital: Being one of the most popular hill stations in Uttarakhand, Nainital is the perfect retreat for the tourists of all taste. From lovely honeymoon couples to passionate youths, everyone has unique things to explore here. Lavish hotels are set in the densely wooded hills around the Naini Lake. The lush green hillsides offer mesmerizing views of the snow white Himalayan ranges. Nanda Devi temple on the northern bank of the lake is a historical sightseeing spot. Sher-Ka-Danda Ridge, Guano Hills, Tiffin Top, and Eco Cave Gardens are some of the popular places in Nainital. Nainital Zoo has a few rare species of animals like snow leopard, Himalayan black bear and steppe eagle. Enjoying boat ride on the pristinely set environment of Naini Lake is incredibly blissful.
Pangot: If you are over with Nainital tour and yet have some spare time, head for Pangot, which is located 15 km away from Nainital. Birdseeing is the prominent activity in this region. More than 150 species of birds are observed here. Most of the birds come down to the lower region of Himalaya to check the chilling winter effect. There are special birding lodge in Pangot from where you can witness the cheerful activities of birds more closely. Pangot is a paradise for the wildlife photographers. For clicking that magic moment of a bird in the greenery, Snow View Point and Kilbury are the most appropriate places in Pangot.
Abbott Mount: Abbott Mount is located 6400 ft above sea level and one of the must-visit getaways in Uttarakhand. The astounding scenic beauty of this region is perched with deodar and pine forest and captivating views of the Himalaya. An artistically rich church is found amidst the dense forest. It is an ideal place for trekking, birding and photography.
Almora: Almora is well acclaimed for its picturesque landscape and rich cultural heritage. It is located on a horse shoe shaped ridge of Kasaya hill at an elevation of 1638 m above sea level. Mostly known for its sightseeing place, Almora has many unique temples like Golu Devta and Nanda Devi Temples. Other significant temples are Katarmal, Jageshwar and Kasar Devi. Katarmal is an 800 year old Sun temple. Enjoying the sunset or sunrise at Bright End Corner is a must to do activity in Almora.
Dhanaulti: Situated at an elevation of 2286 m above sea level, Dhanaulti is an attractive tourist spot in Mussoorie. Enclosed with dense oak, alpine and rhododendron forests, this exotic location can be the best retreat to the city dwellers. Slightly apart from the crowd of Mussoorie, Dhanaulti fascinates tourists throughout the year. From weekend travelers to family vacationers and corporate groups, everyone has something unique to enjoy in this diverse land. For thrill seekers, there are scopes to enjoy soft adventure activities like Flying Fox and Burma Bridge. There are wonderful walking tracks and nice corners and sitting spaces to spend leisure. Barehipani fall (400m) and Joranda fall (150m) in Dhanaulti exude wonderful natural ambiance. There are different varieties of swings for kids. So, if you are with your family, your kids will also like this place.
New Tehri: The only planned city of Uttarakhand, New Tehri is a renovated form of Old Tehri Town. Mainly visited by the dwellers of plains in summer for its pleasant weather, this modern town is spread over an altitude of 1,550-1,950 m above sea level. Tehri Dam is known to be the tallest dam in India. The panoramic views of Chamba are spectacular.
