📍 Uttarakhand, India
Uttarakhand · 9 destinations & hidden spots
Auli, near Joshimath, Chamoli district
India's premier high-altitude ski destination at 2,800 metres, surrounded by coniferous deodar and oak forests with grand panoramic views of Nanda Devi (India's 2nd highest peak). Features international ski slopes and one of Asia's longest ropeways (4 km).
Badrinath, Chamoli district
A supreme Hindu pilgrimage shrine and member of both the All-India Char Dham and Chota Char Dham circuits, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Perched at 3,133 metres between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges, featuring natural sulfur thermal springs (Tapt Kund).
Near Ghangaria, Chamoli district
The world's highest Gurudwara, perched at 4,329 metres (14,200 ft) beside a pristine glacial lake ringed by seven snow-clad mountain peaks. Honored in the Dasam Granth as the meditation site of Guru Gobind Singh in a previous life.
Hidden Gem
Urgam Valley, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
The fifth and final temple in the revered Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit and the only one accessible throughout all twelve months of the year. Nestled at 7,217 ft in the lush Urgam Valley of Chamoli, Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of his matted hair (Jata) inside a sacred natural rock cave shrine.
Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district
One of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and the most revered of the Panch Kedar, standing at 3,584 metres against the monumental snow-clad Kedarnath peak. Built of giant grey granite slabs in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya near the Mandakini River.
Mana, near Badrinath, Chamoli district
Designated as the 'First Village of India' on the Indo-Tibetan border, situated 3 km beyond Badrinath. Features the mythical Saraswati River origin, Bhim Pul (a natural stone bridge placed by Pandava Bhima), and the ancient Vyas Gufa cave where the Mahabharata was penned.
Rudraprayag town, Rudraprayag district
One of the holy Panch Prayag confluences where the emerald green Alaknanda River meets the swift, thunderous Mandakini River flowing down from Kedarnath. Named after Lord Shiva's Rudra avatar, who performed the cosmic Tandava here to teach music to sage Narada.
Chopta, Rudraprayag district
The highest Shiva temple in the world, standing at 3,680 metres (12,073 ft) on the Chandranath mountain. A 3.5 km stone trail from the alpine meadow of Chopta ('Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand') climbs past rhododendron woods to the temple and the 13,000 ft Chandrashila summit.
Near Ghangaria, Chamoli district
A UNESCO World Heritage alpine valley situated at 3,600 metres, famous for carpets of over 500 species of wild alpine flowers (including Blue Poppy, Brahma Kamal, and Cobra Lily) blossoming against glaciated mountain walls and crystal streams.
