📍 Uttarakhand, India
Uttarakhand · 6 destinations & hidden spots
Hidden Gem
Barsu village trailhead, Uttarkashi district
Spanning 28 square kilometres at an altitude of 3,700 metres, Dayara is widely considered one of India's most breathtaking alpine meadows. Summer paints the rolling green slopes with colorful buttercups, while winter transforms it into vast pristine ski snowfields.
Dhanaulti, Tehri Garhwal district
Situated at 7,500 feet on the quiet Mussoorie-Chamba ridge road, Dhanaulti is an uncrowded haven of towering virgin deodar and oak forests. The twin Eco Parks ('Amber' and 'Dhara') offer elevated walking paths, zip-lining, and crisp mountain breezes.
Gangotri, Uttarkashi district
The sacred seat of Goddess Ganga, set at 3,100 metres amidst pine and cedar forests along the foaming Bhagirathi River. Built in white granite in the 18th century by Gorkha commander Amar Singh Thapa near Bhagirath Shila, where King Bhagiratha meditated to bring Ganga to earth.
Hidden Gem
Harsil, Uttarkashi district
A picture-postcard Himalayan valley tucked at 8,500 feet along the Bhagirathi River, surrounded by dense deodar woods, snow-covered ridges, and wooden British apple orchards introduced by colonial adventurer 'Pahari' Wilson in the 1850s.
New Tehri, Tehri Garhwal district
The highest dam in India and fourth highest in the world, holding back the emerald Bhagirathi River into a vast 42-sq-km mountain lake. Uttarakhand's primary destination for jet skiing, water zorbing, banana boat rides, and floating houseboats.
Yamunotri, Uttarkashi district
The westernmost shrine of the Garhwal Char Dham, sitting at 3,291 metres in a narrow gorge against the Kalind mountain. Known for near-boiling thermal sulfur springs (Surya Kund) where pilgrims cook rice in cloth bags as prasadam before offering worship.
