The best gems of Uttarakhand for a first trip are Rishikesh, Landour, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Auli, Nainital and Kausani. Together they cover river adventure, quiet hill towns, lakes, snow sports and some of the widest Himalayan views in India. Most can be reached by road from Dehradun or Kathgodam, so they fit easily into one or two week-long trips.
Uttarakhand, earlier known as Uttaranchal, is a mountain state of temples, forests, meadows, lakes and snow peaks. It is split into two regions, Garhwal and Kumaon. The places below include picks from both, so you can plan by region and avoid long drives.
Gems of Uttarakhand: quick facts
| Place | District | Approx. altitude | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | Dehradun | Low foothills | Yoga, rafting, Ganga Aarti |
| Landour | Dehradun | Above Mussoorie | Quiet walks, cheese and jams |
| Mussoorie | Dehradun | About 2,000 m | Mall Road, Kempty Falls |
| Dehradun | Dehradun | Doon Valley | Base for Garhwal trips |
| Auli | Chamoli | About 2,800 m | Skiing, meadows |
| Nainital | Nainital | About 1,940 m (lake) | Naini Lake, Naina Peak |
| Kausani | Bageshwar | About 1,890 m | 300 km Himalayan panorama |
7 gems of Uttarakhand to add to your trip
1. Rishikesh
Rishikesh sits on the Ganga in Dehradun district, about 45 km from Dehradun city. It is called the Yoga Capital of the World and has hosted the International Yoga Festival every March since 1999. The Beatles stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram here in February 1968.
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Visitors come for river rafting, which ranges from Grade I to IV, and for the evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat. Rishikesh is also the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
2. Landour
Landour is a small town just above Mussoorie, with a military cantonment, and is considered part of greater Mussoorie. It is much quieter than its busy neighbour, with shaded walking trails, old cottages and wide views of the hills.
Landour is also known for its local cheese and homemade jams. It suits travellers who want a calm few days rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.
3. Mussoorie
Mussoorie is about 26 km from Dehradun at an average height of around 2,000 metres. It was developed as a resort by British officer Captain Frederick Young in 1825.
Walk along Mall Road, take the cable car to Gun Hill, and visit Lal Tibba, the highest point, for views of the Himalayas. Kempty Falls is about 15 km away. The area’s recorded history goes back to 1803, when Gorkha forces under Amar Singh Thapa took control of it.
4. Dehradun
Dehradun lies in the Doon Valley and is the main entry point to Garhwal. Jolly Grant Airport serves the city, and Dehradun railway station is the nearest railhead for Mussoorie and Landour. The railway line reached Dehradun in 1900, which made the hill stations above it far easier to visit for travellers from the plains.
The city has a pleasant climate for much of the year and works well for families, couples and backpackers. Spend a day here before heading up to the hills.
5. Auli
Auli in Chamoli district sits at about 2,800 metres and is Uttarakhand’s best-known winter sports destination, with alpine and cross-country skiing. It hosted the first South Asian Winter Games in 2011.
Outside the snow season, its open meadows and views of Himalayan peaks such as Trishul make it popular with trekkers and photographers. Check road and weather conditions before you travel, as access depends on the season.
6. Nainital
Nainital is built around the eye-shaped Naini Lake in the Kumaon hills. It was founded as a hill station in 1841 and is now the judicial capital of Uttarakhand, home to the state High Court.
Take a boat on the lake, visit the Naina Devi Temple at its upper end, and walk or ride up to Naina Peak at about 2,615 metres. Kathgodam, about 35 km away, is the nearest major railway station, and Pantnagar is the nearest airport.
7. Kausani
Kausani in Bageshwar district is a small hill station at about 1,890 metres. It offers a panorama of the Himalayas said to stretch about 300 km, including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchachuli.
Mahatma Gandhi stayed here for about 14 days at what is now Anashakti Ashram and compared the scenery to Switzerland. The Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant was born here, and the Kumaon Shawl Emporium and local handlooms sell shawls and woollens.
How to plan a trip to these places
- Garhwal circuit: Dehradun, Mussoorie, Landour and Rishikesh can be covered in 5 to 6 days by road.
- Kumaon circuit: Nainital and Kausani pair well, starting from Kathgodam.
- Auli: plan it as a separate trip, especially in winter for skiing.
- Before you go: mountain roads can close during heavy rain or snow, so check official weather and road updates.
Find more travel guides in our travel section, and ideas for slow, mindful holidays in lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most beautiful place in Uttarakhand?
It depends on what you want. Auli and Kausani are known for Himalayan views, Nainital for its lake, and Rishikesh for the Ganga and yoga.
Which place in Uttarakhand is best for snowfall?
Auli is the best-known snow destination in Uttarakhand and is the state’s main skiing centre.
How far is Mussoorie from Dehradun?
Mussoorie is about 26 km from Dehradun by road, and Landour lies just above it.
Why is Kausani called the Switzerland of India?
Mahatma Gandhi, who stayed at Kausani for about 14 days, compared its scenery to Switzerland, and the nickname stuck.
Sources: Uttarakhand Tourism, Wikipedia: Mussoorie, Wikipedia: Kausani, Wikipedia: Nainital.
