Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state in northern India, known for yoga and rafting at Rishikesh, Hindu pilgrimage towns on the Ganges, and treks into the high hills.
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Uttarakhand is a state in northern India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. It borders Nepal to the east and the Tibet region of China to the north, and it also borders the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Ganges rises in its high mountains, and most travel here follows the river: pilgrimage towns in the valleys, rafting and ashrams beside the water, and roads that climb toward snow peaks and alpine meadows.
Haridwar is where the Ganges leaves the mountains for the plains, and it is one of Hinduism's major pilgrimage towns. Rishikesh, further upriver, is known for yoga and meditation courses and for white-water rafting. The Char Dham, four Hindu shrines in the high Himalayas, are reached by road and on foot and close in winter because of snow. Plan a few days for the river towns and a week or more for the hills. Spring and autumn are the most reliable seasons. The monsoon brings landslides and road closures.
Uttarakhand in five
- Start with Rishikesh and HaridwarBoth sit on the Ganges at the foot of the hills and are the easy entry points, about 25 km apart. Rishikesh suits yoga, rafting and cafes, Haridwar the evening river ritual.Rishikesh travel guide
- Register early for Char DhamThe pilgrimage to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath needs advance registration through the state's official portal. Routes open in the warmer months only, so check the dates before you plan.
- Avoid the monsoon in the high hillsJuly to September brings landslides and road closures across the state. If you must go, keep a spare day, and ask your hotel about current road status.Travel insurance
- Pick one hill stationMussoorie is the easiest from Delhi and Dehradun. Nainital and the higher valleys are farther and slower. Do not try to cover several in a short trip.Mussoorie travel guide
- Choose rafting season by monthRafting around Rishikesh runs in the drier months and closes in the monsoon when the river is high. Use a licensed operator and check the current river conditions.
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Uttarakhand, the full guide
Rishikesh
- Best for: Rafting, yoga courses, river walks
- Price band: $$
- Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula footbridges
- Riverside ashrams and cafés
- Traffic and crowds on weekends
Skip if you want quiet nights away from the main road.
Haridwar
- Best for: Temple visits, early starts, budgets
- Price band: $
- Evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri
- Mansa Devi reached by ropeway
- Narrow, crowded lanes near the ghats
Skip if you want a calm hotel street with easy parking.
Mussoorie
Mussoorie is a cool hill town above Dehradun, with a ridge-top promenade, mountain views and a waterfall a short drive away.
Things to do in Uttarakhand
See all attractions in Uttarakhand
Need to know
- Getting there
- Jolly Grant airport near Dehradun; Haridwar railway station
- Getting around
- Taxis, shared jeeps and buses; mountain roads are slow
- Best base
- Rishikesh for yoga and rafting; Mussoorie for a hill break
- Time needed
- 4 to 5 days for Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie
- Season
- March to June and September to November for most routes
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold nights
- FebruaryCool, clear
- MarchRafting opens
- AprilWarm, clear
- MayChar Dham season
- JuneHot, busy
- JulyMonsoon
- AugustLandslide risk
- SeptemberRain easing
- OctoberClear, crisp
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold nights
Right now in Uttarakhand
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Uttarakhand
02:06 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today20°9°2%Tuesday: Clear. High 20°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed20°9°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 20°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu20°9°0%Thursday: Clear. High 20°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri19°8°4%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat19°8°6%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun18°9°8%Sunday: Clear. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 10:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Rishikeshabout 30 to 60 min from Dehradun airportThe yoga capital on the Ganges, with rafting upstream.Read the guide
- Haridwarabout 1 hour from Dehradun airportA pilgrim city with evening rituals at the ghats.Read the guide
- Mussoorieabout 1.5 to 2 hours from Dehradun by roadA hill station with views over the Doon valley.Read the guide
Before you go to Uttarakhand
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Rules for Uttarakhand, checked
- Most foreign nationals need an Indian visa; check eligibility and apply through the official e-visa portal before you fly.Source
- Pilgrims to the Char Dham shrines must register on the state portal before traveling; check the current rules there.Source
- Some border areas near Tibet and Nepal need a special permit for foreign visitors; ask the district office or the Ministry of Home Affairs before you go.
- Alcohol and meat are restricted in Haridwar and parts of Rishikesh, so check signs and menus before you order.
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees at temples and ghats.
Plan around Uttarakhand
Visas, trains and seasons, country-wide
Read the guideRishikesh travel guideYoga, rafting and the Ganges
Read the guideHaridwar travel guideEvening ritual on the river
Read the guideMussoorie travel guideA hill station above Dehradun
Read the guideShimla travel guideHimachal's hill station, the next state west
Read the guideIndia e-Visa guideApply online before you fly in
Read the guideUttarakhand FAQ
What is the best time to visit Uttarakhand?
March to June and September to November for most places. July to September is the monsoon, with landslides and closures. Winter is good for low valleys and cold at altitude, and some high roads close.
How many days do you need in Uttarakhand?
Four to five days covers Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie. Char Dham routes take over a week and need registration and good weather. Treks add more days depending on the route.
Is Rishikesh or Haridwar better?
Rishikesh for yoga, rafting and cafes, Haridwar for pilgrimage and the evening river ritual. They are 25 km apart, so you can stay in one and visit the other for a day.
Do you need a permit to trek in Uttarakhand?
Some trails and protected areas require permits or guides, and rules change by trail and season. Ask a licensed operator and check the forest or park authority's official page before you go.
Is Uttarakhand good in winter?
Yes for the low towns, with clear days and cool nights. High-altitude roads and some shrines close with snow, and fog can delay flights and trains in the plains in January.