In the recent years, the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have become quite popular among Indians and foreign tourists, in search of top hill stations to visit in the entire country. In Uttarakhand, duns of Dehra, Nainital and Jim Corbett Park are visited by many people from all across the world. As a result, these places are experiencing crowding and unable to handle so many tourists.
When we visit hill stations, we are looking for some picturesque locations, calm and quiet environment surrounded with evergreen coniferous mountains and lofty peaks. So, let us today look at some of the secluded tourist destinations of Uttarakhand that will simply awe you, away from the conventional crowded hill
- Chaukori
Photo by Abhijit Kar Gupta, CC BY 2.0
Chaukori is a tiny, secluded and beautiful hill station in Uttarakhand, located at a height of 2000 meters in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The hill station is sandwiched between high peaks of western Himalayas and the Kumaon. Tibet lies to the North of Chaukori, while Terai region is to the south of this hill station. The hill station is in close proximity to the Indo-Nepal border. Mahakali River marks the eastern boundary. It provides travelers with mesmerizing views of Panchchuli, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot mountains. Berinag is another hill station close to Chaukori. It is a significant place of Hindu worship with temples like Kedar, Ulka, Kamaksha, Mostamanu dotting the place. You can reach Chaukori by the nearest railway station of Kathgodam, which is 214km away.
- Munsyari
Photo by solarshakti, CC BY 2.0
This place was previously restricted as it lies in close proximity to the borders of Nepal and China. This place has been opened recently, meaning it is secluded and peaceful. It provides chance to view marvelous birds like Raven, Himalayan Griffon, Monal, Wagtail and Serpent Eagle. It is home to various varieties of Pine, Rhodendron and Deodar forests. A hub for adventure sports is developing to provide wonderful trekking opportunities to the tourists who visit Munsiyari.
- Binsar
Photo by sporadic, CC BY-ND 2.0
It is a location in the middle of an entire wildlife sanctuary at elevation of 2,400m. It is slightly cut off and offers view of Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Kedarnath and Chaukhambha mountains. It has famous stories and legends of gods and offers some of the best homestays in the Himalayan region. People can enjoy sightseeing, trekking and clicking pictures here. One can take safaris to the wildlife sanctuary. The best time to visit Binsar is in October and November. The nearest railway station Kathgodam is 110km from here.
- Chakrata
Tiger waterfall, Photo by Harish Rao, CC BY 2.0
It is one of the few places which can be visited all throughout the year. Tiger waterfall and Budher caves allow the travelers to explore caves and appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. One can see small sized houses and chirping birds in the vicinity which makes one feels blessed to be present here. One can reach here via Dehradun station and then by traveling for 2 hours by road.
- Lansdowne
Bhullar lake, Photo by Sudhanshusinghs4321, CC BY-SA 4.0
The cantonment town of Lansdowne was developed under the British rule and named after Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy of India. The place is one of the quietest places of the state and one can visit Lansdowne from April to June. Reaching here is made possible by the nearest railway station of Kotdwar and covering the rest of the journey by road. When here, enjoy lavish walks to discover the British artifacts and to view the museums.
- Valley of Flowers
Photo by Alosh Bennett, CC BY 2.0
Valley of Flowers near Hemkund Sahib comes to life in the month of July when the snow melts and flowers bloom. It is home to the blue poppy, Bhramakamal (a medicinal plant) and to a variety of flowers. As a result, it is a paradise for tourists and a dream place to explore for the botanists. Rishikesh is the nearest railway station and Jolly Grant Airport is 150 km away. A visit to Valley of Flowers will render your mind, body and soul with freshness and ecstasy.
- Khirsu
Photo by sporadic, CC BY-ND 2.0
Khirsu is 1700m above sea level and lies in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. It is a remote and relatively hidden destination, providing stunning views of Himalayas. It has numerous Deodar, Oak and apple trees. Unexpectedly, you can get comfortable accommodation at very affordable prices.
- Karthikeya Swamy
It is a temple dedicated to the eldest son of Lord Shiva, Karthikeya. It is located in the district of Rudraprayag, among the beautiful Garhwali Himalayas. The temple is located on a narrow ridge at an elevation of 3050 meters and offers all round view of the Himalayas. A naturally carved statue of Lord Karthikeya is inside the temple. A visit here is spiritually fulfilling.
- Patal Bhuvaneshwar
Photo by Lalitgupta isgec, CC BY-SA 4.0
These are natural caves made up of sedimentary rocks of limestone. It is located in the Pithoragarh district of the state and legend has it that the state is home to Lord Shiva and 33 crore other Gods. The caves are famous for the stalagmite and stalactite structures which are painted in beautiful colors. The place is secluded and an experience here is mesmerizing and surreal.
- Gwaldam
Roopkund, Photo by T Sundup, CC BY 2.0
Located at the elevation of 2000 meters, Gwaldam is 20 km from Bajinath. The trekking trail from here leads to Kuari Pass, Roop Kund and Nanda Devi Raj Jat. The place has Badhangari, Gwaldam Naag and Angyari Mahadev temples as some of the important devotional spots. The village of Atal Adarsh Gra is filled with objects of British Memorabilia. The place is rich in natural vegetation also.
So, a visit to these places will guarantee you a calm, serene and blissful atmosphere. Visit these locations if you are a creative person seeking motivation or a group of people in love with natures gifts.
Authors Bio:
Rohit is a person who loves new experiences and travels a lot. His experiences of new places are varied. He appreciates cuisine, ambience and music of all the new places he travels to. To view more stories from the author, please visit TransIndiaTravels.com
Great List. I would love to travel to all these 10 destinations. Some names are like I am listening for the first time. Although I have wrote an article about top 5 hot shot destinations to travel in Uttarakhand.
Hope you will like it too.