Bhimtal, Nainital district
Pi Palace, Bhimtal
A comfortable hotel stay in Bhimtal — the quieter lake next door to Nainital, and an easy first stop in the Kumaon hills.
Lakeside hill town Explore
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Where the Ganga begins
Best time to visit
March to June and September to November
Ideal duration
5 – 10 days
Good for
Mountains · Adventure · Family · Weekend
Overview
Where the Ganga begins
Uttarakhand is where most of what we do begins. The state splits into two old kingdoms: Garhwal in the west, with Rishikesh, the Char Dham shrines and the Niti valley, and Kumaon in the east, with the lake country around Bhimtal, orchard villages like Hartola, the long road up to Munsiyari and the Panchachuli peaks, and down in the foothills the sal forests of Jim Corbett National Park.
It rewards travellers who go beyond the hill stations. A few hours past the last big town you are in villages that still move with the seasons, on trails to base camps that see a handful of groups a year, and in valleys that sit a day away from the Tibetan border. We stay in small, locally run places and travel with guides who grew up in these valleys.
Why visit
What makes Uttarakhand worth the journey.
01
Views of the high Himalaya
Panchachuli from Munsiyari, Nanda Devi and Trishul from the Kumaon ridges — a wall of peaks from your window.
02
Valleys few people reach
Darma, Johar and Niti are old trade valleys near the Tibetan border, with stone villages, glaciers and permits to match.
03
The river and the shrines
From Gangotri down to Rishikesh, the Ganga ties together the Char Dham, the ghats and the towns built along its banks.
04
Stays with a sense of place
Orchard homestays, organic farms, camping in the woods and lakeside hotels — chosen for the hosts as much as the rooms.
Best time to visit
Uttarakhand, season by season.
In short: March to June and September to November.
March – June
Rhododendron & trek season
Rhododendron forests in bloom, high trails opening up and the Char Dham portals opening from late April or May.
July – August
Monsoon
Green and dramatic, with landslide risk on the mountain roads. Best for lake stays and short foothill trips.
September – November
Clear skies
The clearest Himalayan views of the year, Nanda Ashtami in Kumaon, and the best window for the high valleys.
December – February
Winter light
Snow at Hartola, Munsiyari and Khaliya Top, crisp days in Kumaon, and quiet homestays with a fire going.
Photographs of Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand
Where to stay and what to do in Uttarakhand.
Satkhol, near Mukteshwar
Dharohar Retreat, Satkhol
A hillside resort in Satkhol, built in the Kumaoni style, looking out over a wide valley of oak and pine towards the Himalaya.
Oak and pine valley Explore
Hartola, near Mukteshwar
Nirvaana Mansion, Hartola
A quiet homestay in the orchard village of Hartola, with long views to the snow peaks and nothing on the schedule.
Orchard village, around 2,000 m Explore
Dhela, Jim Corbett
Hriday Bhoomi, Jim Corbett
Private cottages and a five-bedroom villa in Dhela, minutes from the Corbett safari gates — with a pool, a farm and the jungle all around.
Forest edge, Jim Corbett Explore
Munsiyari, Pithoragarh district
Panchachuli Earth, Munsiyari
A homestay in Munsiyari looking straight across at the five Panchachuli peaks — and the gateway to the Johar valley.
Mountain town, around 2,200 m Explore
Sonapani, near Mukteshwar
Glampinn Woods, Sonapani
Camping in the woods near Mukteshwar — comfortable tents, campfire evenings and Himalayan views through the trees.
Oak and pine forest Explore
Travel tips
Practical notes for Uttarakhand.
- 01
Mountain roads are slow. Plan on 25 – 30 km an hour in the high country and avoid driving after dark.
- 02
Darma, Johar and Niti need an Inner Line Permit. We arrange it — carry original photo ID and passport photographs.
- 03
In the monsoon, keep one buffer day in any itinerary that crosses a pass or a river valley.
- 04
Mobile coverage drops off beyond Munsiyari and Dharchula. Let family know you may be offline for a few days.
FAQ
Uttarakhand questions we get asked.
How do I reach Kumaon?
The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, with overnight trains from Delhi, and Pantnagar has the nearest airport. From Kathgodam, Bhimtal is about an hour away; Munsiyari is a long day or two easier days by road.
Do I need a permit for the border valleys?
Yes. Darma, Johar and Niti are inner-line areas and need a permit from the local administration before you travel. Foreign nationals may need additional permissions. We handle the paperwork as part of the booking.
Is Uttarakhand good for a first trip to the mountains?
Very. Bhimtal, Hartola and Rishikesh are easy, comfortable introductions, and Khaliya Top is a good first overnight trek. We would save the high valleys for a second visit.
When is the Char Dham yatra open?
The shrines open around late April or May and close around Diwali, with exact dates announced each year. May – June and September – October are the most comfortable windows.
Keep exploring
Other regions worth a look.
Start your journey
Plan a trip to Uttarakhand.
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