Uttaranchal

Northeast of Delhi, bordering Nepal and Tibet, the mountains of Garhwal and Kumaon rise from the fertile sub-Himalayan plains. Together they form the new state of Uttaranchal, also known as Uttarakhand, which was recently shorn free from lowland Uttar Pradesh after years of agitation. The region has its own distinct languages and cultures, and successive deep river valleys shelter fascinating micro-civilizations, where Hinduism meets animism and the Buddhist influence is never too far away. Although not as high as the giants of Nepal, further east, or as the Karakorum, the snow peaks here rank among the most beautiful mountains of the inner Himalayas, forming an almost continuous chain that culminates in Nanda Devi, the highest mountain in India at 7816m

Famous Cities in Rajasthan

Highlights of Uttaranchal

Char Dham : The pilgrim circuit around the four holy sites of Garhwal, coverable by bus, reveals a cross-section of the Indian Himalayas' most superb scenery.

Rishikesh : This busy pilgrimage place on the banks of the turquoise Ganges is a renowned yoga and meditation center.

Gangotri : Hole up at the source of the Ganges, high in the mountains, where sadhus offer accommodation for spiritual retreats.

Valley of the Flowers : A hidden valley, discovered by Europeans only in 1931, whose lush meadows are a botanist's dream: hike here after the monsoons.

Curzon Trail : A ten-day trail over the Kuari Pass, offering stunning views of the Great Himalayan Watershed.

Corbett National Park : Established in the 1930s, India's most famous nature reserve is renowned for its population of tigers.

The Panchulis : The magnificent “Five Cooking Pots” peaks, plumes of snow perennially blowing from them, are visible from Munsiyari.