Things to do in

Uttarakhand

White-water rafting on the Ganga (Ganges) in Rishikesh is one of India's premier river-adventure experiences. The run takes you through scenic Himalayan foothills, past temples and camps, and over a sequence of rapids ranging from gentle Grade I to challenging Grade IV (depending on stretch and season). It's suitable for first-timers (short stretches) and experienced paddlers (longer stretches). Licensed operators provide guides, safety equipment and local knowledge.

Two adrenaline activities — an open-platform bungee jump and a tandem giant swing — set in the Himalayan foothills at Mohan Chatti, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Both activities are run by adventure operators near Rishikesh, offering dramatic canyon views, experienced staff, and standard safety gear. The site is popular with thrill-seekers visiting Rishikesh and the surrounding Garhwal region.

Experience authentic yoga and meditation in the world yoga capital — Rishikesh. Retreats here blend traditional Indian practices (Hatha, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Iyengar), pranayama, guided meditation and satsang with time beside the sacred Ganges. Most programs emphasize a sattvic vegetarian diet, daily yoga sessions, evening Ganga Aarti, and optional Ayurvedic therapies.

Who it suits: beginners to advanced practitioners, spiritual seekers, people wanting a digital detox, and those looking for stress relief and improved wellbeing.

Evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat is a daily Hindu devotional ritual performed on the banks of the River Ganga in Rishikesh. The ceremony combines rhythmic bhajans (devotional songs), synchronized aarti (lamp offerings) by a group of priests, and the sight of hundreds of floating diyas (oil lamps) on the river — creating a powerful sensory and spiritual experience for visitors of all faiths.

Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri is a daily evening ritual performed on the banks of the River Ganges in Haridwar. The ceremony features priests performing synchronized Vedic chants, conch blowing, ringing of bells and the offering of large brass lamps to the river. The ritual creates a powerful visual and spiritual experience as hundreds of small diyas (lamps) are set afloat on the Ganges and the entire ghat is illuminated.

This is a cultural and religious experience open to visitors of all backgrounds. Attendance is free, though donations to priests or for maintained seating/boat rides are common.

Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest national park, located near Ramnagar in Nainital district, Uttarakhand. Famous for Bengal tigers, diverse wildlife and riverine forests along the Ramganga, Corbett offers jeep and canter safaris, birdwatching and forest rest-house stays. Ramnagar is the primary gateway town with easy road and rail connections from Delhi and nearby hill stations.

Rajaji National Park is a large protected area straddling the Haridwar and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand, India. The park is famed for its dry deciduous forests, riverine corridors along the Ganga, and populations of elephants, deer and carnivores. Safari options include jeep/canter safaris, guided nature walks and restricted elephant safaris at select ranges. Best for wildlife viewing, birdwatching and scenic river-edge landscapes.

Valley of Flowers is a high-altitude Himalayan trek to a UNESCO-listed alpine valley famous for its meadows of endemic flowers, stunning mountain views and the glacial Pushpawati River. The trek base is Ghangaria (also spelled Govinddham) near Joshimath in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. Ideal for nature lovers and photographers, the trail combines moderate trekking with exceptional biodiversity.

The Hemkund Sahib trek is a high-altitude pilgrimage-trek to the serene Sikh Gurudwara (Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib) located beside a glacial lake surrounded by steep snow-clad Himalayan peaks. The route runs via Ghangaria (base for Valley of Flowers, reachable from Govindghat/Joshimath) and offers dramatic alpine scenery, a spiritual pilgrimage experience, and close proximity to the Valley of Flowers National Park. The trek is short but steep and occurs at high altitude (approx 4,329 m / 14,190 ft), so acclimatisation and caution are essential.

Auli Skiing & Auli-Joshimath Ropeway — Auli is one of India’s premier winter-sport destinations located above Joshimath in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The activity combines scenic rides on the Auli-Joshimath ropeway (one of Asia’s longest and highest ropeways) with on-snow skiing on well-maintained slopes. Suitable for beginners through advanced skiers, the spot offers panoramic Himalayan vistas (Nanda Devi, Mana Peak, Trisul, Kamet, and the Nilgiri range) and opportunities for skiing lessons, guided runs, and snowshoeing.

Kuari Pass (also known as Dhak Pass) is a classic Himalayan trek in Chamoli district offering spectacular panoramic views of the Nanda Devi massif and several 6,000–7,000 m peaks. It is a moderate-altitude trek that combines rolling meadows (bugyals), rhododendron forests and alpine slopes, suitable for fit beginners and seasoned trekkers looking for a short, scenic Himalayan experience.

Overview: The Tungnath–Chandrashila trek is a classic short alpine trek in Chopta (Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand). It combines a visit to Tungnath — the highest Shiva temple in the world — with the panoramic summit Chandrashila, offering spectacular sunrise and 360° views of the Greater Himalaya (Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba and more). The trail passes through rhododendron forests, alpine meadows (bugyals) and rocky ridgelines. It is suitable for fit beginners and regular trekkers.

Kedarnath Trek is a classic Himalayan pilgrimage and high-altitude trek to the ancient Kedarnath Temple, one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The trek starts at Gaurikund and covers approximately 16 km uphill to reach the temple at ~3,583 m (11,755 ft). The trail passes rhododendron forests, mountain streams, prayer flags, and offers close-up views of the Chaukhamba massif. The route is heavily frequented during the pilgrimage season and combines spiritual experience with alpine scenery.

Badrinath Temple Darshan is a pilgrimage visit to the historic and sacred shrine of Lord Badrinarayan (Vishnu) located in Badrinath, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The darshan includes viewing the deity inside the temple, participating in aarti (prayer ceremonies), visiting the hot spring Tapt Kund, and exploring nearby spiritual and natural sights such as Mana Village and the Alaknanda/Rudra Ganga confluence.

Gangotri Temple is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and the sacred shrine dedicated to Goddess Ganga (Bhagirathi). Located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River in Gangotri town, Uttarkashi district, this temple is the traditional seat of the Ganges’ origin in the Himalayas and an important Hindu pilgrimage destination. The present temple was constructed in the 18th century by the Gorkha general Amar Singh Thapa and is built of stone and wood in the traditional Himalayan architectural style.

A scenic pilgrimage trek from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri — the source shrine of the River Yamuna — combining a moderate mountain hike through rhododendron and pine forests with a visit to Surya Kund hot springs and the ancient Yamunotri Temple. The route is culturally significant (part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit) and offers panoramic Himalayan views, traditional mountain villages, and geothermal springs used for ritual cooking and bathing.

A classic high-altitude trek in the Gangotri region of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The route leads from the temple town of Gangotri to the snout of the Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh) and the scenic alpine meadows of Tapovan beneath the towering Shivling peak. The trek combines pilgrimage, spectacular glacier views, and high-altitude meadow camping.

Kedarkantha is a classic Himalayan trek in the Govind Pashu Vihar area, starting from the remote village of Sankri (Uttarkashi district). It's famous for its snow-covered meadows, panoramic views of the Bandarpunch and Swargarohini ranges, and a relatively gradual climb suitable for fit beginners. The route is scenic year-round but is particularly iconic as a winter snow trek.

Har Ki Dun is a classic Himalayan valley trek in the Govind Pashu Vihar / Govind Wildlife Sanctuary near Sankri in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The route passes through ancient alpine villages, lush deodar and oak forests, high-altitude meadows (bugyals), moraines and views of the Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch ranges. The trek is suitable for fit beginners with acclimatisation and for experienced trekkers who want a scenic, culturally rich Himalayan walk.

Dayara Bugyal is a high-altitude alpine meadow (bugyal) in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The trek to Dayara Bugyal from Barsu/Raithal offers expansive grasslands, panoramic Himalayan views, wildflower carpets in spring and scenic camping under clear skies. It is ideal for beginner to intermediate trekkers seeking gentle gradients, wide-open meadows and sunrise/sunset views of peaks like Bandarpunch, Kalanag and the Gangotri group.