Uttaranchal

Uttarakhand is comprised of two regions of Kumaon and Garhwal. The present Uttarakhand was known as Uttaranchal since the time of its inception as an independent state of India Union in 2000 to 2006.The regions of Uttarakhand are so attractive and beautiful that it is sarcastically accolade as “Switzerland of India” to the region of Almora; “Lake District” to Nainital; “Queen of Hills” to Mussoorie and “place of paradise” to the entire regions of Uttrakhand! The state of Uttrakhand is popular all over the world because of its geographical features that attracted even the British to make their capital during the summer season. Uttrakhand is surrounded by Uttar Pradesh to its south, Tibet to its north, Himachal Pradesh to its west, and Nepal to its east.

Tourist Attractions of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand tourism with its beauty and vastness offers various types of tour like temple tour, pilgrimage tour, mountain tour, nature tour, wildlife tour, adventure tour etc. that give an everlasting appeal on the minds of those who venture in this region. Some of the famous places of Uttrakhand that attracted the tourists from all over the world are the pilgrimage centres like Gangotri, Yamunotri, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Devprayag, Nandadevi and Poornagiri. The famous places of interest are hill-stations of Nainital, Mussoorie, Almora and Ranikhet; the Valley of Flowers along with Nanda Devi National Park form a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Dehradun, Haldwani, Mukteshwar, Chamba, Kausani, Jim Corbett National Park, Gun Hill, Camel's Back Road, Lal Tibba, Jharipani Fall, Mussoorie Lake, Jwalaji Temple, Lansdowne etc.

Pilgrimage Destinations of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is blessed with natural gifts seen in its magnificent glaciers, dense forests, sparkling and joyful milky rivers, skiing slopes, gigantic Himalayan peaks, valleys full of flowers and natural biosphere on the one hand and the source of inspiration and salvation to human life through spiritual activities reflected in its shrines and places of pilgrimages on the other hand. The famous pilgrimage centres of Uttarakhand are popularly known as Chardham Yatra comprised of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Some other pilgrimage destinations of Uttarakhand are Tapt Kund, Neelkanth, Charanpaduka, Brahma Kapil, Sheshnetra, Rishikesh, Laxman Jhoola, Triveni Ghat, Swarga Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Chamba, Bhootnath Cave, Deoprayag, Haridwar, Har ki Pauri or Brahamakund, Guptkashi, Ukhimath, Rudraprayag, Koteshwar Mahadev, Indrasani Mansa Devi etc. That is why Uttaranchal is known as Devbhoomi or land of the Gods.

Adventure Tourism in Uttrakhand
Uttaranchal is one of the most popular states of India that attracted the tourists from all over the world for adventure holidays which is surrounded by the hilly terrains of Himalayan region. Uttarakhand adventure holiday offers all types of adventure activities like trekking with different trek circuits like Panch Kedar Trek, Kedarnath - Vasuki Tal Trek, Dodi Tal Trek, Gangotri Kedarnath Trek, Gangotri-Gaumukh-Nandavan-Tapovan Trek, Bageshwar - Sunderdhunga - Pindari - Kafni Glacier Trek; the major sites of skiing are Auli, Dayara Bugyal, Mundali, Munsyari; the major sites of water sports are Asan Barrage Water Sports Resort, Nainital Lake Paradise, Nanaksagar Matta; the major sites of White Water-Rafting are Ganges River, Garhwal, Gangotri, Garhwal Himalayas, Lake Paradise, Nanital, Asan Barrage, Kudiyala Rafters Club etc.