So, you have decided to explore Uttarakhand. Good choice. It is one of the best places to visit in India in summer season that gives answer to all your travel dreams- spiritual, adventurous, and always photogenic. From snowy peaks to sacred rivers, yoga towns to wildlife reserves—Uttarakhand is a complete buffet. It can take a whole book to describe the beauty of this place and best things to do in Uttarakhand. Instead, planning a Trip to Uttarakhand? Go through this Uttarakhand Travel guide to explore its best in just 7 days.
First Things First: Some Basic Planning Tips
Before we dive into the “where,” let us cover the “how” so that the trip not fall apart from the main line.
Travel Months: For a pleasant weather or say pink weather, plan in March month while take a relief from hard heat of summer in month of May and June. Monsoon months are avoidable concerning harsh weather proximity. For a refreshing beauty of meadows all around, post monsoon is best to plan a trip to Uttarakhand in less crowd and budget too.
Entry Points: Dehradun, Haridwar, or Kathgodam. Pick one based on your route, closeness to your city and mode of transport. If you are heading from Delhi, then Haridwar is one of the best routes to begin with.
Transport: Find the best way to reach Uttarakhand from your city and choose the train, flight or cab accordingly. You will find major Railway Station in Uttarakhand at Haridwar, Dehradun whereas Airport in Dehradun with good connectivity with other cities. Hire a cab if you are travelling with family or rent a Maharaja tempo traveller to travel comfortable with your group. To explore new ways, roads and hidden places, try shared taxis and make your way through villages and undiscovered routes.
Travel Motive: Uttarakhand is blessed with divine places such as forests, rivers, snow-clad mountains, and sacred places such as Badrinath, Kedarnath etc. It is better to decide on places before creating a plan.
Find Here: Best Places to Visit in Uttarakhand for a beautiful vacation.
Now, let us hit the trail and draw a sketch of wonderful travel route for Uttarakhand Road Trip. I have tried my best to create an Uttarakhand Guide that covers famous destinations, a route map starting from Delhi.
7 Day Uttarakhand Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Haridwar – The Spiritual Warm-Up
How to Reach: Take a train or drive from Delhi (about 5-6 hours). There are several trains that connect major cities of India to Haridwar Railway Station such as Mumbai, Patna, Kochi, Surat, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Tamil Nadu etc.
Things to Do in Haridwar
1. Check into a hotel near Har Ki Pauri.
2. Haridwar Tourism is famous for spiritual marvels and vibes all around. Attend the Ganga Aarti in the evening. It will be a most memorable evening in your life that will give you goosebumps.
3. Eat kachoris and chaat without guilt that will burn out during trekking at mountains.
Day 2: Rishikesh – Yoga Traits and River Rafting
Distance from Haridwar: 1 hour
Explore The Reasons- Why Rishikesh is Famous
- Try white water rafting on the Ganges for a hilarious experience.
- Visit the Beatles Ashram if you like graffiti or have musical nostalgia.
- Walk the Laxman Jhula with taking selfies in spiritual poses.
- Chill at a riverside café where everyone is either writing a novel or pretending to meditate.
Pro Tip: Book your rafting slot early and follow some basic guidelines for rafting to do it comfortably.
Day 3: Jim Corbett National Park – Into the Wild
Distance from Rishikesh: 4.5-5 hours
What to Do in Jim Corbett
- Stay at some of the best picked Resorts for a luxury stay amid tranquil area of Ramnagar
- Book your jeep safari tickets in advance to get on the most adventurous jeep safari in the morning or evening across your favourite zone.
- Visit the Garjiya Devi Temple, Corbett Falls and National Park.
- Stay the night in a forest resort.
Day 4: Nainital – Lake Views & Mall Road Chaos
Distance from Corbett: 2.5-3 hours
Things to Do in Nainital
- The first thing you can do in Nainital is cable car ride to reach Snow View Point for lovely views of Panoramic Himalayas.
- Go for Pedal Boating or motor driven boating in the famous Naini Lake.
- Visit the Naina Devi Temple which is very famous Devi temple to visit in Uttarakhand.
- DO not miss to enjoy Maggi, tea or Omelette at mall road while shopping for woollens or handicrafts items.
Day 5: Kausani – The Lesser-Known Gem
You will not find this place in most of the travel plans, but i ensure that it will be a best place with calm, quiet, and that fresh pine-scented air all around.
Distance from Nainital: 4.5 hours
What to Do:
- Marvel at the 300 km wide Himalayan view (on a clear day).
- Visit the Anasakti Ashram where Gandhi stayed. History, but make it scenic.
- Chill. Seriously and make stay here as your decompression day.
Suggested Read: How to Plan Chardham Yatra from Delhi
Day 6: Binsar or Almora – The Soulful Detour
Distance from Kausani: ~2-3 hours
Binsar: Nature and wildlife
Almora: Culture, temples, and Instagrammable views
If you choose Binsar, visit the Wildlife Sanctuary. If you go for Almora, explore the old bazaars and temples like Chitai Golu Devta.
This is your pick-your-own-adventure day. Either way, both places are less crowded and more authentic.
Day 7: Back to Kathgodam or Delhi
If you have a return train from Kathgodam, take a taxi from Binsar which will take 2-3 hours to cover 82 km approx. From Almora, distance of Kathgodam Railway Station is 104 Km and take 3-4 hours. If you are travelling with your private car or tempo traveller, drive directly towards Delhi or your onward destination.
Final Tips to Not Screw This Up:
- Book hotels in advance at every destination, especially in peak season.
- Carry layers, woollens and wind cheaters as Uttarakhand weather has mood swings.
- Do not try to do it all at one go. Leave some things for next time.
- Book a comfortable Car like Innova Crysta on Rent to sit comfortably for long journeys with enough of luggage space.
If you are chasing postcard-perfect landscapes, peaceful hill towns, or soul-touching spirituality – Uttarakhand is beauty wrapped in every direction. You can also explore best Uttarakhand Tour Packages from Delhi to enjoy a trip to Uttarakhand hassle-free without too much searches.
FAQs for Uttarakhand Trip
How many days are enough for Uttarakhand trip?
Well, it is not possible to provide exact days, but 15 days are good to explore all the famous places in Uttarakhand.
Which places in Uttarakhand are named as top tourist destinations?
Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Nainital, Kausani, Almora, Joshimath, Auli and Chardham Temples are most visited tourist destinations in Uttarakhand.
Which are the famous religious yatra packages in Uttarakhand?
Char Dham Yatra, Haridwar Kawar Yatra, Panch Kedar Yatra, Panch Badri Yatra, Adi Kailash Yatra are some of the most popular religious packages in Uttarakhand.
How much money is required for an Uttarakhand 7 Days Trip?
For 7 days trip in Uttarakhand, Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per person is estimated budget for the refreshing vacation including hotel, meal, sightseeing and transportation.
Which part of Uttarakhand is most beautiful?
Uttarakhand is a most beautiful state, and every part of it offer something special. Kumaon grab a lot of the attention with places like Nainital, Almora, Mukteshwar, and Binsar, the region serves up breathtaking Himalayan views, peaceful lakes, and forests thick with oak trees.
Then there is the Garhwal region, which has this raw, spiritual vibe that hits different. There are iconic spots like Kedarnath, the magical Valley of Flowers, the snowy slopes of Auli, and the peaceful trails of Chopta. It is a dream come true for anyone who loves trekking, nature, or just pretending they are in a Bollywood movie. In short, whether you are chasing stillness or adventure (or just an Instagram-worthy moment), Uttarakhand’s got you covered.