Himalayan valleys and pilgrim roads
Uttarakhand
Flower valleys, glacial sources, pilgrim towns, and forested foothills — a Himalayan state for treks, road trips, and slow mountain time.
Valley of Flowers
Char Dham roads
Forest foothills
Plan your trip
Uttarakhand at a glance
- Best time
- July to early September for the Valley of Flowers in bloom; April to June and October for clear trekking and road trips.
- How to reach
- Dehradun has the nearest airport and railhead; the hills are then several hours of mountain driving away. Rishikesh and Haridwar are the usual gateways.
- Getting around
- Shared jeeps and buses connect hill towns; a hired car or self-drive gives the most flexibility on the winding roads.
- Rough budget
- A week of hill travel runs roughly ₹15,000–30,000 per person depending on treks, permits, and stays.
Sample itinerary
- Days 1–2Rishikesh, then drive to Joshimath or Govindghat, gaining height gently.
- Days 3–4Trek to Ghangaria and the Valley of Flowers in bloom.
- Days 5–6Auli's meadows or a return via Devprayag and the river confluences.
Stories from Uttarakhand