Top 10 Offbeat Destinations Uttarakhand One of India’s most beautiful areas, Uttarakhand state in India is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. An utter delight to your senses, this state’s peace and beauty ensure a spell-binding experience. Exquisite in divinity, Uttarakhand is a wonderful escape during long weekends and holidays. There are also some offbeat places in Uttarakhand, with quite a number of famous places That in its elegance and pristineness are unmatched.
Needless to mention, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri‘s holy ‘Char Dhams’ are the glittering jewels of this ‘Dev Bhoomi’ or ‘Land of Gods’ and call upon countless pilgrims each year to pursue a spiritual bliss. In addition to a holy destination for pilgrimages, the ethereal natural splendour of this magnificent northern state of India makes it a top spot when it comes Planning a relaxing holiday trip, an adventurous trekking tour, an interesting cultural odyssey or an exciting wildlife adventure. Not to mention directly, in the lap of this beautiful state, countless hill towns and villages nestle that are sure to give every tourist a well-deserved break from their monotonous schedules And if you are among those to whom a vacation means complete separation from the outside world where it is just you and nature, Uttarakhand also has many offbeat and unusual tourist places where you can spend soul-soothing holidays, rejuvenating and revitalising your souls. So here goes the list of Uttarakhand ‘s top 15 offbeat destinations.
Lansdowne
Lansdowne is a hill station in Uttarakhand, Northern Indian state. It was established under the British Raj as a military garrison, and the Garhwali Museum traces the history of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment, which continues to train in town. Near St. Mary ‘s Church in the colonial period, the Tip-n-Top viewpoint is situated on a ridge overlooking wooded hills. Hindu devotees adoring Shiva centuries-old Kaleshwar Temple. It is surrounded by dense oak and blue pine forests offering great mountain views in the south of Pauri on the Kotdwar road. It is a charming place for a peaceful break, as it is devoid of the normal hustle – the bustle of other Uttarakhand hill stations. Originally, Lansdowne was a common British hill-station.
Here they formed a cantonment, attracted by its healthy climate and natural beauty. The Indian Army ‘s famous Garhwal Rifles have their command office in here.
Dodital
Dodital is said to be Lord Ganesh ‘s birthplace, and it is also the source of the Assi Ganga, a Bhagirathi tributary. It is named after the uncommon Dodi (Himalayan Trout) found in the lake. A moderate trek that starts from the Bhagirathi valley, climbs up to the Dodital lake (wrapped in perfect wilderness) to the alpine meadows and climbs up to the Darwa Pass (4150 m). Traditionally, the Gujjars, the herdsmen who get their buffalos to the high meadows every summer and occasionally the pilgrims / sadhus who walk between Gangotri and Yamunotri used this trek continuously.
Binsar
Pitched at an impressive altitude of 2,420 m, 95 km from Nainital, Binsar is one of the Kumaon Himalayas’ most scenic spots. It provides a magnificent view of the snowy Himalayan peaks of the Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Shivling and Panchuli ranges, which is why you will continue to explore new mountain and valley walking paths, new lookout points for another spectacular sunset.
Binsar is a paradise for trekkers too. In the clear air one can go on long treks, in the misty mountain trails, looming over Oaks and Rhododendrons. Surrounded by a large sanctuary of wildlife, a refuge for many endangered species, birds and wild flowers. The green blanket hangs all over – rocks filled with rare moose and ferns, flowers and shrubs – leaves that sprout out of any imaginable nook and corner of the hillside. The entire area is now a sanctuary.
Lohaghat
Lohaghat, the scenic town in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon area is still untouched beauty! It holds a rich historical history. Formerly the cultural capital of the Chand dynasty, Lohaghat is rapidly emerging in the newly created Champawat district as a major tourist centre.
Lohaghat is a destination on the banks of the Lohawati River Its historical and mythological meaning. From here, one may go to Pancheshwar for fishing and water sports activities. Another tourist attraction is the sikh shrine Meetha Reetha Sahib, en route Nainital and Almora.
The British were so overwhelmed by its beauty in the nineteenth century that they proposed developing it as summer capital of the then British empire. Lohaghat is a paradise between the tall range of Deodars and snowy Himalayan peaks. The entire region is an exquisite blend of natural beauty, historical significance and balanced atmosphere, a city with a fascinating history, amidst natural abundance and a magical aura of hill romance and new found regeneration.
Naukuchiatal
Wondering which Naukuchiatal places to visit? Well here’s a quick guide on the places of interest. This quaint Nainital hill station, Naukuchiatal meaning literally nine corners of Lake has become the centre for neighbouring states weekend tourists. This picturesque town on the slopes of Kumaon is surrounded on all sides by captivating lush green hills. The panoramic view of the enchanting hills and lake will keep you hyped for a long time to come.
With its myriad shades of green, lakes, temples, comfortable resorts, hilly food, fresh air and helpful locals, Naukuchiatal is heaven on earth in a nut-shell, a perfect stress buster. A local speciality is Bhuransh, a squash made from rhododendron. The international music festival, Escape is a year-long hot and happening event drawing visitors from all over the world. Visitors engaged in Bird watching and boating are often seen here at different remote locations in this area. Naukuchiatal has enough tourist spots that will hold you on your toes when you’re exploring this little Kumaon hill station.
Landour
Landour is a small town in the canton that lies close to Mussoorie. It is about 33 km away from Dehradun, and is a great weekend getaway for Dehradun and Mussoorie residents. Landour ‘s scenic town is filled with Garhwal Himalayan tranquilly and serenity. On a clear day, Landour offers the view of the Swargarohini up to 200 km, Visible to the naked eye, Banderpooch, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and several other Himalayan peaks. Landour is a town that has the memory of the British Period and still today it shows strongly the glorious architecture and culture of those days. Landour is a small town that one can visit while walking around its serene grandeur briskly.
Bhimtal
Bhimtal is a lake-town named after Bhima, Mahabharata ‘s charismatic mythological character. Bhimtal is proud to be admired for its natural elegance at an altitude of 1,370 metres above sea level. With every day, this lake city is gaining popularity as it is located in the vicinity of Nainital and features some of the stately hotels that are comparatively cheaper than Nainital’s.
The Bhimtal Lake is situated at a picturesque spot with a small island in the middle where there is a beautiful large aquarium that was once a restaurant. Bhimtal provides breathtaking perspectives and visual images of the wonders of nature. Well linked by roads, Bhimtal is a great destination to visit in any month.
Munsyari
Munsiyari is located in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand’s easternmost mountain district, bordering Tibet, known as the ‘Little Kashmir.’ For nature lovers and adventurous souls the area is a paradise. One has a spectacular view of the Himalayan top, from here, Panchchuli. Munsiyari is the base for trekking to the peaks of Milam and Ralam Glaciers and Nanda Devi.
Munsiyari is a relatively large and growing Himalayan township at an altitude of 2,298 m, a rapidly expanding hub for skiing and other winter sports. Inhabited from time immemorial by the Shauka tribes, it lies on the commercial route to Tibet.
The Munsiyari, at the base of the great Himalayan mountain range, is the point of departure for numerous treks into the Himalayan interior. His name refers to a ‘snow spot’ when translated. Located on the banks of the River Goriganga, it is a fast-growing tourist destination. It is usually used as the base camp by glacier enthusiasts, high altitude trekkers and nature lovers. Munsiyari also falls from Tibet on the ancient ‘salt road’ and is the entrance to the Johar Valley that runs along the Goriganga River path to its source at Milam Glacier.
Kausani
Window to the snow-crested peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot and Panchchuli, there are very few places in the Himalayas whose beauty can be contrasted with that of Kausani – a picturesque hill station popular for its scenic splendour and a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas, 300 km high.
With an area of overall 5.2 sq. km, Situated 51 km north of Almora, at an altitude of 1890 m above sea level, Kausani is the birthplace of the famous Hindi poet Sumitra Nandan Pant, who wrote some of his memorable poems in praise of this paradise on earth. Mahatma Gandhi stayed here at the Anasakti Ashram for 14 days in 1929 while writing his book titled ‘Anasakti Yoga’ and was deeply influenced by its surroundings.
Almora
Almora is a beautiful hill station located at an average altitude of 1,638 metres above sea level and spread over a 5 km long ridge on Kashyap Hill. Surrounded by diminishing pines and ancient oaks, the city has a mystical natural aura that is sufficient to seduce anyone. The snow-capped Himalayas stand in the utmost measure to make the scenery even more fascinating Grandeur to the admirer ‘s eyes please. Almora is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, innovative crafts and delicious cuisine, and thus claims its name as Kumaon’s cultural capital.
