Uttarakhand

Cultural capital of Kumaon, with Chand-era temples and Binsar forest.

• NatureBinsar Wildlife SanctuaryOak forest sanctuary with Himalayan panoramas.
• SpiritualJageshwar DhamCluster of 100+ ancient Shiva temples in a deodar grove.
• OffbeatKasar DeviHill temple known for stunning views and a free-spirit crowd.
• CultureAlmora BazaarOffbeatBal mithai sweets and old lanes.

Confluence town with temples and trek bases toward Pindari.

• SpiritualBagnath TempleOld Shiva temple at the Saryu-Gomti meet.
• HillsKausaniVillage with a wide Himalayan view and tea estates.
• AdventurePindari Glacier TrekOffbeatModerate trek from Loharkhet to Zero Point.

Heart of Garhwal Himalaya with Badrinath, Auli and Valley of Flowers.

• SpiritualBadrinathVishnu temple among the Char Dham.
• Must-seeValley of FlowersUNESCO alpine meadow with seasonal blooms.
• SpiritualHemkund SahibHigh-altitude gurdwara and lake, trek from Govindghat.
• AdventureAuliSkiing and gondola above Joshimath.
• OffbeatMana VillageOffbeatLast Indian village before Tibet border, near Badrinath.

Quiet Kumaon district with Chand-dynasty temples and Lohaghat.

• HeritageBaleshwar TempleStone temple of Chand rulers.
• OffbeatMayawati AshramOffbeatAdvaita ashram near Lohaghat, set in pine woods.
• SpiritualPurnagiri TempleShakti Peeth shrine above the Sharda river.

Doon valley capital with schools, forests and the Mussoorie hills.

• Must-seeMussoorieHill station with Camel's Back Road and Landour.
• NatureRobber's CaveRiver-cut cave with streams, near Dehradun.
• NatureSahastradharaSulphur springs and falls near the city.
• SpiritualTapkeshwar TempleOffbeatCave temple with dripping Shiva lingam.
• OffbeatChakrataOffbeatQuiet cantonment hill town with forests and falls.

Gateway of the Ganga with ghats and evening aarti.

• Must-seeHar Ki PauriGhat with evening Ganga aarti.
• SpiritualMansa Devi TempleHilltop shrine with ropeway access.
• WildlifeChilla Range, RajajiOffbeatElephant corridor and safari near the river.

Lake district of Kumaon with several quiet lakes and hill stations.

• Must-seeNaini LakeBoating and Mall Road in a crescent-shaped lake.
• NatureBhimtal & NaukuchiatalCalmer lakes within an hour of Nainital.
• OffbeatMukteshwarOffbeatOrchard village, old temple and Himalayan views.
• WildlifeRamnagar & Corbett EntranceGateway for Corbett safaris.

Foothill and hill district with Lansdowne and Corbett's western face.

• HillsLansdowneQuiet cantonment hill station with parks.
• OffbeatKhirsuOffbeatForest village with homestays and deodar walks.
• SpiritualNeelkanth MahadevShiva temple above Rishikesh in forested hills.
• WildlifeKotdwar Corbett ZoneOffbeatSouthern entrance to Corbett via Kalagarh.

Eastern Kumaon with Himalayan view towns and border passes.

• OffbeatMunsiyariHimalayan view village, base for Milam glacier treks (permits).
• OffbeatChaukoriOffbeatTea gardens with panoramic peak views.
• SpiritualAdi Kailash & Om Parvat RouteOffbeatPilgrimage corridor; permits and seasonal limits apply.
• HeritagePithoragarh FortRuins in a town cradled in the Soar valley.

Confluence district with Kedarnath, Tungnath and Chopta.

• SpiritualKedarnathShiva temple reached by a trek; registration needed.
• AdventureTungnath & ChandrashilaHighest Shiva temple and summit with peak views.
• NatureChoptaMeadows and forest, called mini Switzerland.
• OffbeatDeoria TalOffbeatLake reflecting Himalayan peaks near Sari village.

Reservoir district with temples and Himalayan pilgrim paths.

• AdventureTehri LakeLarge reservoir with water sports.
• SpiritualSurkanda DeviHilltop shrine with panoramic views.
• HillsDhanaultiOffbeatPine-forest hill station with ecoparks.
• OffbeatKunjapuriOffbeatSunrise temple viewpoint near Rishikesh.

Terai plains with farms, Sikh heritage and Tharu villages.

• SpiritualNanak Matta SahibOffbeatGurdwara on a lakeside.
• CultureTharu VillagesOffbeatTharu tribal homes and festivals in the Terai.

Bhagirathi valley with Gangotri, Yamunotri and mountaineering schools.

• SpiritualGangotriSource temple of the Ganga, among Char Dham.
• SpiritualYamunotriTemple at the Yamuna source with hot springs.
• AdventureDodital & Darwa TopOffbeatLake trek from Sangamchatti.
• OffbeatHar Ki DunOffbeatClassic valley trek from Sankri.