Mussoorie · Nainital · Rishikesh · Jim Corbett · Valley of Flowers · Auli · From ₹3,750
Uttarakhand — The Land of the Gods
Uttarakhand is home to four of Hinduism's most sacred shrines — the Char Dham — as well as the Panch Kedar, Panch Prayag, and some of India's most dramatic Himalayan landscapes. The state sits between the plains of Uttar Pradesh and the border with Tibet, stretching from the terai forests of Jim Corbett in the south to the glaciers of Kedarnath and Badrinath in the north.
As a Haridwar-based operator since 2010, Shiv Ganga Travels covers the entire state — from the spiritual circuits of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar, to the adventure destinations of Rishikesh and Auli, the hill stations of Mussoorie and Nainital, and the wildlife reserves of Jim Corbett. Every package is operated directly — no agents, no commission, no markup.
Uttarakhand's yatra season runs from late April to early November. Rishikesh and Haridwar are accessible year-round. Auli's skiing season is December to March. Planning your visit to match the right season makes the difference between a comfortable journey and a challenging one — our team is available to advise on the best timing for any destination in the state.
Quick answerUttarakhand is not one destination, and the seasons work against each other. The Char Dham shrines are open 19 April to 13 November and best in May–June or mid-September–October. Hill stations suit March–June and September–November. The Valley of Flowers peaks in exactly the monsoon weeks you would avoid everywhere else. Jim Corbett runs November to June. Packages from ₹3,750, and the commonest planning mistake is trying to combine the high shrines with a hill-station holiday in one week.
🗓️ Last updated: July 30, 2026
Uttarakhand is vastly more than its four sacred dhams. The state is home to some of India’s most spectacular hill stations, dense wildlife reserves, adrenaline-inducing adventure sports, and UNESCO-designated natural wonders. If you've done the Char Dham Yatra and want to explore more of this incredible state — or if you’re visiting with a family that includes both pilgrims and adventure seekers — our Uttarakhand tour packages cover all of it.
The single most useful thing to know about Uttarakhand is that it is not one destination. Haridwar to Badrinath alone is 320km and ten hours of mountain driving, and the seasons work against each other — the Valley of Flowers is at its best in exactly the monsoon weeks when the Char Dham routes are closing for landslides. Trying to combine the high shrines with a hill-station holiday in one week is the most common way these trips go wrong.
Uttarakhand destinations compared by season, duration and who they suit
Destination
Best season
Days needed
Suits
Char Dham (full circuit)
May–mid Jun, mid Sep–Oct
9–11 nights
Pilgrims committing to the whole circuit
Do Dham (Kedarnath + Badrinath)
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
5 nights
First-time pilgrims, limited leave
Valley of Flowers + Hemkund
Mid Jul–mid Sep
5 nights
Trekkers — the one monsoon-season trip
Auli skiing
Jan–Mar
3 nights
Snow, families, no trekking
Jim Corbett + Nainital
Nov–Jun
5 nights
Wildlife and lakes, easiest with children
Rishikesh + Mussoorie
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
3–4 nights
Short breaks, rafting, first visit
Frequently asked questions
It depends which Uttarakhand you mean. For the Char Dham and the high Himalayan shrines, May to mid-June and mid-September to October — the season runs 19 April to 13 November 2026 and the temples are shut the rest of the year. For hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital, March to June and September to November. For the Valley of Flowers, July to September, which is exactly the monsoon window you would avoid everywhere else. For Jim Corbett, November to June, with the core zones closed in the monsoon.
Three to four days covers one hill station or Rishikesh. Five to six covers Do Dham, Auli, or Corbett with Nainital. The full Char Dham circuit needs nine to eleven nights by road, or five to six by helicopter. The mistake people make is treating Uttarakhand as one destination — Haridwar to Badrinath alone is 320km and ten hours of mountain driving.
If the purpose is pilgrimage, Do Dham — Kedarnath and Badrinath in 5N/6D — gives you the two most significant shrines without committing to the full circuit. If it is a holiday, Rishikesh with Mussoorie or a Nainital and Corbett pairing is far easier on families. Char Dham in full is a demanding trip and is better as a considered choice than a first-time default.
Not for general travel. Char Dham yatra registration is mandatory and free, at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Separate permits apply only in specific places — Gangotri National Park if you continue to Gaumukh, Valley of Flowers National Park, and Inner Line Permits for foreign nationals near the border, including Mana. Jim Corbett safaris are booked separately with their own zone permits.
The hill districts are landslide-prone in July and August, and that is a genuine constraint rather than a disclaimer. The Char Dham routes close repeatedly, helicopters are grounded and multi-day delays are normal. The plains and lower hills — Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Nainital — are far less affected. If you must travel in those months, build two spare days into the plan.
Ours cover the vehicle with a hill-experienced driver, twin-sharing hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, all tolls, parking and driver allowance, and yatra registration where it applies. Not included: flights or trains to Haridwar, pony and helicopter charges at Kedarnath, lunch on travel days, and temple donations. Every package page lists both, in full.