Uttarakhand

Where we drive in Uttarakhand

Haridwar, where the Ganges reaches the plains, and the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri.

Rishikesh, an hour upstream, for yoga, the suspension bridges and the river.

Mussoorie, a hill station at 2,000 metres with views across the Doon valley.

The Char Dham — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. We drive this and should say plainly that two of the four cannot be reached by any vehicle. Yamunotri is a six kilometre walk and Kedarnath is sixteen, on foot, pony or by helicopter.

Jim Corbett, India's oldest national park, for tigers and elephants.

Driving in the hills

Mountain roads here are slow. A hundred kilometres can take four hours, and we build itineraries around that rather than pretending otherwise. Landslides close roads during the monsoon, sometimes for a day. We only quote Himalayan routes with experienced hill drivers, and they are priced separately from our flat-country day rate for that reason.

When to come

The Char Dham shrines open around late April or early May and close in November when the snow comes. Haridwar and Rishikesh are year round. July to September is monsoon and the mountain roads become genuinely risky.

Getting there

Haridwar is five hours from Delhi, Rishikesh six, Mussoorie eight. Most of our Uttarakhand routes start and finish in Delhi.

Ask us about Uttarakhand

Tell us when you want to travel and how long you have. We come back with a route, the vehicle it needs and one price, usually within 24 hours. Our day rates are published in full, and your hotels stay your own choice.

Get a price for your Uttarakhand trip   See our car and driver rates

A first trip: five days from Delhi

• Day 1: Delhi to Haridwar, about five hours, for the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
• Day 2: Rishikesh: the Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula footbridges, the ashrams, and a yoga class or rafting.
• Day 3: Up to Mussoorie for views over the Doon valley and the snow peaks.
• Day 4: A slow day in the hills, or a morning walk on Camel's Back Road.
• Day 5: Back to Delhi, about seven hours.

Planning the Char Dham

The four shrines open in late April or May and close for winter around October or November, on dates set each year by the temple committees. Every pilgrim must register online with the Uttarakhand government before travelling, and we help you do this. A full Char Dham by road takes about ten to twelve days from Haridwar. Kedarnath can also be reached by helicopter from Phata or Sersi, which saves the long walk; tickets sell out early.

Kumaon: the quieter side

East of the Char Dham, the Kumaon hills are greener and less busy. Nainital has its lake, Almora and Binsar have wide Himalayan views, and Jim Corbett National Park sits at their foot. It suits families and anyone who wants mountains without the pilgrimage crowds.

Questions people ask

How far is Rishikesh from Delhi?

About 240 km, usually five to six hours by car depending on traffic.

Which tour should we look at?

Our Divine Ganga Yatra covers Haridwar and Rishikesh. See also our guides to Rishikesh and Haridwar.