Hi there, as the winter has arrived and it’s time to explore some of the amazing destination in hills where you can see snowfall, wake with sunrise, wear the most of winter clothes and enjoy every moment that makes you happy. Uttarakhand is located in Northern India; we know that it’s boring to know common things about places which we already know and then we skip the whole things because we don’t want to study about those things we already knew about.
5 Winter Tour Destination in Uttarakhand to explore this year with Gokeys
So, let’s not go into what Uttarakhand is and its history because we already written about it in our website, in case you are curious you can follow the link: – Uttarakhand History, Details and Information
Now, come to the main point, let’s think what you will do if you have 10 days free from everything and you can do whatever you want. Here’s the common answers: –
- I will sleep till i am bored! but did we get bored of sleeping? I don’t think so, it’s the best things in the life believe me i do enjoy sleeping worry free but yes i got hungry and i need to get up for making meals for me and eating. Right, but that is boring, and we don’t want to do that.
- Enjoy with friends, partying hard and forgetting everything, living the life. But doing that when you wake up you get headache, hangover and no memories of what you did last night or day or whatever.
- Road trip with friends or better half, yeah, it’s something that everyone wants to do, enjoying the landscapes, listing music on car while driving and singing together with song and enjoying life without worrying about anything.
- Working for your dreams is also a great Idea, I mean everyone must have thought about what they actually want in life means everyone want to build something, everybody has an idea, which they think have potential to emerge successful. And you can work for it to take it to real world.
- Yeah, maybe you want to make Arts or something, build something, explore something and so many things, Like I always wanted to build a tree house, since childhood i had this dream but as we dive into the real world we know, we don’t have many choices, but if i get i will do it.
There are many situations, many things we want to do without worrying anything, but the question is Did we?
and the answer is we learn to do compromises when we grow, when we come to the real world. I am not saying that everyone does that, some are lucky, or they work very hard into the direction they wanted to be, and they do what they always wanted to do. They are happy, not exactly but yes, they reach near the point where they wanted to be.
So, if we are not doing what we always wanted to do, or we want to do it, but we can’t because we have other things, we have promises, we have responsibilities and many more things that comes to our path.
So, now again ask yourself what you will do if you have 10 days without any worry, without any problem, do whatever you want to do?
Here’s my answer for you, you can do everything you want, you can enjoy road trip, you can sleep, you can party hard, but you don’t have to worry about food to cook and the list goes on.
So, today I am sharing a list of some top destinations in Uttarakhand where you can explore, enjoy, ride, laugh, make memories, dance, sit beneath the stars, trek, have candlelight dinner with your better half (in case of single, you can have dinner with friends, yes it will be candle light, so don’t worry we got you covered as well), learn something new, meet peoples and make new friends without worrying anything.
The list is here’s, yes don’t worry I am not going to bore you with sharing common points of the destination, i will share my experience with you of these destinations and you will enjoy reading it.
Auli: – The Top 5 Winter Tour Destination in Uttarakhand to Explore
I personally been to Auli many times, but I didn’t get the heavy snowfall because i usually visited during summers and early winters. But still I enjoyed this place. Let me share how we traveled there and what our trip was like. We drove from Haridwar to Auli, it was around 10 Am in the morning, when we started from Haridwar, on the way we visited Devprayag, the amazing sangam (confluence of Holy River Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, did you know? Bhagirathi is known as Sas and Alaknanda is known as Bahu, so its meeting of Sas and Bahu).
It was around 1 Pm and the light rain was coming, and the weather was amazing.
We went through hill road, the roads are good though, then we stopped for lunch we had in between Devprayag and Srinagar Garhwal, the food was good in taste and also good in price like 100 per person. After lunch we left for our destination, while seeing flowing river in the valley near roads and going through various towns like Rudraprayag, Gaucher, Karanprayag, Chamoli, Pipalkoti and finally we arrived at our destination Joshimath.
The route to Auli from Joshimath is about 10-12 Kms, and it starts from starting point of Joshimath town, so if you want to visit Joshimath or want to stay in Joshimath, you can drive further to town or you can just go to Auli, without going inside the town of Joshimath.
The road is narrow, and you will drive on height, there are different hotels, camps are available on the way, in around 6PM we reached to our Camps (Morning Glory Camps), it was evening and the night was coming, so we stopped there, it’s about 4-5 Kms early to the main Auli. We stayed there for a night and have amazing meals, Veg and Non-Veg options was available. It was good camp with attached washroom and perfect for 4 persons and you can also take for 2 persons means camps for couples also available.
Early Morning we left for Auli, you can see the picture here of AULI Zero Kms. We stayed there for a while and then we drove to Ski resort point, where we parked our vehicle and then went to check the ropeway from GMVN Ski resort to Upper Auli.
There we enjoyed the Ropeway Ride and then we hike towards Auli Artificial Lake. The weather was amazing, and Fog was coming, we clicked some photographs, enjoyed there for a while and till we thought of going to Gurson Bugyal there was lot of fog, and it was becoming invisible us to trek.
So, we walked nearby and made some videos and then we did return trek to Ski Resort from Ski Slopes, during that time snow was not there, so we could walk through the slopes. Still, we enjoyed a lot. It was full day trip; we wish we could see the live snow fall but that didn’t happen. So, we returned to our camps. had meals and then returned to Joshimath for overnight stay.
Next, morning we visited Narsing Temple, a small but very famous temple in lower Joshimath, where you can worship and witness the godly environment. After spending some time there, we went to Kalpvriksha (an ancient tree with more than 1500 years), and then we had sip of tea at Joshimath tea Shop. Visited the local market and finally we started our return journey to Haridwar.
In Joshimath, you can see the mountains, which make the shape of Hathi, Ghoda and Palki and also the sleeping beauty, which is more amazing when filled with snow.
That’s our Auli trip, we have visited many other times but mostly during summer season, so couldn’t found snowfall but the weather always seems to be amazing for trip and trek.
Chopta: –
Just like Auli, Uttarakhand’s another gem is Chopta, located in top of the hills and when you reach Chopta you will see that all nearby mountain tops are beneath this place and you have reached to a height, yes, the mobile network doesn’t work in many places here, but the valley is amazing and the grass lands, the Bugyal where its located.
During winter when the snow fall started in here, it becomes like a white sheet of snow in everywhere and the trek to Tungnath and Chopta Becomes amazing but slippery sometime, so be careful.
Our Trip to Chopta started from Haridwar in the morning around 9-10 Am, where we started music in our car stereo and drive through the hills of Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag. Once we reach at Rudraprayag, we took the road towards Kedarnath Dham to reach Ukhimath, yes don’t worry we are not going to Kedarnath Dham but Chopta, but the route is same till we reach Kund.
Between that you can stop for some time and have a sip of tea in the local shops. You will visit Tilwara, Agastamuni and finally reach to Kund, it’s about 5-6 Hrs journey from Haridwar to reach there. Once you are in Kund (it’s a big lake and a Dam), then you have to take Ukhimath route from there.
Ukhimath town is near Kund, once you reach you can stop at Ukhimath temple, Omkareshwar temple here and stay, pray for a while there and then restart your journey. While going Chopta from Ukhimath, you will see the different landscapes, mountain ranges, and you will drive through the forests of Rhododendrons, Oaks, Khair, Baanz and many other tree types.
The Valley looks pink during March-April month when Rhododendrons blooms.
The journey is another experience of life here, because you will see that you are reaching top of the hills and suddenly the weather becomes cold while you are driving, before reaching chopta, you will see many Camps stay are located in the hills of Chopta. You can stop there for a night stay, because in main Chopta market, you will not get many stays option because this is protected area under the wildlife protection act and the whole place is covered under Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.
So, stay there for a night, have delicious dinner and enjoy the cold weather, the Camps has bonfire, so you can sit around the bonfire and talk with your friends or loved ones while watching the stars above.
Early Morning have some quick snack and drive to main market of Chopta, then start trekking to Tungnath and Chandrshila, it’s about 5-6 Kms trek, but the trek is not way easy, its straight and steep climb. We started our trek around 8-9 Am and we actually came from Kedarnath when we visited Chopta, our leg was hurting because we trek to Kedarnath earlier and then came to trek here, so we took a trek stick from a shop at about 30 Rs. and entered in the forest.
There is forest check post available where you need to pay 150 Rs. entry fees to trek, you can take easily to trek, do not make is fast, because you will be tired and then you have to stop for some more time than usual.
On the way some local shops are available for light breakfast like Maggie and Tea, the route it amazing between the forests and grasslands. In about 1-30 Hrs you will reach at Tungnath Temple. It is 4 Kms from Chopta Market. Pray at temple and stay there for a while and then start trek towards Chandrashila.
Tungnath Temple to Chandrashila is about 1 Kms, as the board shows there, its steep climb, so be prepare for that, while talking with friends and enjoying the environment, you will reach to Chandrashila. Upon reaching there, you will be happy really, that’s the moment of joy, embrace it and enjoy it for a while. Then open your camera and start capturing some moments of mountain top.
You will see different mountain ranges from there and during winter you can sleep at snow, no worries about that. Enjoy the moments, it’s your time to be happy. Stay there for some time means an hour or two and then start your return trek towards Chopta Valley.
to reach it will take about 1:30 hours for the return trek and once you reach there, leave for your camp, have some delicious meals and then sleep for some hours because you will need it.
In the evening enjoy the Bonfire and also the evening music is available in various camps in Chopta, so you can enjoy the evening, tasting the snacks and dancing on the music.
Next morning, remember the moments, you had in the trek and then say bye to the Chopta Valley and return to Haridwar.
Harsil Valley: –
Just like these two amazing destinations, Harshil Valley is another gem of Uttarakhand hills, its located in Uttarkashi about 77 Kms from Uttarkashi city. As now visitors are moving towards Harshil Valley and people are knowing about this amazing place, because of the snowy mountains, Gartang Gali trek.
So, let start to know about this Amazing Valley of Harshil, which is known for Apple Orchards, local home stays, trekking, hiking and staying with peace.
The Harshil valley trip starts from Haridwar, so we started at early morning around 8 Am, as I remembered, we were going towards Mussoorie and a different route during our trip to Harsil via Barkot, but as you want to know actual routes, so there are two, one is from Chamba Tehri Garhwal, and another is from Dhanaulti Suwakholi Route, as both routes reach at same later, but we were having some other work or say just work things, to we visited Harshil Valley via another route which is via Mussoorie – Barkot – Uttarkashi – Harshil.
We started our trip from Haridwar and stopped at Mussoorie lake for Breakfast in the small restaurant named Rozana, and then left for Barkot, the route to Barkot is from Mussoorie and then Kempty Falls, where you can enjoy in the amazing Waterfalls, and then start your journey further. So going through some narrow roads we reached at Yamuna Bridge, where we stopped for some time and then again started our journey.
It took us about 6-7 Hours from Haridwar to Barkot, and then we stopped there for some work and again started towards Harshil Valley, on the way we visited Shiv Gufa, and then there is a narrow road known as Radi Top, its where the Silkyara Tunnel is located and came to news when the tunnel was collpased, so it was going to evening and we stopped there in a small shop for some tea and snack, you will get maggie, bread butter and Bread Omlet there.
After that we started our journey, and at around 8PM, we reached to Uttarkashi city, where thought of staying for a night. We stayed in our friend hotel there and had dinner, yes now night stay.
The next morning, after enjoying a hearty breakfast, we set off for the Harshil Valley. The journey took about three and a half hours, but the breathtaking views along the way made the time fly by. As we arrived, we were greeted by a mesmerizing sight—snowfall blanketed the entire valley, transforming it into a serene wonderland. It felt as though a pristine white sheet of snow had been draped over the landscape, creating a magical and tranquil atmosphere.
The weather was amazing and cold also, so we took our hotel and unpacked our luggage’s and rested for some time. After that we wore some more warmer clothes and started roaming around.
We visited the market, local village, and apple Orchard and also the flowing Bhagirathi River between the valley, it was full day trip, so evening we came to hotel again and enjoyed there, Veg and Non-Veg meals options are available in hotel and also Bonfire and music was available, so we enjoyed the evening and had delicious dinner.
Next morning, we trekked to Lama Top and then visited Wilson Cottage and Dharali village, where we took some amazing photographs and then we said bye to the Harshil valley and return to Haridwar, yes on the way in Uttarkashi we visited Kashi Viswanath Temple and walked through local market as well.
So, in Harshil Valley you can enjoy, trek, hike, play with snow, dance at music with bonfire and enjoy worry free.
Kedarkantha: –
It’s one of the most visited and famous winter treks of India, and you must have heard about it via websites, Instagram stories, FB Stories and may be your friends also visited here, because it’s an experience of lifetime. Kedarnath Tour generally starts from Dehradun, why i said this, because it’s the base point of the any trekking group, yet you can come to Haridwar and then leave for Sankri Village.
Okay so, let go through the journey of this Kedarkantha tour from Haridwar.
The base of Camp of Kedarkantha is Sankri Village, from where the trek starts, and it takes about 3 Days to complete the trek and from Dehradun or Haridwar it is 4 Nights and 5 Days trips.
You can start from Haridwar at morning to Sankri Village, the route is simple via Mussoorie and reaching to Purola, one of the big cities of Uttarkashi district. The routes go like Mussoorie – Nainbagh, Naugaon to Purola. It is about 196 Kms from Haridwar to reach Purola Market.
From Purola, Sankri is about 55-60 Kms and the route is OfCourse hilly, but good means proper made, so you don’t need to worry about it.
It takes about 7-8 Hrs from Haridwar to reach Sankri and with stopping at some places, having meals between takes about 10-12 hrs to reach. Once you reach at Sankri, it will be evening or night.
The route is amazing where you will witness the hill road, mountains, local peoples, the pahadi goats and lambs on the way, also some water fall and nearby flowing river.
after reaching at Sankri Village, the temperature will be very low, and you can check in into the hotel or homestay, fresh n up and then you will be invited to take part in the briefing of next day trek or the whole trek.
After that you will know about the routes and what to do, what not to do and many more things related to trek.
Then have a dinner at hotel/ homestay and there is also trek equipment like shoes, jackets, sticks and other things are available on the rental basis at nominal charges, so if you don’t have trekking gear than its easy for your rent them.
Now after all, sleep for the night and next morning you will have a good breakfast and then start your journey towards the Juda Ka Talab. It’s about 4 Kms, its take 4 Hrs. to complete and once you reach there, if snowfall already begin, then you will see the thick layer of snowfall everywhere, you will be reached at 9100 feet.
Juda ka Talab is a lake frozen during winter but great for taking pictures and experiencing something different.
Enjoy rest of the day roaming around and here camps are available, where you will stay for overnight and evening enjoy in the bonfire and sing some songs with friends.
Next day you will trek to Kedarkantha Base Camp which is about 4 Kms and you will trek through the snowy land, so be ready for that, but really you are going to enjoy every moment here.
On arrival at Kedarkantha Base Camp, you will be accommodated in the camps and enjoy the evening same as earlier.
Next day early in the Morning like around 3 Am-4Am you will start trek to Kedarkantha peak situated at the elevation of 12460 feet, it takes about 2-3 hrs. to reach at the peak, once you are there, you will see the sunrise and while standing at the top of the peak, you will feel energized.
then after that, start your return trek to Hargaon Camp site. it takes about 6-7 hrs and the distance is 7 Kms. so full day trek you will be tired, but you will remember the moments of trek to the peak.
On arrival at Hargaon, you can have meals and sleep for the night.
Next day return trek to Sankri Village, have some food and then return trip to Dehradun. that’s the end of this amazing Kedarkantha trek.
Chakrata: –
Chakrata is another gem of Uttarakhand, which is just 90 Kms far from Capital city Dehradun, where you can easily reach by flight, trains and buses. Chakrata is known for the highest waterfall Tiger Falls.
It is a great destination to spend your holidays in the lap of nature and also in the snowy region.
So, let starts the journey of Chakarata from Haridwar. Starts early in the Morning and it takes about 1 hours to reach Dehradun, from Dehradun it takes about 2-3 Hrs to reach Chakrata. But while in Dehradun you can visit some sightseeing as well like FRI, Robber’s Cave, Local Market and post lunch leave for Chakrata.
On arrival check in into your hotel/ resort, there are many hotels and resorts are available in Chakrata, also nearby the Tiger Falls, so you can enjoy the weather and nearby attractions.
Chakrata is a Cantonment area, so foreigners are not allowed but Indians can go, so don’t worry.
Stay there for overnight and next day trek starts your day with visiting Tiger Fall Chakrata and believe me it worth the visit. Its 312 feet high direct waterfall which makes it more beautiful.
You can take some photographs, dive into the water and enjoy the morning here.
The other places to visit in Chakrata are Chilmiri Neck from where you can see the mountain ranges and valley view.
Another is Deoban, it’s a scenic picturesque spot, where you can see the hilly terain and trek or hike to nearby places.
Kimona Fall in Chakrata is also a great place to visit, it’s a new and untouched waterfall, hardly visited by the tourists but it’s beautiful.
Also, there are many other places, but during winter season the snowfall fills here, and you can play with snowfall, meet locals Jaunsari peoples, have delicious local meals and enjoy the weather.
You can stay in Chakrata for 2 Days and visit all the sightseeing nearby and enjoy your holidays without worrying anything.
So, did you like our list of Top 5 winter Tour destination in Uttarakhand? if yes then you can plan a trip to all the places together and that will be completed in 10 Days, where you can enjoy, take pictures, party hard, sleeping under the sky, dance and sing with friends, trek to Himalayan mountains and do whatever you want.
If you want to add more places to your trip then you can add like Nainital, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Munsiyari, Binsar, Chaukori and more places as well.
Do comment below what you think and also suggest us if you want to add here more.
Thanks
