Uttarakhand in May

Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand — rhododendron meadows, Himalayan views, and the easiest gateway to a 4000m summit.

The origin of the Ganges — a temple at 3,100m where Goddess Ganga descended to Earth, surrounded by deodar forests and Himalayan peaks.

Ancient Shiva temple + gateway to Chopta-Tungnath + the town where the Chipko movement began.

The last comfortable town before Kedarnath — where smart pilgrims base themselves instead of suffering at 3583m.

One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, sitting at 3583m beneath a glacier — open only 6 months a year.

Direct front-row seat to the Panchachuli range — Kumaon's most spectacular viewpoint that almost nobody goes to.

Gateway to Panchachuli peaks and Nepal border — where Kumaon gets real.

Where Alaknanda meets Mandakini — the confluence that routes you to either Kedarnath or Badrinath.

Asia largest dam created India largest man-made lake — and now it is becoming a water sports hub.

The highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680m — a 3.5km trek through rhododendron forests with Chandrashila peak summit as the reward.

The Kashi of the North — a riverside temple town that doubles as basecamp for serious Himalayan mountaineering and the Char Dham circuit.

The least visited Char Dham — a 6km trek to the source of the Yamuna with hot springs where pilgrims cook rice in muslin cloth.

The Kumaoni heritage town where Kasar Devi cosmic energy attracted Swami Vivekananda, D.H. Lawrence, and Timothy Leary before Instagram discovered it.

India's best (and basically only real) ski slope, with a front-row view of Nanda Devi.

One of the four Char Dham — a 1,200-year-old Vishnu temple at 3,133m that closes for six months because even the gods leave for winter.

A cantonment town the army forgot to tell tourists about — Tiger Falls, Deoban's ancient forests, and zero commercial tourism.

Where the Chand dynasty ruled Kumaon for 800 years — temples, fort ruins, and zero tourists.

Tea gardens at 2010m with Panchachuli peaks as backdrop — the view Kausani gets credit for, but Chaukori does better.

Where Alaknanda meets Bhagirathi and the Ganges officially begins.

The quiet alternative to Mussoorie — 24km further, 90% fewer tourists.

One of Shankaracharya four mathas — and the town that is literally sinking since 2023.

North India glamping capital — apple orchards, stargazing, zero cell signal.

300km of Himalayan panorama from your hotel balcony — if the clouds cooperate.

The secret garden above Mussoorie that Ruskin Bond will never leave — Char Dukan, Lal Tibba, and walks with no one on them.

Army cantonment frozen in time — silent oak forests, no commercial circus.

An army cantonment town where the British came to escape the heat — pine forests, golf course at 1,800m, and Himalayan views without a single tout.

The Skeleton Lake — a glacial lake at 5,029m where hundreds of ancient human skeletons surface every summer. India's most haunting trek.