Himachal Pradesh

Uttarakhand—literally “the Land of the Gods”—is a Himalayan jewel tucked into northern India, where soaring snow-draped peaks meet deep river valleys and ancient forests. Bounded by Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east, the state stretches from the lower Shivalik foothills in the south up to glacial heights above 7,000 m, encompassing ecosystems as varied as subtropical jungles and alpine meadows.

Steeped in mythology and pilgrimage, Uttarakhand is home to the Char Dham shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—which draw millions of devotees each year. Yet alongside its sacred temples lies a parallel realm of thrill and discovery: from white-water rapids in Rishikesh to powder-soft ski slopes in Auli; from vibrant hill stations like Nainital and Mussoorie to the UNESCO-recognized Valley of Flowers; and from the dense jungles of Jim Corbett National Park, teeming with tigers and elephants, to tranquil lakeside villages where age-old Kumaoni and Garhwali traditions endure.