Have an intense love for hill stations? Then you must plan a trip to the mesmerising state of Uttarakhand this year. On your trip to this state, you can cover more than 6 hill stations in 6 days without even exerting yourself. Snow-covered mountains, sparkling clean lakes, serene environment and lush greenery harbouring small wooden houses add to the beauty.
Here is the list of 6 beautiful hill stations of Uttarakhand, which can easily be covered in 6 days –
Nainital – The 1st Destination
If the plan is spontaneous, the best way to travel is to book bus tickets from Delhi to Nainital for the entire journey. This mind-blowing hill station earlier served as the summer retreat for the Britishers. The major attraction of this hill station is the pear shaped Naini Lake, where tourists can enjoy boating and angling. Some of the places you must visit in this hill station are Tiffin Top, Mall Road, Nainital Zoo and Thandi Sadak.
How to Reach – The nearest railway station is the Kathgodam Railway Station. Trains from Delhi and Dehradun ply to this railway station on a daily basis. Ranikhet Express, Utr Sampark Kranti and Kathgodam Shatabdi Express are among the available options. After reaching Kathgodam, take a shared cab, which will cost you around INR 150 (rates might vary slightly according to the season). Private taxis are also available at the station.
Where to Stay- While booking a hotel in Nainital make sure that your hotel room offers a lake view. Also, if visiting this hill station during peak tourist season, it’s suggested that you book the hotel room in advance.
Places to Eat – There are many eateries dotted all across the Mall Road. Famous food joints like Dominos and Sagar Ratna are also available. Restaurants in Nainital offer all type of cuisine ranging from Continental to Chinese.
Ranikhet – The Beautiful 2nd Stop
In the morning, head out towards the serene hill station of Ranikhet. Owing to immense natural beauty, this hill station justifies the sobriquet – The Queen’s Meadow. It is famous for having a number of picnic spots, hiking trails and age-old temples. Also, it is a major attraction for adventure junkies. Some of the spots you must cover in Ranikhet are Jhula Devi Temple, Haidakhan Babaji Temple and Golf Course.
How to Reach – You can take a private cab or a shared taxi from Nainital to Ranikhet. The fare will be around INR 100 to 150. I would personally not suggest you to take a bus journey for this route.
Where to Stay- From sprawling heritage resorts to small budget hotels, all kind of accommodation options are available here. There are many hotels in Ranikhet and booking a hotel is not an hassle.
Places to Eat – The main road is dotted with a plethora of food outlets where you can savor delicious food.
Kausani – The 3rd Stop
Kausani, located at a height of 1,890 m, offers a panoramic view of the snow-clad Himalayas. To see mother nature in her most beautiful form, this is the place to be. It is an ideal holiday getaway for those who are looking for an escape from the hustle-bustle of the city life. Some popular attractions of this hill station include Rudradhari Falls and Caves, Sumitranandan Pant Gallery and Kausani Tea Estate.
How to Reach – Book a private cab to reach from Ranikhet to Kausani.
Where to stay – Stay in any of the budget hotels available in the hill station. Book a hotel in kausani online and enjoy a hassle-free stay.
Places to Eat – You can opt to have your meals in the hotel you are staying at or can savour local delicacies available at the vendors.
Baijnath – The 4th hill station
Baijnath is named after the famous Baijnath Temple, which was built by Kumaon Katyuri King in 1150. This stone temple houses a beautiful idol of Goddess Parvati. The temple is bounded by a sparkling lake, where you can sit and spend some quality time. Other than the temple, you can pay a visit to the local market–Garur and Bhramari Devi Temple.
How to Reach – Book a private taxi to travel from Kausani to Baijnath. The cost will not be more than INR 100 for a shared taxi.
Where to Stay – You can choose to stay in Kausani and visit Baijnath as an excursion or you can book a budget hotel in Baijnath and enjoy a peaceful stay.
Places to Eat – Only a few options are available in Baijnath for foodies. You might get a hot cup of tea and hot pakora at the road side vendors.
Almora – The 5th Paradise
After enjoying a sound sleep, begin your journey towards the most serene hill station of Uttarakhand – Almora. The untouched beauty of Almora is sure to leave you spell-bound and compel you to spend one more day there. An Insider’s guide to Almora helps you explore this hill station as a local and get the most out of it. You can stay in a well-maintained hotel or can also enjoy a homestay in one of the beautiful pahari houses.
How to Reach – Book a private cab to reach from Baijnath to Almora. The total fare for the total journey will be around INR 250 per person.
Where to Stay – There are a number of hotels where you can enjoy a comfortable stay in Almora.
Places to Eat – For dining in Almora, Glory Restaurant is one of the most famous places. Also, the best place to relish momos and thukpa is the Norzeing Restaurant, which is located on the main road.
Jageshwar Dham – The Final Destination
Jageshwar is visited by a plethora of tourists and devotees all year-round. It is famous for its cluster of 124 stone temples, which dates back to 9-13 CE. A river flowing along the sides of the temple adds to the overall beauty of the place. Also, there is a lotus kund within the premises of the temple. Two attached cedars catch everyone’s attention. Other than the temple, there is an Archeological Museum, which is worth a visit.
How to Reach – You can easily get a taxi from the taxi stand in Almora. Travel with the local people and get an insight into the place.
Where to Stay – There are one or two hotels in Jageshwar where you can stay. You can also plan to come back to Almora for the stay.
Places to Eat – Enjoy picnicking on the way to this destination. There are small tea shops and eateries dotted across the main street.
Also, other than just exploring these 6 hill stations in 6 days, you can also include hill stations like Bhimtal, Bhowali, Binsar and Bageshwar in your itinerary without even extending your trip. Maintaining a perfect balance between amusement and tranquility, the state of Uttarakhand is an ideal holiday getaway destination.
Visit the unspoiled hill stations in Uttarakhand and witness the real beauty of mother nature.
About the Author
Kanika Agarwal is an avid traveller and likes to express simply by words of her experience. She admires natural beauty and her dream is to explore the unexplored.
