The wait is finally over. Devotees of Lord Badrinarayan can now receive the blessings in 2024 on May 12th. Every year, the opening date of Badrinath Dham is ceremoniously announced on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami by the Badrinath Dham temple committee, meticulously calculated according to Vedic traditions and nakshatra placements. This year, the doors of Badrinath temple will open on May 12th, a Sunday, at 6:00 AM, amidst the melodious chanting of Vedic mantras and hymns.

Uttarakhand boost more than 600 bird species due to its rich biodiversity. Uttarakhand has the temperate forest, coniferous forest, alpine & subalpine moist scrub, rich grassland, wetland & rivers which spur various bird species in an almost entire region; however, there are some recognized birding places in Uttarakhand. The pre-eminent Uttarakhand birding watching regions are Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, Mussorie-Aglar Valley – Devalsari-Dhanaulti, Nainital-Sattal-Kilbury-Pangot, Almora-Binsar-Mukteshwar, Munsyari –Askot Wildlife sanctuary.

In the Bhagavad Gita it is mentioned that - When a person is devoted to something with complete faith, I (God) unify his faith in that. Then, when his faith is completely unified, he gains the object of his devotion. Kumbh is the largest gathering of religion, faith, devotion, in which the whole of the world takes part and takes a dip in the sacred river to get emancipation. But have you ever thought that what is the significance of Kumbh, why it is important, what is the story behind Kumbh Mela? Let us take you to this divine experience - Uttarakhand has always been considered as the land of God since ages. This land is considered as the land of seekers and devotion. It is the land of Shiva (Kedarnath & Haridwar), the land of Vishnu (Badrinath, Har-ki-Pauri), and also the origin place of Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati.

It is that time of the year again when everyone is in the celebrating mood. The weather is getting colder day by day. The preparations for arranging firewood stock and exotic dinner parties are going on. Some are planning for that long pending relaxing vacation while, some are planning to just chill around. Everyone is visibly excited. Yes! You guessed it right. It is the time to thank the year gone by and to welcome, the new year which has come with new hopes, excitement, and promises. Let us embrace this year with open arms. Let us forget all the remonstrances and complaints. Let’s enjoy this time together with our family and friends. Welcome this New Year with your loved ones in a little different way than you usually do, an unusual way, unique vacation destination. Celebrate this new year with the white carpet under your feet and snowy tops over your head on winter treks in the Himalayas. Here are some best winter trek in Uttarakhand to choose from. 1. KEDARKANTHA TREK Region – Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 5-6 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Easy to Moderate Maximum Altitude – 12,500ft Best time to Visit – November – April Kedarnath winter Trek is considered as one of the finest treks for beginners. This trek is for adventure lovers who are not avid or pro trekkers but want to get a feel of trekking. The memories you will gather from this summit will surely remain forever with you. The trek starts from Sankri and as you climb up, you can witness snow-clad mountains ranges at your eye level. The sun shining over your head and the snow twinkling like stars all around, asking you to capture the breath-taking moment forever. Along the way, you will see some famous peaks like Swargarohini, Black Peak, and Bandarpoonch. You will surely get a thrilling experience while climbing up the mountains. This trek is considered as one of the best treks in India. Highlights of this trek - Beautiful Campsites Snow-covered pine forests 360-degree view of the mountain Chance to stand on the top 2. HAR KI DUN Region – Garhwal Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 7 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Moderate Maximum Altitude – 12,000 ft. Best time to Visit – September-December (Winter), March-June(Summer) Har Ki Dun is known as a mythical stairway to heaven. It is believed that Pandavas from Mahabharata went through the Swarga Rohini peak on their ascent to heaven. It is also, one of the few places where Duryodhana (Eldest Kaurava from Mahabharata) is worshipped. This Har ki dun winter trek is surely heaven if you belong to any of these three categories - nature lover, adventure lover or photo lovers. The magnificent valley is surrounded by dense pine forest and it is the only valley that provides coliseum views of Swargarohini – I, II, III, Bandarpoonch and Black Peak. It also nests more than 2000 years old ancient villages situated on this cradle shaped Valley. The view from the summit is jaw-dropping and every single moment/frame is worth capturing and also it is a best treks in December. Highlights of this trek - Pretty campsites Snow-covered pine forests Coliseum view of the mountain Witness the epic staircase for heaven 3. DODITAL TREK Region – Garhwal Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 4-5 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Moderate Maximum Altitude – 13,612 ft. Best time to Visit – September-December (Winter), March-June(Summer) Dodital Trek is named after the lake Dodital or Dhudital which flows in the mountain ranges of Uttrakhand. As per our mythology, the lake is believed to be a birthplace of Lord Ganesha and is considered as one of the sacred lakes in the region. This lake is also famous as a home for Himalayan trouts. The trek is a paradise for bird watchers. You can witness different species of birds like Himalayan Monal, Woodpeckers, Robins, Finches, Magpies, Tailorbird, Grey Shrike, the Himalayan babbler, etc. Though this trek is undertaken throughout the year but is more exhilarating during winters. You can feel like walking on the white carpet (read as red carpet feeling) especially laid for you by nature. The trek trail goes through dense deodar trees, glacier basins, ridges, and enduring villages. During the trek, you can witness peaks like Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, and the Dhaula Dhar range. The experience of this trek is simply delightful, out of the world. Highlights of this trek - Opportunity to walk on White carpet Angling Bird Watching Breath-taking views of mountain peaks 4. KUARI PASS TREK Region – Garhwal Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 5-6 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Easy to Moderate Maximum Altitude – 12,526 ft. Best time to Visit – September-December (Winter), March-May(Summer) Kuari Pass winter trek is also popularly known as the Curzon Trail, as it was traversed by Lord Curzon in 1905. This trek attracts thousands of adventure seekers from all around the world. It has become one of the popular treks due to the picturesque valley, alpine forests of oak, and Rhododendron trees. The entire trekking trail is covered with snow and the majestic peaks of Kamet, Dronagiri, Trishul, Bertholi, Hathi Ghodi Parvat, Mana, and Neelkanth. You can also spot leopard and Himalayan black bear pugmarks during your trek. Though the Himalayan views are stunning during both the seasons (summers and winter). In summers the trees ablaze in yellow and orange look, while, in winters the trees are covered with white blankets. Both seasons have its own charm. But it is the winter trek that you will enjoy more. You will witness open skies with an impressive skyline just over your head and white salt crystals sparkling beneath you. Kuari pass trek in December will surely cherish the memories which you created and captured during this expedition. Highlights of this trek - Beautiful mountain view from day 1 of the trek Outstanding Campsite Ancient Forest Trails Snow Hiking 5. CHOPTA – TUNGNATH – CHANDERSHILA PEAK Region – Garhwal Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 5 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Easy Maximum Altitude – 13,300 ft. Best time to Visit – September-December (Winter), March-June(Summer) Popularly known as Chandrashila Trek, is one of the most beautiful and less explored treks by the trekker in the region. The enchanting lake Deoriatal is one of the biggest attractions for shutterbugs. There is an interesting mythological story behind it. It is believed that the five Pandavas from Mahabharata were thirsty and they came to Deoriatal for water and there faced a test of wisdom. Chopta in winter is jampacked with snowy peaks – Nanda Devi, Panchuli, Bandarpunch, Kedarnath, Neelkanth, Chaukhamba on one side, and Garhwal valley on the other side. It is full of scenic views of lush green meadows and waterfalls all over. This trek has something for each one of you – Mountain Lover, Photo Lover, Bird Watcher, Nature Lover, Peace watchers. Like the slang of Bollywood “picture is full of masala and drama”. In all this trek is an experience in itself. Totally mind-boggling. Highlights of this trek - Enchanting Lake Rich flora and fauna alongside Waterfalls, Lush Green Meadows Magnificent mountain views 6. Nag Tibba Winter Trek - Region – Mussoorie, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 2/3 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Easy Maximum Altitude – 9,915 ft. Best time to Visit – September-December (Winter), March-June(Summer) (except July-August) Nag Tibba a popular weekend & winter trek in the Mussoorie region known for its easy trail and exceptional view of Garhwal Himalayas. This trek is quite popular among those who mostly travel on weekends. The enchanting view of snowcapped peaks from the Nag Tibba Summit makes trekker amazed. There is also a Nag Deta Temple before the summit, locals have great belief in this Nag Devta Temple. The peaks visible from the Nag Tibba are – Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Chaukhamba, Bandarpoonch range, Mt. Kalanag, etc. This Nag Tibba winter trek is full of scenic views of lush green meadow in summer which covered with snow during winters. Highlights of this trek - Scenic Villages Outstanding Campsite Forest Trails Snow Hiking Magnificent mountain views 7. Dayara Bugyal Winter Trek - Region – Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 4/5 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Easy Maximum Altitude – 11,181 ft. Best time to Visit – September to November & February-May (Summer) Dayara Bugyal in winter is one of the most lovely alpine meadows treks in India. The picturesque landscape of the Himalayas from Dayara Bugyal is breathtaking especially in winters when the entire region is covered with the sheet of white snow. The campsite on the trail of this trek is extremely beautiful and scenic. The Bakriya top offering a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the magnificent view of mighty Himalayas. Gangotri region peaks, Bandarpoonch, Bhilangana range, Jaonli, Rudragaira, Srikanth, etc are the peaks that are visible on a clear day. This enchanting, adored trail is an easy winter trek which is not very crowded and is a great option for beginners/ first-timers. This trail also suits well for those who want an outdoor experience with family and children. This experience will give the scope to learn from the local culture and lifestyle of the region. Highlights of this trek - Beautiful Meadow Outstanding Campsite Forest Trails Snow Hiking Magnificent mountain views 8. Brahmatal Trek - Region – Chamoli, Uttarakhand Ideal Duration – 6 Days Trek Difficulty Level – Moderate Maximum Altitude – 12,250 ft. Best time to Visit – 2nd week of September to April Brahmatal Trek is a natural lake winter trek located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The lake is on the name of Lord Brahma, according to the mythology it is said that - this is the place where Lord Brahma meditates. This is a lake nestled deep into the mountains of Uttarakhand which offers an alluring view of nature at its tranquil environment. The difficulty level of the Brahmatal Trek is a bit moderate but it is fit for less experienced trekkers and beginners. The Brahmatal trek in December and January the temperature fall below 0 degrees and the region receives high snowfall. If you ask me which is the best winter lake trek then I will suggest you Brahmatal Trek. It has a view that beats all the other majestic treks. Highlights of this trek - Outstanding lake view Forest Trails Snow Hiking Magnificent mountain views

Pauri is a beautiful town located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Located at the centre of Uttarakhand it is also called as the ‘Heart of Garhwal’. The town has intact natural beauty, dese forest, clear rivers, rich heritage culture & authentic Garhwali lifestyle which tempts many travellers and tourists throughout the year. Also, there are many ancient temples, towns, hill stations which are quite popular among the backpackers.

Uttarkashi is a religious, spiritual and adventurous town located at the border of Uttarakhand, on the bank of river Bhagirathi. Uttarkashi literally means ‘The Kashi of North’, that’s why the place is also known as the ‘Shivanagri’. The town has a number of pilgrimages, ancient temples, and ashrams which attracts hundreds of devotees throughout the year. Other than spiritual aspects, Uttarkashi is also a major hub for the adventurer trekkers and is the base town for treks to Har-ki-Dun, Dodital, Yamunotri & Gaumukh, etc. The adorned nature, tranquil environment, and colorful ethnic culture also the main attraction of this place. Some of the popular tourist interest places are - Dayara bugyal, Harsil, Tapovan, Gangotri, Maneri, etc.

A place marked in the laps of mountains has a lot to gift you in the form of beautiful memories and everlasting experiences. Over the years Shimla has been crafted as one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country. The hill station has a lot to offer and when it comes to planning vacations, it becomes quite difficult as there are many places one could cherish. Well, this blog will help you to plan your vacation.

The festive season is back and everybody wants to celebrate. The weather is getting colder day by day and we are just a few weeks away from the New Year’s eve. At the beginning of the new year, it is believed that something will change in our lives. And to make new year special, traveling with dear ones, is a good opportunity to begin the year. There are several new year celebrations places outside Delhi where you can spend the New Year’s Eve with the kids, family & friends which light up your mood in a moment. But many times people had endless options, and choosing the right destination for a celebration can be the hardest decision for them. We understand your dilemma and that’s why we suggest you some best options which might help you to take the crucial decision for planning a memorable trip at end of 2020/beginning of 2021.

Have you ever thought about how’s the place looks like where the god usually comes? I know many nodding their heads right now to say no. To know about that place you just have to give your few minutes. Uttrakhand the northern part of India, which is also known as Land of God or Devbhoomi. After hearing the word Uttrakhand the things that come in mind are the lush green hills, snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lake beautiful silent valleys, spirituality, temples, rituals, beautiful rich culture, humble and cooperative people and many more. It is also the birthplace of our two holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Uttrakhand is also the home for the thousand and million monks and saints who came here in the search of salvation. There are many places on earth that have claimed the title of being “heaven on earth”, but for me the real heaven which I see that only exists in Uttrakhand. There are 100 and 1000 majestic and beautiful places in Uttrakhand and one of them is Deoria Tal.

Nestled in the Himalayas, the state of Uttarakhand is a perfect escape for nature and adventure lovers. Day hikes, trekking, river rafting, bungee jumping, and various more activities garland the itinerary of tourists here. Camping is preferable for many. People who love seclusion and likes to stay away from the hustle-bustle of fast-moving cities love to spend time here in the lapse of nature.

Finally, the latest episode Running Wild featuring with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on aired last Monday. After the hype of 4 min teaser, the fans were desperately waiting for this episode not only in the sub-continent but around the world. Today this episode is Discovery’s most trending episode and broke the world record by getting more than 3.64 billion impressions on Twitter. It is also the most trending televised event not just in India but around the world too. After the show telecast, the show host Bear Grylls said that - "Because you're incredible, India: Why I hoped my show with PM Modi would become the most-watched in TV history..."

With stunning landscape and topography, this place is heaven for the adventure and nature lovers. This place is quite popular as a Ski destination and recently hosted National winter games. Yes, you get it right. I’m talking about Auli. Auli is a remote destination of Uttarakhand. Very few people have heard about it. That’s why Auli is considered as a pristine destination and an excellent choice to escape your fast-paced city life. From the last 3-4 years, Auli is in the trending destination of Uttarakhand. Auli is a popular ski resort in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The sheer beauty of Auli is divine &enthrals the tourists with scenic beauty. Auli is endowed with beautiful mountains, verdant rich Coniferous, Oak forests with the sight of glorious mountain peaks as Durnagiri, Mt Nanda Devi, Mana Parwat, Dunagiri, Kamet, Hathi Parbat, Ghori Parbat, etc. Snow skiing is the main tourist attraction at Auli. The ride on beautiful scenic trails is a great experience for all skiers. Apart from Skiing, this place has lots of interesting things to experience.

There are many scenic places in the world where you can see, nature blooms, waterfalls, small streams, etc but no other majestic place in the world like the Valley of Flowers. Thanks to Mr.Frank S. Smythe who discovered this place and bring it in front of the World. Valley of Flowers is a vibrant and splendid national park which the world knows very well today. This beautiful place is famous for the charming meadows of alpine flowers, the richness of flora and fauna, and the wonderful view of snow-clad peaks. More than 300 species of flowers are found here. You will find anemones, geraniums, marsh marigolds, primulas, asters, Brahma Kamal, blue poppy, cobra Lilly and many other species of flowers. The Valley remains blooms with flowers and paints the valley with delightful colors and the river stream name Pushpavati makes this scenery masterpiece which you don’t want to compare with any other place of this world. Apart from flowers, you see the butterflies, birds and if you are lucky, you may even spot the blue sheep, musk deer, black/brown bear, snow leopards, and many other lovely and species of animals and birds. Before 1931 nobody was friendly about the word “Valley of Flowers” but yes this place exists in the pages of Hindu epic Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Hanuman brought Sanjivani from this valley to revive the Lord Lakshmana. And of course, the local people know about the valley, but they rarely venture into it because of some kind of superstition. They usually called this place Nandan Kanan which literally means - the garden of Lord Indra. But Smythe makes it popular by giving a new identity, which you all know - The Valley of Flowers. In 1980 the Indian government declared it as the National Park and later in 1982 it was renamed as Nanda Devi National Park and it came under the core part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. And n 2004 UNESCO designated it as the World Heritage Site.

Uttarakhand is sprawled at the foothills of snow-clad mountains which makes it a repository of natural beauty and also a hub of many exciting adventure sports and skiing is one of them. Uttarakhand has some of the skier’s perfect hamlets which are listed below.

Chopta is one of the most picturesque spots of Uttarakhand as the natural splendors seen from here is very diverse. It is also called “Mini Switzerland" because of the similarity in natural beauty. It is in the lap of the Uttarakhand Himalayas and offers views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Chaukhamba. The view of Sunrise and sunset in the Chopta is literally awesome. No other option is better than this to begin your day with the beautiful Sunrise of Chopta; which fills you with the energy. Chopta is getting popular as a tourist destination for the last few years. It is an offbeat destination and it acts as an interesting tourist getaway for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is also rich in varied flora and fauna. Rhododendron and deodar trees are found in abundance here. In the spring season, the red rhododendron flower fills the color in this beautiful place and gives it new life to this place. For Accommodation Option-Click here (Camp Option in Chopta/ Hotel Option in Chopta)

Uttarakhand has many glacial fed rivers and these rivers offer good rafting stretches with a calm smooth sailing run for novices’ paddlers & few patches of stressful rapid of grades 4 & 5 for professional rafters. Uttarakhand has many places along with Rishikesh where this exhilarating sport can be relished.

I read somewhere that “If you see Sunrise and Sunset daily, that means you are the luckiest person” and today after a very long interval of time I saw that exceptional view of the sunrise from the Nag Tibba. I was exhausted and starving but it was a very small cost for this beautiful portrait of nature. We were lying down on the grass, watching the clear blue sky, and enjoying the calmness of that place.

Uttarakhand boost more than 600 bird species due to its rich biodiversity. Uttarakhand has the temperate forest, coniferous forest, alpine & subalpine moist scrub, rich grassland, wetland & rivers which spur various bird species in an almost entire region; however, there are some recognized birding places in Uttarakhand. The pre-eminent Uttarakhand birding watching regions are Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, Mussorie-Aglar Valley – Devalsari-Dhanaulti, Nainital-Sattal-Kilbury-Pangot, Almora-Binsar-Mukteshwar, Munsyari –Askot Wildlife sanctuary.

It is that time of the year again when everyone is in the celebrating mood. The weather is getting colder day by day. The preparations for arranging firewood stock and exotic dinner parties are going on. Some are planning for that long pending relaxing vacation while, some are planning to just chill around. Everyone is visibly excited. Yes! You guessed it right. It is the time to thank the year gone by and to welcome, the new year which has come with new hopes, excitement, and promises. Let us embrace this year with open arms. Let us forget all the remonstrances and complaints. Let’s enjoy this time together with our family and friends. Welcome this new year with your loved ones in a little different way than you usually do, an unusual way, unique vacation destination. Celebrate this new year with the white carpet under your feet and snowy tops over your head. Here are 5 best winter trek options in Uttarakhand to choose from.

Uttarakhand boost more than 600 bird species due to its rich biodiversity. Uttarakhand has the temperate forest, coniferous forest, alpine & subalpine moist scrub, rich grassland, wetland & rivers which spur various bird species in an almost entire region; however, there are some recognized birding places in Uttarakhand. The pre-eminent Uttarakhand birding watching regions are Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, Mussorie-Aglar Valley – Devalsari-Dhanaulti, Nainital-Sattal-Kilbury-Pangot, Almora-Binsar-Mukteshwar, Munsyari –Askot Wildlife sanctuary.

Hemkud Sahib is a sacred place for Sikh devotees and Hindus as well. Like every Hindu wants to do Chardham yatra at least once in his whole life similarly every Sikh follower wants to do Hemkund yatra at least once. This pilgrimage site is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Hemkund is a Sanskrit name derived from Hem (Snow) and Kund (bowl) which means “The Lake of Snow”. Dasam Granth says this is the place where Pandu Raja practiced Yoga. In addition, the Dasam Granth says God ordered Sikh Guru Gobind Singh to take bath while he was in deep meditation at the mount of Hemkunt. The Hemkund is settled at 15000ft (4329 m) above the sea level which is surrounded by the seven great mountains and there is a holy lake as well which gets frozen in winters. This beautiful holy lake is near the gurudwara sahib and devotees dip into this before entering the Gurudwara Sahib. Devotees believed that by dipping into the lake, all the sins are washed away. After September this place is inaccessible because of heavy snowfall. Usually, Hemkund Sahib Yatra is open for only 4–5 months. The Hemkund Sahib Yatra starts from June and ends in Sept/October due to a heavy snowfall zone. And the best part is those who came for Hemkund Sahib also visits Valley of Flower which is 3–4 km from Ghangariya base camp.