Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful locations in India. It is the destination to go to for spiritual retreats and hiking up the side of the Himalayas.
Mussoorie-
It is situated in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, where you can go on endless treks and enjoy the rustic beauty of the city. It is the perfect place to spend all of your summer vacations just like the British did as an official of the colony climbed uphill to see Mussoorie from Doon. There is a phenomenon called the winter line in which the horizon looks all grey and orange visible only here in winter. If you are feeling a little enthusiastic you can visit the adventure park and go ziplining and see the entire area as you fly across.
Dehradun-
It is the capital of the state and if you are coming to Uttarakhand to visit one of the other cities such as Rishikesh, you should definitely check out Dehradun as it is on the passway to the other places. You should visit the Drona cave also called the Tapkeshwar Temple which is where the teacher of the Pandavas, Dronacharya is said to have lived. There is also a famous waterfall called Sahastradhara which flows through the sediments of limestone making it nutrient rich with Sulphur. It has a lot of medicinal value and the swim is rejuvenating.
Kedarnath-
This is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Sadashivam. It is a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage and is in fact one of the Jyotirlingams, that are worshipped with great dedication. As you look over at the Kedarnath peak covered with snow behind the temple you feel a sense of inner peace envelop you and you can hear the silence of the Himalayas. You can immerse yourself in prayer and feel the tranquility settle in you.
Badrinath-
It is located in the midst of the Nar and Narayan Mountain ranges on the banks of the Alakananda River. It is one of the Char Dham sites and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. It is also one of the important temples in 108 Divya Desams that are mentioned in religious texts. It is said to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th Century. It is a place of beauty, but in the winter due to heavy snow, it remains inaccessible to tourists. The Satopanth glacier and Neelkanth Peak also lie in the town of Badrinath adding to the natural beauty of the region.
Nainital-
It is an idyllic Himalayan town that serves the best Instagram posts on a platter with shimmering lake Naini covered with sailboats and the town tucked away in the Kumaon ranges surrounded by Seven Hills. You can go on the Naini Peak Pangot trek and enjoy the fresh air and trails surrounded by trees and plants smelling of dew in the mornings. You can go sailing in Bhimtal Lake and buy all the souvenirs you like on the mall road. Naina Devi temple in this town is one of the Shakthi peethas and houses Goddess Parvathi. It is a wonderful place to pray and meditate.
Haridwar-
It is considered Gateway to Gods and is literally the city of temples. Kumbh Mela is conducted here as well, every 12 years once. Har Ki Pauri is very pious as it is believed that Lord Vishnu left his footprint there. You can even witness Ganga Aarti in the evening.
Rishikesh-
It is an abode of wellness and the Yoga Capital of the world. In the religious texts, it is believed that Lord Rama meditated here. The locale here is very vibrant and there are a lot of opportunities to go on retreats and learn yoga here.
Jim Corbett National Park-
Situated near Nainital it is a conservation center that primarily protects tigers. It was established in 1936 and you can still see a large abundance of wildlife if you go on a safari. The Corbett waterfall is also nearby and is very scenic.
