There is no dearth of Uttarakhand packages that will include visits to Rishikesh, Mussorie and Dehradun and while they make for a great Uttarakhand holiday package, you may end up missing out on some of the hidden treasure that you could explore.
Take for instance, the beautiful hill town of Kanatal set in the backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains. It is named after Kanatal Lake that does not exist anymore and several legends tell the story of why it disappeared. It is one of the most offbeat places to visit in Uttarakhand.
Naukuchiatal, also named after a lake with nine corners is home to a festival of art and music that takes place in May every year. Several artists from the country and all over the world get together for the festival. You can take part in several adventure sports and activities here and enjoy panoramic views of the stunning natural landscape.
Lohaghat is known for various historic as well as mythological significance. Richly designed temples complement the scenic surroundings. Lohaghat is around 60km from Pithoragarh and it is a not-to-be-missed hill town. Lohaghat is known for Advaita Ashram or Mayavati Ashram, a branch of Ramakrishna Math. Hence, many devotees also visit Lohaghat.
Nighlat, a quiet retreat tucked away in the hills near Nainital, offers beautiful meandering trekking and hiking trails. Visit the Kenchi Temple and Neem Karori Baba’s Ashram. A typical Uttarakhand tour package may not include such offbeat places in the itinerary.
Finally, visit Pauri – a dreamy sojourn for the nature lover. Engulfed by thick deodar forests, this hill station offers mystical views of Trisul and Nanda Devi peaks of the Himalayas. A play called ‘Pauri Ramlila’ based on Ramayana is said to be one of the oldest plays and is performed even today. Pauri Ramlila is culturally very significant throughout Uttarakhand.
