Uttarakhand is one of India’s leading tourist destinations, with alluring landscapes, beautiful cities and numerous pilgrimage sites. Uttarakhand has tourists coming all through the year from across India and all corners of the globe. March to April and September to October are considered as the best time to visit Uttarakhand. The state has wonderful weather all through the year. Trekking, Paragliding and The Char Dham Yatra are the most popular activities during Summer, which is also the Peak Season in Uttarakhand. Winters from November through February are perfect for rafting in Rishikesh and wildlife spotting in Jim Corbett National Park. Valley of Flowers is picture perfect during monsoon.
Uttarakhand is the land of the awe-inspiring Himalayas. Who can say no to this land of majestic snow-capped peaks, exotic hill stations and unending green jungles? Together, these offer you pleasant weather throughout the year, with slight variation in temperature from day to night, or even between seasons. Most of the state’s income comes from tourism and thus Uttarakhand keeps its gates open to all visitors all months of the year.
Summers in Uttarakhand are cold and pleasant, making daytimes perfect for sightseeing and walking about. Plan your summer vacation to Uttarakhand between March and June. The months of winter are icy cold with some regions even receiving moderate to heavy snowfall. This doesn’t cut them off from the rest of the country; on the contrary, this blanket of white turns them into picturesque locales that you just wouldn’t want to leave. October to February is the right time to take a winter break to Uttarakhand. The only time that Uttarakhand is uninviting is during the monsoon. The state receives heavy rainfall in the months of July and August and that can make traveling within the land a little difficult.
Uttarakhand has a lot to offer the eager traveller. You could be travelling alone or with your family, or it could even be a group of friends; you can be sure that your vacation in Uttarakhand will be possibly one of the best holidays of your life.

Peak Season (March-June):
Summer is the best climate to visit Uttarakhand. The weather is pleasant and comfortable, with temperatures not going beyond 35 degree Celsius during the day and never dipping below 20 degree Celsius. Summer brings out the beauty in Uttarakhand and you will find most tourists heading here.
Shoulder Season (October-February):
If you like the cold, then head to Uttarakhand in winter. In fact, we suggest that you head there even if you are not particularly crazy about the cold weather – the beauty of the place will definitely convert you. Bundle up in your woollens to keep yourself well-protected from the low temperatures. Daytime will reach a maximum of 15 degree Celsius and in some places the lowest could go to up to 3 degrees Celsius. If you are lucky, you could experience snowfall too.
Low Season (July-September):
While the rain might seem unwelcoming, it does transform Uttarakhand into a lush-green panorama. The air is fresh and there is a clean look about the place. Be warned; the months of July and August will see Uttarakhand inundated with rain and it can upset your travel plans.

Travel Seasons Min/Max Temperature Season
March-June 20-35 degrees Pleasant
July-September 15-25 degrees Heavy rains and high humidity
October-February 3-15 degrees Cold with a chance of snow

Uttarakhand in Summer (March to June)
Temperature: Avg. of 35 degrees high to 20 degrees low
Weather: Summer brings with it a potpourri of breathtaking natural beauty and there is an unmistakable freshness in Uttarakhand in the summer season. The weather is pleasant and it is always just the right temperature to make a trip here. The chill of winter is gone, the flowers are peeking through and it is time for celebration. The sun feels comforting on your back as you walk through the hills and valleys. Stop to gaze upon the untouched beauty that is brought to you on a platter. Whether you are a trekker or you are visiting Uttarakhand to spend some time with someone special, this is a time for life, beauty and romance.
Significant events: Summer is a time for festivals and celebrations. This is when new seeds are planted and the entire region hopes for a good harvest. The celebration, Bhaitauli, is celebrated between March and April. The women in the house are entrusted the job of planting seeds and by the end of the festival period, called Harela, they harvest the crop. This is also a time for celebrating the bond between a brother and a sister, where the former honours his sister with gifts.
Once the month of May hits, the region gears up for the famous Char Dham Yatra. This continues until September. As the name suggests, this trek takes travellers to each of the four spiritual sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. You can join this trek whether or not you are spiritually inclined, since the trek itself is a beautiful experience.
Why you should visit now: Summer is when the weather is perfect and the landscape simply gorgeous. You can cross-off several must-see places off your bucket list.
Know before you visit: Summer is peak season in Uttarakhand, so there will be many tourists. Book your tickets and reserve accommodation in advance to avoid getting disappointed.
Tips: The weather is pleasant but the sun is still quite harsh. Use a sunblock when you step out.

Uttarakhand in Monsoon (July to September)
Temperature: Avg. of 25 degrees high to 15 degrees low
Weather: When it rains in Uttarakhand, the skies really open up. While this turns the land into a beautiful kaleidoscope of colours, it can get a little inconvenient to move about. More so if you are not particularly fond of the rains. The rain begins in late-June but really picks up speed by July. The next three months drench the Himalayan region with heavy rains that increase the likelihood of landslides and roadblocks.
Significant events: The end of the summer festival of Bhaitauli is called Harela. This is a festival that indicates the beginning of the monsoon and it is celebrated around July-August. On the mythological side, this event commemorates the wedding of Lord Shiva to Parvati.
Why you should visit now: Weather in monsoon of Uttarakhand is perfect for a budget trip. This is a great time since hotels and other tour packages will offer you discounts and lower prices.

1. Auli
2. Chopta
3. Nainital
4. Mussoorie
5. Chakrata
6. Munsiyari
7. Rishikesh
8. Harsil
9. Kausani
10. Almora

International Yoga Week (March)
Annual festival organized by Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, with yoga classes, mantras, kirtans, plus lifestyle and healing programmes alongside cultural events.

Kumaoni Holi (March)
In the hill tracts of Kumaon, Holi is a musical affair and takes various forms. At Baithki Holi, celebrations kick off in temple premises with traditional folk songs sung to a classical accompaniment. There’s more singing at Khari Holi, celebrated mainly in rural areas. Mahila Holi is a women-only gathering.

Bagwal or Devidhura Fair (April)
The unique stone-pelting festival is celebrated at the Varahi Devi temple at Devidhura, just south of Nainital. Amid folk songs and dances, two groups (khams) throw stones at each other while protecting themselves with large wooden shields. The priest stops the ritual when it is ascertained that enough blood has been shed (equivalent to one man) to appease the goddess.

Ganga Dussehra (May/June)
A day devoted to worshipping the sacred Ganges, with devotees marking the occasion with a dip in the river and aarti. Hand-made Dussehra posters adorn the doors of temples and homes in Rishikesh, Haridwar and other towns along the river.

Nanda Devi Jaat (Aug/Sept)
Dedicated to Uttarakhand’s patron goddess, with an annual jaat (procession) and melas held in towns and villages with Nanda Devi shrines across Garhwal and Kumaon, including Almora, Nainital and Ranikhet.

1. Jams & Pickles - One of the famous things to buy while shopping in Uttarakhand is the fresh jam. It is way more delicious and fresh than the ones you buy from those shelves in supermarts. Once you taste these jams, you will feel like you are actually eating fruit. The variety of jams is galore too. You have mixed fruit, apple, strawberry, blueberries, mango, etc. You can even buy fresh pickles in Uttarakhand. Some of the best pickles to buy are mushrooms, lotus stem, and mixed pickle.
2. Local Wine - If you are a wine connoisseur, then you should try the local wines made in the wineries of Uttarakhand. Sure, they don’t taste better than Sula or those expensive French wine, but they will definitely get you tipsy. These wines are made with a variety of sources like apple cider and grapes. It is worth a try. They are not very expensive either. You will find local wine shops easily in the streets and markets from where you can buy as many bottles of wine as you want
3. Honey - Honey is another thing you should buy while shopping in Uttarakhand. Why not when Uttarakhand has a lot of beekeeping farms. Taste the freshness and sweetness in every drop of that natural honey. The best part is that it is organic. There is no adulteration or additives added into honey which is why it stays perishable for years. You will find a variety of flavors too, like litchi flavored honey.
4. Woolen Clothing - One of the best things to buy from any hill station is woolen clothing. Buy hand-knitted scarfs, socks, sweaters, and shawls from the handicraft bazaars of Uttarakhand. These woolen items will keep you safe from the harsh winters on the hill station. There is no other way. Also, you will remember for years how you bought that sweater or scarf on your trip to Uttarakhand. These woolen items also make nice souvenirs to gift to your loved ones.
5. Handicrafts - Uttarakhand is famous for its handicrafts too. These handicraft items have well preserved the Kumaoni and Garhwali culture of Uttarakhand. Each district in Uttarakhand is famous for one thing or another. Aipan is a traditional local art in which intricate white color designs are made against block red background. The paste is made from rice flour and this art form belongs typically to the Kumaon region. You will also find a variety of natural fibers like Raambaan, Jute, and Ringaal. Copperware and wooden craft of Uttarakhand are equally famous too. Almora is famous for its Angora and pashmina items.
6. Ringaal Handicraft - One of the things Uttarakhand is famous for is bamboo handicrafts made by Ringaal people in the Kumaon region. These beautiful bamboo art pieces are 100% eco-friendly and last long. You will find bags, purses, lampshades, furniture, and what not, all spun out of bamboo. Everything is crafted so well that you will not be able to help yourself from buying. There are kitchen utility items, carpets, and even cute baskets made from bamboo. Get one of these for yourself on your next vacation.
7. Rambaans Handicraft - Local people in Uttarakhand are very talented. Who would have thought that they would weave something out of jute and hemp? Rambaans is a local art form made using hemp and jute fiber. You will find bags, purses, wall hangings, and showpieces hanging at the shops in various markets in Uttarakhand. Again, these items are more sustainable and upcycled products. So, buying them will make you feel good, and using them will make you happier.
8. Angora & Pashmina - One of the things that you should buy while shopping in Uttarakhand is Angora or pashmina shawls. Angora and pashmina fabrics are woven from the hair of mountain goats and these fabrics are the warmest clothing you can have. You will find beautiful shawls with intricate embroidery at various shops in Uttarakhand. To test whether it is real pashmina or not, pass the fabric through your ring. If it does, it is real.
9. Wooden Crafts - There is one thing that you will find in abundance in Uttarakhand and that is a wooden craft. In fact, the Himalayan state excels in the art of woodwork. The Gunjyal tribe is known for its excellent craftsmanship and they can create anything out of wood. Buy walking sticks, jewelry boxes, animal figurines and other useful items made from the wood of mountain trees.

• Kafuli – Mouthwatering Dish
• Bhang Ki Chutney – Flavorful Experience
• Phaanu – Lip-smacking Delicious
• Baadi – Traditional Food
• Aaloo Tamatar Ka Jhol – Taste And Nutrition
• Kandalee Ka Saag – Must Try Dish
• Chainsoo – Delicious
• Dubuk – Tasty Meal
• Aloo Gutook – Excite Your Palate
• Jhangora Ki Kheer – Tasty Dessert
• Thhatwani – Nutritious And Flavorful
• Garhwal Ka Fannah – Protein Rich Dish
• Kumaoni Raita – Beat The Heat
• Gulgula – Sweet Affair
• Arsa – Sweet Tooth
• Singori – Sweet Delicacy