Quiet homestay with snow peaks, Uttarakhand
Harsil· 4.9 · 14 stays
The home is a base to explore the wider Western Himalaya region. Depending on your direction of travel, you can reach some of Uttarakhand's most significant sites.
Jim Corbett National Park, India's oldest, is open from October to June. Head to the Ramnagar gate for the best chance of spotting a tiger.
In Kumaon, the 350-year-old Mukteshwar Temple offers sweeping valley views from its perch on a cliff edge at Chauli Ki Jali.
In Garhwal, the trek to Tungnath from the village of Chopta is a rewarding 4-hour climb. At the top, you’ll find the highest Shiva temple in the world. Continue to the Chandrashila summit for a 360-degree Himalayan panorama.
The Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a seasonal spectacle. It’s open only from July to September when the alpine meadows are covered in hundreds of species of flowers. The trek starts from Govindghat.
Rishikesh, the gateway to Garhwal, hosts the Ganga Aarti every evening at Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan. It’s a moving ceremony of light and sound on the banks of the river.
Auli is known for skiing from December to March. In other seasons, its vast meadows of oak and rhododendron are open for trekking, with views of Nanda Devi.
The Western Himalaya is served by two main regions, Kumaon and Garhwal, each with its own access points.
By air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport (DED) is the gateway to Garhwal, serving Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Auli, and Chopta. Pantnagar Airport (PGH) serves the Kumaon region, including Nainital, Mukteshwar, and Almora.
By rail: The main railhead for Garhwal is Haridwar, where journeys to Rishikesh and the Char Dham sites begin. For Kumaon, the line ends at Kathgodam, the station for Nainital, Mukteshwar, and Almora.
By road: Rishikesh is the primary road hub for the Garhwal region. For Kumaon, Nainital serves as the main hub connecting the lake district and surrounding hill stations.
The region is accessible year-round, but different seasons offer different experiences. The clearest skies and best mountain views are from March to June and again from September to November.
The monsoon months of July and August bring lush green landscapes but also the risk of landslides, which can disrupt travel plans. High-altitude destinations like Auli and Chopta are often closed by heavy snow from December to February, though this is the best time for skiing in Auli.
