travel india with choose india travels.
states maps circuits pilgrimage hillstations beaches historical adventure wildlife
.
hillstations
HILLSTATIONS OF UTTAR PRADESH
Almora, Nainital

Almora, a small town which is built on Kashaya Hill, as mentioned in the Hindu scripture, the "Skanda Purana". Unlike most hill stations, Almora wasn't empty hillside "discovered" by the British. It was already an established town with a long history. It is perched on a 5 km long horshoe shaped ridge, at an elevation of 1,646 m above sea level. The town looks out over a fertile terraced valley and four ranges of hills - Banari Devi, Kasan Devi, Shyahi Devi and Katarmal. Beyond them is Trishul and Nanda Devi in the Great Himalayas.

It is believed that great god Vishnu dwelt here. Presently the city is headquarters of District Almora in the state of Uttar-Pradesh with population size of 27,000, it is also an important market town and administrative center with an agriculture research station.

Auli, Chamoli

Auli is nestled in the lap of the snow-caped peaks of Garwal Himalayas in the Chamoli district of western Uttar-Pradesh, near the world famous religious shrine of Badrinath. At an altitude of 2,500-3,050 metres above sea level, Auli's well-dressed slopes are flanked by coniferous and oak forests and offer a panoramic view of Mt. Nanda Devi, Mana Parbat, Dunagiri, Beethartoli, Nilkanth, Hathi Parbat and Ghori Parbat. The rugged and snowy tettain of Auli is so challenging that it used to be a training ground for India's Para-Military Forces in the 70's.

Realising the potential of Auli as a ski-resort, the Government of U.P. had it surveyed by French and Austrian experts who favorably compared the slopes of Auli to the best in the world. Auli is today a promising ski-spot and an ideal winter resort. Apart from Skiing Festivals being held here since 1986, National Championships under the aegis of Winter Games Federation of India have been held at Auli with technical and other backup assistance provided by various Government and adventure related agencies.

Auli has now become a leading tourist spot and while its slopes beckon daring and gallant skiing enthusiasts, its pristine natural beauty and the alpine atmosphere lure many a tourists who come here for a variety of other reasons - for conquering their fear of heights, for savoring nature in its purest form or just to throw snowballs at each other.

Harsil

Harsil is at a distance of 72 km from Uttarkashi on the main highway to Gangotri at an elevation of 2,623 mts.
Uttarkashi is the administrative headquarters of the district of the same name in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The district is best known for the two major pilgrimage centers of Yamunotri and Gangotri. It is situated on the banks of the river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1,158 m. It is an important pilgrim center and is often compared with Kashi (Varanasi) and hence the name Uttar Kashi, meaning Kashi of north. Several trekking companies operate from here and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is also located here, just 5 km from Uttarkashi. The Institute provides training in mountaineering to enthusiasts from all over the country. Uttarkashi is also very famous for it's annual Magh Mela (fair). Uttarkashi is the last major town on way to Gangotri and Gaumukh.
This sylvan hamlet - Harsil, is famous for it's natural beauty and delicious apples. It is 227 km from Rishikesh.

Kausani

Kausani, famous for spectacular sunrise and a 300 km wide view of Himalayan ranges such as Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, all of them appears to be incredibly close. It is 370 km from Delhi, 62 km from Ranikhet, 51 km from Almora, 198 km from Pithoragarh, 174 km from Ramnagar and 117 km from Nainital, is one of the places popularised as the Switzerland of India and is considered as nature's gift to mankind. It is situated at an altitude of 1,890 m.

From this small settlement situated on a mountain top are views of nearly 400 kms of snows. From west to east are the peaks of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Badrinath, Nandaghunti, trishul, Nanda Devi, Panchachuli and Api and Nampa (in Nepal). The Anashakti Yoga Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi stayed in 1929. The Mahatma was enchanted by the beauty of Kausani. The ashram run in true Gandhian tradition of "plain living and high thinking", has several guesthouses in the spacious compound and a wide, north-facing terrace where one can spend the whole day watching the snows. Kausani also has the distinction of having provided eminent Indians with inspirations.

Pithoragarh

"Miniature Kashmir" as referred, Pithoragarh is the eastern most hill district of Uttar Pradesh. Nestling in a small valley, barely 5 km long and 2 km wide, the town was an important landmark of the Chand Rajas of Kumaon and known as Saur Valley. It is situated at an altitude of 1,645 m. It is the district headquarter and it's government buildings are housed in the Hill fort of Pithoragarh at a distance of 7 km from the main town. It's population size is 22,000. It is on pilgrim road to Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Lake.

Ranikhet

Ranikhet means 'Queen's Field' and is said to be named after the wife of the 12th-century raja, Sudhar Deve. Spread along a ridge at 1,830 mts (6,004 feet), Ranikhet is covered with pine and oak forests. On its northern side it offers fine snow views. Ranikhet is still a cantonment. The town is now the home of the Kumaon Regiment, one of the Indian army's best.

back to states
states maps circuits pilgrimage hillstations beaches historical adventure wildlife
www.chooseindia.com back to home page