Srinagar, lying on the banks of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley, is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, this city’s main drawcard is the serene Dal Lake, which offers mirror images of the exquisite surrounding peaks and brightly coloured houseboats. Visitors can meander through the terraced hillsides of the 400-year-old Mughal Gardens, which are strung out over several kilometres further east around the lake; visit the Jamia Masjid, one of the most sacred mosques in India, deep in the heart of the old city; or trek up to Shankaracharya Temple, a sacred Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Situated in the Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, Auli is considered to be the premier ski resort area of India. Set at 2800 metres above sea level, Auli features year-round world-class ski slopes. The magnificent landscape is dotted with ancient oak woodlands, apple orchards, and pine forests - and is scattered with an array of religious destinations. While skiing is the main draw card, visitors can enjoy multiple hiking trails through the Garhwal Himalayas and soaking up the spellbinding views of the snow-capped mountains. Make sure to take a ride on the longest ropeway in Asia.
Located only 40 km from the Tibetan border, the holy town of Badrinath and its impressive temple dedicated to Vishnu, is the most popular of the four sites of India's Char Dham pilgrimage. The town is idyllically set on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the shadow of the sharp snow-capped pyramid of Nilkantha Mountain. Visitors to Badrinath can look forward to taking a holy dip in the thermal springs at Tapt Kund before entering the temple; browsing the small, colourful market for souvenirs; marvelling at the spectacular Vasudhara Waterfall; and a walking along the river to the tiny but charming Mana Village which boasts some lovely stone walkways and traditional slate and wooden houses.
Kumaon - also spelled Kumaun - is an eastern region of the state of Uttarakhand in north India. This remote area boasts some fantastic Himalayan destinations, offering unique sights and spectacular natural scenery. Usually accessed from Haldwani, Kumaon is home to the hill station of Almora, where you can enjoy the amazing views of Bright End Corner and hike to the Nanda Devi Temple; Nainital, with its famous lake; the ancient temples of Jageshwar, some of which date back to the 7th century; the Jim Corbett National Park, where you can view bengal tigers and over 1,000 bird species; the lush Kausani Tea Estate, which offers interesting tours; and the gorgeous Bhimtal Lake. Plan your itinerary carefully: there is much to see and do in this area, but the high altitudes can make travelling quite tiring.
