Unwind in cool Uttaranchal! 

Here are a few travel ideas for October: Come to Uttaranchal, the lap of the northern Himalayas. Certainly the 7000 ft. altitude may have something to do with the chill-out zone it literally is but this is the place blessed by nature and Gods and much sought by the world weary. From camping to skiing and pilgrimage it has something for everybody. 

Uttaranchal, or Uttarakhand – to be politically correct - beckons all world-weary souls, caught in the hustle and bustle of city-living, tight deadlines and manic Monday hangovers that run through the week, to come unwind in the lap of the Northern Himalayas.  

Discover the enchantment of abundant natural beauty; from snow-capped mountain peaks, rhododendron trees in flower, the lush green cover of stately pines and deodars to the emerald waters that gird the lake-towns of Uttaranchal. There’s something magical and rejuvenating about every inch of this area comprising the Kumaon and Garhwal ranges. Experience adventure, wildlife, romance, historical and cultural glimpses into an age-old hill town living style and know true spiritual bliss when you take a week-end off to walk through this original Dev Bhoomi, the Land of Gods, as the state of Uttaranchal is known in the eco-tourism circuit globally as.  

Holiday activity scope in Uttaranchal - Camping, Angling, Skiing, Trekking, paragliding, kayaking, boating, yachting, pilgrimages, Ayurveda, spa and herbal treatments a-plenty, the inviting landscape of Uttaranchal has more to it than its national parks, archeological sites and fruit orchards.  

Grab a horse-ride, dress up in traditional hilly costumes, dash across from the maddening market crowds on the mall to the very top of the town via a ropeway ride, picnic in the wilds next to a gurgling stream or simply breathe in the beauty of being alive – like the expansive, tranquil and welcoming countryside of Uttaranchal! You can do it all here - and then some more; here’s what else the state offers – 

Market buzz - Among the most widely produced fruit in Uttaranchal are apples, oranges, maltas, pears, peaches, plums, apricots and litchis, which are a must buy for holiday makers keen on savoring the wholesome goodness of organic products.  

Besides these, other great buys include jams, squashes, jellies and canned mushrooms, corn and chicken/mutton pickle. Other food items to tickle your palate are masala corn-on-the cob sold as street-fare, Baal-mithai, Momos from the Tibetan shops and ‘Lota-jalebies’ (the mixture is poured out of brass pots with a spout, therefore the name, and has a distinct, syrupy, rather plump look and taste to them). 

Woolens, bamboo-crafts, wood-carvings and Candles are locally produced and therefore a great bargain, so do pick up some from the emporiums to boost local cottage industries and have something distinctly Uttaranchali in your home. 

The fast developing herbal pharmaceutical industry, flourishing thanks to private and government sector initiatives, in Uttaranchal today produces herbal packaged remedies from its valuable and abundantly grown medicinal plants that effectively treat many ailments, including high BP, diabetes, obesity, falling hair, skin problems and osteoporosis, among others. Visit the local Uttaranchal Gandhi Ashrams and other local shops to find great natural remedies for lifestyle diseases! 

Best Time to Visit Uttaranchal - between May to July, September to October, December to Jan (most resorts offer heavy off-season discounts on accommodation as do tour operators such as KMVN and GMVN, the official Uttaranchal tourist boards). 

What to pack – light woolens, rain gear and sportshoes for summer time; for autumnal visits – throw in an additional jacket with lining, warm socks and thermal inner wear is recommended for seniors. 

Fairs & Festivals of Uttaranchal - the Kumbh Mela/Ardh Kumbh Mela is held at Haridwar every twelfth/sixth year interval and is the most famous of all Uttaranchal festivals, with thousands of Indian devotees and foreign tourists coming in to view the festivities here. Other important fairs and festivals celebrated here are Devidhura Mela (Champawat), Nanda Devi Mela (Almora), Gauchar Mela (Chamoli), Baisakhi (Uttarakashi), Uttaraini Mela (Bageshwar), Peerane-Kaliyar (Roorkee), and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra held every twelfth year.  

Dussehra in Nainital is celebrated with great pomp and show at the famous Nanda Devi Temple– be there to join in the fun and frolic and taste the sweetmeats distributed to all attendees, which are unique in local flavor.

Popular Tour Packages for Uttaranchal - includes the Corbett National Park tour (for Wildlife lovers), Ranikhet-Almora-Bagheshwar (for Golf and nature lovers), Delhi-Kausani-Mukteshwar-Delhi (for Camping enthusiasts), Char-Dham Yatra covering Yamunotri-Gangotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath (the Pilgrim circuit), Delhi-Shivpuri-Joshimath-Auli-Rishikesh-Delhi (for snow sports and those looking to really ‘chill out’) and Hiking trails like the Valley of Flowers trek (Delhi-Rishikesh-Joshimath-Govindghat-Ghangaria-Delhi). 

Romance, family time or simply Me-time is all afforded by Uttaranchal’s scenic splendors, especially at Nainital, Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal, Sat tal, Khurpa Tal, Sukha Tal, Malua Tal, Kuhariya Tal, Sarhiya Tal and Nal-Damyanti Tal – yes, we mean the famous Lake Tours of Uttaranchal! 

So, where are you headed with that big grin, hardy jeans, fleece jacket/shawl and armloads of hit-the-road music – if not Uttaranchal, this October? (Also connected by all major rail heads). 

Author - Deepanjolie Sonya Figg

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