Located at the site where the Ganges emerges from the Himalayas is Haridwar, the holiest city in Uttarakhand.

Pilgrims arrive here in absolute droves to bathe in the Ganges which often flows incredibly fast.  The numbers of people who converge here are chaotic, but still provide a memorable site and it has a reverent feel despite the chaos.  One stunning sight is every evening when the river comes alive with flickering offerings as they float off down river.

Home of Dal Lake where house boats are a great tourist attraction is Srinagar. 

One of India’s top domestic tourist attractions it has some surprising sites like the famous Mughal gardens colourful and historic wooden mosques and  Roza Bal’s “Jesus tomb”.  Coupled with a brilliant summer climate Srinagar is a perfect place to spend a few days relaxing on the water. Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

When a whole town springs up on the location on which someone building a holiday home, then you know it’s a place worth visiting.

And that is precisely what happened with Shimla, when the British arrived in 1822.  During 1822, a civil servant by the name of Charles Kennedy built his summer home in Shimla.  At the time Shimla was known as Shyamala, a sleepy little glade named after Kali, in the local tongue, who is the Hindu goddess, the destroyer of evil.

Manali is home to breathtaking views of mountainous ranges and fast flowing rivers that run through the town.

A constant tourist destination, backpackers come here to hang out in Hippy villages that hug the main town and take part in the many adventure tourism opportunities that exist here. Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu', the mythological character who survived when the world was drowned in a flood. 

One of the most promising towns of old Ladakh, Leh is both traveller friendly and hassle free.

Located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir . Even the cheapest of the backpacker hostels are situated in traditionally styled buildings, set with ornate wooden window frames.  The old town remains with its mud brick houses and stupas dotted around, and the outer areas are crossed with green, irrigated barley fields that have pretty old houses, guesthouses and babbling streams.

Dharamsala is stunning in ways that are absolutely unable to be beaten, must be seen to be believed.

Is a stunning view of Dharamsala what you are looking for?  This city has long been known for being the home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government.  It is also known as the winter seat of the Himachal Pradesh government. This city is at the upper reaches of the Kangra valley and as such is singularly beautiful.

Dehradun is best known as the bustling, busy and hectic capital of Uttarakhand and for remnants from the British era. 

Also known as the Doon valley, Many say Dehradun has lost its charm, however the charm is still there it is just a different kind, changed from that of a once small pleasant town into a sprawling city with many treasures still hidden if one was to give Dehradun the time of day.  It is still very worthwhile stopping here.