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Chamoli sits in the heart of Uttarakhand and is known for its captivating spiritual sanctity. It is blessed with abundant natural landscapes amidst the laps of nature. The place is known as “Home to 30 million gods and goddesses” as per Hindu mythology. It is surrounded by snow-laden mountains, lush green valleys and sacred rivers flowing through the district. Chamoli is home to the famous Badrinath Temple and UNESCO World Heritage site, “The Valley of Flowers”. It also has an internationally acclaimed skiing spot Auli which is often crowded with international travelers for various skiing events.
Top 10 Places To Visit In Chamoli
Here are the best places to visit in Chamoli, having almost everything unique and stunning in its possession, reflecting its true self:
1. Badrinath
Photo: Shitha Valsan / Wikimedia Commons
Badrinath is amongst the Char Dham sites and holds immense importance making thousands of devotees flock to the place every year. This temple has Lord Vishnu as his main deity and was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century. Before visiting the Temple, pilgrims have to go to Tapt Kund, a hot spring situated in close vicinity of the Temple, for the holy dip. Badrinath is part of the Panch Badri, a group of five sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the region. With the unyielding Himalayas in the background, the natural beauty adds to the spirituality.
Best Time To Visit: May to June
2. Valley Of Flowers
Photo: Leif Blessing / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Acclaimed as a UNESCO Heritage site in 2005, Valley of Flowers presents rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the Uttarakhand region. Spread along an 87.5 sq. km area, it boasts over 500 species of flowering plants, including rare and endangered species. These include orchids, marsh marigolds, geraniums, and brahma kamal. If you want to witness the peak beauty of the valley, visit during monsoon seasons when flowers bloom and create a vibrant beauty. Precisely known amongst trekkers, it is a 13 km stretched trek that starts from Govindghat. To add to its mysticism, it is believed that Hanumanji snatched Sanjeevani from this valley to bring Laxman back to life.
Best Time To Visit: July to September
3. Hemkund Sahib
Photo: Japleenpasricha / Wikimedia Commons
Hemkund Sahib is a prominent site for Sikhs and the highest Gurdwaras around the world at an altitude of 4632 meters. While you are trekking through the Valley of Flowers, you can easily take a halt to visit this sacred pilgrim and let your inner chaos settle down. It takes about a 6 km trek from Ghagaria, which is the last base accessible via road. Once you reach the site, the view of the mighty Himalayas and pristine glacial lake will leave you out of your senses. The site stays closed during winter due to the heavy snowfall, thus, plan your visit during summer.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
4. Auli
Known as the “Ski Capita of India,” Auli justifies the title just right. With the best slopes and top-notch skiing facilities, you must visit Auli if you are looking to experience what winter wonderland means. If you are visiting in the summers, you will have an equally serene experience with a stunning view of the snow-engulfed peaks of Kamet, Trishul and Nanda Devi. Another eye-catching beauty is the Auli artificial lake, one of the highest lakes in the world. During summers, the lush greenery dominates the area with opening trekking and camping opportunities.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
5. Karnaprayag
Photo: Vvnataraj / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Karnaprayag holds its significance by being a site for the confluence of two rivers – Alaknanda and Pindar river. You can clearly differentiate between the three rivers due to the difference in the colour of the waters. Post here, the river flows further and becomes Ganga. As per the Mahabharata, Karna meditated here and received blessings from Sun God and a temple was also constructed in the devotion of Karna. It also acts as a gateway to the beginning of the adventure to the Garhwal region for travellers heading for the Char Dham yatra towards Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Best Time To Visit: March to June
6. Tapovan
Photo: Rishu Bhosale / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Serving as the base camp to Gangotri Glacier, Tapovan is a small meadow located near Gangotri Glacier and is well known for its scenic beauty and lush greenery. Indeed a perfect spot for travellers as it provides the greatest combination of adventure, nature and spirituality. Tapovan is often combined with a trek to Nandanvan, another beautiful meadow located further along the Gangotri Glacier, offering additional trekking opportunities. Tapovan is close to the source of the Bhagirathi River. With rich alpine flora, rare flowers and medicinal plants dotting the landscape, Tapovan is a place of utter peace and dear to nature.
Best Time To Visit: May to November
7. Chopta
Photo: Jamshed Ahmad / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Famous amongst people for its natural beauty, Chopta is popularly known as “Mini Switzerland of India.” With views of the highest peaks of the Himalayas, this place opens up numerous opportunities for winter sports like snow trekking, skiing and snow camping. Being less commercialised, it gives access to unspoiled beauty and a tranquil and peaceful environment. Chopta is also a paradise for bird watchers, with a variety of Himalayan birds, including the Himalayan monal, Koklass pheasant and warblers, attracting ornithologists. Chopta is an ideal destination with simple accommodation with needful amenities, which gives travellers time to reconnect to nature and themselves.
Best Time To Visit: March to May
8. Gopeshwar
Photo: ArmouredCyborg / Wikimedia Commons
Gopeshwar is the administrative headquarters of Chamoli and is mainly famous for Gopinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Made during the Katyuri Dynasty, this temple has immense significance because its architecture binds the peculiar Garhwali architecture. If you visit the temple during the local festival, you will witness the most vibrant beauty of Garhwali culture unfolding before you. The town is surrounded by lush green forests and terraced fields with panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. It opens plenty of trekking and camping opportunities. Gopeshwar also has a hot spring, known for its medicinal value, which is believed to cure various skin diseases.
Best Time To Visit: April to November
9. Mana Village
Photo: nithin ajayan / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Known as the “Last Village of India” due to its proximity to the Tibet-China Border, Mana Village is often included in the trip to Badrinath. The place is believed to be the place from where Pandavas ascend to heaven. Another important fact that makes this place highly revered amongst Hindus is the brief appearance of the Saraswati River before it merges into Alaknanda. Other highlights of the place are Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa where Rishi Ved Vyas and Ganesh lived while Ved Vyas was narrating the Mahabharat and Ganesh was writing it down. With its deep-rooted connection to Hindu Mythology, the place has an enigma that you will feel once you are there.
Best Time To Visit: May to November
10. Nanda Devi National Park
Photo: Spattadar / Wikimedia Commons
The gateway to Nanda Devi Ranges, Nanda Devi National Park is known for its exceptional beauty and rich biodiversity. This park was also declared a national heritage by UNESCO along with the Valley of Flowers in 1998. Nanda Devi Peaks are part of this park and are the central attraction of the site. While the park is rich in flora and fauna, it also provides options for various treks like the Nanda Devi Base Camp trek. The park is home to alpine meadows, rhododendrons, birch and juniper along with numerous medicinal plants. The park supports a variety of wildlife, such as the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer and bharal (blue sheep).
Best Time To Visit: May to October
Whether you are looking for a thrilling experience or an adventurous travel, Chamoli is the gateway to all this. Home to Lord Badrinath and the UNESCO Heritage site “The Valley of Flowers,” Chamoli is surrounded by enigma and myths. The places to visit in Chamoli are worth visiting once in a lifetime. Set on a journey to Chamoli and plan it with TripXL to discover the unexplored charm.
Cover Photo: Naresh Chandra / Wikimedia Commons
