5 Uncharted Villages of Uttarakhand

As they say, दिल तो अपना इन वादियों में है।

Known for its pilgrim sites, Uttarkhand is the Devbhoomi of India. But the beauty of this state does not end here; with its scenic setting, green surroundings and rustic landscape that show a cross-section of the ancient Himalayas, there is a lot more than what meets the eye. It is a state with many unexplored regions and rural settlements filled with vibrant culture and history. Hidden from the majority, only those who explore them would feel this beautiful state full of natural settings.

There are many unexplored and offbeat places in Uttarakhand. However, we have cherry-picked a few uncharted villages waiting to tell the never-documented tales and unparalleled natural settings.

This blog talks about five such villages in Uttarakhand that have gone unexplored on the maps for a long time. Our list of “unchartered villages of Uttarakhand” includes places that are off the tourist path and only known to locals. It is for those who want to experience a natural mountain life untouched by modernity and prefer the serenity and tranquility that it comes with!

So get your scout gears on, and let’s go! Here are 5 villages in Uttarakhand that are worth visiting once:

Harsil Village

Situated at the banks of the gushing Bhagirathi river and surrounded by the Himalayas, Harsil village in Uttarakhand is a hidden gem and the best place to explore slow living. Surrounded by famous hill towns of Uttarakhand that overshadow this quaint village, Harsil deserves its recommendation in terms of beauty with its hidden trails and beautifulmigratory birds chirping on the oak trees.

Also popular for the most scrumptious apples, which local lore in Uttarakhand says were first populated in the orchards of Fredrick Wilson, a British resident who settled in Harsil village in 1840 and fell absolutely in love with the place.

No less beautiful than the hilly places outside India, Harsil’s beauty shine when the plains start to get hotter. Early winters are the epitome of Himalayan beauty when nights are colder and the morning sun reflects the snowy slopes. Visit this mesmerising place even if you are a city dweller with too little time on your hands but love to jump around in the pile of snow. Harsil is one of those places in Uttarakhand near Delhi that experience snowfall.

Given the size of the village, Harsil has no posh restaurants but dhabas managed by local folks who make some finger-licking traditional Himachali food that will have you keep coming back to this beautiful village in Uttarakhand.

Chopta Village

This remote picturesque village in Uttarakhand is rightly called the Switzerland of India, and a part of the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary. Chopta village is a paradise tucked away in the Garhwal division in Uttarakhand.

Chopta is one of the best villages to visit in Uttarakhand for all Shiva devotees. Surrounded by the five most sacred temples of lord Shiva, called Panch Kedar, thus possessing much religious significance with Kedarnath and Madmaheswar to the left, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar to the right and Tungnath to the top.

With lush dense forests, snow-capped peaks, and meadows, this village in Uttarakhand is rich in flora and birding paradise. Chopta village has been declared the finest bird-watching site in Uttarakhand, where you can see over 240 species of both native and migratory birds. Chopta can be visited all year round. Summers are great for camping and trekking, bird watching, and general exploration, while winters welcome snowy peaks and must celebrate the migration of deities from Kedarnath temple to Omkareshwar temple.

Khurpatal Lakeside

Located 11 km away from Nainital, this remote village in Uttarakhandis surrounded by lofty pine and old cedar trees. Hidden in the outer Himalayan range of the Kumaoni Mountain of Khurpatal town is Khurpatal Lake. Khurpatal Lake is a popular location for fishing throughout the year, providing food for the local fish-eating populace. Here, fishing is a family activity that is done the old-fashioned way. Famous for its emerald blue-green colour that offers a wide variety of fishes, Khurpatal village is the best place to visit in Uttarakhand if you are a fishing enthusiast.

Left much unexplored and rich in vegetable farms managed by the local folks, Khurpatal is a place away from bustling city life and a paradise for people looking to rejuvenate and relax.

As the area is surrounded by lush vegetation and charming village houses with farmers working in the field and children rushing and swimming in the lake on a hot summer day, Khurpatal is a vision to behold. While summer doesn’t usually get too hot due to the latitude, and winter provides a decent amount of snowfall, monsoons wrap a thick blanket of fog that looks like a stairway to heaven.

Less crowded than Nainital, Khurpatal village is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Uttarakhand. Even trekking through the woods surrounding this small town feels heavenly on a bright sunny day with the sun peeking through the drooping deodar branches and wind blowing in the smell of the freshwater lake.

Khirsu Hill Station

Located in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, Khirsu is also known as the window to the mighty peaks of the Himalayas. Best seen during a hike in the mountains, Khirsu has unparalleled beauty that offers. Each day you spend in this village, you will wake up to the view of the gigantic Himalayan ranges.

Like most places in Uttarakhand, Khirsu village provide a 180-degree view of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas and trees that yield sweet, tasty apples. And unlike most places, this village has remained unexplored and unspoiled by the touristy crowds. If you feel like spending your time in peace that revitalise your soul like nothing else, this village will be the best place to visit when in Uttarakhand.

Pleasantinsummers with bright sunrises and mesmerising sunsets streaming inside the curtained rooms of your local stay, Kirsu village is truly one of the hidden gems of Uttarakhand. The place provides a rustic yet peaceful exploration of Uttarakhand, with cosy cottages and delicious pahadi food prepared by the local folk, making it one of the most beautiful villages in Uttarakhand.

Kanatal

A two-hour distance from the more popular Mussoorie, Kanatal is a place where you can skip the speedy life and discover hidden forest trials, dine by the trickling streams, meditate on grassy meadows, and stay close to nature and off the grid. This Uttarakhand mountain range is truly a hidden jewel only vaguely known, which makes Kanatal one of the most alluring villages in Uttarakhand.

Surrounded by apple orchards with several homestays offering delicious homemade food, Kanatal provides a glimpse into the rustic life of Uttarakhand. A 5 km drive from Kanatal lies the dense Kaudai forest, a very pleasant picnic spot with tiny, gurgling natural streams over the vast expanse of hills and valleys.

Kanatal has it all, valleys, forests with beautiful wildlife, sacred temples, and an enormous Himalayan range. It is a perfect weekend getaway trip for camp and trek enthusiasts. Located in the heart of Uttarakhand, prolonged nature walks in this lush green ambience will have you falling in love with the serene view of this village. The winter months experience snowfall, and a trek around the place will surely give you a panoramic view of the snow-kissed Himalayas.

Before You Go

Exploring these villages in Uttarakhand will mean experiencing a much simpler and more inclusive way of life. Not only this, the state is full of legends and stories about the people who live there, as well as about their culture and history.

The reality remains that the popular tourist attractions of Uttarakhand are, without a doubt, the ideal places to explore. However, every so often, we all need a place to unwind, escape the bustle of touristy locations, and simply explore and find our serenity in regions that have gone untouched by people, just like the mentioned places.

Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a long vacation in the lap of nature, not buzzing with tourists, Uttarakhand is the place to be. Check out the best Uttarakhand tour packages from Veena World today that include such mindblowing places in their itineraries.