The Garhwal and Kumaon regions, collectively known as Uttarkhand, are one the most venerated pilgrimage destinations of India. The awe-inspiring beauty of the Central Himalayan range and solitude of the mountain and forest retreats have inspired countless generations to seek spiritual inspiration. It also offers snow-capped mountains, the famous Valley of Flowers, alpine meadows that are breathtaking.

The Garhwal Himalayas seems to embody a mystical truth beyond the common precepts of man, a quality that has attracted sages and pilgrims alike for countless centuries. The peaks of Garhwal have not only aroused a sense of awe and eternity but also inspired great poetry. In Garhwal, great peaks like Kamet, Trishul and Nanda Devi rise majestically, separated by some of the mightiest rivers of northern India. The crowning glory of Garhwal is the beautiful Nanda Devi, whose twin summits tower over 26,600 ft above sea level. It is these awe-inspiring peaks, the mighty rivers, the beautiful valleys and meadows, and the legends and stories associated with all of the above that make Garhwal so special.

Major Trekking Routes of Garhwal and Kumaon Regions

Nainital
Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural splendor and varied natural resources . Dotted with lakes , Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India . The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills . Nainital has a varied topography best suited for trekkers . Nainital's unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother nature. 

Ranikhet
The hill station, idyllic in its charm, Ranikhet with its majestic pine trees, is 59.5 kilometres from Nainital. Discovered and built entirely by the British in 1869.Here amidst the rustling and encircled by dazzling white peaks, glistening in the sun, once camped a beauteous Queen of legend and lore, giving the town its name-Rani (Queen)-Khet (Field) falling in love-with the beauty of the place, she decided to stay and built a palace near what is now the Ranikhet Club. 

European tourists, over the centuries have, enthused ecstatically over its valley, meadows, cliffs, hills, snow-capped mountains, serpentine rivers and crystal clear rivulets here and there displaying the rainbow. 

Almora
Sojourning in the beautiful Almora region of Uttaranchal with its majestic, snow clad mountains, lakes and rich plethora of flora and fauna, not only enables one to constantly think about the Himalayas but to behold their pristine magnificence time and again. The town of Almora is situated over a horse saddle shaped ridge of a mountain. The eastern portion of the ridge is known as Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. 

Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh traditionally held to be the chosen abode of the divine deities, cascading waterfalls, the splendid glaciers, natural reservoirs enclosed by fantastic variety of vegetation, serene lakes and noisy flamboyant rivers are all a part of the rugged charm that the district possesses to such a stupendous degree. 

Once the bastion of the Chand rulers, Pithoragarh town is littered with temples and forts belonging to that era. The town is set in a valley popularly known as Soar and lies in the centre of four hills Chandak, Dhwaj, Kumdar and Thal Kedar, and stretches in the southern flank to Jhulaghat demarcated by the Kali river adjoining the barren peaks of Nepal Hills

Kausani
Located 53 Km North of Almora at a height of 1890 mt (6075 ft) above sea level is Kausani whichis also known as Switzerland of India. It is thickly forested, and separated from the soaring Nanda Devi ranges by low mountains. Kausani offers excellent views of the Trishul, Nanda Devi and Pancha Chulli. Frozen in time, this backdrop makes Kausani the perfect place for a holiday and trekking along the neighboring ranges of Kausani.