Uttarakhand
This mountainous and forested state (formally Uttaranchal) is the source of two of India’s largest rivers – the Ganges and the Yamuna. It is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park.
Rishikesh
The twined cities of Rishikesh and Haridwar are a busy pilgrimage destinations (with temples lining the banks of the Ganges). It is also well known to tourists who want to practice yoga and meditation. It was here the Beetles came in 1968 to meet the Maharishi. Rishikesh is a vegetarian and teetotal place and has also banned the local vendors from using plastic bags.
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Haridwar
The twined cities of Rishikesh and Haridwar are a busy pilgrimage destinations (with temples lining the banks of the Ganges).
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Almora
The village of Pragpur along with the nearby village of Garli are categorised as ‘Heritage Villages’ by the State Government. The Kangra Valley, where these villages are situated, is between the Shivalik foothills and the Dhauladhar Range and averages a height of 600 m. There is a mountain railway line operating in the valley from Pathankot to Jogindernagar.
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Narendra Nagar
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Nainital
Nainital is a popular hill station (at 1,938 m) with an attractive lake. The hills and valleys surrounding the hill station is extremely good for birding. Just 15 km away is a small village called Pangot which is famous for its birds. A good range of Himalayan species such as the lammergeyer, Himalayan griffon, blue-winged minla may be seen. More than 150 species of bird have been recorded in the area.
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Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The sanctuary was established in 1988 and has an area of 47.04 sq kms. The sanctuary is home for leopards, wild boar, monkeys, Indian red fox, jackals, pine martens, Himalayan black bears and porcupines. As well as more than 200 species of birds that are of both resident and migratory and a wide variety of flora.
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