Uttarakhand

Marking the beginning of the mighty Himalayan Range, Uttarakhand can be visited throughout the year, although between March and June is generally considered the best time. Home to popular hill stations, from Binsar to Landour, it is often referred to as ‘The Land of the Gods’ a reference to its numerous pilgrimage sites, most notably, Haridwar and Rishikesh. A haven for wildlife, it was here that the hunter turned conservationist, Jim Corbett, penned his acclaimed ‘Man-Eaters of Kumaon’. The elusive Bengal Tiger, as well as leopard, elephant, deer, and many species of bird can still be spotted in India’s oldest national park, Corbett, and Rajaji National Park. Uttarakhand currently ranks first for the number of bird species spotted in an Indian state.