What is Pauri Garhwal famous for?

Pauri Garhwal is famous for its outstanding Himalayan panoramas, the colonial hill station of Lansdowne (home of the Garhwal Rifles), the orchard village of Khirsu, the Kartik Swami temple trek, and its share of the Rishikesh yoga and adventure belt. The district offers a quiet alternative to the busy pilgrimage circuits of neighbouring Chamoli and Rudraprayag.

How do I reach Lansdowne from Delhi?

Lansdowne is 250 km from Delhi. Drive via NH-58 to Haridwar, then take NH-534 to Kotdwar (140 km from Delhi), and continue 40 km uphill to Lansdowne. Alternatively, take a train to Kotdwar Station (Kotdwar Express from Anand Vihar, 6 hours) and hire a local taxi for the 40 km drive to Lansdowne.

Is Lansdowne suitable for families?

Yes, Lansdowne is an ideal family destination. The town is clean, safe, and free from commercial noise. Activities include boating on Bhulla Lake, visiting the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Museum, walking through oak and pine forests, and visiting the Tip and Top viewpoint and St. Mary's Church. It is one of the most peaceful hill stations in Uttarakhand.

What is the Kartik Swami temple trek like?

The Kartik Swami trek near Kanakchauri (on the Rudraprayag–Pauri border) is a 3 km moderately steep trail through rhododendron and oak forests. The summit at 3,048 metres hosts the only temple dedicated to Kartikeya in Uttarakhand and offers a spectacular 360-degree view of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, and Nanda Devi peaks. The trek takes about 2 hours one way.

When is the best time to visit Khirsu?

Khirsu is best visited in April–May when apple and pear trees are in blossom, and in September–October for clear Himalayan views and fruit-laden orchards. The village at 1,700 metres stays cool in summer and sees occasional light snow in January. It is 19 km from Pauri town and makes an excellent half-day or overnight excursion.

Pauri Garhwal Tourism Guide

Garhwal division · headquarters Pauri · 5,329 km² · 6 places to visit

Division: Garhwal
Headquarters: Pauri
Area: 5,329 km²
Places to visit: 6

Pauri Garhwal is the largest of Garhwal's districts by administrative importance and one of Uttarakhand's most scenically rewarding for travellers seeking Himalayan views without the pilgrim crowds. The district's headquarters, Pauri town, perches on a pine-forested ridge at 1,814 metres, offering one of the finest panoramic Himalayan vistas accessible by road — a sweeping arc from Bandarpunch to Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Kedarnath. Pauri Garhwal tourism is quieter than neighbouring districts, which is exactly its appeal for discerning travellers.

Lansdowne, the colonial cantonment of the Garhwal Rifles regiment, is Pauri Garhwal's crown jewel: a sleepy, pristine hill station at 1,706 metres with immaculate oak and blue pine forests, a military museum, and a serene lake. The absence of commercial tourism has kept Lansdowne's character remarkably intact. Khirsu, another gem in the Pauri Garhwal travel guide, offers apple and pear orchards against a backdrop of Himalayan peaks — often cited as one of India's most underrated hill escapes.

Kartik Swami temple, perched at 3,048 metres near Kanakchauri on the Rudraprayag border, requires a short trek through rhododendron forests and rewards visitors with a 360-degree view of peaks including Kedarnath. The Kandoliya temple complex near Pauri and the ancient Kyunkaleshwar temple in Pauri town add pilgrimage depth. Partially within Pauri Garhwal, the stretch of Rishikesh along the Ganga is the world's yoga and adventure capital, making this one of the most diverse districts in Uttarakhand.

Where to go

Places to visit in Pauri Garhwal

Best season: Year round. Every destination page has altitude and drive time from Dehradun.

Cantonment

LansdowneThe Garhwal Rifles' quiet cantonment — one of the nearest true hill escapes from Delhi.

Altitude: 1,706 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~150 km

Apple orchards and mountain views at Khirsu, Pauri Garhwal

Offbeat

KhirsuA quiet Pauri village with a near-360° Himalayan skyline and oak-deodar walking trails.

Altitude: ~1,700 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~130 km

The Alaknanda river flowing past the Garhwal town of Srinagar

University Town

Srinagar (Garhwal)Alaknanda valley's largest town — HNB Garhwal University, ancient Kamleshwar temple and a road junction between Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Altitude: 560 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~110 km

Mountain panorama of over a dozen peaks from the ridge at Pauri

Hill Station

PauriPauri Garhwal's peaceful district headquarters at 1,814 m — panoramic Himalayan views from Kandoliya ridge and Ransi helipad.

Altitude: 1,814 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~140 km

The Sidhbali Hanuman temple on the Khoh river at Kotdwar, Pauri Garhwal

Gateway

KotdwarThe foothill gateway to Pauri Garhwal — a railway terminus connecting the plains to Lansdowne, Pauri, and the broader Garhwal region.

Altitude: 439 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~225 km

The Laxman Jhula suspension bridge crossing the Ganga at Rishikesh

Pilgrimage

Laxman JhulaThe iconic 137-metre iron suspension bridge across the Ganga at Rishikesh — ashrams, yoga centres and cafes line both banks; the original bridge (1939) was replaced in 2024.

Altitude: 350 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~27 km

When to go

Best time to visit Pauri Garhwal

Summer / Spring (April to June)

Best time for panoramic Himalayan views from Pauri and Khirsu. Lansdowne is delightful in April with rhododendrons. Kartik Swami trek is accessible. Rishikesh river activities are in full swing.

Monsoon (July to September)

Lush forest scenery at Lansdowne and Pauri. Rain can affect road conditions on Pauri–Kotdwar routes. Rishikesh suspends river rafting during peak monsoon. Generally manageable with appropriate planning.

Autumn (October to November)

Crystal-clear post-monsoon skies give outstanding Himalayan panoramas from Pauri and Khirsu. River rafting resumes at Rishikesh after October. One of the best periods for the district overall.

Winter (December to February)

Pauri and Lansdowne see occasional snowfall; Khirsu gets more reliable snow. Roads remain generally passable. Ideal for a quiet winter getaway without the summer crowds. Rishikesh is pleasant and calm.

Trips we run

Packages through Pauri Garhwal

All packages →

Char Dham Yatra12 Days / 11 Nights₹42,999per personView details Do Dham Yatra7 Days / 6 Nights₹24,999per personView details Rishikesh & Haridwar Spiritual Tour4 Days / 3 Nights₹11,999per personView details

Getting there

How to reach Pauri Garhwal

By Road

Pauri is 145 km from Rishikesh and 175 km from Dehradun. Lansdowne is 40 km from Kotdwar and 105 km from Haridwar. Kotdwar (the gateway to Lansdowne) is 140 km from Delhi. Frequent GMOU and private buses connect Pauri, Kotdwar, and Lansdowne with Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun.

By Train

Kotdwar Railway Station (nearest to Lansdowne, 40 km away) is connected to Delhi (Kotdwar Express, 6 hours from Anand Vihar Terminal). For Pauri town, the nearest railhead is Rishikesh (145 km). Haridwar Junction is well connected nationally and is a common entry point for the district.

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (175 km from Pauri) is the nearest airport. For Lansdowne, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (175 km via Kotdwar) is more convenient. Taxis from Delhi airport can reach Lansdowne in about 4 hours.

Common questions

Pauri Garhwal FAQ

What is Pauri Garhwal famous for?: Pauri Garhwal is famous for its outstanding Himalayan panoramas, the colonial hill station of Lansdowne (home of the Garhwal Rifles), the orchard village of Khirsu, the Kartik Swami temple trek, and its share of the Rishikesh yoga and adventure belt. The district offers a quiet alternative to the busy pilgrimage circuits of neighbouring Chamoli and Rudraprayag.
How do I reach Lansdowne from Delhi?: Lansdowne is 250 km from Delhi. Drive via NH-58 to Haridwar, then take NH-534 to Kotdwar (140 km from Delhi), and continue 40 km uphill to Lansdowne. Alternatively, take a train to Kotdwar Station (Kotdwar Express from Anand Vihar, 6 hours) and hire a local taxi for the 40 km drive to Lansdowne.
Is Lansdowne suitable for families?: Yes, Lansdowne is an ideal family destination. The town is clean, safe, and free from commercial noise. Activities include boating on Bhulla Lake, visiting the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Museum, walking through oak and pine forests, and visiting the Tip and Top viewpoint and St. Mary's Church. It is one of the most peaceful hill stations in Uttarakhand.
What is the Kartik Swami temple trek like?: The Kartik Swami trek near Kanakchauri (on the Rudraprayag–Pauri border) is a 3 km moderately steep trail through rhododendron and oak forests. The summit at 3,048 metres hosts the only temple dedicated to Kartikeya in Uttarakhand and offers a spectacular 360-degree view of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, and Nanda Devi peaks. The trek takes about 2 hours one way.
When is the best time to visit Khirsu?: Khirsu is best visited in April–May when apple and pear trees are in blossom, and in September–October for clear Himalayan views and fruit-laden orchards. The village at 1,700 metres stays cool in summer and sees occasional light snow in January. It is 19 km from Pauri town and makes an excellent half-day or overnight excursion.

Planning a Pauri Garhwal trip

We are a Dehradun operator, so Pauri Garhwal is a drive we make rather than a listing we resell. Tell us the month and the number of travellers and we will tell you what is open, what is not, and what it costs.

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