Nainital is a beautiful hill town by the foothills of the Himalayas. The main attraction is the serene Naini Lake, where you can enjoy boating, strolling and relaxing.
Jim Corbett National Park is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. This park is famous for its Bengal tigers and other animals like elephants, leopards and Himalayan black bears. The park offers jeep safaris and elephant rides, and you can also visit the Corbett Falls just outside the park.
Rishikesh is a spiritual town known as the "Yoga Capital of the World." There are many yoga and meditation centers here, and it's a great place to try white water rafting on the Ganges River. You could also visit the Beatles Ashram or take a walk across the Lakshman Jhula bridge.
Haridwar is a holy city where the River Ganges leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains. Here, you can visit the Har Ki Pauri Ghat to witness the evening Aarti ceremony, and experience the spiritual energy of the city.
Dehradun is the capital city of Uttarakhand and a great place to explore local culture. Visit Rajaji National Park, the Tapkeshwar Temple, the Robber's Cave or simply enjoy a picnic at the Malsi Deer Park.
For this itinerary, the best way to get around is by hiring a private taxi for the duration of the trip. The estimated cost is £150-£200 for the five days, and it's the most convenient mode of transportation to cover all the destinations.
If you have more time, consider adding a day trip to Auli for skiing or trekking in the Himalayas. Alternatively, you could spend an extra day each in Nainital, Jim Corbett National Park or Rishikesh to unwind and explore these destinations in more depth. If you have less time, then skip Dehradun and plan a direct route from Haridwar back to Pantnagar Airport.
Pantnagar Airport (PGH) is the closest airport to Uttarakhand, and it's located in the city of Pantnagar, which is about 67.4 km away from Nainital. This is the only operational airport in Uttarakhand, and it's served by daily flights from major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.