Every travel enthusiast has visited Uttarakhand once in their lifetime. With a plethora of hill stations, adventure sites, resorts, and an ever-beautiful landscape, Uttarakhand is the most widespread travel destination in India. Covid-19 did stop travel throughout but the good news is that things are currently under control and are likely to be so with the government’s safety measures put in place. This post-covid travel guide to Uttarakhand will assist you with your travel plans to this beautiful state.
It will inform you about Uttarakhand travel restrictions, Uttarakhand entry rules, places to visit, things to do, travel checklist and other such questions that you may have before planning a trip.
Uttarakhand Travel Advisory During Covid
While Covid spread rapidly in some parts of India, in Uttarakhand, the spread was slower from the beginning. However, the state still has approximately 638 active cases currently and is putting strict checks in order to control the spread. A lot of Uttarakhand travel restrictions have been lifted, hence travelers can plan their trip to this destination while abiding by govt. protocols.
With a 90% recovery rate, the state has put in some restrictions. So, here are the latest guidelines for travelling to Uttarakhand:
- Flights, trains, and inter-state bus travel are open for domestic travelers.
- Uttarakhand extends COVID-19 lockdown till August 24.
- All 13 districts of Uttarakhand are open for tourists.
- Fully vaccinated tourists are allowed to enter the state.
- Safety guidelines imposed by the government are being observed meticulously
- The travelers need not carry a negative RT-PCR report while entering Uttarakhand.
- Tourist services in other parts of Uttarakhand have resumed as normal.
- Prime hotels like the Roseate Ganges is open for booking too.
- All Uttarakhand treks are now open.
- Transit facilities remain open and unaffected as usual.
- Intra-state bus and road travel is now permitted too.
- Usage of masks is now mandatory while traveling.
Must Read: 41 Amazing Hill Stations In Uttarakhand For An Adventurous Escapade
Best Time To Visit
Ideally, the best time to visit Uttarakhand is all year round. Summers are not too hot but winters are extremely cold. However, you will love the seasonal variations as the mesmerizing landscape and weather will make you feel comfortable.
How To Reach
Uttarakhand being a tourist-centric state has plenty of options for travel. You can choose to travel by air, by rail or by road. However, being a mountainous state, it is widely preferred to travel via roads – buses or self-drive. The Jolly Grant Airport is the main one serving the state with flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The Pantnagar Airport is the other airport but has limited flights flying during Covid. Uttarakhand entry rules also do not bar inter-state travel and buses ply regularly from Delhi and nearby areas. Dehradun also has a railway station that connects it to Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and other major cities of India.
Suggested Read: River Rafting In Uttarakhand: 5 Places To Satiate Your Adventure Lust
Getting Around
According to Uttarakhand travel guidelines latest news, there are no restrictions on intra-state travel as of now. UTC has started running services on routes in the state and with time it will be completely operational. However, the passenger capacity has been reduced to 50%. Other than that, you can easily travel in buses and public transport around cities and towns.
Suggested Read: Mountaineering In Uttarakhand: Check Out These 8 Spots For Your Next Summit
Places To Visit In Uttarakhand During Coronavirus
There are many places to visit in Uttarakhand during covid and with low levels of cases, these destinations are open too. Some of the best ones include Auli, Nainital, Binsar, Mussoorie, Jim Corbett National Park and so many more. With an endless list of destinations, you can tour to the finest attractions. You name it and it’s there – hill stations, national parks, towns, cities and remote villages.
Things To Do In Uttarakhand During Coronavirus
Uttarakhand is one of the few destinations where you can do almost any other activity that you can dream of. For starters, you can engage in skiing in the fine rinks of Auli and Munsiyari. If you think it’s just mountains, then you can visit the fine waters for some river rafting in Rishikesh. You can also go for bungee jumping, camping and safari at the national parks of Uttarakhand. It can’t be overlooked that with Covid, these things look to be far-fetched but again with Uttarakhand being a tourist-centric place, the activities have also opened up with caution. So, there are absolutely a lot of things to do in Uttarakhand during covid but with proper restrictions, you can enjoy it like before.
Suggested Read: Camping In Uttarakhand: 25 Best Spots To Treat The Adventure Junkie In You
Accommodation
The many hotels, resorts and cottages in Uttarakhand have been accepting bookings and reservations. With coronavirus, accommodations have been advised to take all precautionary measures including providing guests with sanitizers, masks and all the necessary sanitization items. Also, hotels running restaurants have been asked to keep alternate days or selected days and times to run them. Also, sanitize all the common touching points and clean each room properly after a stay. However, the hotels or resorts in the containment zones will remain closed.
Suggested Read: 7 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries In Uttarakhand Where One Can Closely Admire The Wildlife!
Restaurants
Post-covid travel guide to Uttarakhand is also applicable to restaurants and cafes in the state. Like hotels, the restaurants have also been advised to maintain social distancing and follow guidelines during coronavirus. The restaurants will be open from 7 in the morning to 7 in the evening. The restaurants in Dehradun, especially are to ensure that proper rules are followed, both, by guests and servers, alike.
Suggested Read: 5 Best Water Sports In Uttarakhand For A Perfect Adventurous Trip This Summer
What To Pack
With few Uttarakhand travel restrictions, you can freely pack your stuff. However, safety must be your priority. So, here are a few things to pack while you are travelling to Uttarakhand:
- Carry your usual meds in case you are undergoing any treatment along with the prescription.
- A first-aid kit with the mandatory items to get you through the trip would be advisable.
- Take suitable masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizers are mandatory.
- Pack light, but pack cotton clothes to change easily and regularly during covid times.
- Don’t forget your slippers, sunscreen, swimwear, and sunglasses.
- Insect repellent is a must for everyone.
Suggested Read: 14 Things To Do In Uttarakhand For Adrenaline Rush & Soul-Stirring Thrills
Travel Checklist
- Pre-book your flights and hotel.
- Register on the smart city portal of Dehradun and get an e-pass before traveling.
- Keep your covid-negative test result or certificate handy as a proof to submit on arrival in the state. However, if you are not carrying this, then you will be tested at Dehradun border posts, railway station and airport.
- Download the Aarogya Setu app on your mobile.
Covid-19 Prerequisites And Consequences In Uttarakhand
- Make sure you go through the thermal screening at the airport.
- On showing any covid-19 symptoms, people traveling whether solo or in a group, will have to go through PCR testing and isolate accordingly.
- On testing positive, you will be isolated either till you test negative or for 14 days.
Further Travel Tips
Apart from the general Uttarakhand travel tips, here are some tips that will keep your health and safety in check:
- Carry and wear your mask throughout your travel period.
- Keep extra sanitizers, masks, and wipes for back up.
- Do not fail to follow social distancing.
- Even if you are tested negative in PCR testing, make sure you avoid the crowded areas.
- Enjoyment is important but keep your health check in place by following rules.
Further Read: Trekking In Uttarakhand: The 22 Greatest Treks That Will Leave You Mesmerized!
So, have you got all the information needed for your travel plans to Uttarakhand? This post-covid travel guide to Uttarakhand has spoken about any or all things needed to keep a check before travelling to this amazing place. Again, make your travel plans only if you are keeping in touch with all the rules and regulations. Travel all you want but travel responsibly!
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
People Also Read:
Road Travel During COVID-19 Essentials For Travel During COVID Countries That Lifted Travel Ban On Couples
