Uttarkashi is a town in the state of Uttranchal with  rich history and cultural heritage. The town of Uttarkashi is a district headquarters and is located at a distance of 155 kms from Rishikesh. The town is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi river (more commonly called the Ganga) and stands at an elevation of about 1500 m above sea level.  The name Uttarkashi comes from uniting two words ‘Uttar’ and ‘Kashi’, which means to the north of Kashi (Varanasi) and the town is revered by Hindus. Thousand of pilgrims visit Uttarkashi each year for its own religious importance and also because it forms an important base for treks to Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath. Uttarkashi is also gaining popularity as an adventure sports destination and the second Nehru Institute of Mountaineering was set up here. The institute conducts basic and advanced mountaineering courses. Maneri Valley Hydroelectric Project has played an instrumental role in the development of Uttarkashi in the recent times.

  Although Uttarkashi can be visited all round the year except monsoon, the best months would be March to April and July to October when the climate is pleasant. It is advisable to carry light woolen in summer and warmer clothes in winter.

No permit is required to travel to Uttarkashi other than a visa for India.

Vishwanath temple: The Vishwanath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is in the center of the town. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year and is considered extremely scared for Hindus.

Shakti Temple: Situated opposite the Vishwanath temple. The Shakti temple is known for its 'Trishul' (trident), about 6 meters in height and with a circumference of 90 cms. The trident is made of copper and iron.

Kuteti Devi temple: This temple offers a scenic view of the valley and Himalayas.

There are many other temples situated all around Uttarkashi dedicated to Parhsuram, Datatryea, Annapurna, Devi, Kali Bhairon and other gods and goddesses.

Shivananda Ashram near Siror Bridge offers yoga courses and yoga teachers’ training
courses.

Mountaineering and trekking are popular activities in Uttarkashi and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering promotes adventure sports. The institute campus is worth visiting and has two artificial climbing walls, a gift shop with trekking equipment, and a museum.

Maneri: Located 13 kms from Uttarkashi, Maneri is a captivating tourist spot. The place emerged as a tourist spot after the construction of a dam across the Bhagirathi River.

Fairs: Magh Mela is the most popular fair of Uttrarkashi. The fair is organized with the help of the district administration every year starting Jan 14 and last for about a week. It is an important event of the district from religious, cultural and commercial point of view and people pour in from all the nearby towns and villages to attend the fair.

By air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant airport near Dehradun, 162 kms away from Uttarkashi with a daily flight from Delhi. The nearest international airport is the Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi.

By rail: Rishikesh is the nearest railhead, about 145 kms from Uttarkashi. There are a handful of trains connecting Haridwar and Rishikesh. Most trains from major cities in the country are connected upto Hardiwar.

By road: There are regular buses (Government as well as private operators) from Uttarkashi to Delhi, Dehradun, Gangotri, Rishiksh and other nearby towns. Shared jeeps and taxis are also available for those who prefer not traveling by buses.

Standard vegetarian food is served in most of the restaurants in Uttarkashi. Those fond of experimenting with new cuisines must try the local Garhwal specialties available like the recipies made from local grains and legumes - jhangora (barnyard millet), mandua (finger millet) and bhatt (black soybeans). Sathyam Foods serving multi cuisine is one of the most popular restaurants in Uttarkashi. Bhandari Restaurant, Moti Mahal Restaurant and Patiyala Restaurant are other good restaurants in the town.

Uttarkashi offers a range of accommodation to tourists. There are a number of dharamshalas and ashrams offering rooms at reasonable rates like the Anandmayi Ashram, Kailash Dharamshala, Shivanand Dharamshala and Tapovan Ashram. The GMVN Tourist Rest House is managed by the government. There are a number of budget hotels as well as some excellent nature resorts a few kms away from Uttarkashi.

Nachiketa Tal: A lake with a small temple and green surroundings adds to the charm of Nahiketa Tal. Nachiketa, the son of saint Uddalak, is said to have built the lake, hence it is named after him. 

 Dodital: Dodital is 16 kms away from Uttarkashi. The lake has the Himalayan trouts and angling is allowed in the lake. Permit for fishing can be had from the Divisional Forest Officer, Uttarkashi.

Gangnani: Gangnani about 37 kms further up from Maneri has hot water springs. Pilgrims on the way to Gangotri take a dip in these springs here, known as Rishikund.

Govind Wildlife Sanctuary attracts a large number of tourists every year. There are about 150 species of birds in the sanctuary. Tiger, Snow Leopard, Brown and Black Bears, musk deer etc are some of the animal species found here.

Dayara Bugyal: Dayara Bugyal when translated means high altitude meadow. Situated at a distance of 32 kms from Uttarkashi and at an elevation of 10,000 ft aboue sea level, Dayara Bugyal offers a spectacular view of the Himalayas. There is a small lake in the vicinity.

Sat Tal and Kedar Tal are other popular tourists locations with lakes. Kedar Tal is also a base camp for trekking to the Thalayasagar, Jogin and Bhrigupanth.

Har Ki Doon is popular with trekkers; it is located at an altitude of 3506 metres.