Getting Oriented

Getting Oriented

Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, is divided into two main regions, the Garhwal in the west and the Kumaon in the east. The plains of the Uttar Pradesh to the south give way the foothills that eventually rise to the high Himalayas. The peaks in the northern part of the state are some of the highest in the world (rising 15,000 to 20,000 feet) and tower over rugged terrain such glaciers as you reach the eastern region along the border with Nepal and Tibet. The source of many rivers, including the Ganges, tumble down from the mountains while the central part of the state boasts rich, biodiverse forests and wildlife preserves.