Disclaimer: OHOT advises you to travel safely and responsibly. Please read all the travel guidelines before visiting any place. The guidelines might be different for each state. Contact the locals in the area so that you can have a clear picture of what to expect.
The terms ‘getaway’ or ‘escape’ have never been more appealing. After spending last 6 months in which actually felt like decades), attending meetings in pajamas, celebrating virtual birthdays and thinking about all the dreamy vacations we had planned for this year, the government has decided to give some relaxations in the travel guidelines.
But preparing for a trip isn’t just about making bookings and packing your suitcase anymore. Include chasing doctors for tests and certificates, reading up dozens of state and district directives, and filling multiple forms while crossing borders. The preparation can be overwhelming at times and might dampen your spirit. So we have make a detailed article on what steps you need to take while planning a trip to the beautiful state of Uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand Guidelines for Inter-State Travellers
If you are flying, taking a train or driving into Uttarakhand from any other state, here are the rules to follow:

  • All passengers must register on http://smartcitydehradun.uk.gov.in before they travel. Your registration documents will be examined at border check posts, though you don’t need any separate e-permit or approval.

There might be more than one checkpoints depending on the route you are taking. You might face chaos, confusion, and queues at the checkpoints. It also depends on the number of people trying get into the state at the same time.       

  • You must install the Aarogya Setu app on your mobile phone and update your health details.
  • Asymptomatic passengers who carry a negative RT-PCR/TrueNAT/CBNAAT test report from an ICMR-authorized laboratory will be exempted from quarantine. However, the report should not be older than 72 hours from your arrival time.

You can check www.icmr.gov.in to get a detailed list of ICMR-authorized laboratories (both government and private) in your city.

  • If however, you don’t have the negative report for COVID-19, you’ll have to quarantine.
  • If you are travelling to Uttarakhand from a highly infected city, you have to undergo institutional quarantine for 7 days and home quarantine for 7 days. You can choose from free, government-run quarantine facility or a paid facility. If you are travelling from a less infected city, you are allowed to go for 14 days home quarantine.
  • Pregnant women, those above 65 years, critically ill people, or those accompanied by children under 10 years will be exempted from institutional quarantine. They have to undergo 14 days of home quarantine instead.

Uttarakhand Guidelines for Inter-District travellers
If you are travelling within the state, these pointers will help you:

  • All passengers have to register on http://smartcitydehradun.uk.gov.in before you begin your journey.
  • You won’t need any permit or COVID-19 negative report.
  • No matter what your mode of travel is, all individuals travelling inter-district will be exempt from quarantine.

Places Open in Uttarakhand

  • According to the guidelines most of the travel destinations and treks are open. However, there has been some resistance from the locals living around some of these areas.
  • For e.g. The Har Ki Dun trek is open according to the guidelines. But locals are not allowing tourists to enter the village.
  • Dhanaulti and Chakrata are still closed. Few hotels in Chakrata are functional but you cannot visit major sites such as Tiger falls as it is in the main village and the villagers are not in favour of any outsiders coming there.
  • Most of the hotels in Kanatal are also closed. The ones that are open are owned by the locals. The activities in Kanatal are not functional as of now.
  • This is the case with many treks and smaller villages. These places don’t have enough healthcare resources and the locals are scared that tourism might also bring the virus.
  • Places such as Mussoorie and Rishikesh are open for tourism. The more commercial a place is, the more chances are there of it to be operational. Here, most of the hotels are taking bookings and many restaurants/cafes are also welcoming tourists.
  • Activities like rafting and bungee jumping in Rishikesh are closed as of now. However chances are that the activities will be operational by October.

Few Important Things to Keep in Mind

  • Please travel responsibly. We advise you to go through all the travel guidelines thoroughly before venturing out. Also, even though the restrictions are removed in many places, let’s still take all precautions from our end. Please get yourself tested and carry a COVID-19 negative report with you,
  • As I have said before, many places in Uttarakhand are not developed enough and lack healthcare facilities. It’s very important for us to take care of our health as well as think about the locals. Any carelessness from our end can start another pandemic.
  • If you get any symptoms, please don’t go out. Isolate yourself.
  • Please wear mask every time you are entering a public place.
  • Remember to carry sanitizers and use them too.
  • Maintain distance while moving in a market or any public place.

We have resumed our group trips and have some amazing destinations for you. Please check our website for details!