Set out for Pauri from Dehradun early in the morning. The road from Dehradun to Pauri passes by Rishikesh and Devprayag. If you do not have time for a day's stopover at Rishikesh, do not miss the holy confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi at Devprayag. On reaching Pauri, check in to your hotel/homestay and catch up on some rest before visiting a few of the local attractions – the Chaukhamba viewpoint that offers panoramic vistas of the beautiful Idwal valley and the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan ranges, the Kandoliya Temple and Kyunkaleshwar Temple.

Start your day with a hearty pahadi breakfast – hand-rolled rotis made with locally-grown ragi or mandua (both finger millets) that are cooked in wood fire accompanied with a delicious yoghurt-based dish where pumpkin is mashed into the yoghurt and the dish is tempered with the indigenous jhakia (mustard-like seeds). Set off for Khirsu, one of Uttarakhand's best-kept natural secrets. Khirsu is for those passionate about nature, photography and who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. On clear days, Khirsu offers sights of the snow-capped Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot and Panchachuli peaks.