Tehri Lake

Tehri Lake is a striking emblem of modern Uttarakhand — a vast, sapphire-blue reservoir created by the Tehri Dam, one of the tallest dams in the world, built across the Bhagirathi river. The project submerged the old town of Tehri and reshaped an entire valley, and in its place left a sprawling artificial lake whose fingers reach deep into the surrounding hills, mirroring the sky in shades of turquoise and indigo.

Over the past decade that expanse of water has transformed the area into Uttarakhand's premier water-sports destination. Jet-skis carve across the surface, kayaks and pedal-boats drift along the shoreline, and adventurers try parasailing, banana-boat rides and even the high-adrenaline events of the Tehri Acro Festival, which has put the lake on the map for aerial sports enthusiasts.

Around the water, a new tourism economy has grown up: floating huts and lakeside camps, the scenic shoreline drive past Koti Colony, and viewpoints over the colossal dam wall itself. Combined with the cool retreats of Chamba, Kanatal and Dhanaulti close by, Tehri makes an unexpectedly varied base mixing engineering spectacle, mountain scenery and on-water thrills.

October to June; avoid the peak monsoon. Pleasant water-sports weather in spring and autumn.