Almora is a popular hill station. It is believed to have got its name from Kilmora. Kilmora is nothing but a kind of sorrel, which is a short plant commonly found in this region. This plant is said to be used to wash utensils of the sun temple at Katarmal. Located on a 5 km long ridge at the southern edge of the Kashyap Hills. The unique thing about this place is that it is in the shape of a horse saddle.
Almora is an attractive town set in the backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayas. Almora is popular for its delicious cuisines, unique handicrafts and rich cultural heritage.
Almora – An Introduction
Almora is a serene place. It is located in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. It is popular for its Shiva Temple, cultural heritage and cuisines. When you view from a distant spot, you will see Almora hill station looking like a horse saddle.
Almora is surrounded by oak and pine forests. It is the cultural capital of the Kumaon Region. You can get panoramic views of the Himalayas from this hill station. It is popular for its stunning sunrise views. It has attracted many celebrities for its great climate and relaxing landscapes. The ancestral village of former Indian Cricket Captain MS Dhoni is near this hill station. The town stands as the starting point for many treks like Ranikhet, Binsar, Mukteshwar, Mornaula, Pindari and Jageshwar.
How to Reach Almora?
You can choose among the different modes of transportation to reach Almora. Here are some details to know in this regard:
By Bus
Thankfully, Almora is connected well by road with major cities in Uttarakhand State and Northern India. You can find regular state-run and private buses from Haldirani, Dehradun and Delhi to take you to Almora. If you are travelling from Delhi, the distance is about 370 km. You can opt for an overnight bus trip that will take around 8-10 hours.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Almora is Kathgodam. It is around 90 km away from the hill station. This railway station is connected to different cities like Dehradun, Kolkata, Lucknow and Delhi by train. Once you are at Kathgodam Railway Station, you can rely on a taxi or bus service to take you to Almora.
By Flight
Panthnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Almora. This airport is located around 115 km from the hill station. You can find taxis at this airport to take you to Almora. Otherwise, you can also choose to travel by bus to Almora from the airport.
By Car
Thankfully, Almora is connected well by motorable roads from different North Indian cities. Particularly, the NH 87 and NH87E roads connect Almora to other cities. From your hometown, you can use Google Maps to take you to Almora.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
Almora is visited by tourists not only for its cool climatic conditions. But also for other reasons. Here are some attractions and things to do when you are at this hill station on a vacation:
Visit Chitai Golu Temple
One of the most respected temples in the State of Uttarakhand, Chilai Golu Temple is Golu JI considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva has taken the form of Gaur Bhairav in this temple. It is believed that your wishes will be fulfilled when you buy a bell near this temple and hang it on the temple premises. The deity here is considered a god of justice.
Visit Bright End Corner
Recently renamed Vivekananda Corner, you can see this corner at a hairpin bend on the road that leads to Almora. You can find tourists standing at this corner to get spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. However, you will have to trek for around 2 km to reach this spot. You can get the best views of the lush vegetation around and the Himalayas from this corner.
Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum
This museum was established by the Indian Army’s Kumaon Regiment. The purpose is to preserve their rich legacy. You can see war artefacts like weapons, flags, uniforms and medals received by soldiers in the armed forces. You can learn a lot about the Garhwal and Gurkhas regiments from this museum. Remember that photography is not permitted in this museum.
Govind Vallabh Pant Museum
Are you a history buff? If so, you should not forget a visit to this museum in Almora. You can see the display of the things used by the rulers of the Chand and Katyuri Dynasty here. You can also see the antique collection of Kumaoni-style paintings in this museum.
Nanda Devi Temple Visit
Yet another essential thing to do when you are at Almora is to visit Nanda Devi Temple. This 1000-year-old temple is dedicated to Goddess Nanda Devi. The temple was constructed by the King of Chand Dynasty. You can find a huge stone idol inside the temple premises. It is encircled with a wooden roof. The Nanda Devi fair conducted in September attracts a lot of crowds. Also, the Lala Bazaar is a popular shopping spree here. The temple surroundings will enthrall you with the great work done by skillful artists. The temple wall is filled with lifelike figures and carvings done by artists. It should be stated that the temple preserves the essence of Kumaoni Architecture.
Visit the Deer Park
Within a 3 km distance from Almora, you can take your kids to Deer Park. Yes, you can find a lot of spotted and other types of deer at this park. The park region is filled with oak and pine trees. You can enjoy long walks inside this park.
Visit the Katarmal Sun Temple
When you travel for around 17 km from Almora, you can reach the Katarmal Sun temple. This temple holds the pride of being the second most important temple dedicated to the Sun God in India. As you know, the first position is held by the Konark Sun Temple. A small trek is required to reach the temple. At this temple, you will be excited by the doors, pillars, sculptures and attractively carved idols. The temple displays the ancient architecture and it is surrounded by 45 other shrines.
Visit the Jageshwar Temple
Jataganga Valley is the place, where you can find the Jageshwar Mahadev Temple. You will be stunned by the architectural work inside the temple complex. You can expect complete tranquillity at this spot surrounded by Jata Ganga and Deodar Trees. From July to August every year, the annual Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is held in this temple.
Head to Chaukori
Chaukori can provide you with attractive views of nature. This classic hamlet will let you see the snow-capped mountains. You can find scintillating orchards, rhododendrons, oak and pine forests here. You can visit this town for scintillating views from dusk to dawn.
Best Time & Season to Visit
Almora experiences pleasant weather throughout the year. Nevertheless, you can prefer any season based on the information given below:
Peak Season
April to June is the peak season in Almora. During this season, you can expect a clear sky along with a cool breeze and pleasant weather. So, this season is ideal for outdoor activities, exploring places and hiking.
Moderate Season
During this moderate season, you can expect a bit of humidity. However, you should also expect heavy rainfall then and there. The weather will be pleasant still. This season is ideal for your visit, if you would like to participate in festival celebrations in Almora. Also, this season is ideal for exploring local food joints.
Off-Season
The off-season in Almora is between November and March. This season will have bright sunny days. However, the nights will be cold. Even, you can expect snowfall on nights during this season. Things you will love in this season are adventure activities with snow and festive celebrations in the hill station.
Duration To See
You can comfortably plan a trip to Almora between two and four days. If you have two days, they are ideal for covering major attractions in Almora like Bright End Corner, Kasar Devi and Nanda Devi Temple.
If you have three to four days, you can explore nearby spots. Examples include Jageshwar Dham and Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Also, you can enjoy some leisure moments at Almora when you have three to four days.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- Himalayan Hobbit House
- ALhito Cafe & Resort
- Kasar Rainbow Restaurant
- Oak Barrel family Restaurant & bar
- Dolma Restaurant
- The Kasar Kitchen
- Silver Oak by Club Mahindra Binsar, Uttarakhand
- The Northern Hill
Where to Stay? Best Resorts
- Vatsyayana Resorts
- Imperial Heights Binsar
- Essence of Nature
- Kasaar Jungle Resort
- The Himalayan Woods
- Elphinstone Himalayan Resort
- Quality Inn The Den Resort
- Sunita Elite
- Hotel Shikhar
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
Most attractions in Almora permit free entry to visitors. Some places like the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary might charge you a nominal entry fee.
FAQ
1. Can I Visit Almora During Monsoon?
Yes, you can visit the hill station during monsoon. However, during this season, you should be prepared for occasional landslides. Also, due to rain, the roads will be slippery. Besides these things, you can enjoy lush greenery during this season.
2. Is Almora Too Far from Nainital?
The distance between Almora and Nainital is around 63 km. A drive will take around 2-3 hours between these two hill stations.
3. What Can I Buy In Almora?
You can buy copperware, woollen shawls, handicrafts and local sweets like Singori and Bal Mithal.
Checkout my other blog posts on Uttarakhand here:
River Rafting in Rishikesh – A Tryst with Ganges
7 Reasons why Rishikesh might be perfect for a backpacker
Things to do in Rishikesh
Kanatal, Uttarakhand – A lesser known slice of paradise!
Evening Ganga Arti in Rishikesh – A Spiritual Experience
Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh – A Thrill beyond your imagination!
