Almora

Almora is a quaint town that gives you the pleasure of scenic beauty, and allows you to discover your religious side. The natural beauty is a combination of snow-capped Himalayan peaks, thick forests of pine and fir and the rippling energy of the Kosi and Suyal Rivers. Almora is one of those tourist places that allow you to escape into a world full of natural energy, accentuated by wooden houses, narrow burnt brick roads, smiling faces and bustling shopping lanes. Located at an average height of 1651 metres above sea level on a 5 km. long ridge shaped like a horse shoe, this town is impregnated by hills like Kasar Devi, Banari Devi, Shayahi Devi and Katarnal that have temples on each of their peaks. One of the main highlights other than the natural beauty of this place is the Nanda Devi temple that is about 1000 years old.

Almora is situated in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand and was capital of the rulers of Chand dynasty, who ruled Kumaon for approximately 1000 years. Jawaharlal Nehru had served a prison term in this primarily cool hill station and left a graphic description of the beauty of this place. This is a town of peace and noiselessness where people come to relax and feel rejuvenated.

Summer and monsoon months (March to November).

The must visit places in Almora are places of scenic beauty and temples, some of which include

As a popular tourist spot, this town has various options for food with eateries serving Indian, Chinese, Continental and Thai food. However, this town has a few specialities that are worth a try. The milk products of this place are par excellence. Balmithai, choklate (do not confuse this with chocolate) and singauri are other delectable items. So if you have a sweet tooth, just go to the sweets shops and get your hands on a few of these. They have a wide selection of such items.

Famous for its handicrafts, woollens and copperware, Almora's shopping areas take you back to the old rustic world where things were of good quality and worth the price. You can shop at Lal Bazaar that is 200 years old and offers unique and creative items that will make you want to buy more.

The fastest way to reach Almora is by air. The Pantnagar airport located about 115 km. from Almora is just 4 hours away from the town. You can also reach Almora by train. Arrive at the Kathgodam railway station (about 82 km. away) and take a taxi to the hill station. The roads from Delhi also connect to Almora and buses are frequent on NH-24. There are two options to travel within the town. You can either hire a private taxi or board a local bus. But since it is a small town, the best way to feel the flavour of the town is by walking around.

Other attractions include Binsar and Jageshwar that are quite close to this place.

About 60 km. away from Almora is Nainital which is also called the lake district of India. Visit it to witness heaven on earth as you see the snow clad mountains, crystal clear lakes and temples. Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal are also accessible from Nainital. Famous as a trekking ground is Kasauni which is about 50 km. from Almora. It is also a place for adventure sports. Primarily known for the Jhula Devi temple, Ranikhet is easily accessible from Almora. It is about 50 km. away from this town and is a must visit place for the religious folks. Located around 43 km. away from Almora is the beautiful hill station of Ramgarh . It is not only rich in history due to its association with the British, but is also the inspiration for Tagore's poetry. You can also visit Mukteshwar that is famous for the Shiva temple and also a place called Chauli ki Jali . There are options of enjoying adventurous sports at Mukteshwar .

Being a popular hill station in northern India, Almora has several hotels to accommodate people with different budgets. The hotels in Almora range from spa resorts, to luxury hotels, to standard ones and budget hotels. There are also lodges and guest houses available for tourists. You can explore your stay options from Kasaar Jungle Resort, Hotel Mount Heaven and Welcome Heritage as the most sought after hotels in Almora.