- Uttarakhand Tours
- Chandan_singh
Almora looks simple on a map. In real life, it is a town of ridges, winding roads and temples tucked into forest. Pick the wrong order and you spend your day in a taxi. Pick the wrong season and the views vanish into cloud. Most "visiting places" lists do not tell you how long each stop takes, which ones suit your style, or which ones to skip.
This guide does. You get the top 10 visiting places in Almora, ranked by how well they reward your time. For each one, you get what it is, why people go, how long to allow and when to arrive. You also get the nearest spots, day trips, food to try and two ready plans.
Almora at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Almora district, Kumaon region, Uttarakhand |
| Altitude | About 1,640 m |
| Setting | A horse-saddle-shaped ridge, with the market at the top where two ridges meet |
| History | Founded in 1568 by Kalyan Chand and later the capital of the Kumaon kingdom |
| Nearest railway station | Kathgodam, about 90 km |
| Nearest airport | Pantnagar, about 127 km |
| Road distances | Delhi about 378 km, Dehradun about 394 km, Nainital about 63 km, Ranikhet about 45 km |
| Known for | Temples, Himalayan views, Bal Mithai, Kumaoni crafts |
Is Almora Worth Visiting?
Yes, for the right traveller. Almora is not a resort town. It is an old Kumaon capital with a working market, a strong food culture and some of the region's best-known temples within a short drive.
Almora Is a Good Fit If You:
Want temples and heritage close together.
Enjoy sunrise and sunset viewpoints more than crowded promenades.
Like slow mornings, local sweets and walks through forest.
Prefer a quieter hill trip than the lake towns nearby.
Almora Is Not a Good Fit If You:
Want nightlife, malls or a packed resort scene.
Need big adventure parks. Rafting on the Kali and Sarada rivers is listed by one guide, best from October to May, but it is a separate trip.
Have very little time. The best places are spread out, and hill roads are slow.
Almora Visiting Places List: Top 10 at a Glance
| # | Place | Best For | Approx. Distance from Almora | Time to Allow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kasar Devi Temple | Sunrise, quiet, views | 5 to 8 km | 1 to 2 hours |
| 2 | Katarmal Sun Temple | Ancient architecture | 12 to 20 km, plus a walk | 2 to 3 hours |
| 3 | Chitai Golu Devta Temple | A unique Kumaoni shrine | 8 to 10 km | 45 to 90 minutes |
| 4 | Jageshwar Dham | Temples in a deodar forest | 30 to 36 km | Half a day |
| 5 | Binsar and Zero Point | Forest walks, Himalayan views | 30 to 33 km, plus a 2 km walk | Half a day |
| 6 | Bright End Corner | Sunset | 2 to 3 km | 1 hour |
| 7 | Nanda Devi Temple | Local culture | In town | 30 to 45 minutes |
| 8 | Lal Bazaar | Shopping, sweets | In town | 1 to 2 hours |
| 9 | Deer Park (Mrig Vihar) | Families, short outing | About 3 km | 1 hour |
| 10 | Simtola | Picnic, forest views | About 8 km | 1 to 2 hours |
Distances are approximate road figures taken from several guides that often disagree. Ask your driver for the current route and time.
Best Visiting Places in Almora, Uttarakhand: In Detail
1. Kasar Devi Temple: Almora's Quiet Hilltop
Kasar Devi is a small hilltop temple to Goddess Kasar Devi, on a forested ridge above the town. The national tourism portal places its origin around the 2nd century. The setting is why most people come: pine trees, deep valleys and Himalayan views.
Why go: Sunrise views, calm, and a ridge lined with small cafes and guesthouses.
Known for: Swami Vivekananda is believed to have meditated in this area in the 1890s. The hill also drew international visitors in the 1960s and 1970s.
Distance: 5 to 8 km. One guide lists the temple as open 7 AM to 7 PM and mentions the Kasar Devi Fair around Kartik Purnima.
Time: 1 to 2 hours, more if you stop for a meal.
Tip: Go early. Views are clearest in the morning.
2. Katarmal Sun Temple: A Hilltop Stone Complex
Katarmal is an ancient hilltop temple complex dedicated to the Sun God. Guides date it to the 9th century and credit the Katyuri kings. It is known for carved stone panels and for the small shrines around the main temple. One guide counts 44 of them.
Why go: Architecture, carvings and quiet valley views.
Getting there: Reaching it involves a walk of about 2 km after you leave the vehicle near Kosi village, according to two guides.
Distance: 12 to 20 km, depending on the guide.
Time: 2 to 3 hours.
Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes, especially after rain.
3. Chitai Golu Devta Temple: The Temple of Bells
Golu Devta is revered across Kumaon as the god of justice. Devotees hang bells at Chitai to make a wish come true. Many also submit written petitions seeking justice. The temple sits among forest and is one of the most distinctive sights near Almora.
Why go: To see a living local tradition, not just a monument.
Distance: 8 to 10 km.
Time: 45 to 90 minutes.
Tip: Respect the worship around you, and ask before photographing devotees.
4. Jageshwar Dham: Temples in a Deodar Forest
Jageshwar is a large complex of ancient Shiva temples set among deodar trees. The national tourism portal says it has more than 100 temples dating from the 9th to the 13th century. Guides give different shrine counts, so "over 100" is the safe figure. An Archaeological Survey of India museum stands nearby.
Why go: The scale of the complex and the forest setting.
Distance: About 30 to 36 km. Allow about an hour and a quarter each way.
Time: Half a day.
Festival: The Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is held in August, according to the national tourism portal.
Tip: One guide mentions Vridh Jageshwar, about 3 km uphill, for wider views. Ask locally before you go.
5. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and Zero Point
Binsar was once the summer capital of the Chand kings. The sanctuary covers about 45.59 sq km of oak, rhododendron and pine forest. Leopards, barking deer and birds such as the monal live here. Zero Point is the viewpoint, at about 2,412 m, with Himalayan views.
Why go: Forest walks, birdwatching and big mountain views.
Distance: About 30 to 33 km from Almora, plus a walk of about 2 km from the parking area to Zero Point.
Entry: Two guides list INR 150 per person and INR 250 per vehicle. Rules and fees change, so check before you go.
Time: Half a day.
Tip: Start early for the clearest views, and carry binoculars if you have them.
6. Bright End Corner: Almora's Sunset Spot
Bright End Corner is a viewpoint on the ridge, known for Himalayan views at sunrise and sunset. It is close to the Vivekananda Library and the Ramakrishna Kutir area, and Swami Vivekananda is said to have meditated here.
Why go: An easy first or last stop.
Distance: 2 to 3 km, walkable from the centre.
Time: About an hour.
Tip: Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset.
7. Nanda Devi Temple: The Heart of Town
The Nanda Devi Temple stands in the town centre. Wikipedia notes unusual carvings on its walls. The Nanda Devi festival is held in September.
Why go: A short heritage stop that fits any day.
Time: 30 to 45 minutes.
Tip: Pair it with a walk through Lal Bazaar.
8. Lal Bazaar: Shopping and Sweets
Lal Bazaar is Almora's historic market. It is known for woollens, Kumaoni jewellery and local sweets. Karkhana Bazaar nearby is listed by one guide for copperware and angora wool.
Why go: Crafts, snacks and a feel for town life.
Time: 1 to 2 hours.
Tip: Try Bal Mithai, Almora's famous sweet, and look for Singori, a sweet wrapped in a leaf.
9. Deer Park (Mrig Vihar): A Short Family Outing
A small wildlife park with deer, set among pine and oak. One guide lists leopards and Himalayan black bears as well.
Distance: About 3 km.
Hours: Guides report about 9 or 10 AM to 5 PM, with free entry. Confirm locally.
Time: About an hour.
10. Simtola: A Forest Picnic Stop
Simtola is a picnic spot among deodar, pine and fir trees, with wide views. One guide places it about 8 km from Lal Bazaar, around 30 minutes by taxi.
Time: 1 to 2 hours.
Tip: Carry your own snacks and water. No food options are listed.
Almora Nearest Visiting Places
Short on time? Start close to town.
Bright End Corner (2 to 3 km): Sunrise and sunset.
Deer Park (about 3 km): An easy family stop.
Nanda Devi Temple (in town): A short heritage visit.
Lal Bazaar (in town): Shopping and sweets.
Kasar Devi (5 to 8 km): The best nearby temple for views.
Govind Ballabh Pant Public Museum (Mall Road): Opened in 1980, with Katyuri and Chand artefacts. One guide lists it as temporarily closed, so check first.
Almora District Visiting Places and Day Trips
| Place | Approx. Distance from Almora | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Ranikhet | About 45 km | Hill station, Jhula Devi Temple, Chaubatia Gardens |
| Mukteshwar | About 51 km, at 2,285 m | Mukteshwar Dham temple, Himalayan views |
| Kausani | About 60 km, at 1,890 m | Himalayan views, tea gardens, Anasakti Ashram |
| Bageshwar | About 90 km | Bagnath temple, Saryu and Gomti rivers, trek base |
| Patal Bhuvaneshwar | About 125 km | Limestone cave temple |
| Someshwar | About 35 km | Ancient Shiva temple built under the Chand dynasty |
Distances come from the national tourism portal and Wikipedia. Plan a full day for any of these. Two further stops appear in some guides: Lakhudiyar, a rock-art site, and the Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum. Both come from single guides, so confirm details locally.
What to Eat in Almora
Bal Mithai: The town's signature fudge-like sweet. One guide says trying it is "practically part of the Almora experience".
Singori: A sweet wrapped in a leaf.
Kumaoni thali: One guide lists dishes such as bhaat, dal and kadhi. Ask for local dishes at cafes and restaurants.
Ridge cafes: Kasar Devi has small cafes serving chai, coffee, momos and simple meals.
Almora Visiting Places by Interest
Spiritual travellers: Kasar Devi, Chitai Golu Devta, Jageshwar Dham, Nanda Devi Temple.
History and architecture: Katarmal Sun Temple, Jageshwar Dham, the town museum.
Nature lovers: Binsar and Zero Point, Simtola, Deer Park.
Photographers: Bright End Corner at sunset, Kasar Devi at sunrise, Zero Point.
Families: Deer Park, Lal Bazaar, short drives to Chitai.
How to Reach Almora
By train: Kathgodam is the nearest station, about 90 km away, with direct trains to Delhi, Lucknow and Agra, per Wikipedia. Continue by taxi or bus.
By air: Pantnagar Airport is about 127 km away. Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh is also listed at about 125 km.
By road: Almora is on NH 87, about 378 km from Delhi, 394 km from Dehradun and 63 km from Nainital.
Getting around: Pre-paid taxis are the easiest way around town and the outskirts, according to one guide. Local buses are an alternative.
Best Time to Visit Almora
March to May: Pleasant weather and good views.
Mid-September to November: Clear skies and the Nanda Devi festival in September.
July to August: Monsoon. Forests turn green, but roads can be slow.
December to February: Cold. Snow is possible in December and January, so check roads and pack warm clothes.
Travel Tips for Almora
Hire a taxi for the temple circuit: Distances look short but roads wind.
Start early: Morning gives the clearest views at Binsar and Kasar Devi.
Dress modestly at temples and remove footwear.
Carry cash: Small shops and local taxis may not take cards.
Confirm timings: Hours and entry rules differ between guides and change often.
Book early for long weekends and festival weeks.
Plan and Book Your Almora Trip
Choose your days: Two to three days cover the main places.
Choose your base: Almora town for markets and food, or a ridge near Kasar Devi or Binsar for quiet.
Book a cab: Ask for a written fare for the temple circuit and for day trips.
Consider a package: Stay, transport and sightseeing in one plan. [ADD YOUR PACKAGE DETAILS, PRICE AND CONTACT HERE.]
Final Thoughts
Almora rewards the traveller who slows down. Give it two or three days, start your mornings early and let the temples, ridges and sweets set the pace. Pick the places that match your interests, check distances with your driver and book your stay before the season fills.
Planning your Almora trip?