- Uttarakhand Tours
- Chandan_singh
Kumaon is big, and the lists are confusing. One guide says Nainital. Another says Munsiyari. A third pushes a temple you have never heard of. You open ten tabs, and you still do not know which places fit your days, your season or your travel style. Then you find out that two "nearby" spots are six hours apart.
This guide gives you a clear map. You get the best places to visit in Kumaon, grouped by district so you can see what sits together. For each place, you get why people go, what to see and how long to allow. You also get the best time to visit, routes, ready 5-, 7- and 10-day plans, a temple trail and a booking checklist.
Kumaon at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Region | Kumaon division, eastern Uttarakhand |
| Districts | Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar |
| Area | About 21,035 sq km |
| Administrative centre | Nainital |
| Largest city | Haldwani |
| Highest peak | Hardeol, 7,151 m |
| Largest lake | Bhimtal |
| Languages | Kumaoni, with Hindi for administration and education |
| Old names | Manaskhand, then Kurmanchal |
| Railhead for most trips | Kathgodam |
Kumaon Places to Visit: Quick Picks
| If You Want | Go To |
|---|---|
| A first hill trip | Nainital |
| A calm hill town | Ranikhet or Mukteshwar |
| Himalayan sunrise views | Kausani, Binsar Zero Point, Chaukori |
| Temples and heritage | Almora, Jageshwar, Katarmal, Baijnath, Bageshwar |
| Lakes | Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal |
| Wildlife | Jim Corbett, Binsar, Pangot |
| Deep mountain country | Munsiyari and the Johar Valley |
| Offbeat quiet | Lohaghat, Champawat, Berinag |
Best Places to Visit in Kumaon, Uttarakhand: The Top 15 List
| # | Place | District | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nainital | Nainital | Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Mall Road |
| 2 | Kausani | Bageshwar | Himalayan panorama, Anasakti Ashram, tea estate |
| 3 | Almora | Almora | Temples, Bal Mithai, ridge views |
| 4 | Ranikhet | Almora | Cantonment hill town, orchards, Jhula Devi |
| 5 | Jageshwar Dham | Almora | Ancient temple complex in deodar forest |
| 6 | Binsar | Almora | Wildlife sanctuary, Zero Point views |
| 7 | Katarmal Sun Temple | Almora | 9th-century hilltop temple |
| 8 | Bhimtal and the lakes | Nainital | Largest lake in Kumaon |
| 9 | Mukteshwar | Nainital | Mukteshwar Dham, orchards, views |
| 10 | Baijnath and Bageshwar | Bageshwar | Katyuri temples, river confluence |
| 11 | Munsiyari | Pithoragarh | Panchachuli views, glacier treks |
| 12 | Chaukori and Berinag | Pithoragarh | Tea gardens, sunsets on Panchachuli |
| 13 | Pithoragarh | Pithoragarh | Saur Valley town, fort, gateway to the east |
| 14 | Lohaghat and Champawat | Champawat | Abbott Mount, Advaita Ashrama, Baleshwar Temple |
| 15 | Jim Corbett National Park | Nainital | Tigers, safaris, river landscapes |
Nainital District: Lakes, Hill Stations and a Tiger Reserve
1. Nainital: The Lake Town
Nainital sits at about 2,084 m around a lake that divides the town into Mallital in the north and Tallital in the south. It is the most visited hill station in Kumaon and the easiest base from Delhi.
What to See
Naini Lake
Naina Devi Temple on the northern shore
Mall Road
Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat), about 4 km west of the lake
Snow View, reachable by horse
Things to Do
Enjoy boating on Naini Lake.
Take the ropeway.
Go for evening walks.
Explore the local shops and markets.
Temple Note: Naina Devi Temple was destroyed by a landslide in 1880 and rebuilt in 1883. Tradition links it to the Shakti Peeth story.
Recommended Time: Two nights is ideal.
2. Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal
These are quieter lakes in the Kumaon hills. Bhimtal is the largest lake in Kumaon, according to Wikipedia.
One guide mentions a Shiva temple on Bhimtal's edge linked to the Pandavas and a butterfly research centre nearby. Paragliding and rock climbing are also associated with these lakes.
Best For: Families, couples and anyone who wants a calmer lake than Nainital.
Recommended Time: Half a day to a full day as a trip from Nainital.
3. Mukteshwar: Orchards and Peaks
Mukteshwar is about 50 km from Nainital and sits at around 2,285 m. It is known for Mukteshwar Dham, forests and views of peaks such as Panchachuli, Nanda Devi and Trishul.
Guides also mention Chauthi Jaali, a rock formation, and the Bhalu Gaad waterfall.
Best For: A quiet stay and short walks.
Recommended Time: One night.
4. Pangot and the Kilbury Bird Area
Pangot is a village near Nainital with forest trails and a bird area. A guide says at least 350 bird species have been recorded. It suits nature lovers who want a slow day.
Best Months: October to June, per one guide.
Recommended Time: A day is enough.
5. Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is in Ramnagar, Nainital district. One guide gives about 260 km from Delhi and about 70 km from Nainital, covers about 520 sq km and says the park was established in 1936.
Core zones named by guides include Dhikala, Bijrani and Dhela.
Important Travel Information
Season: One guide says November to May is best, with the park closed in the monsoon, June to October. Confirm with the forest department.
Booking: Jeep safaris need planning ahead.
Recommended Time: At least two nights, since a safari needs early starts.
Almora District: Temples, Forests and Ridge Towns
6. Almora: Kumaon's Culture Capital
Almora is a ridge town founded in 1568 by Kalyan Chand and later the capital of the Kumaon kingdom, per Wikipedia. It is the best base for temples, markets and food.
Try Bal Mithai, the town's famous sweet.
Places to See
Nanda Devi Temple
Lal Bazaar
Bright End Corner
Deer Park
Nearby Attractions
Kasar Devi Temple
Chitai Golu Devta Temple
Katarmal Sun Temple
7. Ranikhet: The Cantonment Hill Town
Ranikhet is a cantonment town in Almora district, surrounded by deodar and oak forests, with views of the Central Himalaya.
It hosts regimental centres of the Kumaon and Naga regiments of the Indian Army, according to one guide.
Places to See
Chaubatia Gardens
Jhula Devi Temple
Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum
Rani Jheel
Haidakhan Babaji Temple
Recommended Time: One to two nights.
8. Jageshwar Dham
Jageshwar is a large complex of ancient Shiva temples in a deodar forest. The national tourism portal says it has more than 100 temples dating from the 9th to the 13th century.
Distance: About 30 to 36 km from Almora, so plan about half a day.
Festival: The Monsoon Festival is held in August.
9. Binsar
Binsar was once the summer capital of the Chand kings. The wildlife sanctuary covers about 45.59 sq km of oak and rhododendron forest, and Zero Point is the viewpoint at about 2,412 m.
One guide lists views of Nanda Devi, Panchachuli, Nanda Kot and Chaukhamba.
Recommended Time: Half a day, or a night for the sunrise.
10. Katarmal Sun Temple
A 9th-century hilltop complex dedicated to the Sun God, known for its carved stone panels and small shrines.
Plan a walk of about 2 km after the road ends, according to two guides.
11. Kasar Devi and Chitai Golu Devta
Kasar Devi is a quiet hilltop temple with valley views. Chitai Golu Devta is the temple of bells, where devotees tie bells and leave written petitions to the god of justice.
Both sit close to Almora, so you can visit them in one outing.
Bageshwar District: Kumaon's Sacred Valley
12. Kausani: The Himalayan Viewpoint
Kausani sits at about 1,890 m. The national tourism portal describes a view of roughly 300 km across the snow range, including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchachuli. Sunrise is the main event.
Places to See
Anasakti Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed for 14 days in 1929
Sumitranandan Pant Museum
Tea estate
Rudradhari Falls
Recommended Time: One to two nights.
13. Baijnath
Baijnath is about 16 km from Kausani. The temple complex on the Gomti River was built by the Katyuri kings, with a main Shiva shrine and many smaller shrines.
Wikipedia dates the complex to the 12th century. Our Baijnath guide has history, timings and distances.
14. Bageshwar
Wikipedia calls Bageshwar "Kumaon's Kashi" and notes the Uttarayini fair. Other guides describe it as a temple town at the meeting of the Saryu and Gomti rivers.
Pithoragarh District: The Far East of Kumaon
Pithoragarh is the easternmost district of Uttarakhand, bordering Tibet in the north and Nepal in the east. The Kali River forms the Nepal boundary.
The district covers about 7,110 sq km and has six tehsils: Munsyari, Dharchula, Didihat, Berinag, Gangolihat and Pithoragarh.
15. Munsiyari
Munsiyari is a hill town in the north of the district, with views of Panchachuli, Nanda Devi and Trishul.
It is a base for treks to glaciers such as Ralam, Namik and Milam, according to guides. The valley from Munsiyari to Milam is called the Johar Valley.
Places to See
Birthi Falls
Maheshwari Kund
Kalamuni Temple
Thamari Kund
Travel Information
Best Months: April to May and September to November, according to one guide.
June and July rains can block roads, and heavy snow falls from November to February.
Recommended Time: At least two nights. It needs a full day of driving to reach.
16. Chaukori and Berinag
Chaukori is a hill station at about 2,010 m, about 10 km from Berinag, according to Wikipedia. It is known for sunset views of the Panchachuli peaks.
Berinag is known for its tea and is about 102 km from Pithoragarh town.
17. Pithoragarh Town
Pithoragarh is in the Saur Valley and is nicknamed "Mini Kashmir". A hilltop fort now houses a museum.
One guide lists Chandak, Kapileshwar Cave, Purana Bazaar and the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary as nearby sights. Askot covers about 600 sq km.
18. Patal Bhuvaneshwar
A limestone cave temple near Gangolihat, a tehsil of Pithoragarh. It is about 125 km from Almora, according to the national tourism portal.
See our Patal Bhuvaneshwar distance guide for routes.
19. Dharchula and Didihat
Dharchula sits in river gorges. Didihat is a viewpoint for the Panchachuli peaks and is near the Askot sanctuary.
The Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage route passes through the district via Lipulekh Pass, according to Wikipedia.
These are for travellers with extra days and flexible plans.
Champawat District: Offbeat and Historic
20. Champawat
Champawat was once the capital of the Chand rulers and became a separate district in 1997.
Guides list the following among its sights:
Baleshwar Temple
Nagnath Temple
Banasur ka Kila Fort
Weather can be unpredictable, so avoid the rainy season.
21. Lohaghat and Abbott Mount
Lohaghat is a quiet hill station among oak and pine forests.
Guides list Abbott Mount, a hillside of cottages with wide views, and the Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati.
Our Mayawati Ashram guide has details.
Udham Singh Nagar District: The Plains Gateway
Udham Singh Nagar covers the plains and Terai strip of Kumaon.
Wikipedia lists Rudrapur, Kashipur and Ramnagar among Kumaon's larger plains towns, and Haldwani is the division's largest city.
Most travellers pass through these places on the way to the hills. Ramnagar is also the gateway to Jim Corbett.
Kumaon Tourist Places by Interest
Temples and Pilgrimage
Naina Devi Temple, Nainital
Chitai Golu Devta Temple, Almora
Kasar Devi Temple, Almora
Katarmal Sun Temple, Almora
Jageshwar Dham, Almora district
Baijnath Temple, Bageshwar
Bageshwar temple town
Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Pithoragarh district
Binsar Mahadev, near Ranikhet
Baleshwar and Nagnath temples, Champawat
Mountain Views
Kausani
Binsar Zero Point
Mukteshwar
Chaukori
Munsiyari
Lakes and Gentle Nature
Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal
Rani Jheel, Ranikhet
Pangot
Wildlife
Jim Corbett National Park
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary
Pangot and Kilbury
History and Culture
Almora town and Nanda Devi Temple
Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum, Ranikhet
Anasakti Ashram and the Pant Museum, Kausani
Pithoragarh Fort
Places for Families
Nainital boating and Mall Road
Bhimtal and Sattal
Ranikhet gardens and Rani Jheel
Deer Park, Almora
Places for Couples and Quiet Stays
Kausani
Mukteshwar
Binsar
Chaukori
Culture and Festivals in Kumaon
Kumaon has a rich cultural identity, reflected in its folk art, music, religious traditions and seasonal festivals.
Kumaoni Holi: A musical festival that begins at Basant Panchami and can last nearly two months, with forms such as Baithki, Khari and Mahila Holi, per Wikipedia.
Aipan: The region's best-known folk art.
Jagar: A form of spirit worship through song.
Ram Leela: Kumaoni Ram Leela is a musical tradition noted for its long history.
Nanda Devi Festival: Held in Almora in September.
Uttarayini Fair: Held at Bageshwar around Makar Sankranti.
Jageshwar Monsoon Festival: Held in August.
What to Eat in Kumaon
A Kumaon trip is also an opportunity to explore the region's traditional food and local flavours.
Bal Mithai: Almora's fudge-like sweet.
Singori: A sweet wrapped in a leaf, found in Almora.
Kumaoni Meals: Ask for local dals, rice and vegetable dishes at family-run places.
Local Tea: Kausani tea from the estate, and Berinag tea in the east.
Best Time to Visit Kumaon
The best time to visit Kumaon depends on the places you plan to explore and the kind of weather you prefer.
| Season | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Pleasant weather, good for most places |
| June | Hot in lower areas, and monsoon starts to build |
| July to mid-September | Heavy rain, with landslide risk on hill roads. See our monsoon guide. |
| Late September to December | Clear skies and the best mountain views |
| January and February | Cold, with snow in higher places. Good if you want snow. |
One guide gives October to December and March to May as the best months. Munsiyari's best windows are April to May and September to November, according to another.
How to Reach Kumaon
By Train
Kathgodam is the main railhead, with trains from Delhi and other cities. It is about 35 km from Nainital and about 90 km from Almora.
By Air
Pantnagar is the nearest airport for most of Kumaon. Naini Saini Airport near Pithoragarh exists, but one source says it has no regular scheduled commercial service.
By Road
Approximate road distances from Delhi, according to guides:
| Destination | Approximate Distance |
|---|---|
| Nainital | 310–320 km |
| Almora | 378 km |
| Kausani | 413 km |
Travel Tips for Kumaon
Choose your base towns first: Then add day trips around them.
Drive in daylight: Avoid hill roads after dark and in heavy rain.
Add buffer days: Especially during the monsoon and for the eastern circuit.
Pack layers: Evenings are cool in most seasons.
Dress modestly at temples: Remove footwear where asked.
Carry cash: Small shops and local taxis may not take cards.
Confirm timings: Check timings for temples, museums and parks before you go.
Carry out your waste: Mountain towns have limited waste systems.
Plan and Book Your Kumaon Trip
Planning your Kumaon trip becomes easier when you decide on your route, travel dates and transport in advance.
Pick your season: Hold train tickets early, especially during popular travel months.
Choose your circuit: Nainital and Kausani, the classic loop, the temple trail or the eastern extension.
Choose how you travel: Self-drive, train to Kathgodam with a taxi, or a package with private transfers.
Get everything in writing: Ask for the inclusions, exclusions, hotels and cancellation terms.
Final Thoughts
Kumaon is not one trip. It is several. Lakes, temples, peaks, forest and far-eastern valleys each offer a different pace. Pick the part that matches your time and your travel style, keep your plan light and add buffer days. Then book your stay and transport early for the season you want.
Ready to plan your Kumaon trip?