Where to stay in Almora?

Hi,

I will be in Almora in February for a month (maybe two), and was looking for tips and suggestions on how to set myself up.

I would like most to rent a hut or cabin or cottage. I could spend upto maybe 15,000-20,000 for two months, or upto 10000-12000 for one month.

Or perhaps if this isn't easy around there I could stay at a hotel thats not crowded and not a hostel. I need space and silence, I will be on a meditation retreat.

I'd prefer to cook my food at least a meal or two a day also, so a kitchen would be needed.

How far is crank's ridge, and would accommodations be available there?

I'm indian and speak fluent hindi if that is of any importance - i know foreigners sometimes get worse prices.

Cheers

Hi nitaant, welcome to Indiamike.

Pappersali (crank's ridge) would probably be a good place to start looking --it is around 8km from Almora (uphill, group taxi available from Almora or you could take a taxi direct from Kathgodam RR station). Khim's guest house has a few cottages as well as a small main unit. Quiet, beautiful views, inexpensive -- he is on the shaded side of the ridge, so might be a bit cool in February. Khim could help you find something if his units not suitable or unavailable (the nicest situated cottage doesn't have a kitchen). A bit more information in this old review: http://www.indiamike.com/india-hotel...rakhand-h3817/

Tara's GH is on the sunny side of the ridge (before you get to Khim's) and has rooms on a roof terrace that I'm sure would be quiet in February. No kitchen facilities, but a rice cooker and a small electric kettle might suffice.

If your looking for space and silence, then Pappersali or Kasardevi would be better than Almora. Almora, though it has nice old victorian architechture, is big and crowded. Might also look into spending some time at Jageshwar. 35 km. from Almora. Haven't been there in almost 12 years, but there were some french guys staying long term up on the ridge above Jageshwar at Vriddha Jageshwar in a simple room at a chai shop. You'll have the whole ridge to yourself, with awesome views. Great place to meditate.

http://www.almoraonline.com/hhotels.htm

The Flower House at Kasardevi says it has self cooking options.

http://www.almoraonline.com/flowerhouse/index.htm

Also the Jyoti guesthouse.

http://www.almoraonline.com/jyotigh/index.htm

Also, Krapal guesthouse.

http://www.almoraonline.com/krapalgh/index.htm

Also Real Place guesthouse.

http://www.almoraonline.com/realplace/index.htm

If you want an unusual experience that you won't forget then try staying at Kailash GH for a while run by the eccentric Mr Shah. Ask for the big room! KK

Thanks for the responses.

I can't seem to be able to get through to any of those. Tried Flower House, Jyoti Guest House, Krapal Guest house, Real place, all the numbers have some issue or the other...

anyone know whats up or where I can get updated numbers?

cheers

You are going off season so there is no need to book ahead; you are planning to be there a while, so it is important that you look around first before making any kind of commitment -- places in an area like this are definitely not interchangeable.

If Crank's ridge, i.e. the area between Kesar Devi and Papparsali sounds like a good fit, then I suggest you take a taxi direct to Tara's in Papparsali for the first night; on the following morning you could take a taxi (uphill) to Kesar Devi and walk back down to Tara's checking out places along the way -- if it is a nice day, it will be a very pleasant stroll, especially with no pack. When you make your mind up, then you can shift your gear. Tara's will be open, for sure, and there will be food and internet available -- it would be a good starting place. It is just a short hike to Khim's from there, but Tara's might be better for checking out places as Khim's is a bit of hike in and out to the road.

Hi,

thanks for the response and the suggestion. However, I am not upto exploring and traversing, I would like to just have the place booked before I go. What are the differences between these guest houses if anyone has been to one or more of them? I am looking for a quiet, reasonably secluded place, with not too much going on. Self cook option is good, but reasonably priced indian and continental food is perfectly fine as well.

If by 'traversing', you mean 'walking', and 'exploring' is not your thing, then perhaps this area is not for you. I don't know if you have been to India, or Uttarakhand in particular, but you might be in for a major reality check on arrival.

I have been to this area several times, but always either preseason (late feb - early march) or late season (October) and have stayed in a couple of places in Almora proper, as well as Khim's on the ridge and only looked at a few other places so can't be of much help as far as comparative merits of guesthouses.

Most important though, is that Almora is at 5400ft and so in February, while pleasant in the day when the sun is shining, is quite cold when cloudy or even when you are in the shade on a nice day; it is generally cold at night and the typical stone houses require a fire to take off the chill -- some might have a fireplace, others a portable brazier thing and you can purchase firewood from locals. Many of the guesthouse listed are probably just dandy in the normal tourist season when low-landers come to the hills to escape the heat, but winter is a different thing --that is why I suggest you must look around in person to find a suitable place, preferably that gets plenty of sun during the day and is reasonably close to a shop or eating place You will not find tourist-class restaurants or shops that sell very much outside of Almora itself, and even there, choices are somewhat limited. If you are looking for a California-style meditation retreat, I don't think Almora in February is for you. Not to discourage you, this is a beautiful area, but you must be prepared for a type of spartan charm that from the tone of your posts, seems doubtful.

That's it from me; I hope things work out well for you.

I am from India and know well what its like living in rural areas. My current spiritual practice, without any further need of explanation, requires me to not move much, definitely not trekking. My energy needs to settle deep into non-activity, and I am tired most of the time. I will rent a scooter to move around.

I managed to get through to Khims, and couldn't get through anywhere else. Looks like ill be staying there, I booked a cottage for the month of february.

thanks for the help.

cheers

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