Escape to Kumaon

INFORMATION ON KUMAON HILLS

This summer, escape to the quaint hills of Kumaon in Uttarakhand. Apart from its idyllic natural beauty and great views of the majestic Himalayas, the Kumaon hills offer orchards, wildlife sanctuaries, religious shrines and adventure activities. Choose what you'd like to do to make your holiday an unforgettable experience.

Here are some places worth visiting in this region.

Note: The closest airport is Pantnagar and the closest railhead is Kathgodam. Jagson Airlines connects Pantnagar to Delhi. Regular trains connect Kathgodam with Delhi and Lucknow.

From Kathgodham, one can either take a bus or hire a cab. The other alternative is to drive down from Delhi.

Dont miss! Airfare for Rs 100 and less!

KASAUNI

Boasting of thick pine forests, Kausani (located at 1890 metres above sea level) offers a spectacular 300 km-wide view of the Himalayan peaks of Trishul (the Trident of Shiva, 7120 m), Nandadevi (Goddess of bliss, 7817 m) and Panchuli. Besides these breathtaking views, Kausani offers some good treks, thick pine forests and a beautiful sunrise and sunset.

The Anashakti Ashram is a quiet place where Mahatma Gandhi spent 12 days in 1929 and wrote his commentary on the Gita-Anashakti Yog.

Other places to visit around Kausani are Bageshwar (38 km), the ancient Baijnath Temples (16 km) and the Patal Bhubaneshwar cave temple (125 km).

How to get there

~ By air/ train: Pantnagar (178 km)/ Kathgodam (142 km).

~ By road: Delhi is 425 km, Nainital is 117 km, Ranikhet is 62 km and Almora is 53 km away.

Where to stay

Chevron Mountain Villa, Kausani.

For more information, click here.

Krishna Mountain View Resort

Phone: (05962) 258008

Sun and Snow Inn

Phone: (05962) 258010

***

RAMGARH

Perched at an altitude of 1789 metres is this tiny hamlet; it's about 25 km away from Nainital on the Bhowali-Mukteshwar road. Ramgarh, with its abundant natural beauty, is a wonderful retreat for those looking for a peaceful holiday. It is also known as the fruit basket of the Kumaon hills for its apple, peach, plum and apricot orchards.

How to get there

~ By air/ train: Pantnagar (80 km)/ Kathgodam (38 km)

~ By road: Ramgarh is 25 km from Nainital and 325 km from Delhi.

Where to stay

The Ramgarh Bungalows

Phones: (05942) 2281156, 2281137
Web site: http://www.neemranahotels.com/ramgarh/index.html.htm

Cedar Lodge Ramgarh

Phones: (05942) 281154, 9927359688
Web site: http://www.cedarlodgeramgarh.com/

Himalayan View Retreat, Ramgarh

For more information, click here.

***

BINSAR

Binsar, 35 km from Almora, is a notified forest reserve and bird sanctuary and home to many high altitude species of animals like the leopard, civet cat, serow, gharial, musk deer and brown bear. While Binsar is known for its views of the snow-capped Himalayas, you can also go trekking or on leisurely walks.

Places to visit close by are the Chitai Mandir, Jageshwar, Patal Bhuwaneshwar, Almora and Nainital.

How to get there

~ By air/ train: Pantnagar (150 km)/ Kathgodam (120 km)

~ By road: Binsar is 30 km from Almora, 90 km from Nainital and 418 km from Delhi.

Where to stay

Mountain Resort, Binsar

Phone: (05962) 251011
Web site: www.resorthimalaya.com

Grand Oak Manor, Binsar Estate, Ayarpani

Phones: (05962) 290006, 9412909518, 9319693867
e-mail: info@grandoakbinsar.com
Web site: http://www.grandoakbinsar.com/

Valley Resort, Binsar

Web site: http://www.clubmahindra.com/resort.asp?id=3

***

MUKTESHWAR

Mukteshwar greets you at a height of 2300 metres, a perfect breather from the city dust and pollution.

The dense forests here are home to 200 species of birds, 15 varieties of fruits, over 75 varieties of flowers and 18 species of mammals.

Mukteshwar offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan Peaks: Neelkantha (Blue-throated Shiva, 6596 m), Nandaghunti (the Veil of the Goddess, 6310 m), Trishul, Nandadevi and the Panchuli peaks. Close by is the Chauli Ki Jali rock formation dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Mukteshwar is also known for the India Veterinary Research Institute established in 1898.

How to get there

~ By air/ train: Pantnagar (95 km)/ Kathgodam (70 km)

~ By road: Mukteshwar is 50 km from Nainital and 350 km from Delhi.

Where to stay

Krishna Orchard Resort, Sarga Khet, Mukteshwar

Phone: (05942) 286292
Web site: http://krishnaorchardresort.com/

Red Roof, Sarga Khet, Mukteshwar

Phone: (05942) 286299

Mountain Trail, Sarga Khet, Mukteshwar

Phones: (05942) 286040, 286240

***

RANIKHET

Ranikhet, situated on the lower spurs of the Kumaon Himalayas, lies at about 6,000 feet above sea level. The Kali temple, situated on a hill, the Binsar Mahadev temple (a 45 minute drive away, through misty, pine forests), the Chaubatia botanical gardens spread over an expanse of 265 acres and the sprawling, beautifully landscaped golf course are some of the attractions besides panoramic views of the Himalayas.

How to get there

~ By air/ train: Pantnagar (110 km)/ Kathgodam (80 km).

~ By road: Ranikhet is well connected by road with Ramnagar (96), Nainital (68 km), Almora (50 km) and Delhi (365 km).

Where to stay

West View Hotel, Mahatma Gandhi road, Ranikhet

Phones: (05966) 220261, 221075
Web site: http://www.westviewhotel.com/

Woodsvilla Resort, Ranikhet

Phones: (05966) 240369, 240374, 240381
Web site: http://www.woodsvillaresort.com/

Chevron Rosemount, The Mall, Ranikhet

Phone: (05966) 221391
For more information, click here.

Windsor Lodge & Hotels, Kalika Estate, Dadgallia

Phones: (05966) 221888, 222099

Holm Farm Heritage, Ranikhet

Phones: (05966) 220891, 9411520445
Web site: www.holmfarmranikhet.com

Cost Plus Resort, Majkhali, Ranikhet

Phone: (05966) 228369
Web site: http://www.costplusresort.com/

***

NAINITAL

Nainital, named after goddess Naini, is nestled amidst seven hills at an altitude of 1938 metres. Dotted with lakes, Nainital also has a number of points like Snow-View (2270 m) 3 km away, Tiffin Top & Dorothy Seat (2,292 m) 4 km away, Lariakanta (2, 481 m) 6 kms, and the Naini Peak (2,611 m) 6 km offering panoramic views. One can enjoy boating at Naini Lake or at Naukuchiatal (26 km).

The Nainital Flats situated adjacent to the lake is a major tourist attraction. You can shop at the Tibetan market, visit the Naina Devi temple or even watch a football or cricket match at the playground.

The Mall road on one side of Naini Lake is dotted with hotels, restaurants and shops. On the other side is the less crowded Thandi Sadak (road) for a leisurely walk.

While in Nainital, you can make a trip to the famed Corbett National Park. It is 120 km away via Kaladhungi and Ramnagar (65 km).

Also read: On the tiger trail, in Corbett
How to get there

~ By air/ train: Pantnagar (70 km)/ Kathgodam (35 km).

~ By road: Nainital is well connected by road with Delhi (310 km), Lucknow (400 km) and Almora (67 km). Ranikhet is 65 km away and the Corbett National Park is 120 km away from Nainital.

Where to stay

Hotel Chevron Fairhavens, Mallital

Phones: (05942) 236057, 232972
Web site: www.chevronhotels.com/hotels-resorts.html

Aroma Hotel, Ayarpata

Phone: (05942) 235354
Web site: http://www.nainitalaroma.com/

Alka Lake Side, The Mall

Phones: (05942) 235220, 236626
Web site: http://www.alkahotel.com/

Hotel Welcome Park, Tallital

Phones: (05942) 235552, 236852
Web site: http://hotelwelcomepark.com/

For more details visit the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam website.

AS DOWNLOADED FROM NET

Check out Sitlakhet

.....and also less inhabited places like Gwaldam, Chakauri, Munsiyari in an around, Mayawati

Bhai Bhaswaran Munsiyari has now become a major destination. Gwaldam is still q quiet serene place and good small treks are possible from here.

Jyotidada, I meant "Munsiyari in and around" , that is the small or big treks that start from Munsiyari or any eco-tourism center in nearby villages. I do freelancing for "Bhraman", the best-selling travel magazine, as a part time work, and have that much little knowledge that "Munsiyari has now become a major destination". In fact, every travel enthusiast knows that. In fact, Munsiyari is quite a town now and no longer a village as it was only known to trekkers even 10 years ago.

Among all the places stated above Binsar,Chaukori and mukteshwar were really good but same cannot be said of Kausani and Nainital.
Jilling estate is an excellent place and so is Sitla estate.

Gwaldam is in Garhwal and the thread is about informaion on Kumaon Hills. May be that it is so near to the Kumaon boundaries that most tourists visit Gwaldam from Kumaon side as part of their Kumaon itinerary.

Bhaswaran,
The title of your thread 'Escape to Kumaon' is apt and timely in the background of what is happening in Rajasthan and adjoining states. One should just manage to reach Khatgodam and and escape to Kumaon hills from the unpleasant things happening in the northern plains.

Sadanand

Yes ...u r correct. Gwaldam is more easily accessible from the Kumaon side. The Govt. Tourist Lodge in Gwaldam is run by Garhwal Mandal Vikash Nigam.

Munsyari is still offbeat. We (I & wife) were there in Feb 05 & we were the hotel's (Zara Resorts) only guest. Even at wayfarer there was only one group of five persons. I know April & May would be much crowded. But still it is offbeat as compared to Nainital, Ranikhet, Kausani. We had also been to Pithorgarh.

Ronak.

I hope Munsiyari remains offbeat and does not fall prey to the likes of Almora and Kausani.

Sadanand

My husband and I are planning a vacation to Mukteshwar / Ranikhet between end August - mid September.

Is this a good time to go there? Have heard some horror stories about monsoons in the hills. Also, Whats the best wey to reach these places? Is there a reliable flight / train from Delhi?

The easiest way from delhi is the rankikhet express which leaves late night and reaches early morning at haldwani, from where you can hire a car/shared car.

Alternatively, drive from Delhi.

Monsoon season is not really the best time to go, but...

In the last 3 years, I have stayed in most Kumaon places ... such as Ranikhet, Almora, Binsar, Kausani, Choukori, Munsiyari, Gwaldham, Bhowali .... all great places! Really loved every place!

This group of Kumaon enthusiasts may be the right place to ask my question, that I posted else where and yet to get a satisfactory responses. Any advise, leads?

*******

I need a Paying Guest Or Home-Stay Or even a independent Cottage accomodation ... a double room with attached bath. For three a month stay in Mar-May 2008. (Anywhere in Kumaon will do .. though my query-example below is of Nainital).

Would like it to be in a quiet suburb of Nainital, but with in 3-4 kms of Mallital, Mall Rd, area of Nainital.

Any other town/location in Uttaranchal or Himachal-Pradesh is also fine; so long as the Room is in quiet wooded area and where i can get to a broadband CyberCafe, at 3-4 Kms walking distance

Anybody stayed in a nice place like that? ... do let me know with details of the place, contact info and costs.

Thanks - KS
*********************

How about Kasardevi near Almora? That would be an ideal place as you get to see great views of Nanda devi and Trishul and also the modern facilities of Almora( broadband internet) are also nearer.
I know foreigners stay at crank's ridge near Kasardevi in a guest house type accomodation.
I have heard about Khim's guest house at Paparsali. Probably you can try that out for a longer stay.
check out kasardevi accomodation at http://www.almoraonline.com/hhotels.htm