Almora Excursions
 Almora is a beautiful hill station located in Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. Almora town has amazing natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, exceptional handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and exotic wildlife. It is known for it's climate and is situated on horse saddle shape ridge of the mountain in between the river Kosi and Suyal.
The eastern portion of the ridge is known as Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. Places of tourist interest here are bright-end-corner, Chitai Temple, Kasar Devi, Deer Park, Nanda Devi temple, Katarmal Surya Mandir.
Jalana
It is located at an altitude of above 5500 feet, at a distance of 59 Km from Binsar. Jalna provides an enchanting view of of Himalayas. It is an ideal place for nature lovers. Number of orchards are there , producing a number of variety of fruits like apricots, peaches, pears, plums and apples. It is an ideal place for nature lovers. Nearby is the temple of Kutumbari Devi & Banari Devi considered to have been constructed in the 9th century AD.
Ranikhet
 Ranikhet is located at an altitude of 1829 metres provides Himalayan beauty. The lush green forests, magnificent peaks, and exotic flora and fauna have made Ranikhet a heaven for visitors. It is believed that Rani Padmini, the queen of Raja Sukhdev was completely captivated by the scenic splendor and decided to settle over here and thus the town came to be known as Ranikhet. In and around Ranikhet there are some famous temples of the Hindus like Jhoola Devi Mandir, Ram Mandir, Herakhan Mandir, Kalika Temple and Binsar Mahadeva.
Kausani
It is located 53 km North of Almora. The altitude of this place is about 1890 mts. This place offers a 350 km view of the Himalayan peaks like Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli. There are very few places in the Himalayas which can compare with the beauty of Kausani - a picturesque hill station famous for its scenic splendor. Kausani lies on the atop the ridge amidst dense Pine trees overlooking Someshwar valley on one side and Garur and Baijnath Katyuri valley on the other on Almora-Bageshwar-Didihat Highway. Mahatma Gandhi called this place the 'Switzerland of India', due to similarity in landscape.
Chaubatia
 Chaubatia essentially has fruit orchards, gardens and the Government Fruit Research Centre where picnic is quite enjoyable. However, the main attraction here is the commanding 300 kilometre view of Himalayas, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nandaghunti and Nilkanth peaks. One can see these snow clad peaks on a clear morning. It is one of the largest horticulture gardens in the country spreading over 265 acres of land. There are 36 varieties of apples grown here of which four are exported.
Majkhali
Like other hill villages Majkhali is also a natures delight. People come here for views of Himalayas, however what's special about the place is that the view is rather close. One can have an enchanting view of Mount Trishul.
Baijnath
Lying in the Katyuri valley, 19 KMs away from Kausani is the small but ancient town of Baijnath. It was once upon a time the capital of the Katyuri dynasty of kings and the place was then called Kartikyapura. The remnants of those glorious days lies at the bank of the Gomti river in the form of a group of temples. The temple is famous for it's ancient and magnificent stone idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati.
Dwarahat
 Dwarahat Situated in a wide valley of the river Ramganga, Dwarahat lies around 32 KMs from Ranikhet. And is a very important town from both historical and archeological point of view and may also have been the capital of some branches of Katyuri kings. Around 10 KMs from Dwarahat lies the famous Doonagiri temple atop a hillock which is famous in legends for containing the herb drug Sanjivini. The temple dedicated to the goddess Durga is situated in the midst of beautiful and dense forest and a tea estate. Some distance from Dwarahat lies the temple of Naithan Devi. It is situated a distance of 18 kms, from Chaukhutia. Dwarahat is famous for its ancient sculptures. Every year Kumaon's famous Syalde-Bikhoti Mela is held in Dwarahat from 13th to 15th April.
Binsar
It is situated around 30 KMs from the Almora, Binsar is located at an elevation of 2412 mts on Jhandi Dhar hill in kumaon at a distance of 380 kms from Delhi. Surrounded by thick forests of Oak and Rhodendron, offers close views of the Himalayan peaks. It is wildlife sanctuary and has wild animals like Panther and Barking Deer. Oak, Pine, rhobodendron and Deodar are among the species of trees that grow in abundance and is also abundant in alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and countless species of wild flowers. It is at a distance of 34 kms from Almora and is one of the most scenic spots in the Kumaon Himalayas and a renowned hill station. It is renowned worldwide for offering majestic view of Snowy peaks of Himalaya, a 300 km stretch of famous peaks of Himalaya which includes Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchchuli. of Himalaya.
Binsar was capital of the Chand Raj kings, rulers in the 7th and 8th centuries.The famous Shiva Temple (called Bineswar) was built by King Kalyan Chand at that time. Chand Rajas (7th to 8th centuries) made it the summer capital. This region has now been designated the status of a sanctuary.
Nainital
This famous and beautiful hill station is just 59 kilometres from Ranikhet. Nainital is famous for its lakes, the main being Naini lake. There is snow view point, Sattal, Bhimatal, Hanuman Garhi and Land's end.
Shitalakhet
Situated between Ranikhet and Almora this picturesque place not only affords a wide view of The Himalayan peaks but is also full of fruit orchards. Camps are regularly held here and there is a beautiful temple of Syahi Devi around 3 Kms away on a lovely mountainous trail. Some years back a centenary memorial has been built at this place to commemorate the memory of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant the first chief minister of the province of Uttar Pradesh as his birth place called Khunt is situated near shitla khet.
Manila
Manila literally means enchanting. This enchanting place is 87 kilometres from Ranikhet and is the seat of Manila Devi. The thick forests here on the hills are worth watching.
Chaukhutia
Chaukhutia has got his name from a Kumaoni word Chakuta means four feet. Chaukhutia has been so named because four ways lead out from it. From here Everynearby place is well connected. It is 54 killometers from Ranikhet and an explorer's delight. There are ruins of ancient forts and remains of Katyuri dynasty. Chaukhutia is on the Ranikhet-Badrinath highway in the bank of Ram Ganga River. Number of nice temples are here like Kali temple, Vaishno Devi's temple, ancient fort and ruins of Katyuri dynasty all makes Chaukhutia a natures delight. This place is also famous for fishing centre. This place is also famous for fishing centre.
Doonagiri or Dunagiri (Kumaon)
It is located at a distance of 47 kms from Ranikhet towards North. Doonagiri is known for its historical and religious significance. Rich in natural beauty, Doonagiri comprised temple of Vaishno Devi. This place offers a clear view of the Himalayas. Many pilgrims visits Doonagiri during Chait and Ashwin months of Navratras. Located at a height of 8,000 feet, Dunagiri is an historical place in Kumaon. Lush Green forests and serene landscapes make it a favorite destination among all tourists. This place is known for temple of Shakti – known here as Dunagiri Devi.
It is believed that river Gagas was also named after ashram of Garg Muni at Dunagiri. Sukhdev Muni’s ashram son of sage Ved Vyasa was also here, at a place now known as “Sukh Devi”. It has its mention in Manas khand of Skanda Purana. Doonagiri also has its description in the epic Ramayan as the mountain which was then known as Drongiri, from where Hanuman brought Sanjeevani booti to save Laxman's life, during Treta Yuga, when Ravana's son hitted Laxman with an arrow.
Shwetashwet upanishad is believed to have been inspired/composed at Dunagiri itself. The fourth chapter of Shwetashwet upanishad, pondering on divinity, takes inspiration from Dunagiri’s twin natural peaks infact one can see the twin rock pieces inside Dunagiri temple. In Manaskhand of Skandpuran Dunagiri was described with the title of Brahm-parvat. Dunagiri is considered the most ancient ‘Sidh Shaktipeeth’, as an primary ‘ugra’ (intense) ‘peeths’ - called ‘Ugra Peeth’. This shaktipeeth has influenced over time by Shaiva, Vaishnav and Shakt practices.
Pandukholi
It is located around 10 kms from Doonagiri. From Mangalikhan to Kukuchina there is bus route. The remaining distance is a 5 kms walk. The caves built by Pandavas are worth watching at Pandukholi. It is believed to be the place where Pandavas of Mahabharata stayed for a period of time.
Taragtal
It is located around 5 km treks from Pandukholi, Taragtal is a seasonable Lake.
Jageshwer
 Situated around 35 Kmts from Almora, Jageshwer one of the most important religious places of Hindus in Kumaun and is believed to be the abode of the one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas'. It is even mentioned in the great epic of 'Mahabharata'. The great temple complex is situated in lush green forest of Cedar trees. Two rivulets Nandini and Surabhi flow down the hills and meet near the sacred spot. Their are 124 temples and hundreds of magnificent statues examples of amazing craftsmanship. The oldest shrine is of the 'Mrityunjaya' and the biggest shrine is of the 'Dandeshwara'. The Swayambhu Linga named Nagesh is housed here. In Jageshwar, fairs are held during Shivaratri and in the month of 'Shravan' (July - August). This is the must see place for both religious as well as nature lover tourists.
Gananath
It is known for an old Shiva Temple and natural caves in a charming landscape. It is situated at a distance of 47 kms towards north of Almora. It is good place for nature lovers and ideal for spending your day with surpassing beauty. Every year on Kartik Purnima day a fair is organized here.
Lakhudiyar
 It is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Almora and 14 kms. from Chitai temple. Lakhudiyar literally means one lakh caves. Some of the interesting caves in this region have paintings of pre-historic man on their walls. The paintings consist of man, animal and geometric patterns in white, black and red.
Jaurasi
Jaurasi It is located at an altitude of 6000 ft at a distance of 16 Km from Chaukhutiya. It is is famous for scenic beauty and nice place for picnic. |
