ALMORA
ABOUT THE PLACE
The ridge-top town of Almora, surrounded by verdant hills and snowy Himalayan ranges, is best known for its bracing climate. Bengali stalwarts like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Uday Sankar had visited this place time and again to find peace and solace in its serene environ. Their memories are scattered all over the city even today. One of them is the Tagore House near Cantonment where Rabindranath Tagore stayed in the year 1937.
Although visited as part of a round trip from Nainital along with Ranikhet and Kausani, Almora alone can be a pleasant distraction from crowded tourist places.
Scenic beauty is what makes Almora so attractive. Views of sunrise and sunset from the Bright End Corner, at one end of the Mall Road, are worth the trek. The sixteenth-century temples dotting the town and its neighbourhood remind of the Chandra dynasty that had their capital in Almora. Those interested in knowing more about local culture of Kumaon can visit the Museum near the bus stand. Other notable attractions are the Ramkrishna Mission, Anandamayee Ashram, All India Cultural Centre, Kali Math, Deer Park etc.
HOW TO REACH
Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. It takes around five hours of bus journey to cover the 90 km distance from kathgodam. There are buses from Nainital (63 km) and Kausani (52 km). Buses are also available from Delhi, Lucknow and Haridwar.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
April to June and September to November are best time to visit Almora.
ACCOMMODATION
Rent Rs 250-600
Hotel Shyam (Rs 500 – Rs 600)
Ranjana (Rs 500)
Himtower (Rs 500)
Rent Rs 600 - 900
Hotel Himplaza (Rs 700 – Rs 900)
Hotel Konark (Rs 600 – Rs 800)
KMVN Tourist Bungalow (Rs 880 – Rs 1440); Dormitory Rs 150 per bed (breakfast included)
Hotel Himsagar (Rs 800 – Rs 1500)
Rent Rs 1000 and above
Hotel Shikhar (Rs 700 – 3500)
Pine Heaven (Rs 2000 – Rs 2700); Four bed suite Rs 3000
Bhagabati Palace Rs 1000 – Rs 1500
**The guest house of Ramakrishna Mission at Bright End Corner can be booked in advance through written application.
GETTING AROUND
Katarmal Sun Temple is 12 km away from the city at a height of 2,116 meter. It has been declared national property owned by Archeological Survey of India.
Yugeswer is a place 35 km from Almora amid the fringes of Deodar trees. At the height of 1,870 meters, it has 124 temples. The exquisitely carved stone walls of these temples speak volumes of the finesse of the sculptors of those days. One of twelve jyotirlingas is also situated here. Two rivers Nandini and Surabhi are flowing through the gorge beside Yogeswer. Pilgrims take holy dip in the rivers. There are good accommodation facilities and quite a large number of food joints. It is also a good excursion point.
TRAVEL TIPS The ATM counter of State Bank of India is just in front of the Shikhar Hotel.
The ridge-top town of Almora, surrounded by verdant hills and snowy Himalayan ranges, is best known for its bracing climate. Bengali stalwarts like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Uday Sankar had visited this place time and again to find peace and solace in its serene environ. Their memories are scattered all over the city even today. One of them is the Tagore House near Cantonment where Rabindranath Tagore stayed in the year 1937.
Although visited as part of a round trip from Nainital along with Ranikhet and Kausani, Almora alone can be a pleasant distraction from crowded tourist places.
Scenic beauty is what makes Almora so attractive. Views of sunrise and sunset from the Bright End Corner, at one end of the Mall Road, are worth the trek. The sixteenth-century temples dotting the town and its neighbourhood remind of the Chandra dynasty that had their capital in Almora. Those interested in knowing more about local culture of Kumaon can visit the Museum near the bus stand. Other notable attractions are the Ramkrishna Mission, Anandamayee Ashram, All India Cultural Centre, Kali Math, Deer Park etc.
HOW TO REACH
Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. It takes around five hours of bus journey to cover the 90 km distance from kathgodam. There are buses from Nainital (63 km) and Kausani (52 km). Buses are also available from Delhi, Lucknow and Haridwar.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
April to June and September to November are best time to visit Almora.
ACCOMMODATION
Rent Rs 250-600
Hotel Shyam (Rs 500 – Rs 600)
Ranjana (Rs 500)
Himtower (Rs 500)
Rent Rs 600 - 900
Hotel Himplaza (Rs 700 – Rs 900)
Hotel Konark (Rs 600 – Rs 800)
KMVN Tourist Bungalow (Rs 880 – Rs 1440); Dormitory Rs 150 per bed (breakfast included)
Hotel Himsagar (Rs 800 – Rs 1500)
Rent Rs 1000 and above
Hotel Shikhar (Rs 700 – 3500)
Pine Heaven (Rs 2000 – Rs 2700); Four bed suite Rs 3000
Bhagabati Palace Rs 1000 – Rs 1500
**The guest house of Ramakrishna Mission at Bright End Corner can be booked in advance through written application.
GETTING AROUND
Katarmal Sun Temple is 12 km away from the city at a height of 2,116 meter. It has been declared national property owned by Archeological Survey of India.
Yugeswer is a place 35 km from Almora amid the fringes of Deodar trees. At the height of 1,870 meters, it has 124 temples. The exquisitely carved stone walls of these temples speak volumes of the finesse of the sculptors of those days. One of twelve jyotirlingas is also situated here. Two rivers Nandini and Surabhi are flowing through the gorge beside Yogeswer. Pilgrims take holy dip in the rivers. There are good accommodation facilities and quite a large number of food joints. It is also a good excursion point.
TRAVEL TIPS The ATM counter of State Bank of India is just in front of the Shikhar Hotel.