Almora Travel Guide — Everything You Need to Know
Almora is the cultural heart of Kumaon: an old hill town spread along a horseshoe-shaped ridge at about 1,650 m in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, once the capital of the Chand kings. It is quieter and less touristy than Nainital, with a stone-paved bazaar, temples in every lane and, on clear days, a long line of snow peaks to the north. Pulp Hotels does not list a stay in Almora yet.
Things to do in Almora
- Lala Bazaar — the old market street, paved in stone, with carved wooden shopfronts and Almora's famous bal mithai.
- Nanda Devi temple — the Chand-era temple in the middle of town.
- Kasar Devi — a hilltop temple and ridge a short drive north of town, known for its views and its long association with visiting writers and seekers.
- Chitai Golu Devta temple — a few kilometres out, its walkways hung with thousands of bells left by devotees.
- Jageshwar — a complex of more than a hundred old stone temples in a deodar valley, about an hour and a half's drive away.
- Katarmal Sun Temple — an ancient sun temple on a slope above the Kosi, a short trip from town.
- Binsar — the wildlife sanctuary and forest ridge north of Almora, for walks, birds and a sweeping view of the peaks.
Best time to visit Almora
March to June brings mild days and is the main season. October and November are the clearest months, with the best views of the Himalaya. December to February is cold, and the higher ridges nearby get snow in some winters. July to September is the monsoon, with rain and landslide risk on the hill roads.
Getting to Almora
The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, about three hours below by road, with direct trains from Delhi. The nearest airport is Pantnagar. Almora is about two and a half hours from Nainital and around an hour and a half from Ranikhet, and the road continues to Kausani, Binsar and Jageshwar.
Where to stay around Almora
Stay in town near the Mall Road and the bazaar to walk to the temples and the market, or on the Kasar Devi ridge and towards Binsar for quiet, forest and views. Almora pairs naturally with Ranikhet, Kausani and Jageshwar on a Kumaon loop.
