Nestled in the misty hills where exotic scarlet and emerald green birds fly across the treetops, the beautiful village of Karmi welcomes its visitors with open arms. Located in the Kapkote block in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand in the foothills of the Himalayas, Karmi still retains the pristine beauty of the hills. Yet untouched by the tourism, this village can be an idyllic destination for a weekend from Delhi.
Blue-green hills surround the village and the snow-capped mountain peaks can be seen at a distance. Brilliant coloured butterflies flit across the village and the mellifluous chirping of birds would greet you here. The crisp air will freshen you up as they caress your face and the beautiful landscape will be a balm to your weary eyes. From the village, you will get a panoramic view of the surrounding villages and the Galciers’ view. Earlier, road connectivity was poor in the village. The place could have been reached only through long treks. Recently, the village can be reached by accessing the Pindari Glacier road, thus giving a boost to tourism. Infact, Karmi had usually been a pit stop for trekkers. Karmi is situated at an altitude of around 1800 metres and is also one of the most fertile regions of the lower Himalayas. No wonder, your eyes will be happy to see the soothing green all around the place.
Things to do at Karmi
Enjoy the nature
The best thing to do in places like this is to simply laze around and admire the beauty of nature. The entire place is surrounded by lush greenery. Mountain river flows through the village. The place is perfect for a weekend in the lap of nature and away from the concrete jungle. So just enjoy the hospitality at the homestay and soak in the beauty of the nature.
Visit the Temples
Uttarakhand is known for its temples and Bageswar is itself considered to be a holy town and known for its temples. Karmi village also has an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can also take a day trip to Bageswar to visit the temples there. The temple of Bagnath (Lord Shiva) is situated here and is venerated by all.
Go for Village walks
Taking a walk around the village is the best way to know the place and its people as well as admire the nature. Go for a village trail. You can visit anywhere in the village. Visit the schools and the Anganwadi centres, so that you can get an idea about the rural life. Talk with the local people to know about their life. It would be an amazing experience.
Indulge in treks and other adventure activities
A Himalayan village can never be without adventure activities. You can go for short hikes to quench the thirst for adventure. Cycling and mountain biking can also be done here.
Bageshwar is the entry point to the most popular trekking routes like Pindari, Kafni and Sunderdunga Glaciers. Villages like Dhur and Khati located at higher altitudes can be reached from Karmi. The village of Dhur lies at an altitude 2500m and is surrounded by lush green meadows. You can have amazing views of the Himalayan range including Nanda Devi and the valleys leading eventually to the three glaciers – Pindari, Kafni and Sunderdhunga.
Khati village is higher up the Pindar Valley and closer to the glaciers. It is a small village from where the immensity and beauty of the Greater Himalaya can be felt
Do some birdwatching and butterfly watching
The village is a heaven for birdwatchers. Many exotic Himalayan birds are found in the region. Birds like magpies, thrush, kalij pheasants, babbler, Nuthatch and many other are found in here.
Apart from birds, colorful butterflies throng in the region. Any butterfly lovers will have a field day at Karmi.
Go for Angling
There is a small rivulet in the village. You can indulge in angling there. Angling needs much patient. So if you have time and want to enjoy the solitude of the nature, angling at the village river can be a great pastime.
Visit the Majua Hills Karmi
Visit the Majua Hills that reflects the untouched beauty of Uttarakhand. There is the hilltop called Dhujiya Dhar from where you can get a panoramic view of the surrounding villages and the Himalayan peaks and glaciers. The place also serves as a camping ground. So if you want to spend a night beneath the stars, then camping at Majua Hills Karmi can be a great opportunity. There is also a Government Sheep Farm located nearby that you can visit.
How to reach Karmi
Airport: The nearest airport is Pantnagar airport located around 240 km from the village.
Railway: The nearest railways station is Kathgodam, about 200 km away.
Karmi village is located around 50 km from Bageshwar. From Bageshwar, you have to reach Kapkote and then take the Pindari Glacier road to reach Karmi.
Best time to visit Karmi
Karmi is an all year round destination. You can visit the place at any time of the year. To beat the summer heat at the plains, Karmi can be a great option. Also, the place looks mesmerizing during the winter when its surrounding mountains are under the thick blanket of snow.
Stay At
There are homestays in the village that will provide with basic amenities.
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