Here’s How to Travel the Best Places in Kumaon on a Week Long Self Drive from Delhi/Chandigarh!

PANGOT:

You can start your trip with this quaint and less crowded town of Pangot in the Nainital District. Encompassed by thick oak and rhododendron forests, it is your door to wilderness. Boasting of more than 300 bird species, this town is a bird watcher’s paradise and prime spot for peace seekers.

Things to do: Bird watching, Trekking (Cheena Peak trek, Brahmasthali Trek), Camping

MUKTESHWAR:

Slowly gaining popularity as a mainstream hill station, Mukteshwar has everything a perfect mountain vacation should offer. With views of the mighty Panchachuli range, lush forests and amazing history, you won’t run out of things to do here. Do visit Chauli ki Jaali (tourists call it “Suicide point”, the locals don’t enjoy this name for obvious reasons) to enjoy the most serene sunrise/sunset. You could also try rock climbing here.

Things to do: Mukteshwar Temple, Chauli ki jaali, Treks to Almora/Peora, Dhanachuli

KASAR DEVI:

This temple town is not very well known amongst the conventional tourists and that has helped it keep its true identity alive. Close to Almora, this town houses the famous Kasar Devi temple which is one of the three places in the world which are under the influence of the Van Allen Radiation belt. The other two are “Stonehenge” and “Machu Pichu”. Isn’t that an amazing fact?

People who have meditated here have experienced a strange pulse of energy that they’ve not experienced anywhere else. If you’re looking for inner peace, do take out time to meditate here.

Things to do: Meditate at Kasar Devi Temple, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Jungle walks and treks

KAUSANI:

Famously known as the “Switzerland of India” due to similar views and horizons, Kausani offers you the beauty of Uttarakhand in its purest form. This town offers a 300 km wide panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchachuli.

Things to Do: Rudradhari falls, Kausani Tea estate, Anasakti Ashram, Nature walk

GWALDAM:

Situated at the border of Kumaon and Garhwal, this place is the best kept secret of Uttarakhand. With the majestic views of Himalayas and apple orchards everywhere, this quaint hill station will provide you a little heaven in the wilderness. You’ll find the famous Bajinath Temple here which as per history, was built over night and if that’s true, you’ll not get tired of praising the architecture of this temple.

Things to do: Bajinath Temple, Angora Farm, Macchi Tal, Badhangarhi Temple

PITHORAGARH:

Well known as “The little Kashmir”, this town is surrounded by Nepal to the east and Tibet to the north. Holding a lot of historical importance, it houses the Pithoragarh fort and Kapileshwar Mahadev temple. The town is close to Jhulaghat which lies at the India-Nepal border offering the views of Nepal Himalayas. You can also visit the Patal Bhubneshwar Temple which is a famous cave temple of utmost historical importance in Hindu religion. The temple is known to have all the answers to human existence.

Things to do: Patal Bhubeshwar, Chandakh Hills, Jhulaghat, Pithoragarh Fort, Gangolighat, Pancheshwar Dam

LOHAGHAT:

You can spend some time here on your way back. This mystical town is home to Abbott Mount which houses one of the most haunted places in the country. Mukhti Kothri was once a hospital where experiments were carried out on patients and their spirits are still known to haunt this town. Enough of horror! This place also offers the majestic views of Nepal Himalayas.

Things to do: Abbott Mount Church, Banasur ka Kila, Abbott Mount

NANAKMATTA:

The last stop on your trip should be the famous Sikh pilgrim center. It is believed that Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru visited this place to meditate. The gurudwara also has an artificial lake, and a dam on the famous Nanak Sagar.

Things to do: Nanakmatta Gurudwara, Nanak Sagar