Circuit · Uttarakhand
Kumaon ridges
Almora, Ranikhet, Kausani, Binsar and Jageshwar — slow ridge towns facing Nanda Devi.
- Places
- 5
- Altitude
- 1,646–2,412 m
- Fly / train to
- Kathgodam
- Daily spend
- about ₹2,600
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Best for most places here: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov. Each place here needs 2–4 days on the ground; places in one circuit share travel days, so pair two or three.
Places in this circuit
Almora
The cultural capital of Kumaon — a horseshoe ridge town of temples, bazaars and Kasar Devi.
Binsar
An oak and rhododendron wildlife sanctuary with a 300 km sweep of Himalayan peaks.
Jageshwar Dham
A cluster of over 100 ancient stone temples inside a deodar forest, dating to the 8th–12th century.
Kausani
A ridge town facing a 300 km wall of peaks — Nanda Devi, Trishul and Panchachuli all in one frame.
Ranikhet
A cantonment hill station of pine and oak forest, golf greens and colonial-era quiet.
What to pack for Kumaon ridges
Everything the places in this circuit call for, most widely needed first. Each place's page has its full list with reasons.
- Fleece or light sweater
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom)
- Down or padded jacket
- Woollen cap that covers the ears
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs
- Waterproof gloves
- Neck gaiter or balaclava
- Hand warmers
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Waterproof snow boots
- Day pack, 20–30 litres
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total
- Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines
- UV-protection sunglasses
- Lip balm with SPF
Links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The shop handles payment, delivery and returns.
Where to stay
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Pickups & drivers
Kumaon ridges: questions people ask
Which places are in the Kumaon ridges circuit?
The Kumaon ridges circuit in Uttarakhand covers Almora, Binsar, Jageshwar Dham, Kausani and Ranikhet. They share a gateway, so two or three are usually combined in one trip.
What is the best time to visit Kumaon ridges?
March to June and September to November suit most places in Kumaon ridges. Individual places differ, so check each one.
How do you reach Kumaon ridges?
Travel to Kathgodam, then continue by road.
How much does a Kumaon ridges trip cost per day?
About ₹2,600 per person per day on the ground for a mid-range trip, averaged across the places in this circuit.
Which is the easiest place in Kumaon ridges, and which is the highest?
Jageshwar Dham is the easiest (easy). Binsar is the highest at 2,412 m.