Almora, Kumaon · Uttarakhand
Almora
The cultural capital of Kumaon — a horseshoe ridge town of temples, bazaars and Kasar Devi.
Almora is an easy hill destination in Almora, Kumaon, Uttarakhand, reaching 2,000 m. The best time to go is March to June and September to November. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Kathgodam and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Almora
The one thing not to miss
Kasar Devi at sunset
The ridge temple above town, with a wide view of the snow peaks; long a haunt of writers and seekers.
- 2Lala BazaarThe old paved bazaar. Try bal mithai and singori, the two sweets Almora is known for.
- 3Nanda Devi templeIn the middle of the bazaar; the centre of the town's main fair.
- 4Katarmal Sun TempleA stone temple complex on a hillside outside town, reached by a short uphill walk.
- 5Chitai Golu Devta templeHung with thousands of brass bells left by petitioners.
- 6Bright End CornerThe town's sunset point.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Kathgodam to Almora
Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Kasar Devi at sunset · Lala Bazaar · Nanda Devi temple
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Almora to Kathgodam
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Real Kumaoni life, the Kasar Devi hippie ridge, and a good base for Binsar and Jageshwar.
Why not
Not a scenic showpiece like Kausani; it's a working town.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Narrow ridge roads; hire a local driver.
- Phone & internet
- Good.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: G. Tiwari Government Base Hospital, Almora; Pt. H.G. Pant District Hospital, Almora; District disaster control room, Almora, Almora.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Almora
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
10 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
6 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereGood.
For what you're going for
3 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Extension board with surge protection Few sockets per room, and voltage dips are common in the hills.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Delhi
- Distance
- roughly 360–380 km
- Drive time
- around 9–11 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions
- Delhi
- Ghaziabad
- Moradabad
- Rampur
- Haldwani
- Nainital/Bhowali
- Almora
Buses and taxis are available from Delhi. Uttarakhand Tourism
Live directions from DelhiFrom
Haldwani
- Distance
- about 89 km
- Haldwani
- Bhowali
- Almora
Regular buses and taxis are available. Almora District
Live directions from HaldwaniFrom
Nainital
- Distance
- about 66 km
- Nainital
- Bhowali
- Almora
A convenient option if you're combining Nainital and Almora. Almora District
Live directions from NainitalFrom
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 90 km
Kathgodam is an important gateway to Kumaon. Buses, private taxis and shared taxis are available. Uttarakhand Tourism
Live directions from Kathgodam
Buses and shared taxis. Almora is well connected by road with major cities in northern India. Uttarakhand Tourism Regular buses operate toward Almora from Delhi, Haldwani, Kathgodam and other major North Indian cities.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
Almora: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Almora?
The best months for Almora are March to June and September to November. December to February and July and August are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January.
How difficult is Almora?
Almora is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,646 m and reaching 2,000 m.
How many days do you need for Almora?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Almora cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹7,500 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam.
How do you reach Almora?
By road: from Delhi it is roughly 360–380 km, around 9–11 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions (Delhi → Ghaziabad → Moradabad → Rampur → Haldwani → Nainital/Bhowali → Almora); from Haldwani it is about 89 km (Haldwani → Bhowali → Almora); from Nainital it is about 66 km (Nainital → Bhowali → Almora); from Kathgodam it is about 90 km. Almora is well connected by road with major cities in northern India. Uttarakhand Tourism Regular buses operate toward Almora from Delhi, Haldwani, Kathgodam and other major North Indian cities. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Almora?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Almora suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is great. It is moderately busy in season. Narrow ridge roads; hire a local driver.
What should you pack for Almora?
Pack 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, compact umbrella. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Almora?
Good.
Who should not go to Almora?
Almora suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Not a scenic showpiece like Kausani; it's a working town.
Close to Almora
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Binsarabout 14 km
- Mukteshwarabout 14 km
- Jageshwar Dhamabout 19 km
- Ranikhetabout 23 km
- Kausaniabout 27 km
- Bhimtal & Naukuchiatalabout 30 km