Bageshwar, Kumaon · Uttarakhand
Kausani
A ridge town facing a 300 km wall of peaks — Nanda Devi, Trishul and Panchachuli all in one frame.
Kausani is an easy hill destination in Bageshwar, 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 Kausani
The one thing not to miss
Sunrise over Trishul and Nanda Devi
The whole ridge faces the range.
- 2Anasakti AshramWhere Gandhi stayed in 1929; simple, with the best view in town.
- 3Baijnath templesA group of stone temples by the Gomti, a short drive away.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Kathgodam to Kausani
About 4–5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Sunrise over Trishul and Nanda Devi · Anasakti Ashram · Baijnath temples
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Kausani 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
Called the 'Switzerland of India' for good reason: the panorama from any guesthouse is enormous.
Why not
Small and slow; two nights is usually enough.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Clear-day views are best at sunrise; haze builds by noon.
- 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: Pt. H.G. Pant District Hospital, Almora.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Kausani
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
2 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.
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
- about 410 km
- Drive time
- 10–12 hours
- Delhi
- Hapur
- Moradabad
- Rampur
- Rudrapur
- Haldwani
- Kathgodam
- Bhowali
- Almora
- Someshwar
- Kausani
Long for one day; many people break the journey at Nainital or Almora.
Live directions from DelhiFrom
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 135 km
- Drive time
- 4–5 hours
- Kathgodam
- Bhowali
- Almora
- Someshwar
- Kausani
From
Almora
- Distance
- about 52 km
- Drive time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Almora
- Kosi
- Someshwar
- Kausani
Buses and shared taxis. Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Kausani yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Kausani: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Kausani?
The best months for Kausani 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 and February.
How difficult is Kausani?
Kausani is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,890 m and reaching 2,000 m.
How many days do you need for Kausani?
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 Kausani 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 Kausani?
By road: from Delhi it is about 410 km, 10–12 hours (Delhi → Hapur → Moradabad → Rampur → Rudrapur → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Bhowali → Almora → Someshwar → Kausani); from Kathgodam it is about 135 km, 4–5 hours (Kathgodam → Bhowali → Almora → Someshwar → Kausani); from Almora it is about 52 km, 1.5–2 hours (Almora → Kosi → Someshwar → Kausani). Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Kausani?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Kausani suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is quiet in season. Clear-day views are best at sunrise; haze builds by noon.
What should you pack for Kausani?
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 Kausani?
Good.
Who should not go to Kausani?
Kausani suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Small and slow; two nights is usually enough.
Close to Kausani
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Binsarabout 21 km
- Almoraabout 27 km
- Ranikhetabout 28 km
- Jageshwar Dhamabout 33 km
- Brahmatalabout 34 km