Almora Tourism (2024) - Uttarakhand > Top Places, Travel Guide

Almora Travel Essentials

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"A cozy heritage town nestled in the Himalayas."

Almora Tourism

Set in the background of snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand, the sprawling town of Almora is a beautiful hill station. With easy accessibility from Delhi and other major cities of North India, Almora is known for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and magnificent wildlife. This town has two major rivers- Koshi (Kaushaki) and Suyal (Salmali).

Popular pilgrimage sites like Nanda Devi and Jageshwar attract thousands of devotees each year. Almora is also popular among backpackers as it has hostels and cafes in Kasar Devi, a village near Almora.

Many routes that go deeper into the Himalayas start from Almora, and there is also single day to weekend treks near the town. Almora is also popular for mountain biking, Since it is easy to reach Almora and it is at a relatively low altitude, one does not need too much training to bike here. Many shops and resorts rent bikes by the hour or by the day, and you can also enjoy cycling across the rugged mountain paths.

Zero Point

Jageshwar

Kasar Devi

Chitai Temple

Dunagiri

Jalna

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Almora Travel Packages

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4 Days / 3 Nights

Holiday in Almora & Ranikhet Tour Package

Delhi(0N) → Almora(2N) → Ranikhet(1N)

$127/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

Uttarakhand Tour Packages From Delhi: Nainital,...

Delhi(0N) → Nainital(2N) → Ranikhet(1N) → Almora(1N) → Kausani(1N)

$198/person

7 Days / 6 Nights

Nainital Tour Packages for Couple with Jim Cor...

Delhi(0N) → Nainital(2N) → Kausani(1N) → Ranikhet(1N) → Jim Corbett National Park(2N)

$288/person

8 Days / 7 Nights

Charm of Kumaun Hills with Almora, Binsar & More

Delhi(0N) → Nainital(2N) → Kausani(2N) → Almora(1N) → Binsar(2N)

$303/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Uttarakhand Tour Packages for Couple

Delhi(0N) → Kuchesar(1N) → Jim Corbett National Park(2N) → Almora(1N) → Nainital(1N)

$216/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Nainital & Jim Corbett Honeymoon Package

Delhi(0N) → Kuchesar(1N) → Jim Corbett National Park(2N) → Almora(1N) → Nainital(1N)

$216/person

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Top Hotels In Almora

20 Resorts In Almora

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50 Homestays In Almora

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50 Cheap Hotels In Almora

$ 9 onwards

1 OYO Hotels In Almora

$ 32 onwards

44 Hotels Near Jageshwar Dham

$ 14 onwards

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Etymology

Almora was previously known as 'Rajpur' during the early phase of Chand rule, which is mentioned over a number of ancient copper plates. When King Bhisham Chand laid the foundation of this town, he had initially named it as ‘Alamnagar’. However, popular belief states that Alora got its name from the term 'kilmora'., a short plant found in the nearby region which was used for washing utensils of the Sun Temple at Katarmal. The people bringing kilmora were known as ‘kilmori’ and later came to be known as 'almori'. The place came to be known as ‘Almora’.

Flora and Fauna

Flora
Almora has a rich diversity of natural vegetation, with about 4000 species of plants, owing to its great range of elevation. The variation in climatic conditions, precipitation, nature of valleys, and alignment of ranges determine the altitudinal growth and variety of vegetation. The flora of this region may be classified into tropical, subtropical, alpine and sub-alpine vegetation. The alpine and subalpine zones are said to home the largest number of medicinal plants.

Fauna
The subalpine zones of Almora and its outskirts act as a natural sanctuary for leopard, languar, Himalayan black bear, kakar, goral, etc. The high altitude zones house musk deer, popularly known as 'Kastura Mrig', snow leopard, blue sheep, thar, etc. the entire region is rich in a remarkable variety of birds possessing magnificent designs and colors- like peacock, grey quail, black francolin/ 'Kala titar', whistling thrush, chakol, monal, cheer pheasant, koklas pheasant, etc.

Rich History and Culture of Almora

Unlike most other hill stations in Northern India, the British did not develop Almora as a summer retreat. Instead, the Chand dynasty capital ruled the Kumaon region for over a thousand years until they were ousted by the British. Despite this, Almora has preserved its unique culture over the years, and today, it is known as the cultural capital of Kumaon. This is reflected in many daily aspects like the style of building houses, the food consumed by people, celebrating festivals, worshipping deities and the language.

There are many monuments, old temples and museums that celebrate this rich history. The Govind Vallabh Pant Museum has an extensive collection of artefacts, paintings, sculptures and weapons as old as the 2nd Century AD chronicling the rise and fall of the Chand dynasty. The two famous temples in the town are the Nanda Devi temple and Kasar Devi temple, both dedicated to mountain goddesses widely worshipped in the region.

Adventure Sports in Almora

Restaurants and Local Food in Almora

While in Almora, you can indulge in the delicious and authentic local cuisines of Uttarakhand. Do try these dishes, as these are some of the unique preparations that the Indian platter has and almost exclusive to the area. The must-try items here include the popular and traditional local sweets. Bal Mithai, famous milk sweet of Almora, Choklate - a condensed milk sweet with fudge-like consistency and Singauri - a kind of milk sweet wrapped in a green Malu leaf used for flavoring are some popular treats in Almora that one just cannot miss.
The other local delicacies include Bhaang Ki Khatai, Mixed dal Salad, Kappa (a green curry), Sisunak Saag(a dish prepared with green leafy vegetables and many local ingredients), Aloo ke Gutke( a Kumauni potato dish), Aloo Daal Pakora, Rus ( a preparation of many dals) and much more. The 'Adrak' (ginger) tea is also a famous welcome drink here.

When in Almora, do visit Baba cake at Kasardevi on the Almora-Binsar road. It is a small café run by Baba and Uma (a German who has settled in India). They serve great food; do try their Apple crumble cake and Lemon nana.
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Suggested Itinerary for Almora

Day 1: Reach Almora by road and settle into your hotel. After lunch, leave for the Nana Devi temple, which is located in the heart of the city. The architecture of the temple is very typical for the region, and till today, it has a tiled roof. Another temple close by is the Kasar Devi temple which is located on top of a hill and offers a magnificent view of the Hawabagh Highway. In the evening, explore the street markets of the town and shop for some souvenirs.

Day 2: Leave in the morning for Simtola or Martola, two of the most scenic spots near Almora that are very popular day trips for tourists and locals. You can get a view of the magnificent alpine forests and vast swathes of stepped farms. In the evening, visit Deer Park, a spot where you can bask in the evening sun or follow the deer as they hop around the park. There is also an abundance of bird life in this park, and you can pick up a bike to explore the area further.

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FAQs on Almora

What is the local food in Almora?

What are the places near Almora?

The top places near to Almora are Nainital which is 30 km from Almora, Ranikhet which is located 22 km from Almora, Bhimtal which is located 29 km from Almora, Mukteshwar which is located 15 km from Almora, Sattal which is located 31 km from Almora

What are the things to do in Almora?

The top things to do in Almora are Zero Point, Jageshwar, Katarmal Sun Temple, Kasar Devi Temple, Chitai Temple, Kasar Devi. You can see all the places to visit in Almora here

How much does a package cost for Almora?

The packages for Almora start at INR 27500 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What is the best way to reach Almora?

Almora is a hill town and so does not have a railway station or an airport. It is well connected by road to other nearby hill stations like Nainital, Haridwar and Mussoorie. The nearest railway station is Kathgodam which is 81 km away. Pantnagar Airport is situated 115 km from Almora. From there, you can take pre-paid taxis or car rentals.

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What is the best time to visit Almora?

Almora, the summer capital of the Chand Kings of Kumaon, is best when visited during the spring-summer season, i.e. between March and May. During this time, the climate is such that it provides for a pleasant respite from the scorching heat that other states of the country experience. It is also a good time for outdoor and adventure activities like trekking and hiking. Almora sees a large number of trekkers joining adventure clubs and setting out on an exciting expedition through the scenic surroundings. The winter season (November to February) on the other hand is freezing and may not be everyone’s choice of a tourist destination, but off-beat travellers can make the most of the season. Monsoons, the time between July and September, mostly affect outdoor activities and are, therefore, not recommended to tourists who wish to explore Almora.
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Who should visit Almora?

Almora is the perfect destination for everyone. It is very popular with honeymooners, adventure travellers, photographers, families and groups of friends looking for somewhere to cool off.

What is not so good about Almora?

Road travel is the only way to reach Almora. Summer is a very busy season, and the destination is crowded by tourists.

What is famous about Almora?

Located in the beautiful Kumaon mountains. Pleasant temperature throughout the year. Rich culture and history.

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Almora Reviews

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Harendra Mathur

on Jalna 5 years ago

There are two hotels in Jalna. One is Hotel Elphinstone ( is a branch of Hotel Elphinstone, Nainital) and the other is KMVN hotel being run by a private party. Though you can visit round the year exc (Read More)ept rainy season. The best views of Himalayas- Peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, Panchachuli, Nanda Khot etc. can be viewed during Oct to March. These peaks can be seen with bare eyes. The concept of Britishers is very much visible in Jalna, a bungalow of British era is also there, which is also under the care of Hotel Elphinstone. A place away from the crowded and noisy hill stations like Shimla, Nainital, Mussoorie etc.

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Almora

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Almora Travel Essentials

"A cozy heritage town nestled in the Himalayas."

Almora Tourism

Places To Visit In Almora

Almora Travel Packages

Holiday in Almora & Ranikhet Tour Package

Uttarakhand Tour Packages From Delhi: Nainital,...

Nainital Tour Packages for Couple with Jim Cor...

Charm of Kumaun Hills with Almora, Binsar & More

Uttarakhand Tour Packages for Couple

Nainital & Jim Corbett Honeymoon Package

Top Hotels In Almora

More on Almora Travel

Etymology

Flora and Fauna

Rich History and Culture of Almora

Adventure Sports in Almora

Restaurants and Local Food in Almora

Suggested Itinerary for Almora

Best Time to Visit Almora

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What is the local food in Almora?

What are the places near Almora?

What are the things to do in Almora?

How much does a package cost for Almora?

What is the best way to reach Almora?

What is the best time to visit Almora?

Who should visit Almora?

What is not so good about Almora?

What is famous about Almora?

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