Majkhali, Almora -

Majkhali , Ranikhet Overview

A small town located a few kilometres from Ranikhet, Majkhari is known for its natural beauty. People often talk about the scenic apple orchards and green forests of Ranikhet but what they usually miss out on is the picnic spots offered by Majkhari. Despite the famous goddess Kali Temple here, this place is left quite unexplored when it comes to its flora and fauna. Majkhari is definitely one of the must-visit destinations in Uttarakhand.

When in Majkhali, visitors will be welcomed with snow-capped mountains, especially of Mount Trishul and Nanda Devi. apart from panoramic views, this place also hosts a forest nursery that is home to a number of species. The Golf Course located around 6 kilometres away from Majkhali is a famous spot for visitors to stop at while the Birla Girls School situated here also attracts a number of visitors to this town. One can find a number of walking trails, treks and hikes in Majkhali while the natural biosphere here will give you a good break from the busy commercial life in cities. All in all, this place is great for nature sweethearts or those who want a peaceful vacation away from daily-life.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Majkhali is during the summer (from March to June) and then early winters (September to November) when the hill station is relatively dry and visitors can make full use of the mountain view as well as indulge in excursions and treks in this area so opposed to the monsoons when the rain keeps the snow-capped mountains far from sight and forces visitors to stay indoors.

Culture and Activities

Majkhali is often referred to as the Kashmir of Uttarakhand for it offers great sightseeing opportunities to visitors. Mostly, this place is good for tours, treks and hikes. The agricultural farms here are quite famous such as apple orchards and a lot of them are maintained by the government. There are a number of hiking and walking trails along with forests in this village. The village walk here is quite famous as it covers a range of woollen fabric shops and Kumaoni shawls at the main market. Needless to say, the Goddess Kali temple whose festival is celebrated once in 12 years in the month of December in honour of Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi. The “Nanda” is said to be a symbol of prosperity. Along with this, the Jogeshwar monsoon is celebrated by the Kumaoni community from 15th July-15th August in honour of Lord Shiva.

Flora and Fauna

Uttarakhand has been blessed not only for its beautiful scenery but also for its diverse range of flora and fauna. In and around Majkhali, visitors can find Tigers, Deers, Musks, Fish, Asian Elephants, Himalayan Monal, Snow Leopard, Bharal, Pheasants a large number of birds, mammals and amphibians. What’s more, this place is quite involved in animal conservation and is associated with organisations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UNESCO.

Eating and Lodging Options

There are a number of lodging options for visitors right from individuals, to couples to groups. In a hill station like Majkhali, visitors will mostly find simplistic resorts and hotels in and around Majkhali. Apart from 2-4 star cottages, airbnbs and villa homes, luxurious hotels with 24x7 housekeeping and 5-star services are not so common but visitors can find a few. Eating options for visitors include North Indian restaurants that serve special delicacies such as Rajma Chawal, Kadhi, Roti, Daal, Paratha, etc. a range of meats such as chicken and mutton can be found in the form of Biryani, Kebabs, tikkas and curries. Visitors can also find other cuisines such as Chinese, pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, etc. What is quite famous in such hill stations is Bhutwa (mutton intestines) with sweet bun and Johl (Besan curry) with rice, Maggi and Egg bhurji which is staple food available at stalls. In Majkhali, visitors will easily find vegetarian options as well as restaurants ranging from simplistic and inexpensive ones to fancy and luxurious hotels.

Tips

Although the weather is quite pleasant here, it is best to carry loose clothes.
Always carry an umbrella or other rain gear.
Before planning a trip to Uttarakhand, check with the tourist officer if it is safe to do so.

How To Reach Majkhali

Majkhali is located around 13 kilometres away from Ranikhet on Aloma. The closest airport to this destination is Pantnagar airport which is around 121 kilometres away and it would take a little over 4 hours to reach Majkhali from this airport via NH 109. The Kathgodam Railway Station is 86 kilometres away and the nearest bus stand is in Ranikhet. It is around 11 kilometres (25 minutes) away via NH 109 and visitors can hire a cab, jeep or a taxi to Majkhali.