About
Almora is a district situated in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, towards the eastern side of the state of Uttarakhand. The name of the city originated from a plant name "Kilmora", found in the region. Founded in 1568, Almora is considered as the cultural centre of the Kumaon hills.
Due to a range of altitudes and the nature of valleys, it sees wide climatic variations in temperature and precipitation, thus giving a variety of vegetation. The flora in the region can be categorised as tropical, Himalayan sub-tropical, sub alpine and alpine. It is a well-known fact that alpine and sub alpine zones provide the best environs for a large number of medicinal plants.
Almora Tourism
With picturesque views of snow-capped Himalayas in the backdrop, Almora is surrounded by thick pine and fir tree forests. The city has a list of religious spots, which are among the main attractions for tourists from across the world. Apart from some of the best views, the hill station offers options for adventurous treks. In fact, Almora turns into a perfect honeymoon destination during winters.
Almora offers an opportunity for a break for travellers from their busy city lives. Apart from the sightseeing and tourist spots to be checked out, various festivals can also be tried out such as the Nanda Devi Fair and the Uttraini festival of Bageshwer.
Some of the must-see tourist places in Almora are:
- Bright End Corner's sunset
- Chitai (Golu Devta) temple
- Kasar Devi temple
- Banari Devi temple
- Binsar Mahadev Temple
- Garhnath and Baijnath
- Nanda Devi Temple
- Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum
- Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple
- Kalimut
- Sun Temple at Katarmal
- Deer Park
- Jageshwar Dham
- Kala Bhairava Temple
Location
Almora is situated at an average elevation of 1,638 metres, and is a hillock of the shape of a horse saddle. The rivers Koshi and Suyal flow alongside the Almora city.
The city is surrounded by the Pithoragarh district bordering Tibet on the East, the Garhwal district on the West, Bageshwar district on the North, and the district of Nainital on its South.
How to Reach?
Almora is connected through an organised road, railway and air network.
- By Rail: The Kathgodam railway station is the nearest to the city, which is around 90 km from the city. The railway station is directly connected to some of the nearby major cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Dehradun and Kolkata.
- By Air: The nearest airport is 127 km from Almora at Pantnagar. Daily flights link the city to Delhi.
- By Road: The city of Almora is well-connected to most major cities through a road network. Delhi is easily reachable at only a 380 km distance. It lies 466 km from Lucknow and 415 km from Dehradun by road.
Almora can be reached from nearby areas through readily available modes of local transport, such as buses by the state government and various private operators.
Best Time to Visit
Surrounded by the Himalayas from all sides, Almora mostly experiences a pleasant weather throughout the year. The temperature in summers varies between 28° C to 12° C, which during winters varies between 15°C and as low as 2°C. Monsoons last from August to October and the city experiences moderate rainfall, making it look greener and beautiful, apt for sightseeing. Though, winters can be harsh, months from April to June, and September to November can be the best time to visit Almora.
Travel tips
A few travel tips for first-time travellers to the city of Almora:
- Always carry a map, while trekking or out on your own.
- The city has a wide network of local modes of transport as well as private cabs, but bargaining will definitely help you save a few extra bucks.
- While shopping, go around and check prices before buying anything, and definitely use the art of bargaining.
- Carrying warm clothes is a must, as it is a hilly area and gets cooler by evening.
- Be careful while consuming food and water while travelling.
Travel Cost
The cost of travel may vary depending on the modes of transport taken up by a visitor. While the flight costs can be high, along with added cab charges, travelling by road can be easier on the pocket. Also, travelling by train might be the most economical and comfortable mode of transport to reach this hilly region of Uttarakhand. You can look for packages, if you are planning a trip beforehand.
Almora offers a wide range of accommodation options for visitors ranging from government-owned rest houses to privately-owned hotels. Almora also has some of the high-budget resorts as accommodation options for tourists.
While tourists can find a stay at a guest house for just Rs 1,000 for a couple, they can also find accommodation at a 3-star hotel for around Rs 4,000 or more, which may go higher in case of peak season.
Shopping
Almora offers some of the best handicrafts, which represent the cultural heritage of the Himalayas. Some of the products that can be bought are:
- Pashmina Shawls ranging between Rs 5,000 and 20,000
- Woolen Products (shawls, carpet, thulma)
- Kumauni Folk Art
- Driftwood products with prices ranging from Rs 25 to Rs 5,000.
- Copperware
- Clothes made of Angora wool (Rabbit's wool)
Some of the best places to shop in the market in Almora include the Lal Bazaar, Karkhana Bazaar, Malli Bazaar, Khajanchi Mohalla, Jauhari Mohalla, and Thana Bazaar.
Eating out
Almora is also known for the amazing cuisine it offers to travellers. Some of the famous dishes available in Almora are:
- Regional Tourist Officer, Uttarakhand : +91-5962-230180
- Almora District Disaster Control Room Number : 05962-237874
References: State tourism guides
WBVV18.07.2014
Last Updated on : July 19, 2014
