Almora
The Cultural Heart of Kumaon
Overview
Almora is a hill town in Uttarakhand's Kumaon Himalaya, set on a horseshoe-shaped ridge at about 1,600 m. Founded in 1568 by the Chand dynasty, it served as their capital and remains the cultural heart of Kumaon, known for its pedestrian Lal Bazaar, Kumaoni architecture, the Nanda Devi temple, and the ridge-top Kasar Devi where Swami Vivekananda meditated. Nearby stand the ninth-century Katarmal Sun Temple and sweeping Himalayan views of Nanda Devi and Trishul. It is famous for the sweets bal mithai and singori. MyTripMyTravel operates Almora as a chauffeured cultural base for the central Kumaon hills.
Almora sits along a curving ridge above the Kosi and Suyal valleys, its old town spilling down both flanks in slate-roofed houses and carved wooden facades. Founded in 1568 as the capital of the Chand kings, it is the oldest and most cultured of the Kumaon hill towns, a place of temples, bazaars, and a long literary and artistic pull that drew figures from Swami Vivekananda to Uday Shankar, who ran his dance centre here.
The town rewards walking. The cobbled, traffic-free Lal Bazaar runs the length of the ridge, its shops trading copperware, wool, and the town's celebrated sweets. Above it, the Nanda Devi temple anchors Almora's faith, while a short drive north the Kasar Devi ridge, long a haven for wandering seekers and known for its unusual calm, opens to a wide Himalayan horizon. Fourteen kilometres out, the ninth-century Katarmal Sun Temple, second only to Konark, stands weathered and quiet.
MyTripMyTravel treats Almora as the cultural pivot of central Kumaon and an unhurried base for Binsar, Kausani, and Jageshwar. We arrange escorted bazaar and temple walks that read the town rather than rush it, time the ridge viewpoints for clear mornings, and handle the winding chauffeured drives so the hairpins are ours to manage and the views yours to keep.
At a glance
Almora in brief
When to visit
March to June, September to November
March to June brings warm, pleasant days ideal for the bazaar, temples, and viewpoints, with rhododendron colour on the ridges in spring. September to November, after the monsoon, delivers the clearest and most reliable Himalayan views of Nanda Devi and Trishul. Winter, December to February, is cold and can bring occasional snow with crisp, sharp panoramas for those who don't mind the chill. The monsoon (July to mid-September) turns the hills lush and green but brings mist, rain, and the risk of landslides on the mountain roads, which our planners factor into drive timing.
Things to do
Experiences in Almora
Lal Bazaar heritage walk
An escorted stroll along the traffic-free cobbled bazaar on the ridge, past copper workshops, wool shops, and the town's famous sweet stalls.
Kasar Devi temple and ridge
The pine-clad ridge where Swami Vivekananda meditated, long favoured by seekers and known for its stillness and wide mountain views.
Nanda Devi temple
Almora's principal shrine at the heart of the old town, centre of the town's autumn Nanda Devi fair.
Katarmal Sun Temple
The ninth-century stone Surya temple about 14 km away, an intricately carved complex often called the second Sun temple after Konark.
Bright End Corner sunset
A classic ridge viewpoint on the town's western edge for sunset and, on clear days, the golden light on the high peaks.
Bal mithai and singori tasting
A guided tasting of Almora's signature chocolate-brown bal mithai and the leaf-wrapped singori, made in old bazaar shops.
Getting there
How to reach Almora
Pantnagar Airport (PGH) is the nearest, about 115 km, with limited flights; Dehradun (DED) is the wider option, and we manage the fleet handover.
Kathgodam is the nearest railhead, about 85 km, connected to Delhi by the Shatabdi and other trains; we handle the onward hill transfer.
Almora is roughly 65 km from Nainital and about 360 km from Delhi on winding hill highways; we time the chauffeured legs for daylight.
Our GPS-tracked, orthopedic-grade vehicles handle the mountain roads to Almora and the day trips to Binsar, Kausani, and Jageshwar.
Where to stay
Restored Kumaoni houses and design-led boutique stays on the ridges around town, many with valley or peak views.
Full-service resorts on the Kasar Devi and Binsar-road ridges with spa wings and Himalayan-facing terraces.
Family-run Kumaoni homestays for guests who want local cooking, orchards, and a quieter village pace.
Where to eat
The town's celebrated sweets, the chocolate-brown, sugar-coated bal mithai and the cone-shaped, leaf-wrapped singori, from historic bazaar shops.
A regional plate of bhatt ki churkani, aloo ke gutke, bhang ki chutney, and madua roti, arranged at homestays and local kitchens.
The Kasar Devi ridge cafes serve relaxed multi-cuisine meals with long valley views, a legacy of its long-staying visitors.
Good to know
Almora, your questions
How many days should I spend in Almora?
Two nights lets you walk the bazaar and temples, take in the Kasar Devi ridge and a sunset viewpoint, and drive out to Katarmal or Jageshwar. As a base for Binsar and Kausani, a third night is well used.
What makes Almora different from other Kumaon hill towns?
It is the region's cultural capital rather than a purely scenic resort, a 16th-century Chand-dynasty town with a living bazaar, temples, craft, and a literary heritage. The Himalayan views are the setting, not the whole story.
Can I see the high Himalayan peaks from Almora?
Yes, on clear days, particularly the Nanda Devi and Trishul group, best from ridge points like Bright End Corner and Kasar Devi. Post-monsoon autumn and winter give the sharpest views; we time viewpoints for clear mornings.
Is Almora a good base for exploring central Kumaon?
Very much so. Binsar, Kausani, Jageshwar's temple cluster, and Katarmal are all comfortable day trips, and we arrange them as chauffeured excursions from an Almora base.
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Tell us your dates and what you love. Our travel desk builds a private, chauffeured itinerary around Almora and the wider North India, with handpicked hotels and a transparent quote, usually within a few hours.
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