Almora is the cultural and historical capital of the Kumaon hills — an ancient ridge town inhabited for over 2,000 years. It sits at 1,638m on a crescent-shaped ridge above the confluence of the Koshi and Suyal rivers, with views north into the high Himalayas and south into the plains. It is one of the most interesting small towns in India and consistently underrated as a travel destination.
How to Get to Almora
By Road from Delhi (Recommended)
Delhi → Moradabad → Rampur → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Bhimtal → Kosi → Almora. ~360km, 7–8 hours. Leave by 4–5am to avoid the Moradabad bottleneck.
By Train + Taxi
Ranikhet Express or Kathgodam Express from Delhi to Kathgodam (~7 hours overnight), then shared taxi or private cab to Almora — 90km, 2.5 hours.
⏰ When to Visit Almora
- Best: October–November and March–May
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold, possible snow, very quiet, excellent mountain views
- Monsoon (Jul–Sep): Lush, dramatic, very private — some road disruptions possible
- Avoid: May–June peak season if you dislike tourist pressure
What to See in Almora
The Old Bazaar — Mall Road
A working hill town bazaar — slate-roofed, narrow, built on a ridge so everything is uphill or downhill. The Lala Bazaar section is the oldest and most atmospheric. Walk it end to end (~1km). The Bhairav Dutt sweet shop has been selling Bal Mithai since 1890.
Kasar Devi Ridge
8km from town. Ancient temple, cosmic ray zone, hippie trail history, Himalayan panorama. Best at sunrise. Full guide →
Bright End Corner
3km from Kosi. The best sunrise viewpoint in the Almora area — a cliff-edge terrace with a 180-degree view of the snowcapped range at first light. Be there by 6am in winter.
Nanda Devi Temple
Historic temple in the heart of the old bazaar. The presiding deity of the Kumaon hills. The temple complex dates to the Chand dynasty (13th–18th centuries).
What to Eat in Almora
- Bal Mithai at Bhairav Dutt (Mall Road) — the original, since 1890
- Singodi — coconut khoya wrapped in Maalu leaves
- Aloo Gutke — the essential Kumaoni spiced potato dish
- Gahat dal with Mandua roti — the defining Kumaoni lunch combination
- Burans sharbat — rhododendron flower drink, March–April only
"Give Almora three days and it will give you something back that takes months to fully understand."
Day Trips from Almora
- Jageshwar (34km) — Ancient temple complex in deodar forest
- Binsar (34km) — Wildlife sanctuary, birding, Himalayan panorama
- Ranikhet (52km) — Colonial hill town, orchards, golf course
- Kausani (56km) — Gandhi's Switzerland, tea estates, snowpeak views
- Nainital (67km) — Famous lake town, best on weekdays
Where to Stay
For the full experience of what Almora's landscape offers, stay outside the town rather than inside it. The ridge villages around Kosi — 5km below Almora — give you river views, pine forest, and genuine silence, while keeping Almora town 15 minutes away. Soul Kumaon at Kosi is built exactly for this — modern container architecture on the hillside with river views, full Kumaoni meals, and every place on this list within 35km.
Soul Kumaon is a modern container retreat on the pine hillsides above Kosi river, Almora. Book your stay →