Lesser Known Tourist Spots in Kumaon Hills

Situated in the northern – most part of Uttar pradesh, Kumaon Hills are the dreamland for tourists. Apart from the well known Nainital, there are many other places in Kumaon Hills which could enthral any visitor.

The tourism cell of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN), nainital, an organisation responsible for the integrated development of hills, has identified a few lesser known destinations of Kumaon valley.

These destinations, which are worthy a visit any time of the year, represent the grandeur of mountains fully, besides offering an opportunity to have the glimpses of regional life, art and architecture, environment and also the colorful history of the region.

Through its cosy tourist bungalows all basic amenities have been made available at these destinations at very reasonable rates by KMVN. Situated in the Pithoragarh, Nainital and Almora districts of Kumaon region, these resorts are Pithoragarh Town, Chaukori, Champawat, Kausani, Binsar, Sheetlakhet and Mukteshwar.

Pithoragarh:
Famous for its exuberant natural beauty and historical heritage, Pithoragarh town is the district headquarters of the northernmost district of the same name. Nestling in a picturesque valley, barely 5km long and 2km wide, locally known as sor valley, the town was an important landmark of Chand Rajas of Kumaon.

Watching the panoramic view of this valley or the snowy peaks of Trishul, Nandadevi, Panchachuli group from the 2,000 meters high chandak hills in the proximity of the town is a memorable experience.

The town is well connected by road. The Naini – Saini Air strip, 5km away from the town is also poised to receive domestic flights.Jauljibi and Rameshwar situated respectively in the confluence of Kali Gori and eastern Ram Ganga –Saryu River and Thal Kedar, an important religious centre, are the possible visit spots within a range of 50 km from Pithoragarh.

About 150km to the north of Pithoragarh is a beautiful small town called Munsiyari, Known as gateway to the colourful Johar valley in greater Himalaya's .Situated at an altitude of 2,298 metres, this picturesque hill-station is an ideal base camp for Milam, Ralam and Namik glaciers.

Chaukori:
Situated about 112km to the northwest of Pithoragarh town, this spot is famous for the magnificent view of Panchachuli and the breathtakingly bautiful sunset. Sprawling tea estates of colonial era have also given it an identity. Chaukori is well connected with the major towns of Kumaon.

At a distance of 49 km from Chaukori are the caves of “Patal Bhuvaneshwara." These caves like the famous Postazona caves of Yugoslavia are full of Stalactite and stalagmite formations. While inside the dark, endless caves one has the weird experience of witnessing the gigantic natural formations of lime-stone.

Famous for the ancient temple of Hat-Kalika – a popular venue for local fares and also for the artistic remnants of a medieval principality called Mankoties, the small town of Gangolihat, about 35km away from Chaukori, is also worth paying a visit.

Champawat:
Situated at an altitude of 1,615 metres, this oldest town of Kumaon valley had been the original seat of the medieval regional royalty called Chandas. Stone sculptures littered round this ancient town in the guise of monuments like Baleshwar, Kranteshwar, Ek Hathiya Naula and so on are really eye- catching . The natural beauty of this undulating upland itself speaks volumes for the aesthetic sense of the Chanda Kings.

Abbot Mount, an erstwhile European colony associated with the memories of a colonial lord called “Abbot" from Jhansi, Mayawathi, the secluded Advaita Ashram of Swami Vivekananda and Lohoghat, the seat of the first cantonment of John Company after the annexation of Kumaon by the British in the year 1815 are some of the visit able spots closeby.

Kausani:
120 km north of nainital Kausani is one of the most sought after destinations in Kumaon hills, patronized by poets, artists and philosophers alike, it marks the beginning of the historical katyur valley.

Dotted with small towns like Garur, Baijnath and Bageshwar, this valley is the treasure trove of katyuri sculpture and iconography. Route to the pindari Glacier and the mysterious Roopkund also lies across this valley.

Once the summer capital of chanda Kings, Binsar is just 34 km to the north of Almora. The 2,412 metre high summit in Binsar called Jhandi Dhar offers a panoramic view of a 300 km stretch of famous Himalayan peaks including Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nandadevi, Nandakot and Panchachuli.

Besides the historical remnants scattered all over the broad spectrum of flora and fauna here is one of the principal attractions. Other possible attractions within a range of 60 km from Binsar are Almora, the culturally rich and almost 5 century old town of Kumaon, katarmal, and the sun temple which was also the base camp of John Company during their Kumaon campaign and the celebrated temple group of Jageshwar-once the seat of Lakulisa sect of northern India.

SHEETLAKHET:
Veiled behind the thick canopy of cedar, rhododendron and apple trees, Sheetlakhet, situated 35 km away from Almora is an unspoilt child of nature. A few days spent here in the inviting solitude lingers in memory for long.
Ranikhet, the home of Kumaon Regiment and the historical region of Bairath of the later Katyuri kings are the other visitable spots.


MUKTESHWAR:
In the concluding years of the preceding century this beautiful town came up with the shifting of imperial Bacteriological Institute from Pune to this isolated spot.
The British developed it as a typical Victorian town.
Sprawling Bungalows dotting the entire region with the long stretch of Himalayan peaks in the backdrop is the most inviting sight at Mukteshwar which is about 52 km away from Nainital.
Ramgarh, Sheetla, Paharpani etc, all famous for scenic Beauty, wildlife and orchards are also places that are worthy of visiting