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Uttarakhand

Almora

Understated Kumaoni market town with Himalayan views

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Best time to visit Almora

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: April to May and October to November
  • Shoulder: December to March, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to September

Planning a specific month? AprilMayOctoberNovember

Almora season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Cold, clear mornings and snow-dusted peaks from Bright End Corner, but cafes shut early

Summer March to May Prime time

Warm days, cool nights: a calmer, cheaper alternative to Nainital's summer crowds

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Landslide-prone hill roads and low visibility erase the Himalayan views that are the point

Autumn October to November Prime time

Best light of the year. Crisp air, snow-capped Trishul and Nanda Devi visible from town

What Almora is actually like

Quiet old bazaar; the real traveler scene is a short ride away in Kasar Devi's hostels

Things to do in Almora

The local places worth your time in and around Almora, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Kasar Devi Temple

    Temple · 8 km out

    Ridge temple where Vivekananda sat and the old hippie trail settled; the cafes along Crank's Ridge below are the real draw

  • Chitai Golu Devta Temple

    Temple · 8 km out

    Shrine of the justice god hung with thousands of handwritten petitions and bells; buy a bell at the gate if you have a case

  • Katarmal Sun Temple

    Temple · 17 km out

    Ninth century sun temple above the Kosi, a 2 km climb from the road; ruined but the carved doorframe is intact, nobody there

  • Nanda Devi Temple

    Temple · in town

    Chand era stone temple in the bazaar with carved panels; the September Nanda Devi fair takes over the whole lane

  • Lala Bazaar

    Market · in town

    Flagstoned bazaar of carved wooden shopfronts through the old town; buy bal mithai and singori, shops shut Sunday afternoon

  • Bright End Corner

    Viewpoint · 2 km out

    Sunset ledge past the Vivekananda ashram on the ridge, the standard evening walk from town; 30 minutes each way on foot

Getting to Almora

Rail Kathgodam 90km, 3h shared taxi; or overnight Delhi bus 9-10h

Practical ways in: road

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Easy solo
Altitude
1638 m
State
Uttarakhand
Coordinates
29.5892, 79.6467

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Almora?

April to May and October to November is peak season in Almora. December to March is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. Warm days, cool nights: a calmer, cheaper alternative to Nainital's summer crowds.

How many days do you need in Almora?

3 days is the usual stay. Quiet old bazaar; the real traveler scene is a short ride away in Kasar Devi's hostels.

How do you get to Almora?

Rail Kathgodam 90km, 3h shared taxi; or overnight Delhi bus 9-10h. Practical ways in: road.

Is Almora expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Easy solo.

What are the best things to do in Almora?

Kasar Devi Temple, Chitai Golu Devta Temple, Katarmal Sun Temple, Nanda Devi Temple, Lala Bazaar and Bright End Corner. Ridge temple where Vivekananda sat and the old hippie trail settled; the cafes along Crank's Ridge below are the real draw.

Nearby, and where to go next

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