The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Almora, Uttarakhand

Almora is a small & beautiful resort town in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is famous for its spectacular scenery. It is popular for its many resorts, picturesque locales, lush forests, and exotic flora and fauna. The lush green valleys, the beautiful greenery, the snowcapped mountains and the abundant flora and fauna are what attract visitors to this idyllic place.

The best time to visit Almora for a holiday is from mid-June to mid-October, as the summers are relaxing. However, the weather conditions are pretty cold at all times.

Here is the list of Top 7 Places to Visit in Almora, Uttarakhand:

1. Katarmal Sun Temple

Katarmal Sun temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Katarmal village of Almora. Katarmal temple is dedicated to Lord Burhadita. It is one of the most famous historical sites in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon Hills. It is located at 2116m above sea level and is a monument of historical significance.

There is the main temple that surrounds the complex and 45 smaller temples with exquisite carvings. This temple also houses the idols of Shiva-Parvati (Narayana) and Lakshmi. The temple faces east; because of that, the first rays from the sun hit the Shiva Lingam. This temple is distinguished by its stone-built walls, intricate figures and beautiful pillar carvings.

It also has beautiful cut wooden doors. Visitors must have to walk the 2km to reach the temple complex. There are no transport options after the Kosi River. You can see the local culture as you travel through villages. This temple’s hours are from 9 am to 6 pm.

• Location: 19 km from Almora.
• Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to November.
• Highlights: Intricate carvings and the serene, ancient ambiance.
• Tips: Wear comfortable shoes as the temple requires a short uphill trek; mornings are the best time to visit for a peaceful experience.

2. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is located 26 kilometres from Almora. It is a must-see wildlife sanctuary tour in India. It is situated at 2270 m above sea level and covers 47.04 sq. km. Binsar was Kumaon’s summer capital during the Chand King’s rule from the 11th to 18th centuries.

The sanctuary covers five villages, and there are 30 villages along its boundary. The sanctuary is rich in diverse flora, and fauna and is home to many animals and plants. The sanctuary is home to more than 200 species, including Blackbirds, Laughing Thrushes, Nuthatches and Parakeets. Barking Deer and Himalayan bears, musk deer, langur, porcupine and flying squirrels, chital, monkey, and other species are also found in the sanctuary.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is perched high above the Jhandi Dhar hills. It’s a tranquil destination with rich natural surroundings. You can go on nature walks, biking, hiking, and bird watching. Read Also: Top 5 Destinations to Visit in Binsar, Uttarakhand

The best time to visit this sanctuary is between June to October. Entry fees are Rs. 150 per person, Rs 75 for students and Rs. 600 for foreigners. Vehicle entry fees are Rs.250 for small vehicles and Rs. 500 for Medium, and Rs. 800 for Heavy. Visitor hours are from 6 am to 6 pm.

• Location: 30 km from Almora.
• Best Time to Visit: October to March for clear skies and vibrant wildlife.
• Highlights: Dense oak forests, a rich variety of flora and fauna, and the Zero Point viewpoint.
• Tips: Carry binoculars and a camera; consider staying at one of the eco-resorts inside the sanctuary for an immersive experience.

3. Govind Ballabh Pant Government Museum

The Sri Govind Ballabh Pant Government Museum is located at the central lodge that is 700m away from Almora Bus Stand. It is one of the most popular places in Almora. In 1980, Govind Ballabh Pant’s Government Museum was founded. It was established in 1980 to honour Pandit Govind Pant’s contributions as a freedom fighter and his efforts to develop Uttarakhand.

It is well-known for its extensive collection of antiques from ancient times, dating back to the Katyuri dynasties that ruled Uttarakhand over several centuries. It has a diverse collection of arts and crafts. It contains folk arts, textiles and Boshi Sen’s collection. There are also miniature paintings and woodworks.

There are also various sculptures, terracotta and coins, bronzes, musical instrument collections, ivory copper plates, manuscripts, and beads. The museum also has an extensive collection of Kumauni paintings in ancient Kumauni style called Aspen. These paintings are a great source of information to research the culture and history of Uttarakhand. You can visit the museum from 10.30 to 4.30 pm on all days except Mondays.

• Location: Near Almora city center.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but ideally during weekdays for a quieter visit.
• Highlights: Ancient artifacts, manuscripts, and paintings depicting Kumaoni traditions.
• Tips: Allocate about an hour for the visit; photography is usually not allowed inside.

Read also: Why October is the Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand

4. Jageshwar Dham

Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage village in Uttarakhand’s Almora district. It is located 37 kilometres from Almora. It is situated at 1870m above sea level on the banks Jataganga River. Jageshwar was once the centre of Lakulish Shaivism. There are 124 temples in the temple city, including Chandi Temples, Jageshwar Temples, Kuber Temples, Mritunjaya Temples, Nanda Devi, Nava Durga and Nava-Grah Temples.

Surya Temple is the most significant shrine, and Mrityunjaya Temple is the oldest one. Although it is not clear when the Jageshwar temples were built, the ASI (Archeological Survey of India) says that they are from the post-Gupta or pre-medieval eras. These temples date from the 8th century to the 18th century.

The temples were reconstructed during the reign of Katyuri King Shalivahandev. For the temple’s maintenance, the Katyuri Kings donated villages. The Chand Kings of Kumaon also supported the Jageshwar temple. Many Jageshwar temples were built or renovated during the Gurjara Pratihara period. On the walls and pillars, there are over 25 inscriptions from different periods.

These inscriptions range from the 7th to the 10th centuries AD. Inscriptions are written in Sanskrit or Brahmi. Another must-see place in Jageshwar is the Archaeological Museum. Archaeological Survey of India runs the museum, which houses around 174 sculptures from the 9th to 13th centuries AD. Surya, Uma-Maheshwar and Navagraha are some of the most prominent sculptures. Jageshwar monsoon festival is held between 15 July to 15 Aug. The visiting hours are from 4 am to 6:30 pm.

• Location: 36 km from Almora.
• Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November.
• Highlights: Cluster of over 100 stone temples, some dating back to the 7th century.
• Tips: Ideal for a day trip; the nearby Jageshwar Archaeological Museum is worth a visit.

5. Bright End Corner

Bright End Corner is located at the top of Almora Ridge. It is 3km from Almora Bus Stand. This spot offers stunning views of sunrise and sunset among the majestic Himalayas. This point marks the start of Almora’s Mall Road and is named after Mr Brighton. It is also well-known for its many meditational centres, including Sri Ramakrishna Kutir Ashram or the Swami Vivekananda Library.

This place is famous for tourists from all over the globe who travel there from April to June and September-October to learn meditation classes. The Vivekananda Memorial is a little further away. This memorial is where Swami Vivekananda spent some time during his trip to the Himalayas.

• Location: 2 km from Almora city center.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with clear skies from October to March.
• Highlights: Peaceful ambiance and breathtaking views of the mountains.
• Tips: Visit early in the morning or late in the evening for the best views; there’s a small café nearby for refreshments.

6. Chitai Golu Devta Temple

Chitai temple is located 10 kilometres from Almora. It is a sacred temple near Falsima. Chitai temple is dedicated to Golu Devata, the mythological and historical God from the Kumaon area. This temple is perched on a hilltop and was built in the 12th century by a general of the Chand dynasty.

Golu Devta is known as God of Justice and is a well-known name. Legend says that once upon a time, a king was hunting in the forest. When he became thirsty, he ordered one of his servants to bring him water. The servant then disturbed a female saint who was deep in meditation. In a fit of anger, the woman insulted the king. The king fell in love with the lady and eventually married her. The other queens of the king jealously stole the child of the queen’s newborn and replaced it with another child.

They then threw him into a lake where a fisherman discovered him. This temple is located in the thick forest of the Chir pins. You can also see thousands of bells hanging on the temple grounds. The temple walls are covered in court stamp papers. These are petitions from devotees who did not get justice at the court. Kalva Devta is the brother of Golu Devta. Bhairava and Garh Devi represent him as Shakti. In many Chamoli, villages Golu Devta is prayed as a critical deity. Golu Devta is worshipped by devotees who generally wear a white cloth, Pagri, and White Shawl to worship him.

• Location: 9 km from Almora.
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with festivals in April and October being particularly vibrant.
• Highlights: Thousands of bells and letters of petitions from devotees.
• Tips: The temple is easily accessible by road; visit during weekdays to avoid crowds.

7. Deer Park

Deer Park is located in Narayan Tiwari Dewai of Almora Town. It is 6 km away from Almora Bus Stand. Deer Park is a significant attraction in Almora. It features tall pine trees that add to its natural beauty.

The park is home to a large number of wild leopards, Himalayan bears, and furious deer. The park is also a great place to go for a walk in the evenings. Read Also: 10 Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Uttarakhand.

• Location: Near Narayan Tiwari Dewai, about 3 km from Almora.
• Best Time to Visit: October to March.
• Highlights: Peaceful environment, ideal for a relaxed stroll or a family outing.
• Tips: Early morning visits are best for animal sightings; carry snacks and water as there are limited facilities.

Conclusion

This city is also known as the ‘Pearl of the East’ because of its rich flora and fauna. Almora is also the third-largest hill station of Uttrakhand. So, when you come to visit Almora, make sure that you visit the bright end of Almora, so you can enjoy all the magnificent attractions this place has to offer.