Almora sits on a crescent-shaped ridge in the Kumaon hills at about 1,640 m. It was founded in 1568 by Kalyan Chand and became the seat of the Chand kings, who ruled Kumaon from here. That history is still visible in its stone temples, its old bazaar lanes and the Nanda Devi temple, the family shrine of the Chand dynasty.
The town is small and best explored on foot. Lala Bazar is the old market lane and the birthplace of bal mithai, the dark khoya sweet coated in poppy seeds that Almora is known for. A short walk away are the museum on Mall Road and the Tamta quarter, where a few families still beat copper into vessels by hand. Bright End Corner, on the edge of town, is the easiest place to watch the light change over the Himalayan range.
Most of what makes a trip here rewarding lies just outside town. Katarmal's ninth-century Sun temple, Chitai's temple of bells, Kasar Devi's ridge, the forests of Binsar and the temple valley of Jageshwar are all within a morning or day by road. The roads are winding and the town is steep, so Almora suits unhurried travellers more than those who want to tick off sights.
For older travellers it is manageable with planning. Choose a hotel with easy vehicle access, avoid the monsoon months of landslides and cloud, and keep one main outing per day. The weather is cool for much of the year, so pack layers even when the plains are hot.
Before you plan
Almora at a glance
- Best months
- March to June and October to…March to June and October to November are the most comfortable; December to February is cold but often clear; July and August bring heavy monsoon rain and landslide risk.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 to 3 days for the town and one or…2 to 3 days for the town and one or two day trips; add a day for Jageshwar and Binsar
- Airport
- Pantnagar AirportPantnagar Airport (PGH), about 115-120 km away by road; flights are limited, so many travellers fly to Delhi and continue by road or rail
- Railway station
- KathgodamKathgodam (KGM) is the nearest railhead, roughly 85-90 km by road, with onward taxis or buses
- Getting around
- Taxis and shared cabs for outingsTaxis and shared cabs for outings; the town centre is walkable but steep. A hired car and driver is easiest for Jageshwar, Binsar and Katarmal.
- Daily budget
- Modest by Indian hill-station standardsModest by Indian hill-station standards; the main cost is private taxis for day trips. Check current hotel and taxi rates before you plan.
- Senior comfort
- Good with planning: town sights are…Good with planning: town sights are short and mostly close, but lanes are steep and hill roads are winding; Katarmal and Jageshwar involve steps
- Language
- Kumaoni and Hindi locallyKumaoni and Hindi locally; English is understood at hotels and main sights
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Almora: March, April, October, November. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Almora itinerary
One good day
1 day in Almora
Start at the Nanda Devi temple in the town centre, then walk through Lala Bazar for bal mithai and a look at the old shopfronts. Visit the Govind Ballabh Pant museum on Mall Road if you want a sheltered hour. After lunch, take a taxi to Kasar Devi for the ridge, or to Katarmal if you prefer history. Finish at Bright End Corner for sunset if the sky is clear.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Almora
Begin with the Nanda Devi temple, walk through Lala Bazar for bal mithai, and look for the Tamta workshops in the old town. Add the museum on Mall Road. In the late afternoon take a taxi to Bright End Corner for sunset and a quiet end to the day.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Almora
Nanda Devi temple in the morning, Lala Bazar and bal mithai, then the museum. In the afternoon look for the Tamta workshops, and end at Bright End Corner for sunset.
Day-by-day plan →
