8 Day trip to Kumaun Hills, Uttarakhand, India - Simply Heaven

One thing my friends associate with me whenever it comes to a trip is, planning. A few google searches to impress people around doesn’t actually harm, so I really don’t mind them believing I’m a good planner :)

There’s a trip I would love to do myself but time restrains me now. Good thing is, I have seen most of the places as all are near my native :)

I planned this for one of my friends. It’s not a bad plan actually, and that makes me share it.

Take time off and do this one, you will feel reborn and rejuvenated, trust me.

8 Day trip to Kumaun Hills, Uttarakhand, India - Simply Heaven - The Plan

Ideal for a group of 5 - 10. Mode of travel beyond Kathgodam can be Car or Motor Bikes,

though you might need a crash cab, mostly to carry luggage, if you wish to do this on bikes.

I'm currently based at Bangalore, so the trip starts here :), you would want to cut down/ add days if the start point is somewhere else.

Kumaun hills are Photographer's Paradise; make sure you carry your best camera. The trip has a relaxed plan that gives enough time to the photographer inside, to stop wherever and click whatever :)

Day 1

Bangalore – Delhi (Fly) – 2.20 min – reach by afternoon preferably

Delhi(Old Delhi railway station) to Kathgodam – Train – Ranikhet Express(5013)

(10.35pm – 5.45 AM)

Day 2

Kathgodam - Nainital - Hire a taxi (pre-book preferably) (35 Kms 1.5 Hours)

You will reach Nainital by 8 – 9 max.

Get a place to stay (KMVN Guest house preferably (http://kmvn.org/) - pre-book using the website. Getting accommodation at Nainital is not easy, unless it is really off-season, March – June is season, September – November is moderate. Durga Pooja (Sometime in Oct normally) is a big occasion, if you plan during those days be sure to get an accommodation beforehand.

Explore Nainital –

Nainital does not need any introduction and specially by me. Experience for yourself :)

Do’s:

Must Visit: Snow View(By Cable Car), Kilbari, Hanuman Garhi

Must Eat: Mutton Momo’s at Bhotia Market, Softee at Mall Road

Shopping : Bhotia Market, Mall Road (bargain to the core :))

Must Do: Boating, Cable Car to Snow View, A walk on Thandi sarak, A must walk on the Mall road in the evening.

Day 3

Nainital – Bhowali – Sattal – Bhimtal – Naukuchiyatal – Bhimtal – Ghorakhal – Bhowali – Nainital

Head to Sattal(23kms). Seven lakes within 10 kms, some are private and not accessible but you can see them all from the car. Enjoy boating at the last lake, have your breakfast at this place.

Visit Bhimtal(Sattal-Bhimtal, about 10 kms), take a boat to the Island Restaurant for a cup of tea.

Leave for Naukuchiyatal(Bhimtal – Naukuchiyatal, about 6 kms), this is one the most beautiful lakes, if lucky enough you can see the lotus pond full blooming flowers.

Head back to Nainital, visit Ghorakhal on the way if you have time. Temple of bells, one of the most sacred places for the people of Kumaun. Devotees make a wish and offer bells to the lord Gollu Devta, when the wish comes true.

Day 4

Nainital – Bhowali – Ranikhet – Kausani

Nainital – Ranikhet (60km, 2 Hours)

Ranikhet – Kausani (70kms, 2.5 Hours)

Head for Ranikhet, it is one of the most scenic and serene places of Kumaun hills. As the day progresses don’t miss to watch the snow peaks change their colour. It’s a lovely getaway if you wish to surrender yourself to peace and calmness and forget the chaotic blues of daily life.

Leave for Kausani around 3 - 4, will take 2 – 2.5 hours. Stay at Kausani.

Sunrise at Kausani is one of the best you would ever see in your lifetime. When the sun rises from the mystic Himalayas, and the white snow clad beauties turn crimson, it certainly is a view you would want to die for.

Day 5

Kausani – Bageshwar - Chakori – Munsyari

Kausani – Chakori (85km, 2 – 2.5 hours)

Chakori – Munsyari (50kms, 1.5 hours)

Don’t miss the tea gardens at Chakori and don’t worry about the travel time, entire route is absolutely breathtaking.

Munsyari - Located at an altitude of 2, 200 meters above the sea level amidst snow capped Kumaon Himalayas

http://www.bharatonline.com/uttarakhand/pithoragarh/munsiyari.html

You can speak to the guest house people, and get a trek arranged to glaciers like Ralam and Milam, if really interested in some wild time out. (need more days off for the trek for sure though)

Day 6

Explore Munsyari

Khaliya Top & Betuli Dhar: Known place for skiing and adventure sports. Betuli Dhar is about 5kms, from Munsyari.

Madkot: 22 kms, from Munsyari. Madkot has hot water springs which are said to cure Arthritis and skin eruptions.

Birthi Fall: Spectacular waterfalls

This completes the first half of the trip, for the return journey we got two options:

Option 1

Day 7

Head to Ramnagar (Jim Corbett National Park)

Munsyari – Bageshwar - Almora – Ranikhet – Ramnagar (224 kms, 5 - 6 hours)

Stay overnight at Corbett National Park or Ramnagar.

Do a night safari if possible at Corbett park, or do a day safari next day (Pre-book to avoid last minute rush)

Day 8

Take the night train from Ramnagar to Delhi - Corbett Park Link (5014A) (21.40pm – 3.55 AM)

Day 9

Delhi – Bangalore

Option 2

Day 7

Head to Kathgodam

Munsyari – Bageshwar - Almora – Bhimtal – Kathgodam(196 kms, 4 – 5 hours)

(the train leaves at 20.40 pm, Kathgodam is not a busy station, arriving there half n hour before is good enough, you can probably ease the journey with numerous tea and photography breaks :))

Take the night train from Kathgodam to Delhi - Ranikhet Express(5014) (20.40pm – 3.55 AM)

Day 8

Delhi - Bangalore

Importants:

- Get accommodation and preferably pre-book, at KMVN guest houses as much as possible, they are cheap, safe and always have the best locations, like at Kausani you can view sunrise from your room only :). (http://kmvn.org/)

- Book a taxi for 8 days, preferably from Kathgodam, KMVN has a Guest House there and they should be able to help you with this. In a group of 5 - 6 this turns out to be cheaper and also saves a lot of time and luggage carrying effort.

- Speak hindi, everyone knows the language there.

- Carry woolens, few places are chilly be it anytime of the year.

- Complete journey beyond Kathgodam is on hilly roads, I hope you can take that

- Bargaining at all places other than the restaurants :), is not a bad idea, the boat rates etc. at certain places are not government controlled.

Disclaimer: The plan and information are based on my knowledge and some Google search about Kumaun. I though, do not guarantee the accuracy of travel time, distance and the places too in case the Government decides to delete or rename some by the time you happen to visit :)

Happy Traveling,

Kamal