Almora is a cantonment town in Uttarakhand located at the edge of the Kumaon Hills in the Himalayas range. It is famous for its culture, cuisines, Shiva temples and handicraft market. From afar, it appears like a hillock with a horse saddle shape. The town is usually quite crowded, but its natural beauty has always been sustained throughout. Almora is known as the town of temples. The temple of Goddess Nanda Devi is situated in the centre of the town of Almora. The Himalayan Ranges are also visible from this area, and many hotels that give you a good view of the same. While here, check out the best restaurants in Almora to savour lip-smacking cuisine.
Delve Into The Almora History
Almora was founded in the year 1568 by a Chand ruler. There are some mentions of human settlements in the mountains and surrounding parts of the town of Mahabharata. Almora is considered to be the cultural core of the Kumaon region. It was the seat of the Chand Dynasty kings who ruled over the Kingdom of Kumaon. One of the rulers, Raja Kalyan Chand, was the ruler. Later on, the Gorkhas captured the town of Almora (1790 AD), and eventually, the British won over it after the wars of 1814 and 1815. Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned in jail in Almora during the British aristocracy.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Almora
Restaurants To Visit In Almora
Explore the ultimate restaurants in Almora to make your vacation more enjoyable. Taste authentic cuisine with your loved ones and stay energised.
1. Glory Restaurant
It is one of the most visited restaurants on L R Sah Rd, Almora, and it has facilities for large crowds, families, and kids. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Glory Restaurant serves delectable cuisines, mainly Chinese, South Indian, North Indian, Indian, and Mughlai. The approximate cost for two people is 350rs. It serves various Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner menus and street food. Dal Makhani is a particular delicacy of this restaurant. Do order it when you visit.
Timings: 9:30 am- 10:30 pm
2. Himalayan Hobbit House
This restaurant is located on Binsar Road in Almora and is one of the highest-rated restaurants in the town. The cuisines served there are Chinese, Fast food, Israeli, Indian, Asian and Central Asian. In addition to this, you will get phenomenal views of the Himalayan range and Hawalbagh Valley while enjoying a mouth-watering, reasonably-priced meal. People have appreciated their exotic mocktails, which seem like a must-try. It has both indoor and outdoor seating that you can choose from, a free Wi-Fi connection, and street parking!
Timings: 9 am- 10 pm
Suggested Read: Chopta In Summer
3. House Of Blues
This cute restaurant in Kasar Devi Road, Almora, is popular for its momos and filet américain and serves Chinese, Indian, and Cafe cuisine. The ambience and the smell of tasty dishes make you linger here for longer. This restaurant also has a good collection of books that anyone can pick up and read—how cool is that? Check it out.
Timings: 10 am-10 pm
4. Kasar Rainbow Restaurant
Another great restaurant located in Binsar, Almora, Kasar Rainbow, is one of the favourites of the locals and tourists. Due to its good location on the way to the trekking trail, this restaurant attracts several hikers and enthusiastic backpackers. The restaurant is open every day between 9 am and 10 pm and serves Italian, Asian, Indian, Chinese, and Mediterranean delicacies. The best part is that it is all homemade food with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options and a reasonably priced menu. It only costs around 200rs to 300rs per person.
Timings: 24/7
Suggested Read: Dunagiri Temple
Almora Location And Geography
Almora is situated in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. It is about 365 km from New Delhi, around 415 km from Dehradun and 63 km from Nainital. It lies on an elevation of 5,262 ft above sea level, on a ridge at Kumaon Hills. It used to be the summer capital for the Chand Kings and is considered best to visit during the Spring and Summer seasons ( March to May ). During this time, the weather provides a pleasant getaway from the harsh heat that other states experience. It is also a great time for outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Almora welcomes several trekkers every year to hike in its Himalayan peaks. Deodar, Pine and Cedar trees are widespread here. On the other hand, Winter (November – February) is freezing cold and may not be a convenient choice for a tourist destination, but frequent travellers can visit any time. Monsoon season ( July and September ) is not recommended for tourists since it restricts outdoor activities.
Almora Travel Route
- By Air—Pantnagar’s domestic airport is 125 kilometres from Almora and a great travel option.
- By Train—Kathgodam is the nearest major city with a railway station to Almora. It’s about a two-hour drive, and the distance is around 81 km. The railway service is amazing, and the city is connected to many other neighbouring towns.
- By Road—Almora is connected to many great tourist places, with Ranikhet and Binsar being the most popular. The Uttaranchal State Road Transport Corporation has great bus services that connect Almora to Delhi.
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Almora Activities
Almora has a rich heritage of old temples that echo the historic significance of the place.
Nanda Devi and Kasar Devi Temple, known for their spiritual atmosphere, are must-visits. Let yourself loose in Almora’s colourful and lively culture by strolling through its vibrant bazaars. The narrow lanes by the shops selling local items such as handicrafts and textiles are just waiting to be picked up by you. You will find many shawls and pottery items in the Almora market. Nature lovers will be obsessed with Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and jump on a safari to explore the wild. Almora’s cuisine is the one which you’ll regret not having a taste of. Try authentic Kumaoni and pahadi dishes like bhatt ki churkani, chains and made ki roti.
Further Read: Dodital Darwa Pass Trek
Now that you have this little guide of important travel tips and information, it will surely help you have a blast while visiting the vibrant town of Almora as you book tickets for your next trip to Uttarakhand.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Almora
When to visit Almora?
Summer is the best time to explore the numerous tourist places in Almora comfortably. The months of April, May and June are the most conducive to coming here. Since the weather in Almora is mild during these particular months, tourists can rejuvenate and enjoy themselves. The temperature ranges around 25 °C to 32 °C.
Is it safe to travel to Almora?
Well, the crime rate in the town of Almora, Uttarakhand is almost zero. It is a very safe town with generous localities that are ready to help you anytime.
What is the condition of the roads in Almora?
Since the roads in Almora are a part of NH - 87, the roadways are very good with smooth accessibility to other towns as well.
What are some good places to visit near Almora?
Yes. Some good places to visit near Almora, are Binsar, Jageshwar, Mukteshwar, Nainital, Bhimtal and many more.
Are there good accommodation options in Almora?
There are very good hotels and accommodations in Almora. You will find not only low-budget and budget-friendly hotels but also luxury hotels and resorts.
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