Tourist Places In Kumaon That You Must Check Out On Your Next Retreat In 2020

10 Mar 2019

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Kumaon is a breathtaking region extending from the northern ends of Uttarakhand up to Tibet. Blessed with abundant natural beauty, biodiversity, crystal clear lakes, and snow-clad mountains, there are numerous tourist places in Kumaon that draw thousands of tourists annually.

Top Kumaon tourist attractions include the likes of Nainital, Ranikhet, Mukteshwar etc. In addition to sightseeing, visitors can also enjoy a host of activities here such as trekking, camping, paragliding, nature walks, fishing, golfing and much more. All in all, Kumaon has something for all kinds of travelers. While some places can be accessed all year round, others are more seasonal.

Top Tourist Places In Kumaon

Check out these popular destinations in Kumaon where you can go to escape the harsh summer of the cities and metros.

Nainital
Ranikhet
Mukteshwar
Almora
Champawat
Pithoragarh
Munsiyari
Abbott Mount
Kausani
Lohaghat
Bhimtal
Jim Corbett
Sattal

1. Nainital

Your list of places to visit in Kumaon must include Nainital, also known as the crowning jewel of Uttarakhand. The hill station is perhaps the most visited in the region and has numerous tourist attractions nearby. This quintessential hill station is ideal for a perfect weekend getaway.

Best time to visit: All year round (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Nainital Lake, Snow View, Tiffin Top, Naini Peak
Things to do: Sightseeing, Ropeway Rides, Elephant Safari, Boating, Camping, Trekking

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2. Ranikhet

Houses of locals in the valley of Ranikhet

Ranikhet is among the most popular tourist places of Kumaon. Ranikhet is aptly named the Queen of Meadows as this magnificent hill station is a paradise for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. The landscapes are blessed with a lush forest cover, colorful flowers, pine trees, and spectacular views for a quiet and peaceful getaway.

Best time to visit: April-September (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Jhula Devi Temple, Mankameshar Temple, Chaubatia Gardens, Upat Golf Course, Majkhali, Bhalu Dam
Things to do: Nature Walks, Trekking, Fishing, Golfing, Visit a Temple, Paragliding, Camping

3. Mukteshwar

Any blog listing Kumaon tourist places is incomplete without the mention of the beautiful hill station of Mukteshwar. This scenic hill station is blessed with panoramic and magnificent mountain peaks such as Panchchuli, Nanda Devi, and Trisulas. The lush green outdoors and peaceful atmosphere make Mukteshwar the ideal choice for a much-needed weekend getaway.

Best time to visit: April-September (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Mukteshwar Temple, Sitla, Chauthi Jaali, Bhalu Gaad Waterfalls, Mukteshwar Dam, Choco House Chocolatiers
Things to do: Trekking, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Heritage Viewing, Shopping, Temple Visit, Paragliding, Camping,

4. Almora

This breathtakingly beautiful hill station has all the makings of a perfect romantic holiday. It’s secluded, peaceful, and serene as there are never many people around. So, make sure you include Almora in your list of Kumaon places to visit.

Best time to visit: April-September (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Zero Point, Jageshwar, Kasar Devi Temple, Katarmal Sun Temple, Deer Park, Bright End Corner
Things to do: Visit a temple, Sightseeing, Trekking, Camping

5. Champawat

Among the numerous places in Kumaon hills, the quaint village of Champawat is a must visit. Champawat is ideal for trekking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The weather here can be quite unpredictable, so make sure you pack accordingly or avoid visiting in the monsoon season altogether.

Best time to visit: April-September (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Banasur Ka Kila, Baleshwar Temple, Kranteshwar Mahadev Temple, Nagnath, Shymla Tal, Ek Hathiya Ka Naula, Gwal Devta
Things to do: Trekking, Camping, Sightseeing

6. Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh is among the relatively unknown places of interest in Kumaon, but worth a visit in summers. This hill station is ideal for those who are looking to calm a restless mind. Visit Pithoragarh to tune out the world and reboot for a few days. And if you feel like going out, there are some scenic walking trails around.

Best time to visit: April- September (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Chandak, Dhwaj Temple, Kapilaswar Cave, Pithoragarh Fort, Purana Bazaar, Cinema Line, Askot Sanctuary

7. Munsiyari

Munsiyari is a beautiful hidden gem in Uttarakhand

In recent years, Munsiyari has become a popular base camp for trekkers heading up to Ramalm, Namik, and Milam glaciers. The most striking feature about Munsiyari is its pristine and untouched beauty and surrounding landscapes enveloped in snow-clad mountains. For all this beauty and more, make sure you include Munsiyari in your list of tourist places in Kumaon region.

Best time to visit: All year round (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Birthi Falls, Maheshwari Kund, Panchachuli Peak, Kalamuni Top, Thamari Kund
Things to do: Trekking, Nature Walks, Skiing, Bird Watching, Temple Visits, Shopping, Sightseeing

8. Abbott Mount

Image Source
Abbott Mount is among the few untouched and unsung hill stations in Uttarakhand. Its obscure location, scenic beauty, panoramic views, and lush green outdoors make it an ideal destination for a perfect summer holiday. Make sure Abbott Mount features front and centre on your list of tourist places in Kumaon if you wish to enjoy Kumaon’s scenic beauty and weather to the fullest.

Best time to visit: April-September (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Pancheshwar, Lohaghat, Vanasur Ka Kila, Mayawati Ashram
Things to do: Photography, Bird Watching, Fishing, Bonfire

9. Kausani

Mahatma Gandhi nicknamed Kausani as the Switzerland of India and rightly so as it’s a hidden paradise located amidst the magnificent Himalayas. If you are a nature lover and passionate about photography, then make sure you visit this heavenly hill station.

Best time to visit: April-September (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Rudradhari Falls and Caves, Baijnath Temple, Kasauni Tea Estate, Someshwar, Sumitranandan Pant Museum, Stargate Observatory
Things to do: Shopping, Temple visits, Sightseeing, Trekking, Rock climbing

10. Lohaghat

Located among oak and pine forests and an abundance of natural beauty with 360-degree panoramic views, Lohaghat is a secluded and quaint little hill station. It’s a hidden jewel of Uttarakhand just waiting to be explored.

Best time to visit: All year round (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Abbott Mount, Advaita Ashram, Nagnath Temple, Vansur’s Fort
Things to do: Trekking, Nature Walks, Sightseeing, Temple visits

11. Bhimtal

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Bhimtal happens to be a prominent destination over the Kumaon tourist map owing to its pretty Bhimtal Lake. The lake is among the most popular lakes in the Kumaon region and also the largest one. Located at an elevation of 1371 m above sea level, it attracts people with its crystal clear waters and enchanting hilly surroundings. It’s a great place for boating and hanging out in the evening. Currently, the lake has developed into a massive aquarium with various research institutes working over it in the vicinity.

Best time to visit: All year round (Avoid the monsoons)
Places to see: Bhimtal Lake
Things to do: Boating, Nature Walks

12. Jim Corbett

Jim Corbett is among the most popular tourist places in Kumaon hills owing to the tiger reserve that occupies most of this region. This park came into being in 1936 and was named after Jim Corbett, the author who had written the book “The Man-Eaters of Kumaon” and was a hunter in this region. Spanning a core area of over 520 sq km, these lush grasslands are specifically famous for its tiger population. Other species that live here include Nilgai, Ghoral, Hog deer, sambar, chital, Rhesus Langur, wild dogs, jackals, fox, wild boar, sloth bear, black bear, cobra, python, Asiatic elephants, and crocodiles. This park also provides shelter to around 580 species of birds

Best time to visit: October to June
Places to see: Dhikala, Garjia Temple, Kalagarh Dam
Things to do: Jeep safari, interaction with elephants, wildlife sighting

13. Sattal

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Located just 14 km from Nainital, Sattal has yet another prominent lake of Kumaon that is made up of 7 interconnecting lakes that gave it its name “Sat-Tal”. The names of these mini lakes have been derived from the famous characters of the popular Hindu epic Ramayana. The 5 perennial lakes among these include the Ram Tal, Sita Tal, Lakshman Tal, Hanuman Tal, and Garuda Tal. The remaining two lakes, the Sookha Tal and Biyun Tal, are seasonal. They make up for some of the most wonderful tourist places in Kumaon, Uttarakhand.

Best time to visit: October to June
Places to see: The 7 lakes or ponds
Things to do: Boating, birdwatching

Further Read: 6 National Parks In Uttarakhand That Would Please Your Eyes & Calm Your Adventurous Side

This was our pick in the top 10 tourist places in Kumaon. Tell us which ones are your favourite and book your trip to Uttarakhand right away! If you know of any more places one can explore in the Kumaon region, don’t hesitate to tell us in the comments section below!

Frequently Asked Questions About Tourist Places In Kumaon

Q. How can I reach Kumaon?

A. One can drive to Kumaon from major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Dehradun. Travelers can also travel by train from New Delhi and reach Kumaon in just 4 hours. The nearest railhead is in Ramnagar, while the nearest airport is the Pantnagar airport.

Q. What are the lakes of Kumaon Himalayas known as?

A. Some of the prominent lakes of the Kumaon region include the Khurpatal, Nainital, Sattal, Nal Damyanti Tal, Bhimtal, and Naukuchiatal. These lakes are considered some of the best tourist places in Kumaon.

Q. Is Rudrapur a hill station?

A. Rudrapur is a small hill town that has recently started gaining popularity amongst tourists.