20 Tourist Places In Kumaon You Must Visit On Your 2020 Trip

18 Apr 2020

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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.

20 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 – Amidst Surreal Beauty
Ranikhet – In Complete Solace
Mukteshwar – Explore The Lush Greenery
Almora – Breathtaking Beauty
Champawat – The Lap Of Nature
Pithoragarh – Serenity At Its Peak
Munsiyari – Beautiful Landscapes
Abbott Mount – Infinite Beauty
Kausani – A Surreal Abode
Lohaghat – Away From The Hustle Bustle
Bhimtal – Silence And Serenity
Jim Corbett – Amidst The Wildlife
Sattal – Into The Woods
Binsar – A Sleepy Life
Ramgarh – For The Fruit Orchards
Chaukori – A Majestic Town
Pangot – Nainital’s Twin
Berinag – The Stories Of Lords
Didihat – The Heartthrob Of Kumaon
Jeolikot – A Pristine Place

1. Nainital – Amidst Surreal Beauty

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

Must Read: Camping In Nainital: 11 Sites For The Perfect Mix Of Nature & Adventure

2. Ranikhet – In Complete Solace

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 – Explore The Lush Greenery

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 – Breathtaking Beauty

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 – The Lap Of Nature

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 – Serenity At Its Peak

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
Things to do: Nature walks, shopping, temple visits, trekking

7. Munsiyari – Beautiful Landscapes

Munsiyari is a beautiful hidden gem in Uttarakhand

In recent years, Munsiyari has become a popular base camp for trekking in Uttarakhand and for those 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 – Infinite Beauty

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 – A Surreal Abode

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 – Away From The Hustle Bustle

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 – Silence And Serenity

Image Source
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 National Park – Amidst The Wildlife

Jim Corbett National Park 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 – Into The Woods

Image Source
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, bird-watching

14. Binsar – A Sleepy Life

Image Credits: Raj Borah for Wikimedia

A sleepy and offbeat hill station in Uttarakhand is Binsar and so traveling here means absolute rejuvenation from city life. Just the scenic views of the Himalayas from Binsar would make your day. The snow surfaced mountains of Nanda Devi, Panchachuli, Nanda Kot and Chaukhamba will be ever glorious. The nature, estates, temples and the local market truly make for a remarkable journey. Stay at any of the beautiful cottages in Binsar to commemorate your trip.

Best time to visit: October to March
Places to see: Zero Point, Golu Devta Temple, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Khali Estate Binsar
Things to do: Nature walks, trekking, hiking, paragliding, rafting

15. Ramgarh – For The Fruit Orchards

Image Credits: Ricky Ponting for Wikimedia

Ramgarh is one of those offbeat places in Uttarakhand which almost everyone ignores. The place is also popular as the “Fruit Bowl of Kumaon.” A hidden destination is a heaven for tourists seeking a place in the hills. There are hardly any words to describe the beauty of Ramgarh – serenity, tranquility and magnificence – are truly discovered here.

Best time to visit: November to May
Places to see: Fruit orchards, Bhalu Gaad falls, Baba Neem Karoli Mandir, Ghorakhal Temple
Things to do: Hiking, temple visits, nature trekking

16. Chaukori – A Majestic Town

Image Credits: Subham for Wikimedia

Chaukori is a majestic town of Kumaon where the charming and picturesque vibes will grapple you. It might not be your ideal choice for the top places to visit in Uttarakhand which is one of the more reasons to travel here.Located on the verge of Jim Corbett, you can experience the life of staying at a quiet and unspoilt holiday resort. The complete view of the Panchachuli peaks makes Himalaya-view magnificent.

Best time to visit: October to February
Places to see: Patal Bhubaneshwari, Nakuleshwar Temple, Kapileshwar Mahadev
Things to do: Watching the awe-inspiring sunset, go for a trek and hike to the temples

17. Pangot – Nainital’s Twin

Image Credits: Pratima for Wikimedia

Pangot is another serene village in the Kumaon region located very close to Nainital. Surrounded by thick forests, quiet streams & hiking trails, the paradise is more relevant to nature lovers. The famous bird sanctuary here contains in excess of 350 bird species. Situated very close to Nainital, a day will be sufficient to tour the entire area. This remote Himalayan village will offer you plenty of comfort and rejuvenation.

Best time to visit: October to June
Places to see: Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, Camel’s Back, Kilbury Forest Rest House
Things to do: Bird-watching, trekking, hiking, camping

18. Berinag – The Stories Of Lords

Image Credits: Neeraj Bhandari for Wikimedia

Berinag is one of the top hill stations near Nainital, about 160 km away and surrounded by nature’s ethereal beauty. The place is also the home of “Nag Devta” – an ancient god of hinduism. Berinag makes it to the list of top tourist attractions in Kumaon due to the seclusion it offers. Being on the eastern front of Uttarakhand, the views of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Rajrambha are clear. The British-era tea estate makes the finest tea in the whole of Kumaon region.

Best time to visit: October to March
Places to see: Chineshwar Waterfall, Nag Devta Temple
Things to do: Hiking, village tours, photography, views of sunset

19. Didihat – The Heartthrob Of Kumaon

Image Credits: Nitin for Wikimedia

From one great town to another, we shift our focus to Didihat, another heartthrob of Kumaon. The hilly town of Didihat is rich in flora and fauna and offers magnificent views of the verdant valley surrounded by ridges. The famous Panchachuli peaks are visible and it can be everclear to watch here. The place also has some historic significance which is all the many reasons to visit Didihat.

Best time to visit: September to December
Places to see: Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary, Shirakot Temple, Didihat fort
Things to do: Camping, hiking, trekking, village tours

20. Jeolikot – A Pristine Place

Jeolikot is another mind-blowing and pristine hill station in Kumaon region. The place is also known as the gateway to Nainital lake. With a pleasant climate throughout the year, Jeolikot is an ever-loving destination with a supreme horticulture. With just 17 km from Nainital, you can visit here if you have an extra day to kill. You will not be disappointed. Stay at some of the best Kumaon resorts in Jeolikot which have access to a lot of rejuvenation activities.

Best time to visit: All year round (avoid monsoons)
Places to see: Naina Peak, Sariyatal, Himalayan Botanical Garden, Butterfly Garden
Things to do: Nature walks, bird-watching, butterfly-watching

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

This was our pick for the top tourist places in Kumaon. Tell us which ones are your favorite 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!

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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.

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Kanika Saxena

Kanika has 4 years of experience in writing blogs and marketing content for travel. And when she’s not writing, she’s either exploring new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in her camera.

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20 Tourist Places In Kumaon You Must Visit On Your 2020 Trip