Kumaon Travel Guide
Kumaon
Region
Kumaon is a beautiful region in the newly formed state Uttaranchal.
Kumaon is derived from "Kurmanchal" which meanes Land of the
Kurmavtar (the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu, preserver of mankind
as per Hindu religion). Kumaon consists of six Districts Almora,
Nainital, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat and Udhamsingh Nagar. Kumaon
is situated in central Himalayas. There is vast Himalayan range in the
north, Kali river in east, Gharwal in the west and Plain area in south,
to make the typial boundry of this region.
Getting There
Air
The only airport of Kumaon is in Pantnagar. Regular flights to Delhi,
Kolkata and Lucknow connects it with rest of India. From Pantnagar, one
can get taxi and bus to reach other cities of the region.
Rail
Kathgodam is the major railhead of Kumaon. It is connected to Delhi,
Lucknow, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai and other major cities of India.
One can get local transport, taxis and buses to visit the different
districts of Kumaon.
Road
Kumaon is connected very well internally as well as to the nearby
states. Nainital is the gateway to Kumaon. Nainital is connected to NH
87. Regular buses run from Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lucknow,
Kanpur & Bareilly. Besides, luxury coaches are available from Delhi
for Nainital. Distances of some nearby cities from Nainital are Almora-
64 Km, Pithoragarh- 186 Km, Ranikhet- 62 Km, Kathgodam- 34 Km, Bareilly-
140 Km, Lucknow- 400 Km, Agra- 403 Km, Delhi- 310 Km, Dehradun- 300 Km
and Haridwar- 245 Km.
Major Attractions
Nainital
A beautiful hill station in Kumaon hills, Nainital is popular for the
its beautiful views, and boat rides in lakes. There are excellent stay
facilities in Nainital, along with unending tourism oppurtunities.
Nainital is located at an altitude of 1,938 metres, and offers a
panoramic view of the mighty Himalaya range.
Corbett
National Park
Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve lies 280 km north-east of New
Delhi in the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttaranchal. Named
after the celebrated hunter turned naturalist, Jim Corbett w,ho
immortalized the area through his famous books, Corbett is India's first
national park and was established in 1936. Encompassing 1200 sq kms of
foothills of the western Himalayas and the adjacent Terai region,
Corbett contains a wide range of habitats. The thick Sal forests in the
Bhabar zone and the Chaurs (the open grassland) are intersected by river
valleys and streams- tributaries of the Ramganga and Kosi rivers
creating primeval forests which are a hotspot of bio-diversity.
Ranikhet
Ranikhet is a small town, 54 Km from Nainital. The city is famous for
its natural beauty and scenic views. Ranikhet holds a fair called
Nandadevi Mela, which is a prime attraction. The fair is organised in
several cities. But the one in Ranikhet is considered best one. The city
holds tremendous potential for tourism. There is a 9 hole golf course
here, which is the best maintained golf course of India.
Almora
Almora is another hill station, 66 Km from Nainital. The glamour and
glitter of Ranikhet and Nainital is totally absent in Almora. Almora is
very virgin hill-station and is full of scenic beauty. It appears that
mother nature has spread and blessed this place with her pure love. The
town promises an excellent sunset and sunrise views from its hilltop.
Adventure
Sports
Kumaon is a hub of adventure sports activities. One can enjoy yatching
and boating in the lakes of Kumaon. Rafting in Kumaon is also a major
hit amongst the visitors. Trekking, white water rafting and jungle
safari can be enjoyed here. For the lovers of Golf, Kumaon has two golf
courses, one at Ranikhet and another at Nainital. Both these golf
courses are set amidst Himalayas, surrounded by fruit orchards.
Accommodations
There are many hotels in Kumaon region, comprising of star rated,
luxury and economy range. Government owned guest houses and tourists
lodges are also in abundance. Kumaon is mainly a tourists place, unlike
Garhwal, which is also a pilgrimage site. Hence the stay facilities here
are the best in India.
