Almora

This beautiful hill station is at 1650m. Almora is known as the town of temples because it has several ancient and modern Hindu temples. In the background are the Himalayas, which is why most travelers come here. It has cobbled streets and stone and wood buildings. In a good part of the center of town only pedestrians are allowed.

Information
The UP Tourist Office (22180) is next to the Savoy Hotel (Mon to Sat 10 am to 5 pm).

KMVN, in the Holiday Home, can book KMVN accommodations in the Kumaon area.

Treks in the area can be arranged with Discover Himalaya (23507), on The Mall opposite the GPO; and High Adventure (23445), next door. They hire out equipment and arrange guides.

The State Bank of India may change money. They prefer American Express travelers cheques.

What to See and Do
There are really good places to take walks, along with good views of the mountains and a nice bazaar. The 8km walk to Kasara Devi (Durga) Temple on Kalmatiya Hill is good. There are good views from the hill.

There is a small museum and the Himalaya Woollen Mill can be visited. Bright End Corner is a good viewpoint located 3km southwest along The Mall.

Near the top of the town is a group of old stone temples. The main temple is dedicated to Nanda Devi, who is the goddess of the area’s highest mountain. There is a big festival here in honor of Nanda Devi in the month of Aug/Sept.

At Deer Park, a nice 3km walk northeast of The Mall, there are deer, leopards and Himalaya black bears.

Where to Stay—Bazaar Area
Tourist Cottage has really basic rooms for Rs 100.
Hotel Pawan has rooms with bath for Rs 125/225. It has a billiards table.
Hotel Shikar (30253), near the bus stand, has rooms ranging from Rs 100 with common bath to Rs 800 for a room with bath and hot water. It has a good restaurant. It is the best hotel in the area and has great views. Recommended.

Where to Stay—Other Areas
The hotels outside the bazaar are more peaceful. It is also possible to stay in rooms in local people’s houses.
Tranquillity Retreat, run for almost 20 years by a French woman, is a good peaceful place to stay with great views of the mountains. Rooms are Rs 90 per night. The food is excellent. To get here you walk on the road to Kasara Devi for about 10 minutes. You then turn down the path where the sign for the place is located and then walk for a while going over the ridge.
The Savoy Hotel (22329) has good-size rooms with bath for Rs 400. It is a quiet place with a garden and verandah. There is a 30% discount in the off-season.
Deodar Holiday Inn (23295), The Mall, has a nice garden and rooms for Rs 450.
Kailash Hotel (30624), opposite the post office, has rooms for Rs 250 and dorm beds for Rs 60. It is friendly, and is a popular place with travelers. Recommended.
KMVN Holiday Home (30250), The Mall, has mid-range rooms, cottages for Rs 350 and dorm beds for Rs 70. It has a garden and good views.
Hotel Konark (23217), The Mall, near the bus stand, has clean single rooms for Rs 200 and double rooms with bath for Rs 300 to Rs 500. Bucket hot water. It is a well-managed place.
Renuka Hotel (22860), opposite the post office, has comfortable rooms with bath and hot water for Rs 400 to Rs 550 and dorm beds are Rs 80. There is a 25% discount in the off-season.

Where to Eat
Glory Restaurant, The Mall, is a very good vegetarian place with Indian and Continental food.
Madras Café, The Mall, opposite the Glory, has good reasonably priced North Indian food and dosas
Mount View Restaurant, in the Hotel Shikhar, has nice views and good food.
Swagar Restaurant, next to the Hotel Shikar, has good veg food.
Soni Dhaba, at The Mall bus stand, is a good place.

Travel
There are buses to Nainital (3 hr, 5 daily), Ranikhet (2½ hr), Kausani (2 hr), Kathgodam (4 hr, 2 daily), Pithorgarh (8 hr), Delhi (13 hr), Banbassa (7 hr) at the border of Nepal, and Song (5 hr) for Pindari Glacier. There are several buses to Haldwani (4 hr) which is a major bus hub.

Katarmal
At Katarmal, 17km from Almora, there is a 13th century Sun Temple, which has good sculptures.

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