Offbeat Locations - Uttarakhand

Offbeat Destinations - Uttarakhand

Binsar

Binsar is one of the most scenic spot in the Kumaon Himalayas and acclaimed hill resorts. At an elevation of 2412 mts, this place offers an excellent view of Kumoun hillsand the greater Himalayas, surrounded by Alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss & species of wild flowers. The main attraction of Binsar is the majestic view of Himalayas. A three hundred kms stretch of famous peaks which includes Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nandadevi, Nandakot & Pachachuli. The forest of Himalayan Oak and Rhobodendron are excellent for trekking and communing with nature.

In and around Binsar

• Catch a glimpse of leopards, black bears, boars and a variety of exotic birds at the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Take a forests walk to the temple town of Jageshwar, which has a magnificent  cluster of 124 intricately carved 7th century temples.
• Visit the Gananath Temple, which is installed above ground level in a cave with seven statuettes inside the cave. On the way, visit the temple of Malika Mai, the only one in India.
• Take a step back in time and visit atop a steep hill in Katarmal, the famous Sun Temple built by the Katyuri Rajas some 900 years ago.

How to reach Binsar :

By Road : Binsar is well connected by roads to all prominent towns - Almora (26 km), Nainital (90 km) and Haldwani (120 km). Regular buses to Almora are available from the ISBT at Anand Vihar, New Delhi.

By Train : The nearest rail head to Binsar is Kathgodam, at a distance of 116 km. One can take Ranikhet express (overnight journey) from Delhi to reach Kathgodam.

By Air : The nearest airport to Binsar is Pantnagar, which is 127 km away.

Lansdowne

Lansdowne is in Pauri Garhwal at an altitude of 5597 ft’, 40 km from Kotdwar and 235 kms NE of Delhi.

Route : Meerut – Bijnore – Kiratpur – Najibabad – Kotdwar – Dugadda – Lansdowne
Nearest Railhead : Kotdwar

The Kotdwar – Lansdowne stretch along the river Khoh is one of the most beautiful hill drives. Lansdwone is very quiet and a tiny hill station with shaded and winding roads still lined with colonial bunglows. Silver fir, Spruce and bamboo forests cover the hills in and around Lansdowne.

Around Nainital (Pangot)

If you are looking to be in & around Naintal but still keen to have your moments of tranquility, then Pangot is the perfect destination for you. At an altitude of 6000 ft above sea level, here you can either laze around enjoying the cool climatic environment and freshness in the air or do some vigorous walking in the dense oak-and-rhododendron forests. Pangot is an ideal destination for Trekkers and Bird Watchers.

Nearest Railhead is Kathgoam (50 kms)
Distance from Delhi is around 325 kms

Route : Delhi to Rampur via Moradabad and then take NH 87 (Rudrapur – Haldwani – Kathgodam – Nainital - Pangot

Ranikhet

High up in the Kumaon hills at an altitude of 6000 ft’, Ranikhet is 54 km from Nainital and 345 km from Delhi. Enjoy a full of Snow Capped Himalayas while you approach Ranikhet and witness the mesmerizing beauty and enigmatic charm of this offbeat location once there. With museums, temples, lively market, and orchards full of fruits, there is plenty to see and do here.

Chaubatia Orchards and Bhalu Dam : Chaubatia offers beautiful gardens in the lap of Mother Nature where you can relax and gaze leisurely at the majestic Himalaya. You can also enjoy a picnic with friends/ family and shop for sea-sonal fruits. Bhalu Dam, which is further at a distance of 3.2 km is popular for fishing, however, one needs to obtain a prior permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden before doing so.

Majkhali : Majkhali is 13 km down the Almora Road and has got various picnic spots. The place also offers a magnificent view of snow capped Himalayas.

Upat : One can enjoy high altitude golfing at the Army Golf Course, Upat. Golf clubs are available at very reasonable fee and a Game of Golf might cost you around Rs. 1000 – 1500/- per head.

Dwarahat : Dwarahat is around 35 km from Ranikhet and is well known for its cluster of old temples decorated with sculptures.

How to reach Ranikhet :
By Road : Ranikhet is well connected by road with all important destinations. Regular buses ply from Delhi (386 km), Kathgodam (80 km) and Nainital (59 km).

If you plan to drive on your car, please note that it may take about 10-11 hours so it’s advisable to leave early in the morning. The route is via Hapur, Muradabad, Rudrapur, Haldwani and Kathgoadam. About an hour and a half from Kathgodam (after you have crossed Kainchi Mandir), the road forks into two, one going to Ranikhet the other to Almora. Follow the signboards to Ranikhet.

Road route & driving direction to Ranikhet from Delhi :

- Start from Delhi and take NH 24 to Hapur
- Continue on NH 24 to Rampur on the way you’ll cross Gajraula and Moradabad
- Head to Rudrapur and then to Kadhgodam and Bhimtal from Moradabad
- Take left from Bhimtal to Ranikhet passing through Bhowali and Khairna

By Train : The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, 91 km away. Daily overnight train ‘Ranikhet Express’ connects Delhi to Kathgodam.
By Air : The nearest airport is Pantnagar, 123 km away, but flights are not operational at present.

Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar is a quiet paradise located at an altitude of 7500 ft’ above sea level in the upper Kumaon Hills. It is at a distance of 350 km from Delhi and around 51 km from Nainital after crossing Ramgarh, which is around 25 km from Mukteshwar.

Mukteshwar offers you a panoramic 180 degree view of the Himalaya, including - the famous Nanda Devi and Trishul on a clear day.

How to reach Mukteshwar :
By Air : Nearest airport is at Pantnagar, which is 111 km away.
By Rail : Kathgodam is the nearest rail head, which is 77 km away from Mukteshwar.
By Road : Mukteshwar is 351 km from Delhi (8 hours approx) and is 26 km ahead of Ramgarh. The quickest route is via Bhimtal, Bhowali and Ramgarh. Nainital is 53 km while Haldwani is 49 km from Mukteshwar.

Kasauni

Overlooking Kosi and Gomti Rivers in the Kumaon, Kasauni is located at an altitude of 6200 ft’, at a distance of around 50 km from Almora.

Mahatma Gandhi christened Kasuani as the ‘Switzerland of India’. Kasuani offers an unobstructed view of 350 km stretch of Himalayan peaks, the beautiful Katyuri Valley and river Gomti. In summers, rhododendrons flowers carpet Kathgodam – Kasuani route, making the drive more beautiful.

Historical Places of interest – Katarmal Sun Temple & Anashakti Ashram

Katarmal Sun Temple is a complex of 44 temples and is over 800 years old. It consists of around 60 idols and the oldest is 900 year old.

Anashakti Ashram is an establishment set up by Mahatama Gandhi’s disciple Sarlaben (Katherine Heileman). Here in this Ashram – Gandhiji wrote his commentary on the Anashakti Yoga.

Baijnath : Around 16 km from Kasauni, Baijnath is situated at the banks of river Gomti in Garuda Valley. Baijnath is a picturesque location known for its temple complex.

How to to reach Kasauni :
By Bus : Kausani is well connected by road to major destinations like Delhi (419 km), Nainital (117 km) and Almora (53 km). From Delhi, one can take NH 24 to Rampur, from where NH 87 leads to Almora. A state highway connects Almora with Kausani, 53 Km away. Buses are available from Delhi’s Anand Vihar ISBT to Nainital and Almora. Kausani is well connected by regular bus service to major towns in Uttarakhand.
By Train : Kathgodam is the nearest railway station from Kausani, which is about 142 km away.
By Air : The nearest airport is Pantnagar, which is approximately 170 km from Kausani.