Spread along a horseshoe-shaped ridge at 1,638 metres, Almora is unlike any other hill station in India. Founded in 1568 by the Chand kings — not the British — it remains the cultural capital of Kumaon, where centuries-old traditions, temple bells, copper craftsmanship, and Himalayan views blend into an experience of authentic mountain India.
Almora's old bazaar, paved with stone and lined with intricately carved wooden facades, is a living heritage walk. Here you'll find the famous Bal Mithai — chocolate-like fudge coated in sugar balls — and tamta (copperware) artisans practising crafts passed down generations. The Nanda Devi Temple, dating to the Chand era, hosts the spectacular Nanda Devi Mela each September, Kumaon's most important cultural festival.
The town has long attracted seekers and thinkers — Swami Vivekananda meditated at nearby Kasar Devi, a hilltop temple ridge that later drew Bob Dylan, Timothy Leary, and a generation of artists, earning it the name "Crank's Ridge." The Kasar Devi area, with its cafes and pine forests, remains Almora's bohemian retreat. Scientists note the ridge lies in a rare geomagnetic zone, comparable to Machu Picchu.
Sunset at Bright End Corner is an Almora ritual, with the Himalayas glowing across the horizon. Nearby excursions include Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, the ancient temple complexes of Jageshwar and Katarmal Sun Temple, and the orchards of Ramgarh.
Almora is 90 km from Kathgodam railway station. Visit March–June for pleasant weather or October–November for sparkling peak views. Discover the real Kumaon — book your Almora cultural journey with UttarakhandTours.in.