Kurmanchal or Kumaon

Kumaon is one of the two administrative divisions of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The place is mostly covered by mountains. Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet, Binsar, Chaukori, Munsiyari are mostly in the list of top places in Kumaon which covers the mountains and forests. Patalbhubaneswar being the historically significant area.

Kumaon is believed to have been derived from "Kurmanchal", meaning land of the Kurmavatar (the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver according to Hinduism). The region of Kumaon is named after as such.

Day 1: Nainital

About the place: Nainital with its beautiful lakes, temples and exotic scenery around is the perfect holiday paradise nestled in the arms of Kumaon Hills with an air which is refreshing and carries a subtle charm. Blessed with its own scenic lake, Nainital is a hill station surrounded by the peaks of Kumaon Hills and is full of natural hot water springs.

Activity: Reach at Kathgodam early morning and transfer to Nainital hotel. Get some shower and delicious regional foods in our luxurious hotel and gain the energy for Nainital site scene. After getting refreshed we will go for a whole day site scene. In the evening you can walk around the Naini Lake and feel the beauty of the lake.

Attraction:

• ·        Nainital Lake
• ·         Naina Devi Temple
• ·         Nainital Zoo
• ·         Eco cave garden
• ·         Sattal
• ·         Bhimtal

How to reach: Nainital is easily accessible from all over India. Nearest rail station is Kathgodam which is connected with major metro cities. By road it is 350 KM from Delhi and road condition is very good. The closest airport is in Pantnagar which is 63.8km from Nainital. There are a number of Pantnagar flights from all parts of the country.

Day 2: Nainital to Kaushani

Early morning activity: You can go for an early morning boat ride at Naini Lake and also for a ropeway ride. Depart for Kaushani after breakfast.

About the place: Kausani, is a picturesque hill station famous for its scenic splendour and its spectacular view of the Himalayas. Flanked by the rivers Kosi and Gomti, this small town sits atop the Pingnath Peak. Kausani is full of deep and dense pine forest, tea gardens and affords a breath taking view of the Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Panchchuli and Nanda Devi.

Day Activity: Transfer to Kaushani from Nainital which will take around 4 hours, hence early morning journey is always preferred. After some refreshment at hotel we will go for Kaushani site scene which includes Baijnath temple, Someshwar, Anashakti ashram, Rudradhari falls and caves and many more.

Attractions:

• ·         Baijnath temple
• ·         Someshwar
• ·         Anashakti ashram
• ·         Rudradhari falls and caves
• ·         Kot Bhramari Temple
• ·         Almora
• ·         Frog Point
• ·         Golu devta temple

Day 3: Kaushani to Binsar

Early morning activity: Wake up early, why? Because the first reason you are there in Kaushani to visualize the breath-taking sun rise. Get a cup of tea and enjoy the sun rise. Then depart for Binsar after breakfast.

About the place: Binsar is a picturesque, sleepy hamlet and one of the most scenic spots in the Kumaon Himalayas. Pitched at the impressive altitude of 2,420 m, 95 km from Nainital, it offers a majestic view of the snowy Himalayan peaks like the mesmerizing ranges Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Shivling and Panchchuli. Encircled by a vast wildlife sanctuary, a home too many rare animals, birds and wild flowers Binsar is a truly fascinating spot. Binsar is also a trekker's paradise. One can go on long treks in the clean air, amidst the misty mountain trails, towering Oaks and Rhododendrons. Binsar is a formation of sleepy hamlets amidst orchards, silver streams and green meadows. Okk, let’s stop here, you will not find words if you starts describing beauty of Binsar. Just check in there and visualize the best part of your journey.

Activity: Transfer to the forest bungalow situated in dense rhododendron forest and feel the silence of jungle. After having some refreshment take a jungle walk and in the evening experience the sunset with a cup of tea.

Next morning wake up early to visualize the mesmerizing sunrise from view point. Probably you are going to view the best sunrise of your life. So get your finger crossed and rush to Binsar.

Attraction:

• ·         Zero Point
• ·         Kasar Devi Temple
• ·         Bineshwar Mahadev Temple
• ·         Khali Estate

Day 4: Stay at Binsar and enjoy the beauty of nature and breath-taking peaks. 

Day 5: Binsar to Chaukori

About the place: Chaukori is a dream, surrounded by the towering Himalayan peaks and dense forests. At a height of 2,010 m, and 173 km away from Nainital, Chaukori is not just another hill station. It's for the very few, who want to be there, in the majestic proximity of the Himalayas for an unbound view of the Nanda Devi and Panchchuli peaks. Chaukori is one of the few places in Kumaon, where you will find tea gardens. As the name suggests, it's like a bowl, cupped within the Himalayan heartland. It is an idyllic holiday resort amidst unspoilt nature - a land bestowed with natural abundance, fruit orchards, and the forests of Pines, Oaks and Rhododendrons.

Activity: Reach Chaukori from Binsar and on the way you will be taken to a mythological cave ‘Patal Bhubaneswar’, a must watch tourist spot. After that reach Chaukori hotel and have lunch. Go for an evening walk in the pine forest and enjoy the sunset beauty of Chaukori. Next day wake up early for the sunrise and panoramic view of Panchchulli, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Annapurna and other mighty peaks.

Attraction:

• ·         Patal Bhubaneswar
• ·         Berinag
• ·         Dharamghar

Day 6: Chaukori to Munsiyari

After having delicious breakfast we will drive for Munsiyari, a dream destination for any Kumaon traveller. It will take around 4 hours to reach there.

About the place: A small village with an awe-inspiring panorama of snow-capped Himalayan Range; Munsiyari is located in the Pithoragarh District. Offering splendours of natural beauty in their most captivating form, this place is famous for its some highly adventurous and nerve wrecking trekking trails. Perched between the borders of India, Tibet and Nepal, Munsiyari is a base for three glaciers namely Namik, Milam and Ralam Glaciers. Located at a height of 2298 m above the sea level, this quaint little village is often seen romancing with brilliant weather throughout the year and the stunning backdrop of Panchachuli among the other treasured peaks and mountains. Visit this place to experience the panoramic vistas of virgin nature and adrenaline rushing activities.

Activity: A lot of things can be done at Munsiyari. It has activities to do for 8 to 80s. Some popular spot we will visit 1^st day are Birthi falls, Thamri Kund and Maheshwari Kund.

Day 7: Stay at Munsiyari

Activity: This day is mostly for relaxing. One can find ultimate peace and can feel the freshness of the air which is enough to overcome your past days tiredness. After having breakfast we will go for site scene which will cover Kalamuni Temple, Tribal Museum and Darkot. You can also go for Nanda Devi temple after trekking for 3 KMs.

Attractions:

• ·         Birthi falls
• ·         Maheswari Kund
• ·         Panchachuli Peak
• ·         Thamari Kund
• ·         Kalamuni Top
• ·         Khaliya Top

Day 8:

After having breakfast we will return for Nainital. It takes around 10 hours to reach Nainital. Reach Nainital by evening and halt there for the night.

Day 9:

Enjoy the morning beauty of Naini Lake and have your breakfast. After breakfast we will release the hotel and transfer you to Kathgodam railway station by Afternoon.

Activity: On the way we will have the view of Sattal and Bhimtal.

Trip map: Click here

 Saikat Sarkhel