A quiet army cantonment hill station in Kumaon with pine forests, orchards and Himalayan views.
FamousHill-stationOrchardPilgrimageHeritage
Ranikhet is a calm, green hill town run by a cantonment board, with views towards Nanda Devi and Trishul, an old fruit orchard, a hilltop golf course and a few well-loved temples. It suits families, couples and older travellers who want easy walks and short drives rather than crowds or hard treks.
Trip planner
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to June | Pleasant and the main tourist season. Summer temperatures range from about 15 to 32 degrees C, and the orchards flower in spring. |
| July to mid-September | Monsoon with moderate to heavy rain. Travel on the hill roads is harder and views are often hidden by cloud. |
| Mid-September to November | Clear, mild weather after the rains and good mountain views. |
| December to February | Cold, with winter temperatures between about 2 and 20 degrees C and occasional snowfall. December and January still see many visitors. |
A government fruit research orchard spread over about 600 acres at around 1,800 m, with apple, peach, plum and apricot trees and views of the Himalaya. Fruit, juice and honey are sold on site.
An old temple to Goddess Durga, said to date from the 8th century, on the road to Chaubatia. Its walls are covered with thousands of bells tied by pilgrims whose wishes were granted.
An army museum opened in the 1970s showing the history of the Kumaon Regiment, with war memorabilia, documents and a silver sceptre linked to the Rani of Jhansi.
A 9-hole golf course kept by the Kumaon Regiment on the Almora road, set among pine and oak forest. Non-golfers come for the open green slopes.
A small man-made lake built in 1903, reached by a short forest walk from near Chaubatia. The water level is often low outside the monsoon.
A temple and ashram at Chilianaula built between 1970 and 1984, dedicated to Lord Shiva, with wide views of the snow peaks on a clear day.
A temple built in 1978 next to Narsingh Maidan, dedicated to Goddess Kalika, Lord Shiva and Radha-Krishna.
A quiet village on the Almora road with a Kali temple, forest walks and open views of the snow peaks.
Worth a stop on the drive from Kathgodam, the last stretch whether you arrive by train, bus or air. Stopping needs a taxi or your own vehicle; buses do not wait. Distances are by road.
Hanuman temple and ashram founded by Neem Karoli Baba in the 1960s, beside a stream on the Bhowali to Almora road. Very crowded around 15 June, its foundation day.
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
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| Budget level | Type | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Homestays and simple budget hotels | ₹900 to ₹1,400 |
| Mid-range | Mid-range hotels in and around town | ₹2,000 to ₹4,300 |
| Luxury | Resorts, lodges and glamping stays | ₹5,800 to ₹8,000 |
Most restaurants serve North Indian food, with some Chinese and Tibetan dishes; Kumaoni dishes are found in local eateries and homestays. Fresh apples, apricots, peaches, juice and honey are sold around Chaubatia.
Vegetarian food is easy to find everywhere.
| Budget level | Stay per room | Food per person | Local transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,100 | ₹500 | ₹150 per person |
| Mid-range | ₹3,200 | ₹1,000 | ₹2,500 per vehicle |
| Luxury | ₹7,000 | ₹2,000 | ₹3,500 per vehicle |
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No permit requirement for Indian tourists was found. Ranikhet is an army cantonment, so carry a photo ID and follow any signs restricting entry or photography near military areas.
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Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
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