Kumaon hills

Days 1 to 2: Nainital

2 nights · Easy · A Kumaon hill town built around the crescent-shaped Naini Lake, ringed by forested peaks.

Day 1: Nainital

• Arrive from Kathgodam and check in near Mall Road.
• Take a boat on Naini Lake in the afternoon.
• Visit Naina Devi Temple at the Mallital end.
• Walk Mall Road in the evening and try bal mithai.

Day 2: Nainital

• Ride the ropeway from Mallital to Snow View Point in the morning for the clearest views.
• Go to Nainital Zoo (closed on Thursdays).
• Walk through Eco Cave Gardens before it shuts at 4.30 pm.
• Dinner on Mall Road.

Getting here from Nainital: Road, about 1.5 to 2 hours. About 50 km by road.

Day 3: Mukteshwar

1 night · Easy · A quiet Kumaon hill town with an old Shiva temple, cliff views and fruit orchards.

Day 3: Mukteshwar

• Arrive from Kathgodam and check in.
• Walk up to Mukteshwar Temple in the late afternoon.
• Go on to Chauli ki Jali behind the temple for sunset.
• Stop at the PWD Inspection Bungalow gardens on the way back.

Getting here from Mukteshwar: Road, about 2.5 hours. About 70 km by road.

Day 4: Binsar

1 night · Easy · A forested wildlife sanctuary above Almora with a wide view of the Himalayan snow peaks.

Day 4: Binsar

• Arrive from Kathgodam and enter the sanctuary before the gate closes.
• Stop at Bineshwar Mahadev Temple on the way up.
• Check in and watch the sunset over the peaks from your lodge.

Getting here from Binsar: Road, about 2.5 to 3 hours. About 70 km by road.

Day 5: Kausani

1 night · Easy · A quiet Kumaon hill town known for a wide view of snow peaks, tea gardens and Gandhi's ashram.

Day 5: Kausani

• Arrive from Kathgodam by afternoon and check in.
• Walk to Anasakti Ashram for the museum and evening prayers.
• Watch the sunset on the peaks from the ashram terrace.
• Book an evening show at Starscapes Observatory.

Getting here from Kausani: Road, about 6 to 7 hours. About 170 km by road.

Days 6 to 9: Munsiyari

3 nights · Moderate · A remote Kumaon hill town in the Johar Valley facing the five Panchachuli peaks.

Day 6: Arrival day

• Travel from Kausani to Munsiyari (about 6 to 7 hours).
• Evening: settle in and take an easy walk around Munsiyari.

Day 7: Munsiyari

• Rest after the long drive and watch the Panchachuli peaks from town.
• Walk about 3 km to Nanda Devi Temple.
• Drive to Darkot Village to see the old houses and the shawl weavers.

Day 8: Munsiyari

• Start early for the Khaliya Dwar gate near Balati Bend and pay the entry fee.
• Trek about 6 km up to Khaliya Top.
• Eat a packed lunch at the meadow and return to town before dark.

Day 9: Munsiyari

• Morning walk to Maheshwari Kund or the longer trek to Thamri Kund.
• Leave on the Thal road and stop at Kalamuni Top.
• Stop at Birthi Falls, about 35 km from town, before continuing your journey.