At 2135 Meters altitude Munsiary is famous for its fascinating natural beauty. Its a small town in Kumaon with few thousands inhabitants.We felt so relaxed in the Calm and quiet surroundings of Munsiary. We reached Munsiary Via Pithoragarh - Didihat - Birthi. We halted at Didihat for a night.
What to see at Munsiary?
On the way to Munsiary from Birthi we halted at Kalimuni top at 9500 feet. It is 15 km from the Munsiary township. The Kali temple here is very famous to the local people as well as the tourists. The view of Panchachulli range from the kalimuni top was amazing.
Munsiary is heaven for the trekkers. The famour trek route to Milam, Ralam and Namik glacier start from Munsiary. This place is equally popular among the nature lovers. The Himalayan Mountain ranges Panchachulli, Chiplakot, Rajrambha and Hangsiling surround Munsiary.
2 km down hill from the town there is Masteji museum. 6 km from here , we visited Darkot village and the Darkot handicraft center. A must see place in Munsiary is Nandadevi Temple. To reach here we hired a car from the Munsiary market. Travelling 2 Km by car and the 3 Km walking we reached the temple. Beautiful deity in a white temple in a lush green valley and the view of whole Himalayan range surrounding it was a wonderful experience for us.
Interested tourists can have one day trek to Thamri Kund, Maheshwari Kund, Khalia Top and Bethuliadhar.
Staying itself in KMVN tourist lodge we enjoyed. The sunset at Panchachulli we experienced from the tourist lodge was just awesome.
How to reach Munsiary:
By Air Nearest airport is Naini Saini (Pithoragarh), 5 kms. By Rail Nearest rail head is at Tanakpur 151 kms.
You can come from Tanakpur directly to Munsiary 135 km by bus or car. You may take break at places like Pithoragarh, Didihat and Birthi.
Where to stay at Munsiary:
KMVN Tourist Rest House: Ph: +9159612 22339 @ DB INR 600 - 1200 Zara Resort: Ph: +9159612 22524 @ DB INR 1000 onwards Raj Rambha : Ph: +9159612 22517 @ DB INR 500 - 1000
While traveling from Didihat to Munshiary, Birthi is a small village surrounded by mountains at 1970 Meters. We drove here via Thal. throughout the route the Ramganga river accompanied us. Birthi is a small village comprising of very few small homes. The main attraction of Birthi is the Birthi falls. We climbed at least 500 steps to reach near the falls. It was wonderful to see the falls falling from a height of at least 125 Meters. The rainbow forming within the flying droplets of water was awesome view. Just beside the falls there is KMVN Tourist Rest House. Wish we could stay there for a night.
How to reach Birthi:
From Didihat it is 34 Km on road via Thal or Tejam. Up to Didihat see the earlier post.
Where to stay at Birthi?
KMVN Tourist Rest House Ph: +915964 244345 @ DB Deluxe INR 300 DB Super Deluxe INR 450.
After enjoying the divine beauty of miniature Kashmir, Pithoragarh our next destination was Munshiary. On the way to Munshiary the first stop was Didihat. Didihat is a very small village comprising of few shops and homes at 2030 Meters. As this is very near to Nepal border, culture of Nepal is very prominent here within the local people. Beautiful peaks of Himalayas can be seen from here. We took rest there for one day and enjoyed the serine beauty of green kumaon valley from the tourist bungalow of KMVN. We saw Malaynath temple and Devi temple, 2 km from here on a mountain by walking.
How to reach Didihat?
You can reach Didihat from Pithoragarh either via Thal (75 Km) or via Ogla ( 55 Km)
Where to stay at Didihat?
KMVN Tourist Rest House Ph: +9105964 232234 @ DB INR 300 - 400
At 1645 Meter Pithoragarh is one of the busy district head quarter of Kumaon. The beauty of this place is in its Pine forest and the township in the steps. Local people call it as Sorghat. Many people lovingly call it as "Chota Kashmir" means Small Kashmir! From the town we could see the beautiful and mighty Himalayan ranges. The town is surrounded by 5 mountains namely Chandak, Thal, Kedar, Dhwaj, and Kundre. Anciently the business between Tibet and India used to be through the route of Pithoragarh.
300 Meters from the main township there is Pithoragarh Fort or Bauligarh Fort built in 1971 for the Gorkhas. 4 Kms from the town we saw Maharaja Kay Park. This park is built in 1965 in memorial of the soldiers killed in the war between India and Pakistan. Indian army is maintaining this park. Beautiful garden of flower and fruits and a small zoo is the attraction of this park.
There are quiet a few temples in and around this township. Ulkadevi, Lakshminarayan, Hanuman temples are worth mentioning. Chanda Devi temple is situtaed at the top of Chandak mountain 5 km from the city. Viewing sunset from this hill top is a wonderful experience. How to reach Pithoragarh?
By Air Nearest airport is Naini Saini (Pithoragarh), 5 kms. By Rail Nearest railhead is at Tanakpur 151 kms. By Road Well connected by a motorable road. 65 Km from Lohaghat, 76 Km from Champawat, 150 km from Tanakpur and 215 km from Kathgodam.
Best time to visit Pithoragarh is between April to June and September to mid November.
Where to Stay at Pithoragarh:
STD code of Pithoragarh : +91 5964
KMVN Tourist Rest House Ph: 225434 @ DB Deluxe INR 500 and DB Super deluxe @INR 1000.
Hotel Zara Residency Ph: 224073 @ DB INR 1000 - 1800
Greater Kailash Ph: 234578 @ DB INR 300 - 600
Punita Inn Ph: 228969 @ DB INR 350 - 1500
Hotel Jyoti Ph: 222369 @ DB INR 500
Hotel Pine Resort Ph: 9997408669 @DB INR 750 - 1200
At one go in Kumaon Himalayas we comfortably visited the famous lake of Nainital, awesome Himalayan beauty from Almora, Ranikhet, Choukori, and Binsar and the ancient cave of Patal-Bhubaneshwar. We enjoyed the busy and colorful Nainital, solitary Binsar with natural forest, Kaushani and chukaori with its stillness and himalayan splendour all in one trip.
The best time to travel Kumaon is from March to May and october to November. Better avoid this route in rainy season July and August.
Nainital:
Nainital is the center point of travel this circuit. It is 34 Km from the nearest Railway Station Kathgodam at an altitude of 1938 Mtrs. It can be reached either from Kathgodam or Haldwani 40 Kms. Haldwani is 8 Km from Lalkua, the nearest Railway station. From both these places cars, share cabs, buses are available. Road is also well maintained. The car from these place will cost INR 275 and the bus fare INR 50 - 70.
The main attraction of nainital is its beautiful natural lake, Tal, which is named Nainital because of the Naini mata, the temple of the devi mata is there in one side of the lake. All the hoels, markets are there around the lake, which look so beautiful with the lush green vegetations all around.
A British hunter P. Baron discoverd this place in 1839 AD and made a pilgrim cottage here on 1942. At one side of the lake there is the temple of Naini Devi. This is a sacred temple of Devi Durga.
Leisurely boating in Naini lake is wonderful experience, will cost INR 125 per hour.
From here walk uphill for 4 Km to reach Dorothy Seat, at 2320 Mtrs, from where the whole Naini lake is beautifully visible. Though pony is available for this short climb but it is better to walk to enjoy the nature to its fullest extant. Snow View Peak at 2287 Mtrs is another point which can be reached by pony, or by cable car. 250 Kms of Himalayan range is visible from here by telescope from here. At 2640 Mtrs Naina peak is 6.5 Kms from Nainital is a beautiful spot from where the views of gorgeous peaks of Himalayas Trishul, Nandadevi, Nandaghunti, Aapi, Nanjangh mesmerized us. Witnessing the sunrise from here can be a life time experience. A part of China is visible from here, hence it is also known as China Peak. Interested tourists can stay here in the Log hut.
1.5 Kms from the bus stand there is zoo of Nainital, where animals of high altitude are kept. Khurpatal 5 Kms from Nainital is a lake is a paradise for the those who love fishing.
The places of interest in Nainital are Lands end, Mukteshwar, Kilbari, State Observatory, Hanuman gari, Tiffin top, Ramgarh, Bhawali, Laria Kanta, Sattal, Bhimtal, Naokuchia Tal etc.
Package tour is available in Nainital by different tour operators.
There are many hotels, one can choose according to budget. The rates vary in seasons and off seasons. April to June and October - November is the peak season here.
Almora:
It is an important district town of Kumaon. This place is known from long ago for its healthy weather. People use to come here and stay for long time to rejuvinate their health. World renowned personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Udai Shankar were very fond of Almora.
7 Km from the town over the Kashyap Hill there is temple of Kamar Devi. According to Puran, Devi Durga killed Shumbha and Nishumbha here. Sarada Ashram is beside this temple. Serene natural beauty all around. Dalma guest house (+91 5962 251118/ 078 ) is the place where one can stay Tariff INR 600 for DB room.
8 Km from the town is the Temple of Chitai Devi. This temple is in a huge compound and in a beautiful location. Devotees tie bells and colorful clothes on the temple to fulfil their wishes.
12 km from the town is Katarmal Surya Temple. Last 2 km of the road we hadt walk to reach here. This temple is now a national property and is looked after by the Archeological Department of India. Jogeshwar is another beautiful place 35 kms from Almora amidst the Deodar forest. 124 temples are there in Jogeshwar. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Two rivers Nandini and Surabhi are flowing down below. Devotees take bath in them. Arrangement of fooding and lodging is avialable here for the ineterested tourists.
Ramkrishna Mission is 2 Km from the town. Okle house, where Swami Vivekananda spent some time is nearby. Bright end corner is 3 km from here from where the fascinating mighty peaks Trishul, Choukhamba, Panchachulli, Nandadevi, Nandakot are beautifuly visible. Other than these there are Ma Anandamoyee Ashram, Govindaballav Museum, Tagore house etc. are worth visiting spots.
Reach Almora from Nainital 63 Kms. by car, bus or conducted tour or it is possible to reach here directly from Haldwani. The nearest airport from Almora is Panthnagar (127 km.)
One can stay at the guest house of Ramakrishna Mission at bright end corner too. For that a letter to be dropped to them for reservation beforehand.
Binsar: 38 kms from Almora it was the summer capital of the kings of Chand dynasty. At 2412 Mtrs Binsar is paradise for the nature lovers. Best time to visit Binsar is March to June and September to November. It is wonderful to reach Binsar through the curvy hilly road and the pine forest. After crossing the forest checkpost we drove 11 km to reach KMVN tourist rest house ( +915962 290176) INR 800 - 1200 for DB room. Fascinating view of sunrise can be seen from the roof of the rest house itself. Entrance fee in the jungle is INR 40 per head and INR 50 for the car. Beauty of Binsar is its tranquility. The next day we took a guide (INR 150) and went up to zero point by trekking 3 km inside the jungle. There is a watch tower at that spot.
Note: Please confirm your hotel reservation before reaching Binsar The two famous resorts in Binsar
Kasar Jungle Resort ( +91 5962 251127)
Mountain resort ( +91 5962 251011) INR 3000 - 4500 per day
Ranikhet:
Rani means queen. Yes this place can be called queen of the hills. The magnificent snow capped Himalayan peaks is brilliantly visible from here. At 1829 Meters, 50 Km from Almora, this place is well connected by bus service from Nainital, Almora, Haldwani. The places to see here are Kumaon Regimental Museum, closed on wednesdays, Major Somnath Gupta Park, 10Kms from here is Choubatia, where there is research center for fruits. Bhalu Dam is an artificial lake 3 kms from Choubatia. 8 km from the town is Jhuladevi Temple. Golf course is also very beautiful.
At an altitude of 1890 Meters covered with pines a small place with abundance of natural beauty. This place is well connected by bus from Almora ( 52 Kms), Ranikhet (62 Kms), Nainital (129 Kms), and the Railway Station Kathgodam ( 155 Kms).
Gandhi Ashram is the most prominent place in Kaushani. Standing in the compound, the 300 Kms view of Himalayan Range is awesome! Want to the know the name of the peaks? They are graphically written there in a photo frame. Sunrise from Kaushani! I can go over and over again to view. Please keep 2 or 3 days for Kaushani because every day you will see different views and colors during sunrise depending on the clouds. Sunset also is faboulous. Visited Baijnath Temple 19 kms from here at the bank of Gomti river in Garur valley.
Choukhamba, Panchachulli and many other famous peaks are closely visible from Choukori. a
serene place to enjoy the closeness of Himalayan beauty. If interested, one can visit the Kasturi deer farm house about 5 kms from here. 3 kms drive + 2 Kms trekking.
Stay at Choukori:
Here is a ancient cave full of natural stalagmites and stalactiles. They formed many artistic formations like elephants, snakes, god and godessess naturally, fascinating to the eyes. we had to go steep down into the cave and then found a fairly large plane. Nothing is allowed to be carried inside the cave. Sorry no camera! :( Don't forget to take a torch, though there is electricity inside! Guide is compulsory who charged INR 50. Though very slippery inside due to continuous flow of water it was an unique experience altogether.
Patal bhubaneshwar is 39 Kms from Choukori.
There is a tourist lodge of KMVN (+91 5964 242584) INR 450.
