Almora

Ask any mithai-loving Kumaoni about the best sweet in the Uttaranchal hills, and chances are you’ll hear a litany in praise of Almora’s baal mithai, that deliciously chewy, chocolate-brown sweet coated with teensy-weensy globules of sugar. Baal mithai is reason enough to visit Almora, but so is the ancient Nanda Devi Temple, the cool pine forests, and the quiet, quaint town itself. Refreshingly un-spoilt, Almora is a peaceful little town where the evenings are cool, the views panoramic and the ambience perfect for a quiet break from big-city bustle. There’s plenty to do in Almora — wander past lovely old houses and churches, such as the Budden Memorial Church, which stand, reminders of British days, all across town. Make your way along Almora’s main street, the Mall; visit the ancient stone Temple of Nanda Devi, dedicated to the presiding deity of Kumaon; or trudge up to the hilltop Shrine of Kasara Devi, 8 km from Almora. Pay your respects at Almora’s Chetai Temple, much revered by the local people; get a gorgeous view of the sun setting beyond the mountains from Bright End Corner, or discover the intricacies of pahari folk art at Almora’s Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum. Take a picnic lunch to Simtola, or wander further a field from Almora to idyllic Binsar. Feast your eyes on mile upon mile of the most stupendous mountain ranges in this part of the world. Go trekking and mountain-climbing. Shop for warm shawls and rustic copper utensils- and don’t forget Almora’s famous baal mithai.

Getting to Almora
The airport closest to Almora is at Pantnagar, 127 km away, and linked to Almora by bus and taxi. The nearest railhead is at Kathgodam, 90 km down in the plains, connecting the region to many major north Indian cities including Delhi, Lucknow and Agra. There are private taxis at the station and daily buses from Kathgodam to Almora, a drive of about four hours. In addition, there are buses to Almora from other major hill towns of Kumaon including Nainital (three hours), Ranikhet (2 ½ hours) and Kausani (three hours).

Best time to visit Almora
The peak tourist season in Almora is between April and June and then again between September and November. The rainy season from June till August should be avoided. Almora can also be visited in winter, when the tourist traffic is less and hotels drop their rates. Almora’s Nanda Devi festival in August and the Dussehra celebration in September-October are special occasions to savor the flavor of local customs.

Accommodation in Almora
Most of the hotels in Almora are around the Mall. There aren’t any five-star international chains here, but tourist accommodation is largely comfortable and Almora’s hotels are decent. The tourist authority, KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam), runs a holiday home with a main building and tourist cottages. You could also stay with some of the local families that take in guests in the area of Kasara Devi temple, 7 km out of Almora town.

************************************************************************************

Palampur: Dazzling Hill Station

Palampur is a gorgeous hill station in India’s Kangra Valley pristine beauty and enchanting surroundings…a town that entices you to a getaway at any time of the year. The monsoons are a spectacular time to be here… when the Bundla River crashes down the Neughal Khad in a mighty waterfall…when countless little brooks and streams burst forth. The plateau of Palampur (1219 meters) nestles amidst the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar Range, flanked by terraced paddy fields, forests of pine and deodar and lush tree plantations.
The mountains offer some fabulous trekking trails — through the Sanghar Pass to Holi and Bharmour; Waru Pass onto Chamba; the Shinghar Pass to Holi; the Indrahar Pass to Dharamsala; and the Jalsu Pass from Bharmour to Baijnath. Palampur has old forts and temples such as the 500-year-old Temple of Bundlamata and the Chamundadevi Temple. The Kangra valley’s distinctive art style survives in the lovely little village of Andretta, 14 km south of Palampur. The Dhauladhar National Park at Gopalpur, 13 km from Palampur, has a mini zoo with black bear, leopard, lion, red fox and several types of deer such as goral and sambar.
Close to Palampur are the twin villages of Bir and Billing with top rate hang gliding and para-gliding grounds and equally famous for their Buddhist Monasteries and Tibetan handicrafts. The Kangra Tea Factory is your best bet for picking up genuine tea and for seeing the entire procedure of plucking, picking and processing tealeaves. You can also do quite a bit of shopping at Palampur — you simply must buy the delicate Kangra tea at Bharmour or at the many factory outlets just outside Palampur. Other good buys are Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, woolens, thangka paintings and prints.

Getting to Palampur
Palampur is 37 km from Gaggal in Kangra, the nearest airport. You can catch a bus or taxi to get up to Palampur from there. The town is connected to Pathankot (115 km) on the broad gauge railway, while the narrow gauge line to Jogindernagar reaches 4 km away, at Moranda. The 10-hour drive from Delhi, the closest metro is 545 km, while Chandigarh is 265 km.

Best time to visit Palampur
Palampur has good weather throughout the year, so deciding when to come is not a problem.

Accommodation in Palampur
Resorts, hotels and tourist guesthouses abound. The town has both budget and up-market accommodation with good facilities.