This 45-sq-km nature sanctuary is 26km northwest from Almora. It's visited primarily for its scenic pine forest and hiking trails, and popular for its birdlife and habitat for leopard and deer. Its rich history dates to the 11th century when the Chand rajas used it as their summer capital, as did the British in the 19th century. It can easily be visited as a day trip, however the British-era estates converted into hotels make it worth spending the night.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
24.69 MILES
This pretty lake is Nainital’s centrepiece and is said to be one of the emerald-green eyes of Shiva’s wife, Sati (naina is Sanskrit for eye) that fell to…
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8.5 MILES
Surrounded by peaceful deodar forest is this cluster of 124 picturesque temples and shrines dating to the 7th century AD. They vary from linga shrines to…
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25.39 MILES
About 3km south of Tallital, Raj Bhavan is the official residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand. Resembling Windsor Castle, it’s a prime example of…
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29.09 MILES
A popular outing from Pithoragarh is the 7km traipse up to Chandak (1830m), a hilltop village and forested area offering sublime viewpoints of the Soar…
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14.09 MILES
While this small-scale observatory offers night viewing of distant planets and constellations (₹100) from 6.30pm, it's arguably more interesting to drop…
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Jageshwar Archaeological Museum
8.37 MILES
The small but worthwhile Jageshwar Archaeological Museum houses a collection of exquisite, detailed religious carvings dating from the 9th- to 13th…
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24.65 MILES
Standing majestically near the northern shore of Naini Lake, Nainital's ornate mosque was built in the late 19th century by the British for Muslim…
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2.33 MILES
Just north of town on the road to Binsar is this weaving factory where you can watch women artisans spin beautiful products on handlooms and see the…
Nearby Uttarakhand attractions
2.33 MILES
Just north of town on the road to Binsar is this weaving factory where you can watch women artisans spin beautiful products on handlooms and see the…
4.76 MILES
Himadri Hans employs some 700 women to weave, market and sell woollen shawls. Taxis charge ₹150 return to the factory, or you can walk the 3km – follow…
5.6 MILES
The stone Nanda Devi Temple dates back to the Chand raja era, and is covered in folk-art carvings, some erotic. Every September the temple hosts the five…
8.14 MILES
Sitting 2km outside Jageshwar on the approach to town is this attractive but low-key complex of 7th-century temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
5. Jageshwar Archaeological Museum
8.37 MILES
The small but worthwhile Jageshwar Archaeological Museum houses a collection of exquisite, detailed religious carvings dating from the 9th- to 13th…
8.5 MILES
Surrounded by peaceful deodar forest is this cluster of 124 picturesque temples and shrines dating to the 7th century AD. They vary from linga shrines to…
14.09 MILES
While this small-scale observatory offers night viewing of distant planets and constellations (₹100) from 6.30pm, it's arguably more interesting to drop…
14.14 MILES
About 1km uphill from the bus stand, Anasakti Ashram is where Mahatma Gandhi spent two weeks in 1929 pondering and writing Anasakti Yoga. It has a small…