Tucked into the forested slopes of Dunagiri mountain, this sacred cave is believed to be the meditation retreat of Mahavatar Babaji — the immortal Himalayan master made world-famous by Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. A moderately challenging one-hour uphill trek through dense oak and rhododendron forest leads to this deeply peaceful site, drawing pilgrims and spiritual seekers from across the globe.

Best TimeMarch to June and September to November; open 9 AM–4 PM (summer) and 10 AM–3:30 PM (winter)

Nature

10 km20 min drive + 3 hr trek

Pandavkholi

Perched at 2,550 metres in dense Himalayan forest, Pandavkholi is a cluster of ancient caves mythologically linked to the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata, believed to have sheltered here during their forest exile. Sacred hero pillars and a small temple complex crown the summit, and trekkers are rewarded with sweeping views across the Kumaon valleys. Leopards and Himalayan wildlife inhabit the surrounding forest.

Best TimeApril to June and September to October; avoid heavy monsoon months due to slippery trails

Heritage

Dwarahat — Ancient Temple Town

Dwarahat — whose name means 'Gateway to Heaven' — is a quiet hilltop town sheltering over 55 ancient stone temples dating to the 11th–13th centuries, built by the Katyuri kings of Kumaon. The clustered temple complexes showcase intricate Nagara-style carvings and craftsmanship rarely seen outside major archaeological sites. The Maniyan and Vimala Devi temple groups are the most striking, set against green Himalayan ridges.

14 km30 min drive

Hill Station

Ranikhet Hill Station

A serene Kumaon hill station at 1,829 metres maintained largely by the Indian Army, Ranikhet earns its quiet reputation through wide oak-and-pine-shaded avenues, unobstructed Himalayan views, and a refreshingly unhurried pace. Highlights include one of India's most scenic 9-hole golf courses, the 700-year-old Jhula Devi Temple hung with thousands of devotional bells, and the charming colonial-era cantonment bazaar.

50 km1.5 hr drive

Spiritual

Kainchi Dham

Founded in 1964 by the beloved saint Neem Karoli Baba, Kainchi Dham is one of India's most visited ashrams — drawing pilgrims, spiritual seekers, and the curious in equal measure. The ashram sits along the Kosi River, cradled in forested hills. Neem Karoli Baba's teachings of love and selfless service attracted devotees from around the world, including Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. The annual June Bhandara draws tens of thousands for a free community feast.

85 km2.5 hr drive

Heritage

78 km2 hr drive

Almora — Cultural Heart of Kumaon

Almora is the cultural and commercial capital of the Kumaon Himalayas — a crescent-shaped ridge town that has drawn artists, writers, and spiritual figures for centuries. The old bazaar's carved stone shopfronts, the ancient Nanda Devi Temple at the town's heart, the Kasar Devi ridge with its storied energy, and exceptional Kumaoni copper and wool crafts make it a deeply rewarding half-day visit.

Best TimeOctober to March for clearest mountain views; pleasant weather year-round except peak monsoon

Hill Station

55 km3 hr drive

Kausani — Switzerland of India

Draped along a pine-forested ridge at 1,890 metres, Kausani offers what is widely regarded as the finest panoramic Himalayan view in Uttarakhand — a 300-km arc stretching from Nanda Devi to Trishul to Panchachuli, best seen at dawn. Mahatma Gandhi spent 12 days here in 1929 and called it the 'Switzerland of India'. The Anasakti Ashram where he stayed is now a thoughtful museum.

Best TimeOctober to May for clearest Himalayan panoramas; July and August are monsoon months

Hill Station

138 km3.5 hr drive

Crown Jewel of Kumaon

Nainital — The Lake District

Nainital is the jewel of the Kumaon Himalayas — an emerald lake cradled in a ring of forested hills at 2,000 metres. The 1.5-km Naini Lake is the centrepiece, ringed by the Mall Road with its colonial-era buildings, restaurants, and market. Boat rides, the Naina Devi Temple at the lake's northern shore, a cable car to Snow View point, and panoramic ridge walks complete a classic mountain escape.

Best Time to VisitMarch to June and September to November; December to February for snowfall

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