Major city · India
Almoraअल्मोड़ा
Give Almora 2 nights: one for the ridge and bazaar, one for Kasar Devi or Jageshwar. Skip it if you want lakes and boats — that is Nainital.
Almora is a Kumaoni hill town on a 5 km crescent ridge above 1,800 m, not a British-built resort like Nainital or Ranikhet. It was the Chand dynasty capital from 1560 and is still a working market town, so the draw is the ridge walk, the bazaar, the Nanda Devi temple and the temple belt around it — Jageshwar, Chitai, Kasar Devi — rather than a list of ticketed sights. Two nights is enough; three if you add Binsar or Kausani.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon landslides), late Dec–Jan (cold, ice on the ridge road)
- Airport
- PGH
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Almora112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Almora, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyAlmora is a small, calm hill town and violent crime against visitors is rare; the real risks are monsoon landslides, steep uneven lanes…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 108 ambulance · 1363 Tourist helpline (Uttarakhand) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPGH Pantnagar (About 4–5 h by road; IndiGo links to Delhi and Jaipur (check current schedule).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable along the ridge, but the slopes between Mall Road and the lower bazaar are steep…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi within the town₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedHostel dorm or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PGH Pantnagar (About 4–5 h by road; IndiGo links to Delhi and Jaipur (check current schedule). Taxi to Almora ₹1,200–1,500 (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid*
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest May (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Nov (2). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Almora: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
20 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
20 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable along the ridge, but the slopes between Mall Road and the lower bazaar are steep — allow 15–25 min for a crossing and skip the walk if you have bags. Shared taxis and local buses run along the ridge and out to Kasar Devi and Binsar; hire a taxi by the day for Jageshwar or Chitai. No trains reach Almora: the railhead is Kathgodam, about 90 km away.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kasar Devi and the Nakshatra observatory
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min each way
Shared taxi or local bus from Almora taxi stand, about 8 km (5 mi)Shared taxi or local bus from Almora taxi stand, about 5 mi (8 km)
Ridge walk and valley views; the observatory runs stargazing sessions — confirm timings locally.
Jageshwar temple complex
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
Taxi or bus via Kosi, about 35 km (22 mi)Taxi or bus via Kosi, about 22 mi (35 km)
A group of stone temples in a deodar grove; go early and pair it with Chitai on the way back.
Chitai and Binsar
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Taxi from Almora, 8 km (5 mi) to Chitai, then on to BinsarTaxi from Almora, 5 mi (8 km) to Chitai, then on to Binsar
Chitai temple first, then Binsar for forest walks and birds; winter mornings are cold.
Kausani
overnightDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Bus or taxi via Someshwar, about 55 km (34 mi)Bus or taxi via Someshwar, about 34 mi (55 km)
Better as a night stop for the Nanda Devi panorama than a return day trip.
Nainital
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h
Bus or taxi via Bhowali, about 65 km (40 mi)Bus or taxi via Bhowali, about 40 mi (65 km)
Doable as a long day, but Nainital deserves its own night; see the Nainital guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Almora town (Mall Road, Dharanaula, Lala Bazaar)
Walk to the bazaar, Nanda Devi temple and taxis; cheapest beds, some road noise.
Kasar Devi ridge
8 km (5 mi) out; guesthouses and homestays with valley views, quieter, need a taxi or your own wheels for the town.5 mi (8 km) out; guesthouses and homestays with valley views, quieter, need a taxi or your own wheels for the town.
Binsar road and Sitalakhet side
Forest and estate stays; good for birding, car needed for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹3,500 | ₹14,000 |
| Taxi Kathgodam → Almora, one way1 × ₹600 · shared cab about ₹125 per person | ₹600 |
| Taxi by the day for Jageshwar and Chitai1 × ₹2,500 · check | ₹2,500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹2,470 |
| Trip total≈ ₹6,790 per person per day, bed included | ₹27,170≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in rupees; travel to Almora excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Adrak (ginger) tea or chai | ₹10–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Thali or Kumaoni meal in a local dhaba | ₹150–350 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bal mithai or singauri from a sweet shop | ₹30–80 (≈ under US$1) per piece |
| Shared taxi within the town | ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| Taxi Almora → Kasar Devi | ₹200–400 (≈ US$3–5) (check) |
| Guesthouse double room, mid-range | ₹1,500–4,000 (≈ US$18–50) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Monsoon (Jul–Aug) brings landslides and road closures on the Kathgodam–Almora highway: check road status before travelling.
- The ridge road is narrow with blind bends; avoid driving it after dark.
- Winter nights drop near freezing and ice can form on the road; carry layers even in May.
- Temple and homestay touts at the taxi stand: agree the fare and the destination before getting in.
- Cash is king outside the main bazaar; small notes for buses, chai and temple donations.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance
- 108
- Tourist helpline (Uttarakhand)
- 1363
Pocket card
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Almoraअल्मोड़ा
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
मुझे इस पते पर ले चलिएTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Ambulance108
- Tourist helpline (Uttarakhand)1363
Embassy
No embassies in Almora; most have embassies in New Delhi and consulates in Kolkata or Mumbai. Check your own country's list before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kathgodam → Almora, taxi: ₹600 (≈ US$7), about 2.5–3 h
- Kathgodam → Almora, shared cab: about ₹125 (≈ US$2) per person
- Pantnagar airport → Almora, taxi: ₹1,200–1,500 (≈ US$14–18), about 4–5 h (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना है? — How much is it? (kitna hai)
- बस स्टैंड कहाँ है? — Where is the bus stand? (bus stand kahan hai)
- यहाँ रोकिए — Please stop here (yahan rokiye)
- मुझे नहीं चाहिए — I don't want it (mujhe nahin chahiye)
Hill-town guesthouses may not accept cards; carry cash.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Almora. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon landslides), late Dec–Jan (cold, ice on the ridge road) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PGH: IndiGo schedule check, taxi band, Kathgodam rail fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mall Road, Lala Bazaar and Nanda Devi temple, Kasar Devi ridge, Binsar road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Jageshwar, Chitai, Binsar, Kasar Devi observatory) and eat pages with last orders.
- Monsoon and winter fixtures so gates A–D can go green.