India Travel

Eating from Almora in Uttaranchal

Related Properties from Gurgaon

Kausani and around northwest of Almora in Uttaranchal

Spreading from east to west along a narrow pine-covered ridge, 52km northwest of Almora, the village of KAUSANI boasts a spectacular Himalayan panorama and as a result has become a popular resort. It's a simple day-trip from Almora, though as the peaks - Nanda Choti, Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchol - are at their best at dawn and dusk, its worth staying overnight.There are several ashrams, including one that once housed Mahatma Gandhi, who walked here in 1929, thirty years before the road came through. Gandhi-ism continues to be a major influence in these hills and his symbol of self-reliance,

Travel details for Uttaranchal

Trains Haridwar to: Calcutta (1 daily; 33hr); Dehra Dun (8 daily; 2hr); Delhi (4 daily: 4hr 30min-8hr); Mumbai (1 daily; 40hr); Katfigodam (3 daily: 4lir 30min-8hr); Rishikesh (2 daily; 30min). Kathgodam (railhead 3hr from Naimtal) to: Calcutta (1 daily; 4Dhr); Delhi (2 daily: 8hrl. Buses Almora to: Nainital (4 daily; 3hr); Delhi (2 daily;11hr). Dehra Dun to: Delhi (6 daily; 8hr); Kullu/Manali (1daily; 14hr): Mussoorie (every 30min; 1hr): Nainital(1 daily; 11hr); Rishikesh (every 30min; Ihr 30mm) Haridwar to: Dehra Dun (hourly: 1hr 15min); Delhi (4-6 daily; 5-6hr); Rishikesh (20 daily; 30min). Mussoorie to: Dehra Dun (every 30min; 1hr); Delhi (2 daily; 9hr); Haridwar (every 30min;

Practicalities of Almora in Uttaranchal

Almora has regular bus connections with Nainital (3 daily; 3hr), Ranikhet (5 daily; 2hr 30m.in), Kathgodam, the nearest railhead (2 daily; 4hr), and Kausam (6 daily; 2hr 30min). Most buses use either of two adjacent stands on the Mall, which has a taxi stand close by if you're heading for distant accommodation, such as the Holiday Home. However, most hotels are within walking distance. Access to much of the centre, including the market area above the Mall, is restricted to pedestrians. Another bus stand at Dharanaula, on the other side of the market, is for buses to the interior of

Practicalities of Ranikhet at Uttaranchl

Buses from all over Kumaon, including the railhead at Kathgodam, 84km away, arrive at the bazaar, at cither of two bus stops. The KMOU stand, on the Haldwani road, is the base for buses to Haldwani (10-12 daily; 4hr), the nearest town to Kathgodam; the Kausani—Pithoragarh bus departs (2 or 3 daily; 4hr) from this stand; to get to Naimtal. change , Bhowali or take one of the three direct services (10am, Ham &. 4pm; 3hr).The Roadways (Almora) Bus stand, 500m on, is used by regular services to Almora (2hr) with shared Jeeps providing a crowded but slightly faster alternative.

Practicalities of Kausani in Uttaranchal

Kausani is well connected by bus to Almora and Ranikhet, and Bageshwar and Gwaldam further north. The tourist scene is growing and a number of new hotels and restaurants have sprung up in recent years to cater for the very seasonal demand. The fanciest place to eat is the Hill Queen, a mid-priced but very good-value multi-cuisine restaurant below the Anashakti Ashram. The owner also serves as the unofficial tourist officer and is a mine of information about the area. The new Ashok and Sunrise restaurants nearby serve inexpensive multi-cuisine dishes.

Shaivite temple of Kumaon in Uttaranchal

The Shaivite temples of Kumaon, such as Jageshwar. Bhageshwar and Baijnath, do not attract the same fervour as their equivalents in Garhwal. Instead they remain frozen in time, undisturbed by the throngs from the plains. In fact, the Kumaon's comparative unholincss is probably an advantage as there is much less tourist traffic, so villages are largely unspoilt and trekking routes unfiltered. Hill towns like Almora, Ranikhet and Kausani have a charm of their own, with views towards the snows, while in Corbett National Park, southeast of the resort of Nainital, vast jungles continue to protect tiger and huge herds

Accommodation in Almora at Uttaranchal

Accommodation in Almora itself is largely centred along the Mall. However, it is also possible to go native in village houses in the region around Kasar Devi; enquire about places to rent at the chai shops in Kalimath nearby. Deodar Holiday-Inn, Sister Nivedita Cottage, the Mall 05962/31295. Home to Swami Vivekananda and his disciple Nivedita between 1890 and 1898. which time seems to have forgotten and where little has changed. The rooms are basic and the garden is tranquil with a log fire at night. Kallash, east end of the Mall, above the GPO 05962/30624. Quaint, brightly coloured but filthy

Nainital north of Delhi at Uttaranchal

The dramatic crater lake of Nainital (tal means lake), set in a mountain hollow at an altitude of 1938rn, 277km north of Delhi, gives its name to the largest and most important town in Kumaon. Discovered for Europeans in 1841 by Mr Barron, a wealthy sugar merchant, NAINITAL swiftly became a popular escape from the summer heat of the lowlands, and continues to be one of India's main hill stations. Throughout the year, and especially between March and July, hordes of tourists and honeymooners pack the Mall, the promenade that links Mallital (head of the lake), the older colonial part of

Almora and around north of Nainital in Uttaranchal

ALMORA, 67km north of Nainital, is one of the rare Kumaoni towns that conspicuously predates the Raj, with its cobbled alleyways and wood and stone buildings. Founded by the Chand dynasty in 1560, and occupied successively by the Gurkhas and the British, it remains a major market town, and is considered the cultural capital of the region. Set at a pleasant altitude of 1646m on rambling ridges that look towards the inner Himalayan snows, Almora's peaceful environs have attracted an eclectic assortment of visitors over the years, such as SwamiVivekananda,Timothy Leary and the Tibetologist and author of The Way of

Eating to Dehra Dun in Uttaranchal

Dehra Dun has several commendable mid-priced eating places and a bund of adequate cheaper cafes around the bus and train stations. Bossa Nova. Astley Hall. Rajpur Road. Swanky American-style outlet serving Western fast food. There is a Baskm-Robbins ice-cream parlour at the entrance. Gary's, 25 Rajpur Rd. Tasty pizzas (Rs45-75) and fast food in a faux US atmosphere. You might have lo ask them to turn the music down. Kumar Veg, 15B Rajpur Rd. Excellent veg cookint at reasonable prices in comfortable surroundings, Very popular. Kwality. 19 Rajpur Rd. Good and reliable multi-cuisine chain restaurant with bar. next to the mote of the same

Baijnath and Bageshwar between Kausani in Uttaranchal

BAIJNATH is halfway between Kausani. 20km southeast, and Gwaldam to the west. The road (served by occasional buses) drops down to a broad valley and to eleventh-century stone temples, standing at a bend in a beautiful river. This was once an important town of the Katyurs, who ruled much of Garhwal and Kumaon; now it's more like a park. Unusually, the main temple is devoted to Parvati, the consort of Shiva, rather than Shiva himself; its 1.5-metre image of the goddess is one of the few in the complex to have withstood the ravages of time. The only amenities are

Ranikhet west of Almora in Uttaranchal

The small and deliberately undeveloped town of RANIKHET. 50km west of Almora. is one of UP's most pleasant hill stations. Essentially, it's an army cantonment, the borne of the Kumaon Rifles. New construction is confined to the Sadar Bazaar area, while the rest of the town above it, climbing up towards the crest of the hill, retains atmospheric leafy pine woods. Beautiful forest trails abound, including short cuts from the bazaar ro the Mall; leopards still roam some of the more remote areas within the town boundaries, despite efforts by army officers to prove their skill at hunting. Ranikhet is

Gwaldam and Roop Kund east of Karnprayag in Uttaranchal

Straddling a pass between Garhwal and Kumaon, surrounded by pine forests 61km east of Karnprayag, the peaceful hamlet of GWALDAM looks down upon the beautiful valley of the Pindar, a world away from the hectic yatra trails. This picturesque spot, with stunning views of the triple-pointed peak, Trisul (7120m), used to be a tea plantation: now, thanks to its position on the main road to Almora, 90km southeast, it makes an ideal base for treks, especially following the ten-day Curzon Trail across the high mountain bugydls of northeastern Garhwal, over Kuari Pass to Tapovan and Joshimath. The unassuming little Buddhist

Eating in Mumbai

In keeping with its cosmopolitan credentials, Mumbai (and Colaba above all) is crammed with interesting eating places, whether you fancy splashing out on a buffet lunch-with-a-view from a flashy five-star revolving restaurant, or simply tucking into piping-hot roti kebab by gaslight in the street.

Accommodation and eating in Eastern Madhya Pradesh

Most of Bandhavgarh s new and established hotels, all of which are in Tala, cater for travellers on a higher budget, and offer "jungle-plan" prices - all-inclusive 24hr deals including meals and two Jeep safaris per person. However, there are also a few budget lodges and mid-priced hotels. The only option for eating outside your hotel is at one of the friendly, cheap dhabas on the main road.

Thripunitra Eating in Kerala

Unusually for Keralan cities, Kochi offers a wide choice for eating out, from the delicious fresh-cooked fish by the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin, to the sophistication of the Bmntori Boatyard. Between the two extremes, various popular, modest places in Ernakulam serve real Keralan food. The ferries run all evening, and so it is possible to enjoy a meal on one of the more atmospheric islands before heading back to Ernakulam at about 9pm.

Eating for Mussoorie at Uttaranchal

Cafes and restaurants all along the Mall and around Kulri serve everything from hotdogs to Chinese specialities; in addition to those recommended below, there arc good restaurants in many of the hotels including the Devdar Woods, the Padmirti Nivas, the Valley View and the crumbling Savoy. Clarks, the Mall, Kulri. Multi-cuisine restaurant that is continually being expanded, yet maintains its period atmosphere; also has a bar and a bakery. Green, the Mall, Kulri. Justifiably popular restaurant; go early at mealtimes or you will have to queue. The menu is Indian and Chinese, serving up very tasty thalis and biryanis using locally grown

The Town of Nainital in Uttaranchal

Most of the activity around the lake of Nainital takes place along the 1.5-kilo-metre-long Mall, a promenade of restaurants, hotels and shops selling souvenirs and jumpers. Cycle rickshaws charge a standard Rs5 to go from one end to the other. Basic boat rental starts at around Rs30 per hour out of season but can shoot up to Rs200 per hour in the summer; dinghies (or yacht, as they are locally called) arranged at the boat club on the northwest comer of the lake in Mallital, cost in the range of Rs75 per hour. You can join the club on a

Eating to Rameshwaram in Central Tamil Nadu

Eating in Rameshwaram is more about survival than delighting the taste buds. Most places serve up fairly unexciting "meals". Arya Bhavan and Kumbakonam, W Car Street. Both places are run by the same family and dish up standard, inexpensive veg “meals”. Ashok Bhavan, W Car Street. Offers cheap, regional varieties of thalis. TTDC Hotel Tamil Nadu, near the beach. Gigantic, noisy, high-ceilinged glasshouse near the sea, serving good south Indian snacks and "meals:: - many items on the menu are unavailable, however.

Munsiyari north of Pithoragarh in Uttaranchal

The sprawling village of MUNSIYARI stands at the threshold of the inner Himalayas. 154km north of Pithoragarh, looking down on the Gori River gorge and deep valleys branching up into the high mountains. Vantage spots throughout the area ofter breathtaking views of the five almost-symmetrical Panchuli Peaks, which owe their name - the "five cooking pots" - to their plumes of wind-blown snow. These are notorious for their bad weather, but on clear days at Munsiyari you feel you could almost reach out and touch them. Among spectacular local high-mountain walks, which are being increasing^ derestricted, is the gentle 1 1km