Almora
A Himalayan gem

With the majestic Zanskar home in the backdrop, the planet Heritage Site of Valley of Flowers lies at a powerful altitude of around 11,000 ft. Resembling an artist’s canvas, the valley is sort of a flood of colourful hues that are held together by snowy mountain peaks and white glaciers. it’s located between the conversion point of the Himalayan ranges, Zanskar and therefore the Western and Eastern Himalayas and is made by the Pushpawati stream. In August and September, the valley comes alive when thousands of flowers are fully bloom. Besides popular species of ferns, dwarf iris, dwarf larkspur, dwarf rhododendrons, primula, blue poppies, one also can find thousands of shrubs, orchids and plants in beautiful shades. it had been Frank Smythe, an English mountaineer, who discovered this beautiful place in 1931 when he was returning after completing an expedition to Mt Kamet.
A popular trek to the present paradisiacal place takes travellers through gorgeous landscapes, where they get the prospect to sight rare and exotic Himalayan flora. For the avid trekker, the somewhat difficult treks are rewarded by numerous scenes of cascading waterfalls, streams and flowery meadows around every corner of the landscape.
Ensconced within the Himalayas, Nanda Devi park may be a haven of wilderness. Comprising glaciers and high mountain peaks, the park is sprawled along the transition zone of the Western and Eastern Himalayas. it had been minted a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Bageshwar
The city of Bageshwar is found at the confluence of Rivers Saryu and Gomti. it’s most popularly recognised because the land of Lord Shiva or Lord Sadashiva, the redeemer of all sins (as he’s revered here). Tourists make a beeline for the Baghnath Temple, which is that the major attraction. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it’s said the temple has been standing since the 7th century. inbuilt the Nagara sort of architecture, the temple is noted for many brass bells of various sizes that adorn it. The Chandika Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, and therefore the Garud Baijnath (a temple that shares its similarity in architecture to the Jageshwar temple complex) are another spiritual stopovers nearby. Bageshwar also finds a mention within the ancient Hindu text, Puranas, as an area capable of liberating one from the eternal bondage of birth and death.
Bageshwar is flanked on the east and west by the Bhileswar and Nileshwar mountains and surrounded by Suraj Kund within the north and Agni Kund within the south. Located on the flood plains of Saryu, this off-beat place offers much to visitors. Tourists also can try a number of the local delicacies that include bhatt-ki-turakani and bhatia.

In the placid vistas of Kumaon hills lies the sacred temple of Goddess Nanda Devi , who is believed to be the consort of Lord Shiva and an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She is additionally considered to be the patron Goddess of Garhwal and Kumaon region. This temple is believed to be almost 1,000 years old and was dedicated to Goddess Nanda by the kings of the Chand dynasty. Situated within the premises of a Shiva temple, the Nanda Devi Temple features a powerful monument decorated with a stone amalaka or crown. The intricate carvings on the walls of the temple increase its beauty and reflect the skill of the artisans of that point . These unique carvings emulate lively images and figurines. The temple hosts a grand Nanda Devi fair that draws thousands of devotees from across Uttarakhand and neighbouring states.

A small and picturesque hilly cantonment town, Ranikhet is nestled within the Kumaon Himalayas between two ridges. Ranikhet sits surrounded by grassy knolls merging into rolling mountains that stretch till the horizon. And within the evenings, when fog envelops the town and its surroundings, Ranikhet takes on a magical hue.
It is believed that Queen Padmini of Kumaon was so taken in by the serene scenery of Ranikhet that she asked king Sudhardev to create her a palace here. Thus, the place came to be called Ranikhet or the queen’s field or the queen’s meadow. While the palace not stands, the folklore echoes within the picturesque locales of the town.
A major tourist stopover since the Independence of India, Ranikhet attracts thousands of tourists and travellers per annum .
Ranikhet is additionally esteemed because the regimental centre of 1 of the foremost decorated infantry regiments of the Indian Army. The cantonment city carries the pride and glory of the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers of the Kumaon Regiment which will be seen within the Kumaon Regimental Centre (KRC) Museum. Other major attractions include Ranikhet golf links , one among the very best golf courses of Asia, Ashiyana Park, Mankameshwar Temple and Rani Jheel.

Synonymous with a mess of temples that dot its landscape, Jageshwar is among the prominent spiritual centres of Uttarakhand. It boasts around 124 temples, both small and enormous . The Dandeshwar Temple is that the biggest and therefore the hottest . Among the oldest standing structures here is that the Mritunjaya Temple, which is additionally popular because the temple of Adi Shiva. one among the best samples of architecture, the Jageshwar temple complex is just beautiful with a stunning backdrop of rolling green mountains and therefore the gurgling Jata Ganga stream. The town is lit up during the Jageshwar Monsoon Festival, which is held during the month of August, and therefore the Shivaratri Mela, which is held within the spring season.
Around 3 hours faraway from the Jageshwar Temple is that the Shiva temple inside one among the foremost fascinating cave systems in Uttarakhand, the Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave. Almost 1 km long and 90 ft deep from the purpose of entrance, Patal Bhuvaneshwar may be a fascinating cluster of caves with limestone stalactites and stalagmites.