Pithoragarh Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: April to June, October to December Read More

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Pithoragarh Tourism

A small urban town bustling with tourists is a prime example of raw beauty of nature and is often fondly referred to as the 'Little Kashmir'. A gateway to Himalayan Range, this town also serves as the stop over for pilgrims on their way to Kailash Mansarover.

Situated in a beautiful Soar valley and flanked by Nepal in the east and Tibet in the north, Pithoragarh promises of an unforgettable trip. With River Kali flowing through the town which is prettily adorned with tranquil temples, villages, fort, lush green forests and natural resources, this place is a blessing in disguise for travel enthusiasts.

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The Little Kashmir of Uttarakhand

Encompassed by Nepal from east and Tibet from the north, Pithoragarh is a small valley established amidst the stunning Kumaon Himalayan ranges. The tranquil ambience and the divine landscapes of this little town match with that of Kashmir and hence it is also called the “Little Kashmir of Uttarakhand”. The small town of Uttarakhand is brimmed with the natural charm and awe-gaping vistas.
It is the home to some of the blessed temples, blissful treks and serene waterfalls and hence makes it a place which does not lack in the recreational activities and sightseeing. Pithoragarh is dotted with a number of temples and forts that speak highly of the rich history that this town has witnessed in the past. From the tales of Mahabharat to the reign of kings, you will find several places that are full of interesting stories.

Trekking in Pithorgarh

Sin la in Pithoragarh is a popular trekking destination in the Kumaoni Himalayan mountains. Located at an elevation of 5495 metres, the trek passes through an array of lush green fields, remote villages and thick forests. It connects Bidang in Darma Valley to Jolingkong Lake in the Kuthi Yankti valley. Sin La was an ancient trade route of the Bhotiyas to Tibet. You can also witness the magnanimous Adi Kailash Peak standing at the height of 6191 metres.

Culture of Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh has a vibrant culture due to the presence of numerous unique tribes. The most celebrated festival of the place is called Kandali, celebrated by the Rung tribe. The festival is based on the blooming of Kandali (Stingy Nettle Plant) flowers which happen once in twelve years. The customs, rites and rituals followed by the local people are mostly those of the Hindus. Some of the most popular festivals are Maha Shivratri, Basant Panchmi, Dussehra, Diwali, Kartik Purnima etc. Pithoragarh is also famous for its enriching folk songs and dances. While the official languages of the place are English and Hindi, Kumaoni is widely spoken in the region. Some smaller tribes speak the dialect of the Kumaoni language.

Restaurants and Local Food in Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh is a small town where options to eat outside the hotel are minimal. Apart from some small multi cuisine restaurants, dhabas and street side eateries serving mouth watering north Indian dishes, most meals are taken at the hotel only.
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Suggested Itinerary for Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh is a fascinating pace with an amazing blend of nature, spirituality, solitude and an incredible past. One day in this town can be quite interesting. Start your day early morning with a walk in the wilderness of the place followed by nice warm breakfast. Begin your journey with a trip to Pithoragarh Fort and moving on to Kapilaswar Cave. Do not forget to carry snacks and packed food items. Heading on to Chandak, break for lunch at any local dhaba. From there a 4 km trek to Dhwaj Temple and then a short drive to Nakuleshwara temple will be an amazing way to end your trip. If there is some time left and you are not tired, you can head on to Thal Kedar directly from the temple. A good dinner at the hotel is best place to complete this wonderful journey.

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How to Reach Pithoragarh

How to Reach Overview

Pithoragarh does not have its own airport or railway station. The nearest airport and railway station are located more than 100 km way from the city, hence, the most convenient way of travelling to Pithoragarh is by road.

How to reach Pithoragarh by flight

Pantnagar, situated 241 kms from Pithoragarh is the nearest airport to the town. Connected to National Capital Delhi via daily flights, it is easy to approach from airport to Pithoragarh through taxis and well maintained road.

How to reach Pithoragarh by road

Pithoragarh is well connected to all the major cities of Uttaranchal via well maintained roads. In fact this small town can be reached from the neighbouring states as well by private as well as state owned buses which have regular services.

How to reach Pithoragarh by train

Tanakpur serves as the nearest railway head to Pithoragarh lying at a distance of almost 138 kms. This station has a good connectivity with many major cities in India. One can easily hire a cab from outside the station for comfortable ride to your destination.

Local transport in Pithoragarh

Commuting within the town of Pithoragarh is quite easy. Being a small urban town, getting a taxi is the best option. Make sure you avoid visiting the place during rainy season as frequent landslides can spoil your trip. The town is quite refreshing during the summers while winters offer some breath taking views.

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Pithoragarh Photos

Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
Chandak
Gangolihat
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FAQs on Pithoragarh

What is the best time to visit Pithoragarh?

The weather during the summer season i.e. from April to June is neither very hot nor very cold but pleasant enough for sightseeing. Monsoon season experiences heavy rainfall during the months of July and August leading to landslides and slippery roads. It is advised to avoid travelling during this season. Winters in Pithoragarh are freezing cold with snow at higher altitude. The best season to enjoy the town is recommended to be summers.
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What are the places near Pithoragarh?

The top places near to Pithoragarh are Nainital which is 76 km from Pithoragarh, Almora which is located 53 km from Pithoragarh, Auli which is located 122 km from Pithoragarh, Patal bhuvaneshwar which is located 16 km from Pithoragarh, Ranikhet which is located 76 km from Pithoragarh

What are the things to do in Pithoragarh?

The top things to do in Pithoragarh are Munsiyari, Chandak, Kafni Glacier Trek, Askot Sanctuary, Didihat, Gangolihat. You can see all the places to visit in Pithoragarh here

What is the best way to reach Pithoragarh?

Pithoragarh does not have its own airport or railway station. The nearest airport and railway station are located more than 100 km way from the city, hence, the most convenient way of travelling to Pithoragarh is by road.
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What is the local food in Pithoragarh?

Pithoragarh is a small town where options to eat outside the hotel are minimal. Apart from some small multi cuisine restaurants, dhabas and street side eateries serving mouth watering north Indian dishes, most meals are taken at the hotel only.
Read More

Who should visit Pithoragarh?

Pithoragarh is perfect for trekkers, nature explorers, and people looking for a place family vacations.

What is not so good about Pithoragarh?

Does not have its own railway station. Also, the airport is located far away from the hill station, which makes it difficult to access. Local transport isn't too convenient.

What is famous about Pithoragarh?

A peaceful town rich with history, culture, and nature. Pithoragarh has several other hill towns located close to it and hence acts as a stopover.

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Popular Questions And Answers on Pithoragarh

Q. What is the best thing about Pithoragarh?

Pallavi Siddhanta

5 years ago
Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Pithoragarh is a lovely place. It is in close proximity to some beautiful glaciers like Ralam, Milam, Meola and Namik. Nanda Devi East and Nanda Devi West can be see (Read More)n from here. Nature is bountiful in this hill town. Both winters and summers are great to visit.
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Q. How to reached in pithoraghar frm delhi any easy way..

Pallavi Siddhanta

5 years ago
Lots of different modes of transport exist from Delhi to Pithoragarh: 1) Rail - You can get daily trains to Kathgodam from New Delhi Railway Station. Two of these are: -Uttar Sampark Kranti Express (Read More) -Kathgodam Express. You can hire a shared taxi from Kathgodam 2) The distance between Delhi and Pithoragarh is around 470 KM. Travel time by road is about 10-12 hours. You can hire a cab or drive on your own. This is easily the best option considering that you do not have to break your journey into two or more parts. 3) Buses depart from ISBT Anand Vihar, and take around 7-8 hours to reach Haldwani. Disembark here and get a shared cab to Pithoragarh.
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Q. What is the best thing about� Pithoragarh?

Kovid Kapoor

5 years ago
Pithoragarh is a really beautiful place with stunning landscapes. There is no real concept of summer and sees heavy snowfall in the winters. It's absolutely mesmerising.
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Pithoragarh Reviews

Your rating

Rohit Shroff

5 years ago
- Avoid monsoon season when you can face frequent landslides and roads in poor condition.
- Carry food as it might be difficult to find eating joints at apt intervals.
- Pack heavy woolens if y (Read More)ou are planning to travel during winters mainly during December and January.

Nikhil Shah

5 years ago
Is pitoraghad reachable from sankri? coz I am thinking of doing har ki dun trek. And after that I will travel few places from sankri.
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