Name: Kausani
Rating: 4.0

Gwaldam, Kausani Overview

A beautiful, quaint and sleepy village sandwiched between Garhwal and Kumaon, Gwaldam is a place straight out of a fairytale. The place is full of forests and small lakes providing a setting for a peaceful retreat. Nestled amongst the pine forests and apple orchards at an altitude of 1700 meters, the village is tucked in the middle of Kumaon and Garhwal and offers some wide and enchanting views of peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghuti. Trekking in the apple orchids which stretch to infinity is a must and one of the most refreshing experiences of Gwaldam. The place is the ultimate destination for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Nestled in the woods, Gwaldam is a tiny heaven, unspoilt and picture perfect. There are dazzling hills covered by tall pine trees, terraced farms on the enchanting hill slopes and little wooden houses scattered in the middle of it as far as the eyes can see. The entire area is full of orchids rendering the whole scenery charming. Gwaldam is an ideal place to watch the snow-dusted peaks of the mighty Himalayas. These peaks often find themselves wrapped in the clouds and witnessing the changing colours of the dusky sky leaves a beautiful feeling of calmness within you. For the adventurous souls, Gwaldam is a place which lets them experience trekking amidst bewitchingly beautiful flowers, endless springs and countless birds. The most famous trekking expedition here is the Roopkund Lake trek. One of the lesser explored hill stations, quite untouched by the ravages of the modern life, Gwaldam is a perfect place for the wandering souls

Best Time To Visit Gwaldam

You can visit Gwaldam all year round, given the pleasant weather it experiences all around the calendar. The place is a perfect getaway from the hot summers of the plains and equally enjoyable in winters too. The air here is chilly, so some woollens will be needed if you are travelling in summers and several more for winters.

Traveling Around Gwaldam

Since Gwaldam is a tiny hill station, travelling around is mainly on foot. All the places to visit can easily be explored by walking around.

Stay Near Gwaldam

Gwaldam has few tourist rest houses run by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and one famous resort. You can easily seek accommodation here at reasonable rates.

Sightseeing Around Gwaldam

Though Gwaldam is a small town, there are some places that can be explored by the tourists in their leisure time. The five main sightseeing places in Gwaldam include the following-

1. Angora Farm: Located just a km away from the main market of Gwaldam, this is a state-run farm established in 1987. You can find around 35 animals here, mainly dominated by goats. One of the enclosures at the Angora Farm houses around 60 Angora rabbits. This is basically a farm of wool cultivation of the Angora Rabbits. You can easily reach the farm by walking ahead from the main market.

2. Buddhist Khamba Temple: This is an ancient Buddhist Temple situated just 1.5 km away from the Gwaldam hill station. The sanctum sanctorum here houses various incarnations idol of Lord and intricately carved designs on stones and walls. This is one of the must-visit places in Gwaldam.

3. Bandhangarhi Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva, this temple is perched at an elevation of 2260 metres above sea level at a distance of 8 km from Gwaldam. This ancient temple was erected somewhere between the 8th to 12th century under the Katyuri dynasty. The elevated site of the temple provides panoramic views of the surrounding hills like Nanda Devi and Trishul. The first 4 km to the temple can be covered through road, but the last 4 km has to be traversed on foot.

4. Gwalnaag: Loacted 3 km from Gwaldam, Gwalnaag is a quaint place that provides undulated views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. This mesmerising place is situated in the Dhalua meadow which becomes a great place for skiing when it snows in winters. This place should be visited to spend some calming time in the midst of nature.

5. Macchi Tal: A tranquil picnic spot set amid thick forests for the tourists and adventurers, Macchi Tal is situated 9 km away from Gwaldam. This place came up in 1928 by the Britishers who wanted to breed fish here for their personal consumption. This fish production farm is now run by the state government.

Activities At Gwaldam

Trekking is a major activity that you can enjoy while in Gwaldam. It is the base camp for the very famous Roopkund Lake Trek, Nanda Devi Yatra and Kuari Pass. These trek routes take you through the scintillating waterfalls, gushing rivers and streams and pine and oak forests. For the people looking to spend some relaxing time, you can hike on the nearby hills to experience breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Local Experiences At Gwaldam

A sleepy village, Gwaldam epitomizes leisure and beauty like very few can. Being here you experience the Himalayan way of life and ease yourself. This enchanting place is also an eclectic melange of Garhwali and Kumaoni cultures. While her, you can experience life in the enrapturing village and learn about their customs and cultures.

Food At Gwaldam

Try out some amazing Garhwali and Kumauni cuisines such as aloo ke gutke, gahat, chainsoo and kaapa.

Sample Itinerary For Gwaldam

Start you day in Gwaldam with the Buddhist Khamba Temple. Follow it with Badhangari in the afternoon and Gwalnaag towards an early evening.

Tips For Visiting Gwaldam

1. Avoid the monsoons as there may be landslides in and around the village.
2. Make sure you pre-book your place at the hotel to avoid complications upon arrival.

How to reach Gwaldam

The most convenient way of travelling to Gwaldam is from New Delhi. Take a train from Delhi to Haldwani, and then, from Haldwani, you can get a shared or full jeep to Gwaldam. The jeeps generally take you up to Garur which is 20 km before Gwaldam from where another jeep takes you to Gwaldam. The road journey from Haldwani to Gwaldam has the most scintillating sceneries of the lower Himalayas and pine filled landscapes.

Air: The nearest airport is Pant Nagar Airport which some 205 km away from Gwaldam. One can easily get a cab or catch a bus for Gwaldam at the airport.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam. One can easily get a cab or catch a bus for Gwaldam from the railway station.
Road: Gwaldam is well connected by motorable roads to all the major cities and towns of Uttarakhand. Public and private buses regularly connect the Gwaldam to other major parts of the state.