20 Places to Visit in Pithoragarh: Elevate Your Journey

As a tourist, you might be looking for better attractions from the other areas of Uttarakhand. Apart from this, there is nothing better than the places to visit in Pithoragarh, a city and district brimming with exciting tourist attractions.

Pithoragarh is a stunning town surrounded by the Panchachuli peaks of the Himalayas and is located in the isolated Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is popularly known as “Chhota Kashmir” or “Little Kashmir” for its splendid natural beauty.

It serves as a rest stop for travelers going on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and allows you to enjoy the grandeur of the mighty Himalayas.

It is famous for its rich cultural and historical splendor, hence a visit there is a must. You can have a wonderful trip here which you will remember for a lifetime as the place is full of charm of its own.

The third largest city in the Kumaon region, is famous as the starting point for treks to the Darma Valley and the Milam Glacier. It a border town, serves as an important Indian Army base. The city was historically an important center of power during the reign of the Chand kings in Kumaon and even today, there are some signs of those times.

Geography and Landscape:

Pithoragarh is situated at an altitude of about 1,645 meters (5,400 ft) above sea level. 

The city is surrounded by lush green valleys and snow-capped peaks.

Its geographical proximity to the borders of Nepal and Tibet adds to its strategic importance both historically and politically.

Natural Beauty and Wilderness:

Pithoragarh is well-known for its spectacular views and natural wonders, which include:

Himalayan Peaks:

Pithoragarh offers a panoramic view of some of the highest peaks in the world including Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and Panchachuli. Trekkers, mountaineers, and eco-lovers are attracted to these spectacular peaks.

Panchachuli Glacier:

Panchachuli Glacier is one of the popular trekking destinations due to its breathtaking views and icy beauty.

Alpine Meadows:

During the warmer months, the surrounding alpine meadows are covered with colorful wildflowers, creating a beautiful backdrop.

Biodiversity:

Pithoragarh is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species such as the musk deer and the Himalayan monal, which is the state bird of Uttarakhand.

Cultural Heritage:

Pithoragarh is home to a rich cultural tapestry that has been shaped by several ethnic groups and historical events. Some cultural elements are:

Festivals:

A variety of festivals are celebrated in Pithoragarh, ranging from regional festivals such as Bikhoti and Hill Jatra to classic Hindu holidays such as Diwali and Holi. These celebrations include regional cuisine, music, dance, and traditions.

Temples and Architecture:

Pithoragarh has several historical temples, including Mostamanu and Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple. These temples have religious significance and beautiful architecture.

Activities and Experiences:

Tourists visiting Pithoragarh have access to a wide range of activities, such as:

Trekking:

For hikers of all skill levels, Pithoragarh offers a variety of trekking paths. Popular options include the Namik Glacier trek and the Panchachuli Base Camp trek.

Cultural Immersion:

Through village tours and homestays, visitors can get a taste of the local lifestyle while mingling with the residents and learning about their customs.

Adventure Sports: 

Rock climbing, paragliding, and river rafting are all possible in this area.

Wildlife Exploration:

Wildlife watchers can take nature walks and go wildlife watching to learn more about the rich flora and fauna of the region.

Best Time to Visit Pithoragarh:

If you want to have a complete experience then summer and autumn months (March to November) are the best time to visit Pithoragarh.

But if you like cold and snow, then you can visit in winter (December to February). 

Just be sure to make the necessary preparations based on your taste and the activities you want to indulge in.

Pithoragarh Tourism:

It is blessed with natural beauty and offers the best views of the Himalayas. The district is home to a few peaks, including Nanda Devi, Panchchuli, Trishul, and Nandakhat. 

Pithoragarh district is home to some of the best glaciers in the world, including the Milam, Sundar Dhunga, Ralam, and Namik glaciers. As a result of its temperate climate, Pithoragarh remains pleasant throughout the year.

Pithoragarh is famous for its velvety green pastures known as Bugyal.

Places to Visit in Pithoragarh:

1. Gorkha Killa
2. Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary
3. Chandak Hills
4. Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple
5. Mostamanu Temple
6. Dwaj Temple
7. Naini Saini Airpot
8. Thal Kedar
9. Jhulaghat
10. Ralam Glacier
11. Kafni Glacier Trek
12. Gangolihat
13. Arjuneshwar Temple
14. Didihat
15. Nakuleshwar Temple
16. Munsiyari
17. Champawat

Gorkha Killa:

Pithoragarh Fort, also known as London Fort, Boulaki Fort (bowl-shaped fort), and Gorkha Fort, is one of the famous tourist attractions in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.

This small fort provides a great vantage point of Pithoragarh, which is nestled in the hills of Kali Kumaon. After their conquest of Pithoragarh in 1789, the Gorkhas built the Gorkha Killa. 

One of the best places to visit in Pithoragarh is Chandak, a hill nearby. You can walk to Chandak to see the Sour Valley panorama. The Mostamanu temple here is a famous temple. You can try hand gliding in Chandak.

 

Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple:

The Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple of Pithoragarh is situated in the lush green Soar Valley, close to Takora and Takri villages. 

Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located inside a black cave at a distance of about 10 meters.

 

Mostamanu Temple:

Situated at an altitude of 880 meters above sea level, Thal Kedar is a pilgrimage center that can be reached after an arduous trek.

The area is famous for its historic Lord Shiva temple, which is mentioned in the legendary Skanda Purana. During the Shivratri festival, this place attracts a large number of tourists as it also offers some very stunning views of the valley.

 

Jhulaghat:

This small village is also known as Jhulaghat because of the suspension bridge built over the river Kali. Jhulaghat is one of the best tourist attractions of Pithoragarh.

You can enter Nepal through this hanging bridge. The Kali River, an important river, forms the border between Nepal and India. If you like adventure then you can do river rafting here.

 

Ralam Glacier:

The Ralam Glacier of Pithoragarh is situated close to the hill station of Munsiyari. A popular trek in Uttarakhand is the Ralam Glacier. 

The starting point of this trek is Munsiyari, and it can last for 8-10 days. On the Ralam Glacier Trek, you can pass through picturesque Kumaoni hamlets, gushing rivers, dense forests, and alpine scenery.

 

Kafni Glacier Trek:

A small village called Gangolihat near Pithoragarh is home to several historical temples and caves. It is one of the famous tourist attractions of Pithoragarh.

The famous temples of this area are Haat Kalika, Ambika Deval, Chamunda Temple, and Vaishnavi Temple. The Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Armed Forces is known for Haat Kalika.

Trekking in underground caves like Patal Bhubaneshwar is a great activity. There are grand darshans of Panchachuli and Nanda Devi from Gangolihat.

 

Arjuneshwar Temple:

 

Arjuneshwar Temple is the famous Lord Shiva temple in Pithoragarh. Arjuna, one of the Pandavas and a skilled archer, is believed to have built the temple.

This holy place is situated at an altitude of 6,000 feet above sea level. The place has several main attractions, including Lakshminarayan Temple, Shivalaya, Chatkeshwar, Gurna Devi, and Igyara Devi in the vicinity of the city.

 

Didihat:

 

Didihat is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Pithoragarh. It is a small village on a hillock that is home to the ruins of ancient forts and temples. They were built under the rule of the Doti and Chand kingdoms. 

Didihat is a rest stop for the pilgrims going on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. From Didihat, you can enjoy beautiful all-encompassing views of the lofty peaks of Trishul and Panchachuli.

 

Nakuleshwar Temple:

Nakuleshwar Temple is one of the must-see temples in Pithoragarh. According to legend, two Pandava brothers Nakula and Sahadeva built this temple for Lord Shiva.

Several stone carvings of Hindu deities including Suya, Shiva-Parvati, Uma-Vasudeva, Mahishasura Mardani, etc. can be found in the temples adjacent to the Nakuleshwar temple.

The design of this temple is reminiscent of the Khajuraho group of temples in Madhya Pradesh.

 

Munsiyari:

 

Munsiyari, one of the most beautiful hill stations of Uttarakhand, is located close to Pithoragarh. From Munsiyari you can get breathtaking views of Panchachuli, Nanda Kot, and Nanda Devi peaks.

Munsiyari is the starting point for treks to the Namik, Ralam, and Milam glaciers. The home base of Johar Valley is also Munsiyari. You can go on sightseeing tours to various tourist places in Munsiyari including Birthi Falls and Maheshwari Kund.

 

Champawat:

Champawat, situated at an altitude of 1615 meters above sea level, is located at a distance of 76 km from Pithoragarh.

Champawat, which was earlier the capital of the Chand dynasty, is famous for its natural landscape and famous temples.

Champawat, a historical place, is home to several famous temples with great artistic value.