UTTARAKHAND EXPERIENTIAL JOURNEYS

Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, Uttarakhand is a land of sublime natural beauty and simplistic spirituality. Dubbed as nature’s bounty, it boasts of enchanting views of the enormous Himalayas and reflects the culture that speaks of simplistic living amidst nature in harmony. Uttarakhand is a must visit destination for any traveller who is daring enough to challenge the icy slopes of Himalayas and curious enough to unravel the mysteries of this enchanting land. There are a plethora of destinations worth visiting in Uttarakhand, depending on what you are looking for. Below is a compilation of some of the best destinations for nature lovers and birders.

1) PANGOT
Pangot is a small hamlet in Himalayan foothills, located next to the bustling Nainital district. Often referred as Nainital’s quieter cousin, Pangot repletes with flavours of nature. It serves as a safe haven for a plethora of resident and migratory birds, making it a birder’s paradise. Many rare birds such as Khalij Pheasant, Crested Kingfisher, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Cheer Pheasant etc. can be found here. Pangot is also home to Corbett National Park, the very first National Park of India famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers. You can hop on a wildlife safari to unravel the mysteries of the forests of Corbett.

2) JAGESHWAR
If you are in search of divine light, Jageshwar is a place you must visit. Located in Almora district of Uttarakhand, Jageshwar is an ancient spiritual town. It houses the famous Shiva Temple complex that is a collection of 124 temples, and is believed to carry the Nagesh Jyotirlinga, one of the five Jyotirlingas in India. The temple complex is believed to be nearly 2500-years-old and is one of the earliest stone built structures in India. Besides this, due to its topography, Jageshwar also harbours a myriad of bird Species and amazing landscaped and attracts tourists from all over the world.

3) LOHAGHAT
Lohaghat is an obscure hamlet in the Himalayas that has managed to retain its natural charm and splendor over a span of centuries. Lohaghat is a calm, quiet and serene destination popular among nature lovers and honeymooners. If you are looking forward to some time away from the hustle and bustle of the chaotic city life, Lohaghat is a place you must visit. There are plenty of destinations in and around Lohaghat that are worth visiting. Let’s count them down.
● PANCHESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE
Known by the name Chaumu among the locals, Pancheshwar Mahadev Temple is located at the confluence of rivers Sharda and Kali near the India-Nepal border in Lohaghat. The Jaat of Chaumu is worshipped here by the locals, and the temple comes alive with prayer sounds during the Chaitra Navratri festival.
● BANASUR FORT
This fort was built in the memory of the mythological character Banasur, the thousand armed son of Bali, who was died at the hands of Lord Krishna. Situated at a distance of 7 km from Lohaghat, the fort offers a perfect vantage point to view the looming Himalayas in all their glory.

● Abbott Mount is a dwarf hill station located in Champawat, Lohaghat at a height of 6,400 feet. The picturesque station houses 13 cottages, sprawling over 5 acres of woods that serve as holiday resorts. There is also a Church located on the Abbott Mount that is an absolute architectural marvel from the colonial era. The church is usually closed for the tourists and prayers are held once or twice a year.