This is a brilliant itinerary for a people looking for solitude and a rejuvenating escape from the busy city lives. For the first two days you have a relaxed stay at one of the most scenic hill stations of Kumaon - Mukteshwar. Being at a height of 2200m above sea level it is one of the best places to feel the fresh and crisp Himalayan air, enjoy scenic vistas of the Himalayan range, sunrise and the glorious sunset. Rich in flora and fauna Mukteshwar is home to 250+ species of birds. Then we escape to Jageshwar, nestled at height of amidst a forest dense with tall Deoadar trees. It's like you're going to hide away from the world to find yourself. Jageshwar is famous for it's temple cluster, an architectural marvel, all stacked up with stones, standing tall and strong for 1200+years and hopefully would be there forever. You can enjoy pure meditation, some soul calming walks along the creek which flows through the forest. This is serenity at it's best.
Mukteshwar, known as the fruit basket of Kumaon, is a sleepy little Himalayan hamlet perched atop a height of approx. 8000 Ft ASL, providing scenic views of deep wooded valleys, the Himalayan range, sunset and sunrise panoramas, dense forests great for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. You enjoy village walks, bon-fire evenings, fun adventure and outdoor activities like rock climbing, rappelling, trekking, forest / nature walks, forest and stream picnics. A centuries old Lord Shiva temple, revered by locals and worshipers from all over sits at the peak of Mukteshwar. Mukteshwar is also home to a veterinary research institute which was established by the British about 150 years ago. It’s called the I.V.R.I (Indian Veterinary Research Institute) and it is the main reason why 20-25 sq. Kms of Mukteshwar has been conserved for all these years and is rich in flora and fauna.
State: Uttarakhand
Weather: The winters (November-March) is very cold and it snows Minimum temperature can go to as low as - 6 DegC.
Summers (April to Mid-June) are very pleasant, offering majestic views. The temperatures during this period are comfortable with maximums settling around 28°C and minimum’s around 12°C, on an average. Monsoon season is from July to September. The place receives good amounts of rain during the period.
Closest airport: Technically Pantnagar (90 Kms / 3 Hrs) but realistically the only option is Delhi airport (390 Kms / 9 Hrs)
Railway Station: Kathgodam railway station, Haldwani railway station and Lal Kuan railway station.
Best time to visit: April – June end and October until mid-November. Beyond mid November until March it becomes very cold.
Generally spoken language: Hindi and Kumaoni and basic English is understood and spoken by the hospitality professionals.
Altitude: 2200 Mtrs ASL approx..
The spiritual hamlet of Jageshwar, an important pilgrimage hill station for Lord Shiva, is where you can explore its ancient 11th century Shiva temples. This complex is an architectural marvel where temples standing tall are just stacking up of stones. Counted among the 12 Jyotirlings in the country, Jageshwar lies in a beautiful narrow valley hedged by the tallest ancient deodars. Exquisite ancient temple ruins, beautiful Himalayan vistas, a creek flowing through, Jageshwar offers a spiritual retreat. With morning Yoga sessions you can choose to soak in the spiritual energy of this holy area or go for hikes in the surrounding woods. A picnic by the creek is also a very enticing option. You may also visit the old Jageshwar.
State: Uttarakhand
Weather: The winters (November-March) is very cold and Minimum temperature can go to as low as - 3 DegC. Summers (April to Mid-June) are very pleasant and the deodar forest ensures that it remains shaded around the creek even during the day. The temperatures during this period are comfortable with maximums settling around 30°C and minimum’s around 14°C, on an average. Monsoon season is from July to September. The place receives good amounts of rain during the period.
Closest airport: Technically Pantnagar (160 Kms / 5 Hrs) but realistically the only option is Delhi airport (400 Kms / 10 Hrs)
Railway Station: Kathgodam railway station, Haldwani railway station and Lal Kuan railway station (in order of preference). (4-5 Hrs / 120-150Kms)
Best time to visit: April – June end and October until mid-November. Beyond mid November until March it becomes very cold.
Generally spoken language: Hindi and Kumaoni.
Altitude: 1870 Mtrs ASL approx.