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The concept of the Village Trek is unique as it provides an insight into the lives and daily routine of the Kumaoni villagers. Overnight stays in our village houses will give you the chance to experience their warm and genuine hospitality Immerse yourself in a thriving ancient culture whilst enjoying the simple pleasures of village life!
Our village houses have been made in the traditional way using stone, wood and slate. The interior walls and floors are painted with mud and lime, keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Partially renovated with private outhouse bathrooms and western toilets added, the houses are rustic but clean and comfortable with all basic amenities. After a day‘s walk you can enjoy a refreshing hot bucket bath! Fresh towels, linens and organic hand-made soap produced locally are all provided at each house. Traditonal Kumaoni food is cooked hygienically and mineral water provided.
You are accompanied throughout by a local and experienced English speaking guide. From day 3 to day 6 your luggage is carried by our young local porters. The walks end each afternoon at a different village house.
The trek starts in the region of Almora which is the first British hill station (1815) in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, in the western Himalaya. Kumaon lies at the feet of some of the tallest mountains in India. Nanda Devi 7816m, Kamet 7756m, Trishul 7120m, Nanda Kot 6860m and the Panch Chuli 6903m. Bordering Tibet to the north and Nepal to the east this unspoilt area of India offers soft trekking in some of the most awe-inspiring scenery imaginable.
Seasons: Each season has it’s own magic;
Spring: Blue skies, fruit trees in blossom, the forests flaming red with rhododendron flowers.
Autumn: Golden sunshine, the hills dotted with cosmos flowers and the wild cherry trees in bloom.
Winter: Dec. to Feb. Crisp and clear with the sweet scent of the mimosa filling the air.
*Himalayan views normally throughout Oct. to Apr., maybe a little hazy towards the end of Apr.
Option 1
Take the overnight train Ranikhet Express departing Delhi at 10.35pm to Kathgodam Railway Station,(last station on the line) arriving 5am. From there 3 hrs. drive to the resort.. Our dedicated driver will be at the station to meet you bearing a signboard with your name. Transfer will be a spacious and comfortable Innova. Be at the resort in time for breakfast.
Option 2
Take the morning Shatabdi Express departing ANVT at 06.15 hrs to Kathgodam Railway Station arriving 11.05am. Our dedicated driver will be at the station to meet you bearing a signboard with your name. Transfer will be a spacious and comfortable Innova.
Late afternoon at leisure to relax, acclimatise and take in the wonderful views. Walk to the nearby Kasar Devi temple for spectacular views and enjoy a himalayan sunset. (1 hour walking time, from the resort gates)
Kalmatia Sangam to Chitai Bell Temple
Arrival by Ranikhet Express - After breakfast, find your feet and enjoy continuous Himalayan views with an easy walk to the village of Chitai. The Chitai bell temple is dedicated to Golu Devta, the god of justice and is unique to Kumaon. The temple is covered with hundreds of bells of all shapes and sizes brought by grateful devotees. During marriage season, the temple complex is thronged by families for marriages. The trekking route starts from the resort and leads through Chir pine and cedar forests with wonderful views into the valley and Himalayan range. After temple visit, walk back through the forest stopping for a scenic picnic lunch on the way.
Overnight: Kalmatia Sangam
Walking time to Chitai and back: 4/5hrs., 10 kms
Altitude:1950m - 1700m
After breakfast drive to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Walk up to Zero Point through dense oak and rhododendron forests. At an altitude of 2400m, enjoy the extensive view and hike downhill towards the Shiva temple. From there trek initiallly further downhill and then follow the western Binsar ridge towards Kangarchina. A very scenic walk with good views of the Himalaya on one side and the terraced valley on the other side. Enjoy a packed lunch on route.
Drive back to resort.
Overnight: Kalmatia Sangam
Altitude: Bet. 2400m to 1700m
Walking time: 5 to 6hrs. Driving time 2hrs
After breakfast start the village walk from the resort itself which leads you through picturesque villages along terraced fields, waterfalls, along a winding stream and Chir (pine) forests. This gentle walk through valleys then takes you up to the village of Deora. Before reaching Deora you visit the 1000 year old temples of Kali and Vishnu.
Overnight at Deora. A lovely village with wonderfully carved doors and windows overlooking the valley with the the ancient temples. Freshen up and enjoy a welcome drink while a traditional and delicious Kumaoni dinner is cooked by the host. Guests are welcome to watch! Relax, chat with the locals and listen to tales from the past.
Overnight: Deora village
Altitude: 1950m to 1500m
Walking time: 5 to 6hrs, approx. 12 km
Today walking along the old village trails you pass through several villages which gives you a fantastic impression of Kumaoni local life, where old traditions and culture are still part of their daily routine lives. The walk takes you past ancient riverstream run flour mills where you can stop to see how they work. You pass villages, through terraced fields then along traditional irrigation channels and finally climb up to Paliu village. As everywhere in the Kumaon the people are friendly and more than happy to chat and be photographed.
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Overnight: Paliu village
Altitude: 1500m to 1650m
Walking time: 5 to 6 hrs. approx. 12 to 13km
Walking through chir pine forest, along terraced fields, and past a few scattered small villages the path now climbs steadily up to Sokyatal, amidst forests of oak and rhododendron. (If you can make it between mid Feb. and Apr. you will be rewarded with the lovely sight of the rhododendron flowers in bloom, a blaze of colour). The Himalayan and panaromic valley views from the top of this ridge are magnificent. The grand finale is the setting sun covering the Himalayan peaks with fire. Stretch out with refreshment in the quaint, stone courtyard looking down into the Jageshwar valley.
Overnight: Sokyatal village house
Altitude: 1650m to 2250m
Walking time: 6 to 7 hrs. 13 to 14 km.
Walk from Sokyatal down to Jageshwar through terraced fields, villages and magnificent cedar forests. At Jageshwar you visit the ancient temple complex built by the Chand and Katyuri rulers between 8th. and 12th. Century A.D. A cluster of 124 Shivalingas, this is also home to one of the Jyotirlingas from the Hindu religion. Just 2 km further down the road along a narrow hill stream through dense cedar forest are also two ltemples known as Dandeshwar. On the 1 hr. drive back to the resort you can also stop to see the prehistoric rock painting at Lakhudiar.
Overnight: Kalmatia Sangam
Walking time 2 hrs, 5km
Altitude 2250m to 1850m
Departure by overnight train Ranikhet Express at 20.40hr: A leisurely day at the resort to relax, sunbathe, stroll around. Late afternoon leave for Kathgodam train station.(3 hours by car)
Religious customs and ancient traditions are still very much alive here. This area has been a confluence where cultures have blended together leaving behind many architectural and archaeological wonders; ancient temples, prehistoric cave paintings and picturesque villages set amongst sweeping valleys and green terraced fields. Our itinerary covers both the cultural and natural aspects of the region.
Before trekking into the villages you can opt to spend one or two nights at Kalmatia Sangam Himalaya Resort from where the village trek begins. This will help you to adjust to the altitude and give you a feel for the area with its abundance of flora and fauna. The last night is also spent at Kalmatia Sangam to relax in the familiar comforts of your cottage and enjoy their wonderful restaurant.
Kalmatia Sangam has 10 cottages all of which are individual, very tastefully furnished and offer spectacular views of the Himalaya - dominating is Nanda Devi (7816m). The resort is also home to a great many varieties of birds thoughout the year. Comprehensive bird list provided.
The Sangam Restaurant is well known and offers a variety of cuisines from Indian, Italian, Lebanese and Continental. www.kalmatia-sangam.com
At Kumaon Village Trek, we pride ourselves on providing unforgettable trekking experiences.
"The trek was a wonderful experience and a chance to see village life, unchanged in centuries. The scenery was stunning – from the green & gold terraced fields to the tall cedar forests. I loved learning how to make chapatis and puris at the last village and enjoyed the relaxed visits to the chai houses and the lovely old temple in the middle of nowhere. Anand was a fantastic guide with a real passion for the region and appreciation of nature. The porters were very nice & friendly. We must also mention how great the food was – we loved it!
"The trek was a wonderful blend of gentle exercise, experiencing the beauty of the lush forests of the Himalayan foothills, awakening the soul with the views of the heavenly peaks all combined with the time to read, relax, chat with our guide and porters and eat the wonderful local food. As well as interacting with the people that live there. The people are universally lovely! No begging at all. Very different from trekking else-where. Anand (guide) was the best! All of this not to mention the glory of being here at Kalmatia Sangam! Eating on the balcony – barely able to breathe with the sight of the mountains!!! The “home-stay” was a private village stay. The 'apartment' being an upper floor of a traditional Kumaoni house, which were both rustic and comfortable. We were served our meals in our sitting room (we had a separate bedroom) or on the outside verandah. The food all from local producers was beautifully, but simply prepared – just what we were hoping for in India. Whether we were inside or outside the views were incomparable. Forgot to mention the pre-walk and post walk chai. Oh, how wonderful! Good job!! We loved it!! Hope the rest of our time in India lives up to our experience here.
Stunning trek with incredibly helpful guides. The length of the walks was well judged in these temperatures and the lead guide paces his guests expertly. His knowledge of the flora and fauna was excellent, as was his English. The village houses were beautifully positioned with stunning views.
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At Kumaon Village Trek, we believe that traveling opens doors to creating memories that last a lifetime. Our mission is to guide you through the unexplored beauty of the Kumaon region, offering an immersive and authentic trekking experience.
