In November, nature’s cold arm is just beginning to embrace the lower Himalaya, slowly transforming the landscape into a mist-covered, frosted picture postcard. Soak in the best of the season in Ranikhet, in Uttarakhand’s Almora district. Let your city-induced stress disappear in the mountain air, amidst the pine forests, the sloping meadows and the enchanting views of the distant peaks. While Ranikhet is the perfect spot for lazy, languorous holidays, you can also pack lots of action into your break here. At Upat is one of the most picturesque nine-hole golf links in the county, with snow-capped mountains providing a lovely backdrop.
Not far from Upat at Kalika, with its famous temple dedicated to Goddes Kali; here, you can also wander about a well-maintained forest nursery with a abundance of indigenous plants.
For a day charming, relaxed setting, set out for a picnic at Bhalu Dam, an artificial lake surrounded by a pretty garden. Walks along scenic routes are an essential part of the Ranikhet getaway for most travelers. The stroll from the ancient Jhula Devi Temple to Chaubatia, known for its orchads, is an especially picturesque one and will have you stopping every now and then to soak in the views. Ranikhet is also an ideal zone for trekking –from easy challenging.
Choose as the routes such as Chaubatia to Bhalu Dam. Also scattered across the region are a string of sparkling lakes. You can explore them and picnic at the edge of these water bodies while avid anglers can spend hours fishing at lakes such as the Naukuchiya Tal.
Tip: Even if November is just the beginning of winter, it can get chilly at these altitudes. Carry plenty of warm wear, not forgetting sturdy shores mountain walks.
What to buy?
Ranikhet is a good place to shop for woolens, especially shawls. The main shopping districts in the town are the Mall and Sadar Bazaar. You should also stop by at the Tweed and Shawl Factory for its handcrafted products. Also carry back some Bal Mithai, the caramel-like fudge sweet that’s coated with sugar balls, one of the Ranikhets specialities.
Getting There: You can drive from Delhi to Ranikhet, a distance of about 370km, via Haldwani and Bhowali.