Pithoragarh is a small town in Uttarakhand bustling with nature’s ultimate abundance. Such is the beauty of this incredible getaway that it is often referred to as the Little Kashmir locally.
Pithoragarh lets you experience the magnificence of the great Himalayas and also acts as a stopover destination for those who are on their way to Kailash Mansarover pilgrimage.
Renowned for its myriad cultural and heritage bliss, a trip to Pithoragarh becomes a must. The oozing charm of this place offers you an unforgettable trip that you end up cherishing for a lifetime.
Geographically speaking, this town is flanked by Nepal in the east and in the north by Tibet.
Best Time to Visit Pithoragarh
Summer is a good time to visit Pithoragarh. But if you like the winter season and can bear the chilly winds, then it will also suit you just fine.
History of Pithoragarh
Pal Dynasty
According to history, Pals were basically Katyuri kings and in 1364, Bhartpal who was the Rajwar of Uku had conquered Pithoragarh. It is believed that after him, three descendants of Bhartpal had ruled these lands and were even successful in extending their kingdom to Askot.
Bam Dynasty
In a historical excavation site, a brass plate was found dating back to 1420. According to it, Vijay Brahm had taken over the empire as a king. And then following the death of Gyan Chand, in a conflict of Kshetra Pal, the Pal rajas were able to get back their control.
Chand Dynasty
As per historical records, Bharti Chand who was an ancestor of Gyan Chand had replaced Bam kings who were the rulers of Pithoragarh. In 1790, the Chands built a new fort wherein the current times, a girls college is situated.
Modern History
The British rule had begun in these regions on December 2, 1815. This was a time when Nepal was forced to sign the Sugauli Treaty and Pithoragarh remained a tehsil under the Almora district. By 1997, a part of Pithoragarh was separated to form the New Champawat district.
Major Attractions in and Around Pithoragarh
1. Munsiyari
It is a small yet gorgeous town in the Himalayas situated at a distance of around 127 km from Pithoragarh. For nature lovers, this is the place to be at for satisfying their travel cravings. Moreover, it is also considered as the only gateway to the Himalayan range’s Johar region.
2. Chandak
Now, this is a place you go to content the traveller inside you. It is located 8 km from Pithoragarh and is a great place to pique the adventurer in you. This hill is situated in the north direction of Soar valley and is a nothing short of a sight for sore eyes.
3. Kafni Glacier Trek
The picturesque beauty of this place is out and out amazing and holds a raw, natural bliss about it. The glacier lies on the left side of the Pindar Valley and is a must-visit for anyone who wants to explore something unique and different.
How to Reach Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh is an immensely beautiful destination where you get to experience the sheer visual brilliance of nature like never before. It is located at an approximate distance of 440, 1,718, 1,439, 2,323 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check the details below to know how you can reach Pithoragarh via the following means of public transportation.
By Air
The nearest airport is the Pantnagar Airport (PGH) situated about 200 km away. Situated in the Udham Nagar district, it is operated by the Airports Authority of India. From the airport, you can easily traverse to places like Ranikhet, Almora, Nainital, Bareilly, and Jim Corbett National Park by some means of local transportation available. It is advised to take connecting flights from Chandigarh and Delhi to reach here.
- From Delhi - Board Air India flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport
- From Amritsar - Board Air India, IndiGo flights from Amritsar Airport
- From Lucknow - Board Air India flights and fly via Delhi
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Pithoragarh
By Train
The nearest railhead is Tanakpur station (TPU) situated about 150 km away. It is basically a small railway station situated in the Champawat district. The station is well equipped with good facilities in terms of hygiene. From the station, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of local transportation.
By Road. You can also consider travelling to Pithoragarh by roadways. It has overall good connectivity with nearby cities and town. You can consider travelling by interstate/private buses to reach here. Otherwise, you can also consider travelling via your own vehicle.
- From Haldwani - 187 km via Pithoragarh Almora Road
- From Nainital - 202 km via Pithoragarh-Almora road
- From Aligarh - 440 km via NH9
Frequently Asked Questions about Pithoragarh
Q. What are the top tourist attractions in Pithoragarh?
A. Some of the top tourist attractions in Pithoragarh include the Pithoragarh Fort, the Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple, the Chandak Temple, and the Khirai Temple.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
