Experiences
Walking Kumaon
A specially curated walking journey led by a local guide, going from one village to another over a period of 4 to 6 days. In this journey you will explore the countryside of Kumaon, learning about the local culture and traditions, staying in painstakingly restored village homes with modern amenities.
If staying at:
Kasar Jungle Resort / Burans Kot
Angling/Fishing
For its pristine rivers and streams, Kumaon region of Uttarakhand has always been a great place for Angling. Be it a seasoned angler to an amateur or just a beginner, there are lots of interesting places where one can go angling.
If staying at:
Kasar Jungle Resort and Pancheswar Fishing
We offer Angling at Kosi river near Almora, Saryu and Kali at Pancheswar. Kosi river angling is a half day experience and can be done while staying at Kasar Jungle Resort. Grab an early breakfast and depart on a 45 minute drive to Kosi. Pass by Kosi market and just after crossing the bridge, get off the vehicle and walk down short distance to the Kosi River for a catch and release game fishing. River is very clean and pristine; you can sit here feet dipped in water for hours and enjoy fishing with help of professional equipment and guidance of an expert. Along the India Nepal border in Uttarakhand, flows the mighty river Kali which meets Saryu at a place called Pancheswar. At this confluence is Pancheswar Fishing, a safari style camp. Pancheswar is the most sought after place for game fishing in the national and international angler’s circuit. The major game fish here is Himalayan Golden Mahseer, often referred to as river tiger.
Almora Heritage Walk / Tour
Let our guide take you back to rich history, heritage, culture and bustling present of Almora town on a walking tour. Beautiful temples, houses with intricate wooden carvings, bustling colorful Lala bazaar, British era buildings, places associated with luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda.
If staying at:
Kasar Jungle Resort /Burans Kot /Gopi's Mudhouse
Drive to Almora town. For a cultural escapade, we’d highly suggest a visit to Almora – with its rich history, and bustling present. One of the most important towns of Kumaon region, Almora served as the capital of the Chand dynasty during 15th and 16th CE followed by Gorkha. Finally it was made the administrative headquarter of Kumaon divison following the defeat of Gorkha in Anglo-Gorkha war of 1816. Best known for its rich heritage, unique handicrafts, magnificent temples and an association with illuminaries like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Anagarika Govinda, Walter Evans, and Uday Shankar – it is, undoubtedly, the cultural capital of the Kumaon region. You will be taken back in history on a guided heritage walk across town includes the Nanda Devi Temple, Malla Mahal Palace, Tagore House, Ramsay School, Lala Bazaar, Budden Memorial church as also some traditional houses with intricate wooden carvings. The shutterbugs and cultural aficionados will surely be drawn to the copperware used in most households, and the red-white Aipan art panels along the mud-plaster walls – two traditional crafts that have long been practiced in this part of the world.
Birdwatching Trails
For the avifauna lovers, Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is paradise, home to around 250 species. Take a slow paced walk with a birding guide into the forest, around the village and farms looking for the cute forest dwellers.
If staying at:
Kasar Jungle Resort / Burans Kot / Gopi's Mudhouse
Nestled in the shadow of the Nanda Devi range, ranging from high altitude forests to river valley, Uttarakhand is among the most biodiverse zones in the country, and the Kumaon region is a paradise for birdwatchers. Burans Kot is located at the intersection of forest and farmland, offering ‘twitchers’, and expert birdwatchers, all-day-long feathered spectacles and symphonies. Start your day with the Great barbet harmonics echoing across the valley, or the breakfasting acrobatics of swallows and bee-eaters, the afternoon can be spent playing hide-and-seek with flycatchers, tree creapers and other elusive forest birds, and the twilight is marked by sorties of drongoes and minivets – there’s no dearth of drama for the avid birdwatcher. For serious birders we also arrange a birding focused journey accompanied by a birding expert, covering Jim Corbett NP, Sattal, Pangot, Sheetla, Binsar and Jageshwar.
Village Visit and Traditional Lunch
A walk to the nearby village will give you a great insight into the life and culture of Kumaoni people which is hardy yet they are very warm and welcoming. The traditional ways of living, maintaining livestock and farming is still practiced with much embedded belief systems. You can also learn about traditional cuisine and dine at a village home.
If staying at:
Kasar Jungle Resort / Burans Kot / Gopi's Mudhouse
Set off on a short walk to the nearby village, where you can interact with the village folk over a cup of tea, learn about their traditions, farming and livestock, and visit the village shrine to know more about local religious beliefs. For the shutterbugs, the local Kumaoni architecture of stone and mud, as also more modern brick-and-cement houses. This walk may help you gain an insight into the way of life in the mountains, and how the terrain has shaped the rhythm and routine of its inhabitants. Village experience will be incomplete without having sumptuous meal at a village home. The often-underrated Uttarakhandi rustic cuisine is inspired by seasonal ingredients – like squash and gourd varieties in summer, and fresh, leafy greens in winter. Local variants of mustard seeds, red kidney beans, lentils, millets as also unusual ingredients like nettle leaf, wild mushrooms, fern and hemp seeds – all find their way into the lipsmacking, homely dishes. While the house lady cooks for you, if interested, you are more than welcome to try your hand at a dish or two, specially hemp seed chutney and millet bread on wood fire. Enjoy your sumptuous lunch before heading back to stay.
