Discover the enchanting Kumaon Himalayas, where majestic peaks and rich tribal cultures create a unique travel experience. Embrace “slow tourism” in a pristine, carbon-neutral paradise where natural beauty and indigenous heritage flourish. From breathtaking vistas to eco-conscious innovations, Uttarakhand is redefining the journey to serenity, observes Subhas Chakraborty.
The North Indian state of Uttarakhand, blessed with magnificent Himalayan vistas, is evolving as New India’s most preferred travel destination and for many reasons.
The natural beauty of the Kumaon region (Almora and its surroundings) has for a long time been luring writers, poets and artists to rejuvenate themselves. The mesmerising charm of the Kumaon Himalayas is best summed up by an anonymous traveller thus – “Kumaon is so beautiful that there is nothing wrong in calling it, the staircase to heaven”. Off late, the indigenous culture of the Kumaon region has touched the chord of today’s discerning traveller. Needless to say, a journey through the rugged Kumaoni mountain landscape is a stellar experience, an assault on your senses through culture, cuisine, history, heritage and dance.
In a world reeling under global warming and climate crisis, the state of Uttarakhand comes as a breath of fresh air. With the snow-capped high Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi(7816m), Chaukhamba (7138m), Panchchuli (6904), Trishul(7120m) …..standing like sentinels, the peace loving people of Uttarakhand along with the state government’s nodal Tourism department have taken a vow to protect the state’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem through a series of eco-friendly measures like encouraging home stay options, promoting immersive holidays by taking tourism to the villages and its hamlets.
Uttarakhand government’s recent declaration to convert the Haldwani Zoo into a Carbon Neutral Zone has been appreciated by environmentalists and the state was also the first one to come up with its own climate change action plan. India’s first green energy-based solar panel plant in Rudrapur – Luminous Power Technologies, with an annual production capacity of 500 MW is another feather in the cap of Uttarakhand.
Post covid, visitors worldwide have unequivocally shown preference towards visiting Carbon Neutral destinations, where nature is pristine, the culture unscathed by modernity and distinctive cultural traits are well preserved. Kumaon Himalayas blessed with the majestic Himalayan peaks and a melting pot of tribal/indigenous people – Tharus, Bhotiyas, Jaunsaris, Buksas and Rajis, whose fascinating lifestyle, belief systems, cuisine, jewellery design and folklore have all attracted discerning travellers to this region.
A tribal tour of Kumaon Himalayas could be life changing and transformative. Here, travel is slow. The essence is on engagement with the local folks. The roads are intimidating, yet, the natural vistas, flora and fauna are simply spectacular. Sometimes, you keep hiking for hours together with not a soul around.
Each tribe is unique with their own set of belief systems. For instance, the Tharus follow the matrilineal system and women are the torchbearers of society. The colourful Jaunsaris on the other hand are one of the world’s last remaining polyandric societies. The Bhotiyas are distinctive with their Tibeto-Mongoloid features and are expert weavers.
Having been born and raised in India’s North Eastern state of Assam, I grew up in the company of tribals – Nagas, Mizos, Bodos, Kacharis, Monpas and what have you! My good friend Chandan Koranga who hails from the bewitching hill station of Almora has been guiding visitors from western countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Germany through his travel company and it is heartening to note that most of his guests are repeat visitors to Kumaon, which speaks volumes about the regions astonishing beauty and surreal charm.
Visitors from abroad who come in search of peace and solitude are provided high quality accommodation in his rugged Wood Villa cottages on self-service basis located in the picture perfect Dhamas village. Chandan`s untiring efforts to showcase not just the Kumaoni Himalayas, but, also the stupendous tribal diversity of the region is beginning to have a positive rub-off effect on the village folks, particularly in Sitlakhet and Balsa Gaon. These picturesque villages receive a regular stream of visitors from abroad, which has metamorphosed into a precious bond of friendship.
The stellar element of this unique friendship bond is that there is no superfluous demands imposed on the village communities. Discerning visitors appreciate the fact that the Kumaon Himalayas is earmarked for “Slow Tourism/Immersive Tourism” and they want the villages to retain their original, centuries old charm. Although, transportation and roads remain below par, there are no complaints; the cultural immersion into the Kumaoni folklore, legends and traditions are far more important.
Indeed, what a joy it is to see local folks engaged in serving guests local food prepared so lovingly by the womenfolk, while the men are busy guiding visitors on trek, hiking to remote hamlets and offering them every possible help enroute. Utmost care is taken in preserving Kumaon`s fragile eco system and indigenous diversity.
The state government has been making efforts to promote tourism globally. The outside world is still largely unaware of the region’s stupendous diversity in terms of tourism and still carries the perception of Uttarakhand being a landlocked region and a difficult place to visit, which is absurd.
There are far too many reasons why the Uttarakhand is soon becoming a preferred travel destination for domestic as well as international tourists. Let me list a few:
It is the spiritual capital and blessed with a large number of pilgrimage sites like Dev Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri. Rishikesh is considered to be the Yoga Capital of the world.
The state is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park. It is home to two of the most sacred rivers revered by the Hindus – the Ganga and the Yamuna.
Jim Corbett National Park in Nainital district is the oldest national park in India established in 1936 for the protection of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
The first Agriculture University of India – “Govind Ballabh Pant University”, which paved the way for the Green Revolution of India was established in 1960 in Pantnagar.
Geo-strategically, the state is very important as Uttarakhand shares its international border with China in northeast and Nepal in southeast.
The North Indian state of Uttarakhand, blessed with magnificent Himalayan vistas, is emerging as one of New India’s most sought-after travel destinations for many compelling reasons. The natural splendour of the Kumaon region, encompassing Almora and its surroundings, has long attracted writers, poets, and artists seeking rejuvenation. As one anonymous traveller aptly described, “Kumaon is so beautiful that there is nothing wrong in calling it the staircase to heaven.” Recently, the rich indigenous culture of Kumaon has resonated deeply with today’s discerning traveller. A journey through this rugged mountain landscape offers an unparalleled sensory experience, rich with culture, cuisine, history, heritage, and dance.
In a world grappling with global warming and climate change, Uttarakhand emerges as a breath of fresh air. The snow-capped peaks of Nanda Devi (7816m), Chaukhamba (7138m), Panchchuli (6904m), and Trishul (7120m) stand as vigilant sentinels, while the peace-loving people of Uttarakhand, alongside the state’s Tourism Department, are committed to safeguarding the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. This commitment is reflected in eco-friendly measures such as promoting home stays and immersive village holidays.
The Uttarakhand government’s recent move to transform the Haldwani Zoo into a Carbon Neutral Zone has garnered praise from environmentalists. The state has also pioneered its own climate change action plan. Additionally, the establishment of India’s first green energy-based solar panel plant in Rudrapur by Luminous Power Technologies, with an annual production capacity of 500 MW, is a notable achievement for Uttarakhand.
Post-COVID, there has been a global shift towards carbon-neutral destinations where nature remains pristine, and cultural heritage is preserved. The Kumaon Himalayas, with their majestic peaks and a rich tapestry of tribal communities including the Tharus, Bhotiyas, Jaunsaris, Buksas, and Rajis, offer a compelling draw for travellers. The fascinating lifestyles, belief systems, cuisine, jewellery, and folklore of these communities have captivated discerning visitors.
A tribal tour of the Kumaon Himalayas can be transformative, offering a “slow tourism” experience characterized by deep engagement with local people. Despite challenging roads, the breathtaking natural scenery, flora, and fauna make every trek rewarding. The region’s tribes each possess unique belief systems: the Tharus follow a matrilineal system with women as societal leaders, the colorful Jaunsaris are among the world’s last polyandric societies, and the Bhotiyas, known for their Tibeto-Mongoloid features, excel in weaving.
Having grown up in Assam amidst diverse tribal communities such as the Nagas, Mizos, Bodos, Kacharis, and Monpas, I am heartened by the work of my friend Chandan Koranga from Almora. Through his travel company, he has been guiding visitors from countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany, with many returning to Kumaon, attesting to the region’s profound beauty and charm.
International visitors seeking peace and solitude are accommodated in high-quality, self-service Wood Villa cottages in the picturesque village of Dhamas. Chandan’s dedication to showcasing both the Kumaoni Himalayas and the region’s rich tribal diversity has fostered meaningful connections with local communities in Sitlakhet and Balsa Gaon. These villages, now frequented by international visitors, have formed bonds of friendship, with minimal demands placed on the local inhabitants. Visitors appreciate the “Slow Tourism” approach, valuing the preservation of the villages’ centuries-old charm despite less-than-ideal transportation.
It is a joy to witness local residents preparing traditional dishes with care, while men guide visitors on treks and assist along the way. The preservation of Kumaon’s fragile ecosystem and indigenous diversity remains a priority.
The Uttarakhand government continues to promote the region as a global tourism destination. Despite perceptions of Uttarakhand as a remote and challenging location, the state offers compelling reasons for both domestic and international tourists. It is a spiritual capital with numerous pilgrimage sites such as Dev Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, with Rishikesh renowned as the Yoga Capital of the World. Uttarakhand also boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park, and is home to the sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Jim Corbett National Park, India’s oldest national park established in 1936 to protect the Royal Bengal Tiger, and the Govind Ballabh Pant University in Pantnagar, which was instrumental in the Green Revolution, further highlight the state’s significance. Strategically, Uttarakhand shares its international borders with China to the northeast and Nepal to the southeast.
Subhasish Chakraborty has been working as a travel journalist for the past two decades and specialises on India’s North East and the Himalayas, promoting Responsible Travel and Indigenous/ Tribal Tourism.