Places to visit in Pithoragarh
12 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.
District headquarters 1
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Pithoragarh (district headquarters) Two sources
Headquarters of Pithoragarh district, Kumaon division (Wikipedia).
Temples and pilgrimage 1
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Narayan Ashram Official source
Located around 20 km from Dharchula, Narayan Ashram is a hermitage set up by Narayan Swami in 1936. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
Hill stations and towns 3
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Chaukori Official source
Surrounded towering Himalayan peaks and lush forests, Chaukori is an idyllic tourist destination. It is replete with snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, deodar and rhododendrons, and picturesque views as far as the eye can go. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
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Dharchula Official source
Culturally-rich Dharchula is a picturesque hill town located in the Pithoragarh district on the ancient trading route linking the Kumaon region to Nepal. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
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Chirkila Dam Official source
The Chirkila dam, on Kali river, is a popular picnic spot around 20 km from Dharchula. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
Peaks, parks and lakes 7
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Darma Valley Official source
Located in Pithoragarh at an altitude of 3,470 m (approximately), the Darma Valley is the ideal getaway destination for nature lovers and those looking to escape the cacophony of everyday life. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
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Askot Sanctuary Official source
A haven for snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, the endangered musk deer and several other species of animals, the Askot Sanctuary is very popular among wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
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Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Official source
Situated around 60 km from Chaukori, Askot was at the hub of the Katyuri dynasty. This place is famous for the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary established for the conservation of musk deer. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)
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Berinag Official source
Located at an elevation of 1,740 m, Berinag is a quaint hamlet, about 10 km from Chaukori. It is surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas and is one of the rare spots in Kumaon that has tea gardens. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
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Dharamgarh Official source
Dharamghar is known for its spectacular views of the Himalayas. Lying about 9 km from Chaukori, Dharamgarhis where Sarla Behn, a follower of Gandhi spent her last days. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
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Jauljibi Official source
Around 20 km from Dharchula town, Jauljibi is a small but boisterous village market on the Indo-Nepal border. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
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Patal Bhubaneshwar Official source
Lying around 40 km from Chaukori, Patal Bhubaneshwar is a popular spiritual stopover. It is a type of cave temple, almost a hole in the ground. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
In depth: Chaukori
Chaukori: Surrounded towering Himalayan peaks and lush forests, Chaukori is an idyllic tourist destination. It is replete with snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, deodar and rhododendrons, and picturesque views as far as the eye can go. The stunning Panchachuli peaks are visible from this paradisiacal location. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)
At a glance
- Type
- Hill stations and towns Official source
- District
- Pithoragarh (assigned from the place's location; Uttarakhand Tourism pages rarely name the district)
- Best time
- March to June and November to September is the best time to visit Chaukori. (Uttarakhand Tourism) Official source
History and significance
- District formed
- 24 February 1960 (Wikipedia) Two sources
What to see
- Darma Valley
- Located in Pithoragarh at an altitude of 3,470 m (approximately), the Darma Valley is the ideal getaway destination for nature lovers and those looking to escape the cacophony of everyday life. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
- Dharchula
- Culturally-rich Dharchula is a picturesque hill town located in the Pithoragarh district on the ancient trading route linking the Kumaon region to Nepal. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
- Patal Bhubaneshwar
- Lying around 40 km from Chaukori, Patal Bhubaneshwar is a popular spiritual stopover. It is a type of cave temple, almost a hole in the ground. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
- Dharamgarh
- Dharamghar is known for its spectacular views of the Himalayas. Lying about 9 km from Chaukori, Dharamgarhis where Sarla Behn, a follower of Gandhi spent her last days. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
- Berinag
- Located at an elevation of 1,740 m, Berinag is a quaint hamlet, about 10 km from Chaukori. It is surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas and is one of the rare spots in Kumaon that has tea gardens. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
- Situated around 60 km from Chaukori, Askot was at the hub of the Katyuri dynasty. This place is famous for the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary established for the conservation of musk deer. (Uttarakhand Tourism; wording is the source's own claim)
Visiting
- Timings, fees
- Not published on the pages read. Confirm locally. Not yet verified
Festivals
- Local fairs and festivals
- Dates to confirm. Not yet verified
Visitor guidelines
- Areas near the China border (such as beyond Mana, Niti, Nelong or the upper Darma and Vyas valleys) may need permits; confirm with the district administration (estimate).
- Hill roads close after heavy rain and snow; check road status and avoid driving after dark in the monsoon (estimate).
How to reach Chaukori
- By Flight
- The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, about 250 km away. (Uttarakhand Tourism) Official source
- By Train
- The nearest railhead is Kathgodam, about 180 km away. (Uttarakhand Tourism) Official source
- By Road
- Chaukori is connected by motorable roads to all the major towns and cities. (Uttarakhand Tourism) Official source
Month by month
| Month | Temp °C | Sunrise | Sunset | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | IMD normals to add | 07:06 | 17:31 | Cold; snow above about 2,000 m; many high roads closed |
| Feb | IMD normals to add | 06:51 | 17:57 | Cold; snow |
| Mar | IMD normals to add | 06:21 | 18:17 | Good: clear, cool |
| Apr | IMD normals to add | 05:44 | 18:36 | Good; Char Dham portals open late April-May (dates announced yearly) |
| May | IMD normals to add | 05:17 | 18:55 | Peak season in the hills |
| Jun | IMD normals to add | 05:08 | 19:11 | Peak season; pre-monsoon |
| Jul | IMD normals to add | 05:18 | 19:13 | Monsoon: landslides block roads |
| Aug | IMD normals to add | 05:37 | 18:53 | Monsoon: landslides; Valley of Flowers in bloom |
| Sep | IMD normals to add | 05:53 | 18:17 | Monsoon easing |
| Oct | IMD normals to add | 06:10 | 17:41 | Best: clear views |
| Nov | IMD normals to add | 06:34 | 17:15 | Good; Char Dham portals close for winter (dates announced yearly) |
| Dec | IMD normals to add | 06:57 | 17:12 | Cold; snow at higher hill stations |
Suggested plans
- Two days
- Chaukori, Darma Valley, Dharchula, Patal Bhubaneshwar.
How to reach Pithoragarh
- By train
- See "Getting there".
- By air
- Jolly Grant, Dehradun (DED) and Pantnagar (PGH) (estimate).
- By road
- Hill highways; landslide-prone in the monsoon (estimate).
- Headquarters
- Pithoragarh
- Coast
- Landlocked; Himalayan
Best time to visit Pithoragarh
- Best time
- March-June and September-November in the hills (estimate).
- Climate
- Temperate hills with snow at height; heavy monsoon July-September (estimate).
Dates to plan around in Uttarakhand
- Char Dham portals open — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath: Late April-May; 2027 dates to confirm
- Char Dham portals close — Same: October-November; dates to confirm
- Valley of Flowers season — Chamoli: Monsoon bloom; opening dates to confirm
- Kanwar Yatra — Haridwar: Shravan (July-August); dates to confirm
- Ganga Aarti — Har ki Pauri, Haridwar; Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh: Daily at dusk (estimate)
Where to stay in Pithoragarh
TRH Dharchula Official source
KMVN TRH, Dharchula, Distt: Pithoragarh. (Uttarakhand) - 262545
TRH Didihat Official source
Oak Park House Mallital NainitalMain Market, Didihat, Distt: Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) - 262551
TRH Gangolihat Official source
Main Market, Gangolihat, Distt: Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand)
TRH Patal Bhuvneshwar Official source
KMVN TRH, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Distt: Pithoragarh.
Quick answers about Pithoragarh
What is Pithoragarh known for?
Kumaon division. Chaukori, Darma Valley, Dharchula.
What is the one place not to miss in Pithoragarh?
Chaukori. Surrounded towering Himalayan peaks and lush forests, Chaukori is an idyllic tourist destination. It is replete with snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, deodar and rhododendrons, and picturesque views as far as the eye can go. (Uttarakhand Tourism)
Which is the nearest railway station to Pithoragarh?
See "Getting there".
Which is the nearest airport to Pithoragarh?
Jolly Grant, Dehradun (DED) and Pantnagar (PGH) (estimate).
When is the best time to visit Pithoragarh?
March-June and September-November in the hills (estimate).
How many places are there to visit in Pithoragarh?
Our guide lists 12 places in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, across district headquarters, temples and pilgrimage, hill stations and towns, peaks, parks and lakes.
Official links and sources
- Uttarakhand Tourism: Chaukori ↗
- Uttarakhand Tourism: Darma Valley ↗
- Uttarakhand Tourism: Dharchula ↗
- Wikipedia: List of districts of Uttarakhand ↗
- Business Standard: Boundaries of administrative units to be frozen on Dec 31, 2025 for Census (29 Jun 2025) ↗
- KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) hotels, read 3 Nov 2026 ↗