Kumaon Region

Spanning the foothills of Nainital and Pauri districts along the Ramganga River, Jim Corbett National Park was the birthplace of Project Tiger in 1973. It is globally acclaimed for having the highest density of wild Royal Bengal Tigers on earth.

Visitors explore world-famous safari zones like Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela, and Durgadevi in open 4x4 gypsies, observing wild Asian elephants, leopards, sambar deer, gharial crocodiles, and over 600 species of resident and migratory birds.

Perched on the Jhandi Dhar hills at 2,400 meters, Binsar was the historic summer capital of the Chand Kings. Today, it is an unspoiled wildlife sanctuary cloaked in dense oak, rhododendron, and pine cloud forest. Home to leopards, Himalayan black bears, barking deer, and over 200 bird species including the iridescent Himalayan Monal.

Kumaon's cultural identity is renowned for the centuries-old traditional art of Aipan—intricate geometric and floral patterns drawn by women on doorsteps, courtyards, and prayer rooms using brick-red clay (Geru) and white rice paste (Biswar). Dynamic martial sword dances like the Chholiya accompany weddings and grand festivals like the Nanda Devi Mela in Almora and Nainital.

Signature Kumaoni Delicacies:

• Bhatt ki Churkani: A rich, aromatic curry cooked with locally harvested black soybeans, lightly fried in ghee and tempered with mountain herbs.
• Dubuk: A creamy, nutritious lentil porridge prepared from soaked and stone-ground local pulses like Gahat (horsegram).
• Kumaoni Raita: Refreshing yogurt blended with grated mountain cucumber and freshly crushed yellow mustard seeds, creating an invigorating pungent kick.
• Bhang ki Chutney: A tangy, earthy condiment prepared from roasted hemp seeds (non-psychoactive), fresh mint, coriander, and Himalayan lemon juice.
• Bal Mithai & Singodi: Almora’s world-famous roasted khoya fudge coated in sugar globules, and Singodi, a fragrant cardamom-sweet wrapped in fresh malu leaves.