Kumaon Himalayas: totally escape the beaten track

These days it can be pretty hard to get off the beaten track. After all, with transport always getting swifter, easier and more comfortable (UK railways aside!), travelling the world seems to be becoming a much more manageable feat – and unexplored corners are becoming rarer. Fortunately, though, I’ve discovered there are still some out-of-the-way gems out there, like the Kumaon Himalayas in India.

The lowdown on the Kumaon Himalayas

Northern India is pretty famous for its wild landscapes, the most iconic element of which is probably the Himalayas. This mountain range is actually divided into several regions, one of which is the Kumaon Himalayas.

Spanning around 200 miles between the Kali and Sutlej rivers, this region largely falls in the state of Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi is the highest peak in this part of the Himalayas, and the local landscape includes gems like the sacred River Ganges.

Of course, being as remote and untamed as they are, the Himalayas are an absolutely great place for escaping the well-trodden path and having a unique holiday in India. When it comes to exactly why they’re so well-suited to this, though, I think there’s more to it than just beating the crowds.

4 reasons why this place is perfect for getting off the beaten track

Get in touch with your spiritual side

Big cities can be really exciting, but they’re not exactly the best places to have some quiet time. For me, one of the most appealing things about spending time in the Kumaon Himalayas is the chance this gives you to get in touch with your spiritual side.

Often referred to as the world’s yoga capital, the town of Rishikesh is a great place to head to for a relaxing, spiritual break. There are countless yoga and meditation classes available here, many of which are held just to the north of the town next to the Ganges – a gorgeous setting for a little reflection.

Experience authentic rural life

Another good reason for coming to the Kumaon Himalayas is that it gives you an opportunity to explore places that have avoided towering modern developments and still live in a traditional way. For instance, in Haridwar you can head to the Hark-i-Pauri ghat, which is where the waters of the Ganges are believed to emerge from the mountains.

This is a sacred place for local Hindus and every evening you can see people come together at Brahmakund (which is the ghat’s principle tank) and create little floats of flowers and incense. These are set off down the river to music and bells.

Learn something new

This part of the world is also a wonderful place to learn something new. As well as simply finding out about another culture – which you can do by visiting Haridwar as mentioned above – you can also acquire new skills.

For example, you could get to grips with a new sport, which I’ll talk more about in a moment, or you could verse yourself in a new pastime. Going back to the example of Rishikesh, there is no better place in the world to learn the basics of yoga – or, if you practice it already, to develop your understanding

Have an active adventure

Of course, the Himalayas have long been famous for the amazing hiking opportunities they offer, so the chance to walk in some incredible wild landscapes is definitely a big part of the destination’s appeal. But there are a fair few other activities worth trying here too.

In fact, yoga isn’t the only thing Rishikesh is famous for. This town is rapidly gaining a reputation for its amazing white water rafting, so if you fancy cranking the adrenaline up a notch rather than achieving total calm, this is still a brilliant place to come.