Pithoragarh district borders Tibet in the north and Nepal in the east. Due to this strategic location, the outer limits, due north and east, require permits to explore.
The pilgrim route to Kailash- Mansarovar (a mountain and lake highly revered by the Hindus), traverses through this region.

Pithoragarh has many temples and ruined forts to testify to its erstwhile position as a stronghold of the Chand rulers. The headquarters of the district is located in an open valley of immense charm.

The Rai Gufa (cave) provides an excellent example of queer Limestone deposits. Worth visiting is the local market place. The temple dedicated to Ulka Devi, an aspect of Shakti, has a hill top location (outside the town). Adjacent stands an obelisk in memory.

EXCURSION

ABBOT MOUNT 2001 m
56 km Noted for scenic grandeur, this resort is dotted by bungalows fitted with modern tourist facilities.

BERINAG 2134 m
96 km Here the mystique of the mountains is too overpowering. There are tea gardens too.

CHAMPAWAT 1615 m
76 km This was once an important capital of the Chand Kingdom. The Baleshwar temple complex overlooking, the valley is of high architectural merit.

CHAUKORI 2010 m
112 km The vista of the Greater Himalayan range- Trishul , Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot - is fabulously wide and close here.

DEVINDHURA 2500m
58 km This is famed for the temple to Barahi Devi. Every year a joyous fair takes place on Shravan Purnima on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

DIDIHAT
54 km This commands an unsurpassable view of Punchchuli peak.

GANGOLIHAT
77 km This is an important religious centre and boasts of a temple to Kali. This is a venue for the fairs held annually during the Navratris. Not far from here is the idyllic village of Bhubaneshwar. Its claim to distinction rests on the underground caves of Patal Bhubaneshwar (an aspect of Shiva).

JAUL JIBI
68 km This is a significant trading centre bordering Nepal. Lying at the confluence of rivers Gori and Kali, it truns into a lively fair ground annually.

LOHAGHAT 1706 m
62 km Falling en route to Tanakpur, the railhead for Pithoragarh, this once formed part of the kingdom of the Chand dynasty. The scenery and the quietness around attract the devout and traveller alike.

PURNAGIRI
900m Thousands of pilgrims undertake the arduous journey to this shrine, sanctified by the droping to earth of the navel of goddess Sati, an aspect of Parvati.

Travel Info:

Air : Nearest Airport - Pant Nagar,11kms
Rail :Udham Singh Nagar ( Rudrapur) is well connected to Delhi, Lucknow and Calcutta by direct broad gauge line.
Road : Udham Singh Nagar ( Rudrapur) is well connected to important towns & cities of the country and nearby area.
Distance in Km
Delhi - 254 kms, Agra - 301 kms., Lucknow - 343 kms., Faizabad- 473 kms., Ayodhya- 481 kms., Gorakhpur - 620 kms., Kashipur - 56 kms., Tanakpur - 101 kms., Haridwar - 228 kms. & Dehradun - 285 kms.