Are you planning a journey from the adventurous mountains of Manali to the peaceful hills of Almora? This guide will help you understand all the ways to travel, making your trip easy and enjoyable. Almora, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is famous for its beautiful scenery, unique culture, and calm atmosphere. Let’s find out how you can reach this lovely destination.
Manali to Almora Distance
The road distance between Manali and Almora is significant, approximately 550 to 891 kilometers, depending on the specific route you take. This is a long journey through mountainous terrain, and the travel time typically ranges from 9 to 17 hours by road, depending on the route, road conditions, and any stops you make. Due to the challenging terrain and long duration, direct travel often involves a full day of driving or an overnight stop.
How to Reach Almora from Manali
Given the mountainous terrain and the distance, a multi-mode journey combining road travel with a potential flight or train connection (from a major city like Delhi or Chandigarh) is often the most practical approach.
1. By Road: Car or Taxi (Long and Scenic Journey)
Driving directly from Manali to Almora is a popular choice for those who enjoy long scenic drives, passing through diverse landscapes from Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand.
- Manali to Almora by Car:
- Distance: Roughly 550 to 891 km.
- Travel Time: The direct drive usually takes about 9 to 17 hours. This can vary significantly depending on road conditions, traffic, especially around major towns, and the number of stops. Due to the long duration, many prefer to break this journey with an overnight stay.
- Route: You will typically travel south from Manali, often passing through towns like Kullu, Mandi, and then heading towards Chandigarh or Delhi. From there, you’d continue towards Uttar Pradesh and finally enter Uttarakhand, moving towards Haldwani or Kathgodam before ascending to Almora. The journey involves both national highways and winding mountain roads.
- Pros: Offers immense flexibility to stop at picturesque spots, explore local villages, and travel at your own pace. Ideal for those who love road trips and scenic views.
- Cons: Very long and can be tiring, especially for the driver, given the winding mountain roads in some sections. Fuel costs, tolls, and potential need for overnight accommodation add to the expense. Requires a well-maintained vehicle and experience with mountain driving.
- Tips: Start your journey very early in the morning to maximize daylight driving hours and avoid potential traffic. Ensure your vehicle is serviced, particularly brakes and tires, as mountain roads can be demanding. Carry snacks, water, and an emergency kit.
- Manali to Almora by Taxi/Cab:
- Distance: Similar to driving your own car.
- Travel Time: Around 9 to 17 hours, often requiring an overnight stop if you choose to break the journey.
- Booking: You can book taxis through local operators in Manali or online services. One-way taxi fares can start from around ₹9,000 to ₹12,000.
- Pros: You don’t have to drive, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery. A professional driver will be experienced with the route, including the mountainous sections. Offers comfortable door-to-door service.
- Cons: This is generally an expensive option, especially given the long distance and the need for the driver’s return journey or compensation.
- Tips: Negotiate the fare comprehensively before starting, ensuring it includes all tolls, driver’s allowance, and any potential overnight charges.
2. By Bus (Multi-Leg Journey)
A direct bus from Manali to Almora is usually not available due to the geographical location. You would typically need to travel in multiple legs, often via a major transit hub like Delhi or Chandigarh.
- Manali to Almora by Bus (via Delhi/Chandigarh):
- Travel Time: This would involve multiple bus changes. For example, Manali to Delhi (approx. 12-14 hours), then Delhi to Almora (approx. 9-12 hours). The total travel time could easily exceed 24 hours, making it a multi-day journey.
- Routes:
- Manali to Delhi/Chandigarh by bus: Regular overnight and day buses operate on these routes.
- Delhi/Chandigarh to Almora by bus: From Delhi’s Anand Vihar ISBT, you can find direct buses to Almora or to Kathgodam/Haldwani, from where you’d take a local taxi or bus to Almora.
- Pros: Generally the most economical option, especially if you opt for government-operated or non-AC buses.
- Cons: Extremely long, tiring, and less comfortable due to multiple transfers. Managing luggage during transfers can be difficult. Schedules can be unpredictable.
- Tips: This option is best for budget-conscious travelers with ample time and patience. Book your tickets for each leg in advance. Consider an overnight bus for the longer stretches to save on accommodation.
3. By Train (Not Directly Possible, Requires Road + Train + Road)
Almora does not have a railway station, and neither does Manali. The journey would involve road travel to a major railway station, a train journey, and then another road journey.
- Manali to Nearest Railway Station (e.g., Chandigarh/Ambala) + Train to Kathgodam + Road to Almora:
- Nearest Railway Station to Manali: Chandigarh (CDG) or Ambala Cantt (UMB) are major railheads from which you can connect to trains going towards Uttarakhand. Reaching Chandigarh from Manali by road takes about 8-10 hours.
- Nearest Railway Station to Almora: Kathgodam (KGM), approximately 82-95 km from Almora. Lal Kuan (LKU) is also nearby.
- Travel Time:
- Manali to Chandigarh/Ambala by bus/taxi: 8-10 hours.
- Chandigarh/Ambala to Kathgodam by train: Roughly 7-14 hours depending on the train (e.g., CDG RMR SF EXP from Chandigarh to Ramnagar and then connecting to Kathgodam, or trains via Delhi).
- Kathgodam to Almora by taxi/bus: 2.5-3 hours.
- Total Travel Time: This multi-leg journey can easily take 20-30 hours or more, including waiting times for connections.
- Pros: Train travel is comfortable for longer distances. It allows you to relax and avoid the fatigue of continuous driving.
- Cons: No direct train connection, making it a complex multi-mode journey. You’ll need to coordinate schedules between different modes of transport.
- Tips: Book train tickets well in advance. From Kathgodam, taxis (private and shared) and buses are readily available to Almora. Taxi fares from Kathgodam to Almora typically start from around ₹1,312 for an AC Sedan and ₹1,968 for an AC SUV.
4. By Air (Flight + Road – Fastest Option)
This is the fastest option, though it involves two flights and then a road journey.
- Manali (Kullu-Manali Airport – KUU) to Pantnagar Airport (PGH) by Flight:
- Nearest Airport to Manali: Kullu-Manali Airport (KUU), also known as Bhuntar Airport.
- Nearest Airport to Almora: Pantnagar Airport (PGH), approximately 115-127 km from Almora.
- Flight Options: There are no direct flights from Kullu-Manali (KUU) to Pantnagar (PGH). You would typically fly from Kullu-Manali to Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport – DEL) or Chandigarh (IXC), and then take a connecting flight to Pantnagar.
- Flight Duration:
- Kullu-Manali to Delhi/Chandigarh: Around 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Layover in Delhi/Chandigarh: Variable, from a few hours to longer.
- Delhi/Chandigarh to Pantnagar: Around 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Total Travel Time (Flight Only): Can range from 8 to 15 hours or more, depending on layovers.
- Airlines: IndiGo is a common airline operating flights on these routes.
- Flight Fare: Fares can vary significantly, starting from ₹8,500 and going up much higher depending on booking time, airline, and layover duration.
- Pros: This is the quickest way to cover the long distance, significantly reducing overall travel time compared to road or train options.
- Cons: Generally the most expensive option. Requires transfers and managing baggage. The flight from Kullu-Manali can sometimes be affected by weather conditions. You still have a road journey from Pantnagar to Almora.
- Tips: Book your flights well in advance for better fares. From Pantnagar Airport, you can easily hire a taxi to Almora. The taxi ride from Pantnagar to Almora takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Choosing Your Best Way to Travel
Your ideal way to reach Almora from Manali depends on what matters most to you:
- For the fastest travel time: Flight to Pantnagar (with layover) + Taxi is the most efficient, despite the transfers.
- For a scenic road trip and flexibility: Driving your own car or hiring a private taxi allows for exploration, but it’s a very long drive.
- For budget travellers with time: A multi-leg bus journey is the most economical, but also the most demanding.
- For comfort over long distances (partially): A road trip to a major railway station + train to Kathgodam + taxi offers a good balance.
No matter which way you choose, the journey from Manali to Almora will lead you to a charming destination known for its spiritual significance and breathtaking natural beauty. Enjoy your travels to the serene hills of Almora:)
