Are you planning a spiritual and scenic journey from the city of Bareilly to the tranquil Kainchi Dham ashram? This guide will help you understand all the ways to travel, making your trip simple and clear. Kainchi Dham, nestled in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, is famous for its ashram dedicated to Neem Karoli Baba and offers a serene escape. Bareilly, a major city in Uttar Pradesh, serves as a significant transit point.
Bareilly to Kainchi Dham Distance
The road distance between Bareilly and Kainchi Dham is approximately 120 to 145 kilometers, depending on the specific route chosen. This makes it a moderately long road trip. The journey, depending on the route and mode of transport, can take anywhere between 3.5 to 5 hours by car or taxi, and potentially longer by bus or train (when combined with road travel), depending on road conditions, traffic, and the number of stops.
How to Travel from Bareilly to Kainchi Dham
You have several options for this journey, primarily relying on road transport, with train as a viable partial option.
1. By Car or Taxi (Most Recommended & Convenient)
Traveling by car or taxi offers the most direct and flexible way to reach Kainchi Dham from Bareilly.
- Bareilly to Kainchi Dham by Car:
- Distance: Around 120-145 km.
- Travel Time: The driving time is typically around 3.5 to 5 hours. This can vary based on traffic (especially around Bareilly and on the highways), road quality, and the number of breaks you take.
- Common Routes:
- Bareilly – Haldwani – Bhowali – Kainchi Dham: This is a frequently used and well-maintained route. You’ll head towards Haldwani, then towards Bhowali, and then a short drive to Kainchi Dham.
- Bareilly – Kathgodam – Bhowali – Kainchi Dham: This route might be slightly longer (around 130 km) but is also a popular choice.
- Pros: Complete flexibility to stop whenever you like, take photos, and travel at your own pace. Comfortable and private journey, ideal for families or groups.
- Cons: Requires careful driving, especially on winding mountain roads as you approach Kainchi Dham. Fuel costs will be a consideration.
- Tips: Start your journey early in the morning to avoid city traffic and make the most of daylight hours. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition for the trip.
- Bareilly to Kainchi Dham by Taxi/Cab:
- Distance: Similar to driving your own car.
- Travel Time: Around 3.5 to 5 hours.
- Booking: Taxis can be hired from local taxi stands in Bareilly or booked through online cab services like Savaari, Gulati Cab, or Pushpak Taxi Service.
- Taxi Fare Estimates (one-way, approximate):
- Fares can range from ₹3,250 to ₹6,500 for a one-way trip, depending on the type of vehicle (hatchback, sedan, SUV like Ertiga or Innova) and the service provider. Some services might offer specific rates per km (e.g., ₹15/km for a sedan, ₹20/km for an SUV).
- Pros: You can relax while a professional driver handles the journey. Door-to-door service is very convenient.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than public bus or train options, especially for solo travelers.
- Tips: Compare prices from different providers and confirm all charges (including tolls, GST, driver allowance) before booking. Book in advance, especially during peak seasons.
2. By Bus (Economical Option)
There are no direct buses from Bareilly exactly to Kainchi Dham, but you can easily find buses to nearby major towns like Haldwani or Nainital, and then take a local connection.
- Bareilly to Haldwani/Nainital by Bus:
- Distance: The bus journey will cover a similar road distance to Kainchi Dham.
- Travel Time: A bus journey to Haldwani usually takes around 3 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours 25 minutes. For Nainital, it might be around 4.5 to 5 hours.
- Operators: Various private operators (like Mahalaxmi Travels, Vijay Tour and Travels) and state transport buses (like Uttarakhand Transport Corporation – UTC) operate on the Bareilly to Haldwani/Nainital route.
- Bus Types: You’ll find both AC and Non-AC Seater/Sleeper buses.
- Bus Fare Estimates: Fares can range from ₹799 to ₹2,500, depending on the bus type (e.g., AC Seater/Sleeper). The cheapest AC bus can start around ₹899.
- Frequency: Buses are available fairly frequently, often with morning and evening departures.
- Pros: Most affordable option for solo travelers.
- Cons: Longer travel time compared to private taxis. Requires a transfer from Haldwani or Nainital to Kainchi Dham.
- Tips: Book your bus tickets in advance through online platforms like RedBus or AbhiBus. From Haldwani, Kainchi Dham is approximately 45 km away, which can be covered by a local taxi or shared jeep (about 1-1.5 hours travel time, ₹500-₹800 for taxi, or ₹50-₹100 for shared jeep). From Nainital, it’s about 20 km (30-45 minutes by taxi/shared jeep).
3. By Train (Combined with Road Travel)
There is no direct train to Kainchi Dham. The nearest major railway station is Kathgodam (KGM), from where you’ll need to continue by road. Bareilly is well-connected to Kathgodam by train.
- Bareilly to Kathgodam by Train:
- Distance: The train journey from Bareilly to Kathgodam covers approximately 97-107 km.
- Travel Time: Train journeys from Bareilly to Kathgodam typically take 3 hours to 4 hours 20 minutes.
- Train Options: Several daily and weekly trains connect Bareilly (BE, BRY, BPR) to Kathgodam (KGM) or nearby Lal Kuan (LKU). Examples include LJN KGM EXPRESS, KGM GARIBRATH, and BAGH EXPRESS.
- Train Fare Estimates: Fares can range from ₹145 (Sleeper Class) to ₹710 (Second AC), depending on the train and class.
- Pros: Comfortable for this leg of the journey. Can be economical. Avoids road traffic issues for the main part of the journey.
- Cons: Not a direct journey; requires a road transfer from Kathgodam to Kainchi Dham.
- Tips: Book train tickets well in advance. From Kathgodam railway station, you can easily hire a taxi or take a shared jeep to Kainchi Dham (approx. 37 km, 1-1.5 hours, costing around ₹700-₹1000 for a taxi).
4. By Air (Not Applicable for Direct Travel)
There is no airport directly at Kainchi Dham. While Bareilly has its own domestic airport (BEK), there are no direct flights to the nearest airport to Kainchi Dham, which is Pantnagar.
- Nearest Airport to Bareilly: Bareilly Airport (BEK), which has direct flights to Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- Nearest Airport to Kainchi Dham: Pantnagar Airport (PGH), approximately 70-75 km away.
Therefore, flying from Bareilly to Kainchi Dham is not a practical direct option. You would typically take a road journey.
Choosing Your Best Way to Travel
Your ideal way to reach Kainchi Dham from Bareilly depends on your priorities:
- For speed and convenience: Hiring a private taxi or driving your own car for the entire road journey is the most straightforward and flexible.
- For a balance of cost and comfort: Take a train to Kathgodam and then a taxi or shared jeep for the final leg.
- For budget travellers: A bus to Haldwani/Nainital followed by a local shared jeep is the most economical option.
No matter which option you choose, the journey from Bareilly will lead you to the peaceful spiritual atmosphere of Kainchi Dham in the beautiful Kumaon Himalayas. Enjoy your travels:)
