Kausani is a small hill town in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, sitting at 1890 metres above sea level. What makes it truly special is its unobstructed panoramic view of over 300 km of Himalayan peaks — including Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchachuli. Here are the 12 best places you must visit.
1🏔️Kausani View Point
The main viewpoint in Kausani is where you get the most famous 300 km panoramic view of the Himalayas. On a clear morning — especially October to March — you can see Trisul (7120m), Nanda Devi (7816m), and Panchachuli peaks all at once. The best time to visit is early morning between 5:30–7:30 AM. The viewpoint is just 1.2 km from the main market and is accessible by a pleasant walk through pine forests. There is a small entry fee of ₹20–30.
Arrive before sunrise. Wrap up warm — it gets very cold even in summer at this hour.
2🌿Uttarakhand Tea Garden (Kausani Tea Estate)
Kausani is home to Uttarakhand's most famous tea estate — one of the highest altitude tea gardens in India at 1890 metres. The estate grows organic green tea, black tea, and the rare Buransh (Rhododendron) tea. You can walk through the terraced gardens, watch tea plucking in season (March–May and October), and buy fresh tea directly from the factory shop. The garden stretches across the hillside with stunning views of the snow peaks beyond.
Visit during March–May first flush season to see plucking in action. The factory shop sells tea at factory prices — much cheaper than online.
3🛕Anasakti Ashram
This is where Mahatma Gandhi stayed in 1929 and wrote his famous commentary 'Anasakti Yoga' on the Bhagavad Gita. The ashram is a beautifully maintained peaceful space with a Gandhi memorial and library. It sits right on the ridge with Himalayan views. The evening aarti here is a deeply moving experience. Entry is free and open to all.
Visit in the evening for the aarti at sunset — the view of orange peaks with temple bells ringing is unforgettable.
4🌊Rudradhari Falls & Temple
Located 12 km from Kausani, Rudradhari is a stunning waterfall nestled in dense oak and rhododendron forests. The trek to the waterfall takes about 2 km through a beautiful forest trail and passes by a Shiva temple. The falls are most powerful in July–September. The area is pristine and relatively uncrowded even in peak season.
Best combined with Baijnath Temple (17 km away). Hire a local cab from Kausani for the day — approx ₹1200–1500.
5📚Sumitranandan Pant Gallery
Kausani is the birthplace of Sumitranandan Pant, one of Hindi literature's greatest poets. His ancestral home has been converted into a beautiful gallery and museum with his original manuscripts, photographs, awards (including the Jnanpith Award) and personal belongings. It gives a wonderful window into his life and the literary culture of Kumaon.
Closed on Mondays. Entry ₹10. Small but deeply charming — don't skip it even if you're not a literature person.
6🛕Baijnath Temple
Located 17 km from Kausani on the banks of the Gomti river, Baijnath is an ancient group of stone temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in the Katyuri architectural style in the 12th century, these temples are among the finest examples of medieval Hindu temple architecture in Uttarakhand. The main temple houses a swayambhu (self-originated) Shivalinga and is extremely sacred.
Combine with Rudradhari Falls for a full day trip. Best visited on Mondays when the temple is especially vibrant.
7🥾Pinnath Trek
A moderate one-day trek from Kausani village to the Pinnath peak at 2450 metres. The trail passes through dense forests of oak, rhododendron and pine and offers increasingly dramatic Himalayan views. The summit has a small Shiva temple and on clear days you can see all the major peaks of the Kumaon Himalayas. Trek distance is 8 km one way.
Start early — 6 AM from Kausani. Hire a local guide for ₹400–600. Take water and light snacks.
8🙏Lakshmi Ashram
A serene ashram founded by the British Gandhian Sarala Devi, Lakshmi Ashram is a working community of Pahadi women and girls who practice Gandhi's ideals of self-reliance and service. It is a beautifully peaceful place with organic gardens, a small craft workshop and a library. Visitors are welcome and short stays can be arranged.
If you are interested in rural Uttarakhand culture and Gandhian philosophy, a two-hour visit here is deeply enriching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are enough for Kausani?
▼What is the best time to visit Kausani?
▼How to reach Kausani?
▼Book a Kausani Local Sightseeing Cab
Direct booking · No commission · KumaonHub