Uttarakhand ·
Ranikhet
Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town, near Almora Town in Almora district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the home of the Military Hospital, Kumaon Regiment (KRC) and Naga Regiment and is maintained by the Indian Army.
Ranikhet at a Glance
Why Ranikhet?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Bhalu dam
Ranikhet at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Ranikhet before planning your visit.
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Explore Ranikhet
Things to Do
- Bhalu dam: A small artificial lake 2.5 km from the Chaubatia Garden.
- Chaubatia Garden: Laden with fruit orchards especially apples are the perfect natural interlude. 10 km from Ranikhet town famous for fruit belt and the Fruit Research Centre.
- Dwarahat: 38 km from Ranikhet, once been the principal seat of the Katyuri Rajas. Dwarahat is full of ancient sculptures.
- Kalika golf links: 6 km on the road to Almora via Ghingharikhal. Famous mountain golf links maintained by the army.
- Sitalakhet: Sitalakhet, 36 km (via Kathpuriya) from Ranikhet, is a sleepy hamlet with fantastic snow views (on clear days). The Binsar Mahadev temple just past Sauni is worth a visit.
Places That Define Ranikhet
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Explore Destination on Map
Discover all sub-destinations, routes and detailed navigation information on an interactive map.
Explore Ranikhet on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport (PGH), about 69 km from Ranikhet.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Ramnagar railway station, about 41 km from central Ranikhet.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Ranikhet (Apr, May, Jun) averages 12–24°C with about 100 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Ranikhet (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 16–24°C with about 275 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Ranikhet (Oct, Nov) averages 8–20°C with about 18 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Ranikhet (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 2–15°C with about 11 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your Ranikhet trip.
Spiritual & Religious
History
- Summary: Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town, near Almora Town in Almora district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the home of the Military Hospital, Kumaon Regiment (KRC) and Naga Regiment and is maintained by the Indian Army.
- Overview: Ranikhet is on several levels. Walking is the preferred mode for exploring the shortcuts between one motorable road to the next one. There are SUVs that run between villages, and also buses.
- Ancient History: Ranikhet, which means Queen's Meadow in Kumaoni, gets its name from a local legend, which states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev, a Katyuri ruler, won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence, giving it the name, Ranikhet, though no palace exists in the area.
Planning Guide
- Overview: Ranikhet is on several levels. Walking is the preferred mode for exploring the shortcuts between one motorable road to the next one. There are SUVs that run between villages, and also buses.
- Accommodation: There are a number of upscale resorts on the road to the golf course and beyond, all the way up to Shitlakhet. Listed options include Chevron Rosement, Dunagiri Retreat and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam.
- Best Way To Explore: Ranikhet is on several levels. Walking is the preferred mode for exploring the shortcuts between one motorable road to the next one.
The Sacred Heart of Ranikhet
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
Ranikhet, which means Queen's Meadow in Kumaoni, gets its name from a local legend, which states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev, a Katyuri ruler, won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence, giving it the name, Ranikhet, though no palace exists in the area.
Natural Significance
Ranikhet, which means Queen's Meadow in Kumaoni, gets its name from a local legend, which states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev, a Katyuri ruler, won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence, giving it the name, Ranikhet, though no palace exists in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ranikhet is most comfortable in January, February, March, April and May, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is June (average high 25°C) and the wettest months are June, July, August and September.
The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport (PGH), about 69 km away. The nearest railway station is Ramnagar railway station, about 41 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Bhalu dam.
A stay of 1 day covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 14°C to 25°C over the year, with about 1239 mm of rain in total.
Tour Packages for Ranikhet
Your Ranikhet Journey Starts Here
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