Mukteshwar

High above the Kumaon valleys at around 2,171 metres, Mukteshwar takes its name from the 350-year-old Mukteshwar Dham, a temple to Lord Shiva that crowns the town's highest point and gives it both its identity and its sense of place. The name itself means 'the god of liberation', and the spot has a serene, contemplative air heightened by the dense pine and deodar forest all around.

The British recognised the area's pristine quality in 1893 when they established the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) here, and its colonial-era campus and orchards still shape the town's gentle, scholarly character. Apple, plum and apricot orchards spill down the slopes, perfuming the air in spring and heavy with fruit by summer.

Mukteshwar's signature thrill is Chauli Ki Jali, a set of sheer rock cliffs at the edge of the ridge that drop away to reveal a vast Himalayan panorama and double as a popular spot for rappelling and rock-climbing. With far fewer crowds than Nainital just down the road, it has become a favourite for travellers seeking views, orchards and quiet in equal measure.

The best time to visit Mukteshwar depends on the experience you seek.