The affordable Himalaya · India
Kumaon on a budget
Lakes, oak ridges and the old Tibet road. Here is what it costs by bus, shared jeep and homestay, and when it costs least.
A Saver day in Kumaon costs about ₹1,800–3,000 per person: hostel bed or KMVN/guesthouse room shared, dhaba meals, KMOU buses and shared jeeps. Indicative 2026, once you are in the hive. Our Saver trips here start from ₹7,500 per person, twin sharing.
Photo: Travelling Slacker · CC BY 2.0 · CommonsA day in Kumaon
Three ways to spend the day
Per person, per day, indicative 2026. Saver is the bus-and-homestay way; the others are here so you can see the gap.
Per person, per day₹1,800–3,000
Hostel bed or KMVN/guesthouse room shared, dhaba meals, KMOU buses and shared jeeps
Saver trips from ₹7,500Per person, per day₹6,000–11,000
Good 3–4 star or heritage room shared, all meals, share of a private car with driver
Per person, per day₹22,000–45,000
Kumaon's best small hotels with meals, private car, naturalist or guide
Saver trips
Kumaon by bus and homestay
Photo: Krishan09 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Saver
Long weekend from Delhi: Nainital and Bhimtal
Overnight train to Kathgodam, shared taxis and walking
Photo: ParthaPratimNath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Saver
Hostel trail: Mukteshwar and Kasar Devi
Shared taxis and jeeps
Photo: Travelling Slacker · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Almora, Binsar and Jageshwar on a budget
Shared taxis and jeeps, with two shared private-cab legs
Photo: Travelling Slacker · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Munsiyari and the Johar valley by shared jeep
Shared jeeps and buses via Almora, Chaukori, Thal and Bageshwar
When it costs least
Kumaon prices, month by month
The top bar shows how good the weather is. Low-price months with workable weather are the budget sweet spot.
Highlighted months: low prices and weather that still works. Peak weeks, school holidays and festival dates cost more.
Real prices
What things cost in Kumaon
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Spend less
Ways to save in Kumaon
- Take the overnight Ranikhet Express from Delhi to Kathgodam: a sleeper or 3AC berth costs less than a taxi and saves a hotel night.
- Avoid Nainital on long weekends and from mid-May to mid-June, when room rates on the Mall can double; Bhowali, Bhimtal and Sattal are calmer and cheaper.
- Use Uttarakhand Roadways and KMOU buses or shared jeeps from Haldwani and Kathgodam; a seat to Almora costs a fraction of a private cab.
- Book KMVN tourist rest houses on the official KMVN site; at Binsar and Kausani they are among the best-sited rooms in town for the price.
- Eat Kumaoni thalis at local dhabas for ₹150–250 instead of hotel buffets, and buy bal mithai by weight in Almora rather than in gift boxes elsewhere.
- Travel from late September to early November: clear views, open roads and shoulder prices outside the Diwali week.
Where you sleep
Budget stays in Kumaon
Photo: SudiptoDutta · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Budget
KMVN Tourist Rest House, Binsar
The government rest house inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, sits high on the rid…
Photo: Abhijit Kar Gupta from Kolkata, India · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Budget
KMVN Tourist Rest House, Kausani
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam's rest house on the Kausani ridge is one of the cheapest ways to wake up facing Trishul …
Photo: ParthaPratimNath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Budget
Zostel Mukteshwar
Zostel's Mukteshwar hostel is a favourite of students, solo travellers and remote workers, with dorm beds and priv…
Questions
Kumaon on a budget, answered
How much does a budget trip to Kumaon cost?
A Saver day in Kumaon costs about ₹1,800–3,000 per person (Hostel bed or KMVN/guesthouse room shared, dhaba meals, KMOU buses and shared jeeps). Our Saver trips here start from ₹7,500 per person, twin sharing, indicative 2026, from the start point.
What is the cheapest month for Kumaon?
Rooms and transport are cheapest in January, February, when the weather still works for most of the hive. Peak weeks, school holidays and festival dates cost more. Check current status before you travel.
How do we save money in Kumaon?
Take the overnight Ranikhet Express from Delhi to Kathgodam: a sleeper or 3AC berth costs less than a taxi and saves a hotel night. Avoid Nainital on long weekends and from mid-May to mid-June, when room rates on the Mall can double; Bhowali, Bhimtal and Sattal are calmer and cheaper. Use Uttarakhand Roadways and KMOU buses or shared jeeps from Haldwani and Kathgodam; a seat to Almora costs a fraction of a private cab.