Gwaldam Travel Guide

Nestled on the border of Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand, Gwaldam is an extraordinaire destination as it showcases the culture and tradition of both the regions. This small town which is set up at an elevation of 1940 m is part of the Chamoli district of Garhwal region and is known for its panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Nanda Ghunti. Adding to the views is the scintillating River Pindari that looks like a silver streak making its way through the lush forests. Gwaldam is still a lesser known destination in Uttarakhand, and thus, makes perfect holiday getaway for those looking for a vacation amidst quietude and pristine nature.

The town which is all covered with towering deodar trees and luscious apple orchards is the base camp for treks like Kuari Pass and Roop Kund.

It also one of the important stoppages for pilgrims during the Nanda Devi Raj Yatra, which is a three-week-long festival and pilgrimage of Uttarakhand. Gwaldam is the home to some of the sacred temples like Badhangarhi, Buddhist Khamba, and few others. In order to witness the most stunning views of the Himalayan Peaks, a trek to Badhangari Temple, which is situated on a narrow ridge is ideal. Gwaldam is a nature lover's paradise and is thus a perfect place to plan a holiday in Uttarakhand.

Our Gwaldam travel guide is overflowing with information on best places to visit and amazing things to do, which makes it quite essential for the travellers looking for an impeccable travelling experience. Also, handcrafted for you are the varied holiday packages by that ensure a vacation unlike any other.

Best Time to Visit Gwaldam

Let your love for visiting unexplored heights take you to this refreshing town of Gwaldam where the whole year is ideal enough to plan a trip.

  • Summer

    Summer's coming to shine from March to June with a resplendent view of the mighty Himalayas, just for you. With the temperature rising to 22 °C only, the moody weather is going to be pleasant for all types of sightseeing tours in Gwaldam.

  • Monsoon

    With Kumaon on one hand and Garhwal on the other, you can have best of both areas, once you make your way to Gwaldam. As August accompanies heavy rainfall, nearing the end of June and July can still be enjoyed here. The temperature during monsoon remains between 15 °C and 20 °C. It is advised to check for weather forecast before planning holiday trip in monsoon season.

  • Winter

    Go on and plan your vacation in Gwaldam in winters as it's indeed the best time to visit this place. Enjoy sightseeing tours with your loved ones or detour a bit to places around Gwaldam as the temperature that stays between 5 °C and 15 °C, is pretty suitable in the months of November to February.

Popular Tourists Attaractions and Things To Do in & arround Gwaldam

Like all other hill towns of Uttarakhand, Gwaldam can be a treasure packed with a variety of tourist attractions and things to do. All in all, this hill station has a lot more to it than what meets the eye.

  • Gwalnaag

    Planning a vacation in winters can't get any better with places like Gwalnaag to see and enjoy skiing in. By simply traveling 3 km from Gwaldam, you can witness the frosty peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot and shrines around the place.

  • Badhangarhi Temple

    Religionism runs through the whole of Uttarakhand and it can be easily reasoned out with the existence of sacred shrines all over the area. Another perfect example is the beautiful Badhangarhi temple, dedicated to divine Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali. Situated 8 km away from Gwaldam, this temples offers the view of snow-capped mountains in the background and can be easily reached out to halfway on road and rest by foot.

  • Buddhist Khamba Temple

    Enlighten yourself in the revered Buddhist Khamba Temple settled near Gwaldam. The whole temple is adorned with peaceful aura and statues of Gautam Buddha sculpted out of stones and a visit here will be a tranquilizing one for sure.

  • Macchi Tal

    Between the dense green forest lies the Macchi Tal, which is an ideal picnic spot for tourists. Situated 9 km away from Gwaldam, it was a fish breeding spot for Britishers, which at present is a fish production farm run by the state government.

  • Angora Farm

    Home to a number of animals like goats and Angora rabbits, this farm is used for wool cultivation, situated just a kilometer away from Gwaldam.

  • Baijnath

    Named after the famous Baijnath Temple, it is a small revered town situated 23 km away from Gwaldam. The ancient temples here like the Baijnath Temple on the banks of the river Gomati, are an embodiment of great architecture and takes place in a heavenly complex built by Katyuri Kings.

  • Roop Kund

    If you love mysteries enough then you should not miss this secretive skeleton lake of Uttarakhand. Situated at an altitude of 5029 m, this lake is mothered by Trishul and is a popular tourist destination for trekking.

  • Trekking

    Hope you are carrying your hiking boots as Gwaldam is up for some of the best trekking experience for you. Taking you through the oak and pine covered forests offering the refreshing view of the waterfalls and the mountains, it serves as the base camp for Kuari pass, Roopkund lake, and Nanda Devi Yatra.

  • Exploring the Culture

    What can be more fun than enjoying two similar, yet different cultures at the same time. Well with Kumaon on one side and Garhwal on the other, one can have best of the best by mixing up with the villagers and getting the insights of their culture, customs, and beliefs.

Where to Stay in Gwaldam?

Since Gwaldam is a small place and is still non-commercialized, there are not many options for staying. One can find 2-star to 1-star hotels in Gwaldam, which provide a decent stay with rooms intact with all the basic amenities. Moreover, there are guesthouses by GMVN rendering deluxe and pocket-friendly rooms for a great experience. At a short distance from Gwaldam, in Talwari, luxury property like that of Saffronstays. One can also stay in Kausani, which is some 40 km from Gwaldam and is well-connected to it by road. This tourist destination has more staying option.

How to Reach Gwaldam

There's is something more to Gwaldam than just the peaceful ambience. And it can only be experienced when you plan a vacation here to unveil this hidden gem of Uttarakhand. Gwaldam is well-connected by road to major tourist places in the state. It is also not difficult to reach here by air or rail as well.

  • By Air

    Land on Pant Nagar Airport to reach Gwaldam as it is the nearest airport, situated at a distance of 212 km. You can easily hire a cab from the airport to Gwaldam.

  • By Rail

    Kathgodam railway station is the nearest one to the small yet serene town of Gwaldam. The railway station is situated at a distance of 178 km from the town, which can be covered by taxis and buses available there.

  • By Road

    Being well connected to major towns of the snowy Uttarakhand, this town is easily accessible by road. Besides, one can enter the town from both the Kumaon and Garhwal region, without any hassle.

Uttarakhand Travel Information at a Glance