Indigenous Travel in Kumaon: Slow, Experiential & Immersive Journeys

In the days of yore, the Kumaon region — Almora and its serene surroundings — was a quiet Himalayan outpost, blessed with magnificent mountain vistas and thriving as a modest trading hub. The silence of the Himalayas, the pristine environment, and the unhurried pace of life drew writers, poets, and artists seeking inspiration. Even today, the Kumaon Himalayas remain a sanctuary for those in search of creativity, peace, and self-discovery.

The beauty of Kumaon has long been celebrated. An anonymous traveler once described it as “the staircase to heaven.” Shoba Mohan, founder of RARE India, observes: “In a regular world, be RARE! In the Kumaon Himalayas, every moment is a potential for transformation and every encounter an opportunity to dive deep into the heart of India’s Devbhumi (Abode of Gods).”

In recent years, the cultural richness and indigenous traditions of Kumaon have deeply resonated with today’s discerning traveler. Exploring this region is not just a journey through landscapes — it is an immersion into culture, cuisine, history, folklore, and dance.

The Kumaon Himalayas are home to diverse indigenous communities — Tharus, Bhutiyas, Jaunsaris, Buksas, and Rajis — each with their own fascinating lifestyles, belief systems, and traditions. Their cuisine, jewelry, music, and folklore are windows into a heritage that continues to thrive. The Tharus follow a matrilineal system where women are society’s torchbearers. The Jaunsaris remain one of the world’s last practicing polyandric communities. The Bhutiyas, with their Tibeto-Mongoloid roots, are master weavers renowned for their craft.

To embark on a Tribal Tour in Kumaon is to embrace slow travel — an experience rooted in immersion, engagement, and authenticity. The rugged trails, the untouched forests, and the vast Himalayan landscapes demand time and patience, but reward travelers with moments of solitude and wonder. Sometimes, hours pass on these trails without meeting another soul — just you, the mountains, and silence.

At Koranga’s Wood Villas in Dhamas, this philosophy of slow and conscious travel comes alive. Nestled amidst pristine Himalayan views, the villas offer 360-degree panoramas of snow-capped peaks, echoing the timeless peace of the mountains. Evenings bring with them a quiet charm: as the sun dips behind the ranges, guests gather around a crackling fireplace, sip their favorite drink, and strum a guitar — a reminder of life’s simplest joys.

Here, silence is not emptiness but abundance. The snowflakes drifting outside the window whisper what film critic Roger Ebert once said so beautifully: “The very fact of snow is such an amazement.”

Koranga’s Wood Villas is more than a stay — it is an immersion into Kumaon’s indigenous spirit, an invitation to slow down, and a chance to live the Himalayas, not just see them.