A Town Steeped in History at 1615 Metres, Gateway to Abbott Mount and Purnagiri
Champawat is a historic hill town and district headquarters in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, situated at an altitude of 1615 metres. It served as the capital of the Chand dynasty — the rulers of Kumaon — from the 10th to the 15th century, before they shifted their capital to Almora. The town is therefore rich in medieval temple architecture and historical monuments. The most celebrated attraction is the Baleshwar Temple complex, a 10th–12th century group of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in the Nagara style and renowned for their intricate stone carvings.
Champawat is the ideal base for visiting several important attractions in the region: Abbott Mount (28 km), Lohaghat (28 km), Purnagiri Temple (44 km) and Mayawati Ashram (37 km). The town has a pleasant climate and is surrounded by forests. The Champawat Tiger Reserve (associated with the famous man-eating tigress hunted by Jim Corbett) lends it additional historical interest. Local markets sell Kumaoni handicrafts, copper items and traditional woollens.
March to June and September to November are best. The town is accessible year-round. Winters can be cold but snow is occasional at this altitude.
Nearest railway: Tanakpur (78 km). Taxi or bus from Tanakpur to Champawat.
Regular buses from Tanakpur, Pithoragarh, Almora and Haldwani to Champawat.
78 km from Tanakpur; 92 km from Pithoragarh; 155 km from Haldwani.