Nainital : Lake District of India

Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before and travel is the only therapy that calms your mind and soothes your soul. If you’re looking for a perfectly peaceful destination, then you can blindly pick this hill station which is considered as city of beautiful lakes surrounded by hills with majestic views : Nainital Uttarakhand.

"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." : Henry David Thoreau

Nainital is a hill station nestled in Kumaon Hills, occupying a steep forested valley around a unique, eye-shaped Naini Lake. Famously known as the ‘City of Lakes’, Nainital is liberally blessed with natural beauty and exudes a nostalgic charm of the early 19th century. Besides the natural wonders, there are many landmarks, monuments and religious shrines in the city, each reflecting a foreign influence of the colonial era.

Best time to visit Nainital

March to June is the popular tourist season when the weather is perfect for outdoor activities and quite pleasant. If you’re the type to lace up your adventure boots, this is the time to visit here with paragliding, trekking, camping and rafting all up for grabs.

July to September sees heavy rainfall and quite a drop in visitors. On the up side the rains make the hills more luxuriant and if you’re the kind who prefers dripping weather and lonesome hikes, this time has your name all over it.

October to February gets chilly and January brings in snowfall too.

Although Nainital is a year-round destination, the activities open to you may vary based on when you visit. So, plan accordingly.

Things to carry

Pack as light as possible 😛😝😜

• Cotton clothing for summer and a light jacket would work for when evenings get cooler. If you’re planning to travel in winter, warmer clothes complete with thick socks and warmer jackets. Carry your windcheater and umbrella if you’re here in the monsoons as well.

• Mobile and tablet electronic chargers.

• Sturdy walking shoes, mandatory if you’re hiking, make sense given the amount of walking involved here.

• Sunscreen, especially if you’re going up to the higher reaches. Usual prescription medications.

Why choose Nainital as your next destination?

A destination with majestic views, The facilities and eye-catching views makes Nainital one of the favorite romantic destination among the couples.

Large number of lakes present in this area out of which the most the popular ones are , Naini Lake, Bhimtal, Sattal, and Nakuchiyatal and these all beautiful lakes are best for a couples indeed.Also it makes a great deal for spending a Family Vacations.

Transport

Nainital is a popular weekend getaway from Delhi and nearby places as it very well-connected by bus, road and train. The most convenient way of reaching Nainital from Delhi or other cities in Northern India is by car or overnight bus.

Kathgodham Railway Station, located around 34 km away, is the nearest railhead to Nainital. Plenty of trains connect Nainital with Delhi and Dehradun. Passengers coming from Kolkata, Lucknow, Agra and Mathura, can even take a train till Kathgodam and then hire a private cab or shared taxi for Nainital.

There is no flight connectivity to Nainital. Horse-rides, rented bicycles, rented mini-buses and taxis are some of the ways to cover Nainital.

Accommodation in Nainital

It's tough sometimes to find places where you can stay when you are out on a trip but in Nainital you can find a number of accommodation as it is a very famous place to visit. There are a hotels in the nearby places. All accommodation facilities are provided and there is no need to worry about it.

Overall, Travelling to such a destination can make this moment of your life remarkable and this kind of place is a portrait of a dream place .

Best Places to visit in Nainital

We've picked up some of the best places you need to must visit while in Nainital :

1. Naini Lake

A pretty lake that once a European man fell in love with , Naini lake today serves as a major tourist spot for people from all over the country.

2. Naina Devi

The temple of Shri Naina Devi ji is situated on a Hill top in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh . Situated at a higher of 1219 m above sea level , it was build by Raja Bir Chand in the 8th century . With several folklores going about the temple ever since it was built the temple is considered very holy by the pilgrims who pay a visit regularly.

3. Snow View Point

At a distance of 3 km from Tallital Bus Stand & 2 km from Nainital Lake, Snow View Point is one of the most beautiful places in Nainital and also among the most visited Nainital Tourist Places.Situated at an altitude of 2,270 m, Snow view point offers excellent views of snow-capped mountains like Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Kot. It also offers great views of Nainital Lake and the town. Snow view point is well connected by road but a ride in aerial rope way from Mallital is the best way to reach this place.

4. Mall Road

Mall road was constructed during the British colonial rule , the mall road is the main road which runs through the heart of nainital overlooking the beautiful Naini lake , Mall road is the most popular tourist attraction in nainital . It is always crowded by tourism from different parts of India.

5. Tiffin Top

Tiffin Top is a place which is 7520 ft elevated in Ayarpatta Region , it is 5 km away from the Talital Bus Stand of nainital. It is bit far from the kathgodam Railway station . A popular picnic spot in nainital.

6. Naina Peak

Also called the china peak, this range located at a height of 2615 m is challenging trek . From the peak you can view the Tibet border and Nanda Devi peak . Naina Peak is 17 km away from the Tallital Bus stand of Nainital and it is also a bit far from the kathgodam Railway station.

7. Nainital Zoo

Established in 1984, Pt. GB Pant High Altitude Zoo or Nainital Zoo . It is one of the best attractions for Wildlife lovers in nainital. The Nainital is the only zoo in nainital conserving many endangered species .

Timing for visiting- 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Day when closed - Monday

Address - GB Pant Altitude Zoo , Nainital, Uttarakhand-263002

Entry fee - Adult - 50/- INR (Between 13 yrs - 60 yrs) and Children - 20/- INR (Between 5 yrs - 12 yrs)

Free Entry is provided for Senior Citizens and Disabled People.

Fee for Photography and videography - For Still camera - 25 INR and For Professional Video camera - 200 INR

8. Tibetan Market

Located in the Vicinity of the Mall road in nainital , Bhutia Market is the most popular street market in the city besides an extensive variety of woolen and winter wears, the market is popular for sumptuous Tibetan food. Roadside stalks and eateries sell mouthwatering thukpa and momos among other regional food items.

Activities For Tourists in Nainital

In Nainital , tourists can enjoy a number of activities which makes a Holiday worth remembering. After all it is quite obvious that such a beautiful Hill station must be home to adventurous activities , isn't it?

1. Trekking in Nainital

Nainital is one the most amazing places for those who is really a fond of trekking. The Hills of Nainital is indeed a great place to enjoy the same.

Being in Nainital , if you don't enjoy the perks the trekking then you're really missing something very interesting.

2. Boating

The cool weather offers the perfect respite from blistering summer heat. With verdant mountains all around and cool mountain breeze kissing your neck every now and then.

Popular locations around Nainital for boating are:

1. Naini Lake

2. Bhimtal Lake

3. Sattal

3. Rope-way

One of the major attractions in Nainital, the aerial ropeway connects the town to the snow view point.

A must-do activity when in Nainital, a ride on the cable car is an enthralling experience and one can enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains and panoramic of Nainital.

4. Camping

Nainital is an excellent base for adventurers to begin their excursions to several camping sites scattered around the lake city. Naina Devi Jungle Camp is one of the most famous camping tours in Nainital, and there are others such as camping in Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Mangoli and Mukteshwar.

Packed with fun-filled activities like hiking, trekking, yoga, Tarzan swing, star-gazing and much more, camping in and around Nainital is a must-do if you are an adventure seeker.

That’s all in this blog and brief about Nainital we can say retaining its traditions of the bygone era, Nainital exudes simplicity and warmth. The locals keep alive the traditional rituals from centuries ago which is reflected in its vibrant festivals and fairs. The town’s folk art and dance forms are a testimony to its rich heritage and culture.

Image Credits : @jcn.socialvibesofficial , Online sources