Nainital

About Nainital — Lake District of India

Nainital wraps a perfect emerald lake in pine-clad Kumaon hills — earning its nickname as “India’s Lake District”. A favourite weekend escape from Delhi for over 150 years, the town sits at 2,084 m around the eye-shaped Naini Lake (one of the eyes of the goddess Sati, according to mythology). Add the colonial-era Mall Road, the iconic Naina Devi Temple, the panoramic Snow View Point, and the misty Kumaon countryside — and Nainital becomes one of North India’s most loved hill stations.

Best Time to Visit

• March – June — perfect (12–25 °C). Most popular escape from Delhi summer.
• September – November — clear post-monsoon, gorgeous lake reflections.
• December – February — cold (0–10 °C), occasional snow at Snow View. Magical but bundle up.
• July – August — heavy monsoon, landslide risk, lake gets foggy.

Top Attractions

Naini Lake

The town’s emerald centrepiece — eye-shaped, 2 km long. Take a yacht-club paddle boat or shikara at sunset. Walking the 3.5-km perimeter is a Nainital ritual.

Naina Devi Temple

One of the 51 Shakti Peethas — built where the eye of Sati fell. The lake is named after the temple. Crowded but powerful.

The Mall Road

Pedestrian-only colonial-era promenade along the lake. Boating club, vintage hotels, restaurants, shops. Closed to vehicles 6 PM – midnight.

Snow View Point

Reached by ropeway from the Mall (₹150) — 2,270 m elevation. On clear days, panoramic views of Trishul, Nanda Devi (India’s 2nd-highest peak), Nanda Kot and the snow-capped Garhwal Himalayas.

Tiffin Top & Dorothy’s Seat

2,290 m, reached by horseback or 1-hour walk. Named after Dorothy Kellet, an Englishwoman whose husband built this seat in her memory after her death in a plane crash. Magnificent sunset views.

Naina Peak (China Peak) — 2,615 m

The highest peak in Nainital. 1.5-hour horseback ride or 4-hour trek up. Spectacular views.

Naukuchiatal & Bhimtal

22 km away — the Kumaon’s “9-cornered lake” (Naukuchiatal) and the much larger Bhimtal lake with its central island. Quieter than Nainital, perfect for a day trip.

Sattal (Seven Lakes)

22 km — a cluster of 7 freshwater lakes in pine forests. Bird-watching paradise (450+ species). India’s only Christian Ashram (Mahatma Gandhi Ashram) is here.

Eco Cave Gardens

Network of 6 interconnected caves shaped like animals (panther, tiger, bat). Touristy but fun for families with kids.

Mukteshwar & Ramgarh (40 km)

Quieter higher-altitude (2,300 m) hill stations. Mukteshwar Temple (one of the oldest Shiva temples in Kumaon), apple/peach orchards, gorgeous mountain views. Less commercialised than Nainital.

Things to Do

• Boating on Naini Lake (paddle boat or shikara)
• Walk the Mall and the lake perimeter
• Visit Naina Devi Temple at sunrise
• Ropeway to Snow View Point
• Horse ride to Tiffin Top
• Trek to China Peak / Naina Peak
• Day trip to Bhimtal + Naukuchiatal + Sattal
• Bird-watching at Sattal (with binoculars)
• Apple-orchard stay at Mukteshwar
• Shopping for Kumaoni candles, woollens at Tibetan Market
• Star-gazing from Pangot (a quiet village 15 km away)
• Sip chai at the historic Mall Road cafés

Local Food

• Bal Mithai & Singori — Kumaon’s iconic milk-based sweets (try at Sakley’s, Bansal Sweets)
• Bhatt ki Churkani, Aloo Tamatar, Kafuli, Bhang ki Chutney — Kumaoni traditional fare
• Madhuban thali — a Pahari thali at local restaurants
• Best places: Sakley’s (legendary), Embassy, Machan Restaurant, Sukhpa, Café de Mall
• Hot momos & thukpa at Tibetan Market stalls
• Bun butter jam & chai at the iconic Sakley’s bakery

How to Reach

By Air

Closest airport: Pantnagar (PGH) — 65 km / 2 hr drive. Limited flights from Delhi.

By Rail

Closest station: Kathgodam (KGM) — 35 km / 1 hr drive. Direct trains from Delhi (Ranikhet Express, Bagh Express). Then taxi/shared cab.

By Road

Delhi 300 km (7–8 hr), Kathgodam 35 km (1 hr), Almora 65 km (2 hr), Ranikhet 60 km (2 hr). Overnight Volvo from Delhi (₹800–1,500). See our fleet.

Travel Tips

• 2–3 days is ideal — Day 1: town & lake. Day 2: Snow View, Tiffin Top, peaks. Day 3: Bhimtal/Sattal/Mukteshwar
• Avoid weekends in summer — Delhi/NCR weekenders pack the place
• Stay near the Mall for views (Naini Retreat, Manu Maharani, Vikram Vintage Inn) or Mukteshwar for quieter retreat
• Carry warm clothes year-round (cold evenings even in summer)
• Roads are winding ghat-roads — take Avomine for motion sickness
• The toy-train option to Kathgodam is gone (since 1980s) — only road or to Pantnagar
• Combine with Jim Corbett, Almora, Mukteshwar for a 5-day Kumaon circuit

Ready for the Lake District? Use the booking card or message Prithvi on WhatsApp — we’ll plan your Delhi-Nainital-Mukteshwar-Jim Corbett Kumaon loop with a heritage lakeview hotel and apple orchard stay.