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Rustic wooden cottages, prestigious colonial establishments, meandering cobblestone paths. Little gifts left behind by the British. Memoirs of a thriving summer retreat. Tokens of a once conquered land. Nainital, may have been the prodigy of a curious European trader, but it is nonetheless a product of Indian soil. A fantastical hill station and a gleaming lake district, all at once. Embosomed in a sun and mist-kissed valley. Protected by the bounty of emerald-jade hills. Nainital will thrill you with its adventure and cleanse you with its spirituality. Are you ready to dive into Nainital tourism.
| Nainital Tourism: A Quick View of the City | |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Official Language | Hindi |
| Dial Code | 05942 |
| Population | 41,377 (as of 2011) |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Time Zone | GMT +5:30 (IST) |
| Area | 4,251 square kilometres |
Naini Lake spreads its magic to the entire township. It sparkles with a gentle fervour. Fresh water runs deliciously for 1.432 km, nourishing the landscape with beauty and tranquillity. An oasis for the weary traveller, an inspiration for the artist. Surrounded by the magnificence of 7 green hills, the lake provides a perfect view of unfiltered, unadulterated sceneries. You can enjoy a delightful boat ride in one of the colourful boats between 6am and 6pm every day. Tourism in Nainital is thriving because of enchanting places such as these.
Naina Peak plummets into the sky, at a staggering height of 2,615 m. Also known as China Peak, it is deemed the highest mountain in this region. A 6-7 km trek to the summit is worth every bit of effort. The climb is fairly easy, while the journey is simply stunning. You will be walking amidst Deodar, Cypress and Pine Forests as well as on rhododendron-strewn paths. And if you’re not in the mood to expend too much energy, you can ride a pony to the top!
Tiffin Top epitomises the phrase - ‘a postcard view’. Perched at an altitude of 2290 m, it dazzles and charms travellers with its intoxicating atmosphere. A 3 km trek up Ayarpatta Hill will lead you to a stone bench called Dorothy’s Seat. It was built by British Army Officer, Col J.P. Kellet, in memory of his wife. Adventure enthusiasts will love this landmark for its exciting zip swings!
Lands End enables a close encounter with the majestic ranges of Kumaon. Beyond this iconic cliff, there is no land. In fact, this site marks the final point within the ranges. Situated 2118 above sea level, you will be thrilled to discover what is waiting for you… valleys, lakes, sky.
Naina Devi Temple lies on the shores of the glittering Naini Lake. An auspicious Hindu pilgrimage site, it is believed that Sati’s eyes fell on this ground while Lord Shiva was carrying her corpse. The town, the lake and the peak are all named after sacred Naina Devi. Built in 15th century AD, the temple has protected the realm of Nainital for a very long time. You can marvel at the vast courtyard, holy peepal tree, bold lion statues and repertoire of idols belonging to Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Hanuman Garhi is one of the best places to visit in Nainital, if you are a devotee of this powerful God. Built in 1950, this shrine is situated on the south side of Tallital. Within the temple, you will find a statue of Hanuman splitting open his chest to reveal Lord Ram residing in his heart. You must visit this spiritual place during the evening. As the sun melts into hues of orange-gold, the entire site illuminates with light. Almost like a sign from heaven.
Not far from here are other religious attractions of immense energy. You can head over to Shitala Devi Temple and Ashram of Lila Sah Bapu.
Boat House Club offers its guests the perfect ambience to enjoy a sumptuous meal. Sitting on the banks of Naini Lake, it fosters a serene and dreamy atmosphere. You can relax on a sunny day and enjoy an icy cold beverage. Built by the British, the club has witnessed many social events such as ballroom evenings and yacht races. Today, it is renowned for its live music and boating activities. Visit this adorable eatery and order the scrumptious vegetarian Thali. Other yummy dishes include a sizzling Puri-Sabzi and rich Dal Makhani.
Café Chica is an idyllic and quaint restaurant, housed within a 140-year-old mansion. An outdoor café that emulates British architecture to the tee, you will be greeted with the wonders of nature. You must try the classic English breakfast, which is to die for. It consists of finger licking items such as freshly baked roast chicken croissants, gooey scrambled eggs on toast, buttery bread pudding and velvety hot chocolate.
Sakley’s is another one of Nainital’s famous places. Especially, when it comes to food. It has managed to trap the warmth and nostalgia of old Nainital. A treasure trove of memories and authentic insight into a wholesome culture. Started by a Swiss chef, your taste buds will be pampered with home made pastries, banana toffee and molten chocolate truffles!
Nainital is a lovely little hill station, situated in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. It poses as the headquarters of the Nainital district and is located within the state of Uttarakhand. Lying at an altitude of 2,084 metres above sea level, the town is entrenched in a valley that consists of an eye shaped lake. It is ensconced by brilliant mountains from all sides, namely: Naina to the north, Deopatha to the west and Ayarpatha to the south. The former is the highest peak in the surrounding hills.
Which time of year is the best time of year? To answer this question, we must consider each distinct season and all that comes with it. For those who are looking to escape the scorching heat, summer in Nainital does the trick. The climate fluctuates between 11 and 28 degrees, caressing bodies with a pleasant breeze. During this time, one can explore Nainital to the fullest. However, this is peak tourist season. For those who enjoy the cold, Nainital in the winter is simply enchanting. With temperatures ranging from 0 to 15 degrees, the landscapes witness dewy mist and sugar-icing snow fall. When it comes to the monsoons, the entire region gets swept into a whirlpool of rain. Although beautiful to look at, it can be particularly treacherous due to landslides and road blocks. Hence, take caution when making your decision about when to travel.
By Road – Nainital is blessed with an efficient road network, connecting it to several cities and towns in North India. Should you choose to take the bus, regular services ply from Delhi and Kathgodam. In-fact, the most convenient option is to board an overnight bus from Delhi. AC and Non-AC Volvos are available. There are government run and private services available.
By Rail – The nearest rail head is Kathgodam Railway Station, situated 34 km from Nainital. It offers trains to and from cities such as Delhi, Dehradun, Kolkata, Lucknow, Agra and Mathura. Upon arrival, you can hire a private taxi or shared cab to Nainital.
By Air – Patnagar Airport is the nearest domestic airport, a mere one-hour drive from Nainital. It offers flights to major cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. Indira Gandhi International Airport, in Delhi, is 5 hours away. It can be availed of for when you require to travel from cross borders.
After the Anglo-Nepalese War, the Kumaon hills came under the jurisdiction of the British. The hill station of Nainital was discovered in 1841 by P Barron, a sugar trader from Shahajahanpur. He built the very first European house in this region. He is believed to be the second European to have taken a fancy to this lush hill station. The first being, G.W. Traill. Nainital went on to become a summer resort for British soldiers and colonial officials attempting to escape the blistering heat. It eventually became the summer residence of the governor of the United Province. Particularly significant events in the history of Nainital include the landslide of 1882 and the development of academic institutions from 19th century onwards.
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