About Nainital

Country: India | State: Uttarakhand

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Nearest City to Nainital: Delhi City (294 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Nainital: March to May & December to February

Peak Season: December to January & May to June

At a distance of 66 km from Ramnagar, 278 km from Dehradun, and 294 km from Delhi, Nainital is a beautiful hill station in Uttarakhand. Situated at the Kumaon foothills of Himalayas, it is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in India and among the best places to experience Uttarakhand Tourism.

Nainital is famous for its scenic mountain views and is commonly known as the Lake District of India. Situated at an altitude of 1938 m, Nainital derives its name from Naini Lake, among the must include places in your Nainital tour packages. The highest point is Naina Peak or China Peak, with an elevation of 2,615 m. Nainital is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the town is spread around the beautiful Naini lake.

Nainital was founded by a European businessman Percy Barron in 1841 and later it became summer retreat for the British who spent summers in these hills to escape the extreme hot weather of the plains. The British government built several schools and colleges in the region. This place is named after Naina Devi Temple, which is dedicated to Shakti, a form of Parvati. Nainital is one of the popular places to visit near Delhi.

Nainital is a famous tourist destination of India, attracting large number of domestic and foreign tourists every year. Some of the important places to visit in Nainital are Naina Peak, Nainital Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Mall, Raj Bhavan, High Altitude Zoo, Bhimtal and Sattal. Naini Lake has facilities for boating and yachting. Facilities for horse riding, skating, golf, and rock climbing are also available for visitors. Nainital is also famous for its various schools and research facilities. The Observatory or The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is the center for astronomical studies and optical tracking of artificial satellites.

Pantnagar Airport (68 km) is the nearest airport to Nainital which has direct flights from Delhi. Kathgodam Railway Station is the nearest railway station, which is 24 km from Nainital. It is well connected with Moradabad, Delhi, Lucknow, Jammu Tawi, Kanpur, Dehradun, Jaisalmer and Howrah. Nainital is well connected by road with Delhi, Haldwani, Dehradun, and Rampur. Regular buses can fly from Kathgodam to Nainital.

The best time to visit Nainital is from March to May & December to February. The hill station receives snowfall during the winter months from December to February, which receives the maximum number of tourists.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 05942
Languages Spoken: Garhwali, Hindi and English
Major Festivals: Details Not Available
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Nainital

By Air

Nearest Airport: Rudrapur - Pantnagar Airport (68 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Kathgodam (24 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Nainital Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 15 Places to Visit in Nainital

Backwaters

#1 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 1.5 km from Tallital Bus Stand, Nainital Lake is a natural freshwater lake, situated amidst the main town of Nainital. It is one of the prime Nainital tourist places.

Nainital Lake is commonly represented to promote Nainital Tourism. The lake was built in 1839 by P. Barron. Situated at an altitude of 2,000 m, this is one of the four lakes of Kumaon hills, the other three lakes are Sattal Lake, Bhimtal Lake, and Naukuchiyatal Lake. Nainital Lake is lunar-shaped and has an outlet at the southeastern end. The lake covers a perimeter of 2 miles with a depth that varies from 6 m to 28 m. The northern part of the lake is called Mallital while the southern part is known as Tallital. Balia Nala is the main feeder stream of the lake. Other than this, 26 major drains, including the three perennial ones, feed it. It is surrounded by panoramic hills on three sides.

According to a legend, .....

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Adventure | Nature

#2 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 10 km from Tallital Bus Stand, Naina Peak, also known as China Peak, is a mountain peak in Nainital. It is the highest peak in Nainital, and among the famous attractions to visit during your Nainital trip.

Naina Peak is situated at an altitude of 2615 m. The peak was renamed from China Peak to Naina Peak after the 1962 war with China. This highest point of this mountain is widely known for its amazing natural surroundings and the snow-covered mountains all around. Naina Peak is a quiet place from where the Nanda Devi Peak and the mountains on the Tibet border can be viewed. Due to its high altitude and lush green forest path, a trek to Naina Peak is one of the top things to do in Nainital.

The peak offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. The trek to Naina Peak is a little challenging, covering a distance of 6 km .....

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Pilgrimage

#3 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 2 km from Tallital Bus Stand, the Naina Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated on the northern end of the Nainital Lake near the Nainital Boat House Club. It is one of the top places of pilgrimage in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, and among the must-visit places during Nainital Tour.

The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Naina Devi represented by two eyes. According to the legend, Naina Devi Temple is the place where eyes from burned body of Goddess Sati fall when her corpse was being carried by Lord Shiva. The word Naina is synonymous with Sati's eyes. The temple is one the main Nainital places to visit.

It is said that the current temple at Nainital actually replaces the original 15th-century temple. In 1842, a devotee Moti Ram Shah installed an idol of Naina Devi. A major landslide has destroyed the temple completely .....

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Hill Station | Backwaters

#4 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 22 km from Nainital & 12 km from Bhimtal, Sattal or Sat Tal is a cluster of seven inter-connected freshwater lakes located in Nainital district. At an altitude of 1,370 m, it is one of the most scenic places around Nainital and also one of the popular Uttarakhand tourist places.

The group of lakes is set amidst dense forests of oak and pine trees. Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted fresh water bodies in India. This is often compared with Westmoreland of England by British. The names of the seven lakes of Sattal are Purna Tal, Ram Tal, Sita Tal, Laxman Tal, Nal Damyanti Tal, Sukh Tal and Garud Tal. The Garud Tal is a solitary lake and is not interconnected. The Ram, Sita and Lakshman Tal all together form the Sattal main Lake.

These lakes are heaven for migratory .....

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Hill Station | Backwaters

#5 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 11 km from Sattal, and 20 km from Nainital, Bhimtal is a picturesque lake located in the town of Bhimtal near Nainital. Situated at an altitude of 1,370 m, it is one of the picturesque lakes in the Kumaon region, and among the most prominent places of sightseeing in Nainital.

The town of Bhimtal is older than the Nainital city and it was once part of the ancient silk route. The town and the lake are named after Bhima, one of the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata who is said to have visited the place during the exile period. This is another popular attraction not to miss in a Nainital tour packages.

Bhimtal is the largest lake in the Kumaon region and is situated amidst lush green mountains. The lake is 1701 m in length, 451 m in width, and a depth of 18 m. It is spread across 63.25 hectares of area. The Victoria dam was built .....

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Shopping

#6 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 1 km from Tallital Bus Station, Mall Road is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nainital. It connects the North and South West corner of Nainital Lake known as Mallital and Tallital and runs parallel to Nainital Lake. Shopping in Mall Road is one of the top activities in Nainital.

The Mall Road was constructed during the British colonial rule. This is the main commercial area which runs through the heart of the Nainital town. The Mall road is now named as Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. The road has a number of Hotels, Banks, Showrooms, Department Stores, Shops, Restaurants and Cafes. It is a cluster of many small shops offering varied products.

Visitors can enjoy their leisurely evening stroll on the Mall Road, with a cool refreshing breeze blowing across the lake on to the road adding to the charm of the Mall. During summers, this road becomes crowded with locals and tourists enjoying the evening weather.

The entry of vehicles is restricted .....

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Adventure | Nature

#7 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 5 km from Tallital Bus Stand, Tiffin Top also known as Dorothy's Seat is located in Ayarpatta Hill of Nainital. This is the second highest peak in Nainital after China Peak.

Situated at an altitude of about 2,290 m, Tiffin Top is a famous vantage point in the scenic hill station of Nainital. It is one of the most famous among Nainital places to visit. It is also one of the best places for short trekking in Nainital. This place is named after Dorothy Kellet, an English Painter, who died in a plane crash. Tiffin Top is a stonework bench built in the memory of Dorothy Kellet by her husband J.P. Kellet. This was the place where she used to sit and paint the beautiful town and its surroundings. Later, it started becoming a famous picnic spot for the Rajas who ruled this place and hence was officially converted into a picnic spot and locally named Tiffin top which denotes packed food consumed during the day.

Tiffin Top is a very popular picnic spot and is sought .....

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Wildlife

#8 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 1.5 km from Tallital Bus Stand, G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo is a high altitude zoo situated in Nainital. It is one of the three High Altitude Zoo Parks in North India, apart from those in Darjeeling and Sikkim, and among the top tourist attractions in Nainital.

The Zoo was established in 1984 and is spread over an area of 11 acres. It is situated on the Sher Ka Danda hill at an altitude of 2,100 m (6,900 feet) and is the only zoo in Uttarakhand. The Zoo was opened to visitors on 1st June 1995 and is managed by Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Management Society, Nainital from 1st March 2002.

The Zoo was established to conserve and protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the hill region of Uttarakhand. The zoo has several endangered species of animals in the Himalayas and animals like snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Japanese Macaque, Sambar, Himalayan Civet, .....

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Nature

#9 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

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 snowcapped 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 ropeway from Mallital is the best way to reach this place.

In order to provide a perfect view to visitors, a pair of huge binoculars is installed at this spot. A small temple housing images of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman with Durga and Shiva is located on the peak. The Tibetan monastery Gadhan Kunkyop Ling Gompa of the Gelukpa order situated near Snow view point is also a must visit spot. An early morning trek to this place gives some of the best .....

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Pilgrimage

#10 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 17 km from Nainital and 8 km from Bhowali, Kainchi Dham is a religious pilgrimage center located at Kainchi on the Nainital - Almora Road in Uttarakhand. The word Kainchi means two sharp hairpin bends in a local dialect and hence the name. It is one of the well known temples of Uttarakhand state and one of the top places to visit in Nainital. Famous visitors of the temple include Apple founder Steve Jobs and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. This is another popular attraction not to miss in a Nainital tour package.

Kainchi is a beautiful secluded shrine and is famous for the Hanuman Mandir. The ashram is situated at an altitude of 1400 m. In 1962, Neem Karoli Baba built a platform around a place where two spiritual gurus Sadhu Premi Baba and Sombari Maharaj had performed Yagyas in .....

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Shopping

#11 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 2 km from Nainital Bus Station, Tibetan Market or Bhotia Market is a shopping venue located in the picturesque hill station of Nainital in Uttarakhand. Situated on the banks of Nainital Lake near Naina Devi Temple, it is one of the popular places to go for shopping in Nainital.

Located in the vicinity of the Mall Road, Bhotia Market is the most famous street market in the town. The colorful street of Tibetan Market is always busy and filled with people as it is located close to the Naini Lake. The market is ideal for visiting after you have paid your respects at the Naina Devi Temple or when on an evening stroll looking to collect some souvenirs as it is the only shopping area in Nainital that offers a variety of souvenirs at reasonable rates.

This market has gained its recognition owing to the sale of the unique 'Tibet' products which reflect the culture and traditions of the Tibetan people. One can buy an extensive variety of woolens and winter wears, Himalayan .....

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Pilgrimage

#12 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 1 km from Nainital Bus Station, Pashan Devi Temple is an ancient temple located on the banks of Nainital Lake at Thandi Sadak in Nainital, Uttarakhand. It is one of the prominent temples in Nainital.

Situated on the opposite side of the Mall Road, the Pashan Devi Temple is dedicated to Maa Durga. The deity is considered as the Goddess of the stone-pelters and is worshipped by the many devotees as the representation of Goddess Durga (Nav Durga). The entire temple is made out of stones including the idol of the goddess as well. Pashan Devi Temple is stationed at a big giant rock which represents all the nine forms of Devi Durga and unique manner.

This temple is an important place of worship for the locals. One of the main attractions of this temple is the 'Akhand Jyoti', an eternal flame that has existed ever since the temple was first formed. As this temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, it is very famous for sindoor and sarees and is visited by thousands of .....

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Wildlife

#13 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 4 km from Ramnagar Railway Station, 65 km from Nainital, 232 km from Dehradun, and 261 km from Delhi, Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest and most popular National Park in India. The Park acts as a protection zone for Bengal Tigers of India. It is one of the wellknown wildlife sanctuaries in India and among the best places to visit near Delhi.

Corbett National Park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. After India's independence the park was named as Ramganga National Park but later in 1956, it was renamed after Jim Corbett - the famous hunter turned conservationist and author, who played a major role in the establishment of the national park. The area came under Project Tiger in 1973. Spread over an area of about 520 sq. km, out of which 330 sq. km forms the core area. Owing to its location in the Himalayan low lands, many streams flow through the park, supporting .....

Distance (From Nainital): 65 Kms
Trip Duration (From Nainital - Including Travel): Full Day
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Nature

#14 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 8 km from Tallital Bus Stand, Himalayan Darshan is a viewpoint situated in Nainital. Located on the way to Kilbury, it is one of the popular vantage points in Nainital and among the top Nainital Tourist Places.

Nestled at an altitude of about 2000 m, Himalayan Darshan is also known as Himalayan Viewpoint and is a beautiful tourist spot in Nainital. This viewpoint offers some spectacular views of several prominent Himalayan peaks along with surrounding lush green hills and valleys below. It is a very good place to spend some time in solitude amid the Mother Nature.

Due to its close proximity to Nainital Town, one can visit this place by hiring a taxi, horseback or on foot.

Timings: 6 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free

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Nature

#15 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital

At a distance of 1.5 km from Eco Cave Garden and 5 km from Tallital Bus Stand, Lover's Point is a vantage point situated near Bara Pathar in Nainital. It is one of the scenic viewpoints in Nainital and among the must include places in Nainital Tour Packages.

Lover's Point is famous for the scenic views it provides. The Lovers Point is genuinely romantic and extremely appreciated by couples in love. A small walk through the rocky road from the parking lot takes you to this point. The mesmerizing beauty of this place is liked and frequented by many tourists. One can avail horse from this point to upper points like Tiffin Top, Naina peak, etc. which are not accessible by vehicles.

Contiguous the cliff of Lovers Point there lies the Suicide Point, the awfulness of everything. Many people have jumped off from this point and committed suicide and that is how this point got such a controversial name. The view from the suicide point is no less exciting than the one from Lover's Point. .....

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Top 5 Nainital Packages