Wondrous Travels
Wondrous Travels
Wondrous Travels

Nainital Travel Guide 2023

Nainital is a city enclosed within hills and is situated in the Nainital district belonging to the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, India. This picturesque hill station is situated at the height of 2000m and is encompassed by the Kumaon Himalayas. Seven hills regarded as the ‘Sapta-Shring’ surround the town. These hills include Ayarpata, Deopata, Naina, Handi-Bandi, Alma, Sher-Ka-Danda, and Lariya-Kanta. The mighty mountains and the clear streams enhance the beauty of this hill town. The town of Nainital gets its name from the lake around which it is centered. The lake is called Naini, and you can witness several colorful boats sailing on it. It is a mythological belief that the eyes of the dead body of Sati fell here when Lord Shiva carried her after she died. The town is not only known for the mountains but also for its cultural and historical significance. It used to be the summer capital during the British period. It has several bright bungalows and villas. Several British people used to visit this place when they felt bored. This place is also known for the famous Naina Devi temple, close to the Naini lake. Nainital is also dotted with several old and reputed educational institutions. This beautiful hill town was founded by a British Sugar trader named P. Baron in 1841. Its tranquility and scenic beauty make it a getaway spot from mundane city life. When you enter this lovely town, you will be left mesmerized.

Nainital is home to some of the best tourist places one must visit in their lifetime. The change from the mundane surroundings to the soul-touching views of this hill station is truly a treat for the eyes. Once you visit this place, your mind and soul will be filled with unearthly happiness. It is enclosed with the Kumaon Himalayas, known as “devbhoomi,” or the land of the Gods. It feels like a divine creation of nature that offers sanctity and peace. Visiting Nainital is like a dreamscape. Several Indian tourists seek a break from the scorching heat during summer by visiting Nainital. Nainital is an affordable and accessible option as a hill station. It also has a wide variety of tourist places to visit, namely, the Naina Devi temple, Hanuman Garhi, St John in Wilderness, Mall Road, Jim Corbett National Park, and others. You must visit Nainital if you love visiting hill stations. It has pilgrimage sites as well as offers eye-filling views.

Nainital

Frequently Asked Questions -

What are some of the attractive tourist spots of Nainital?

Nainital has several spots of tourist interest. Some of them are:

  1. The Naini Lake

 It is a primary tourist spot that offers panoramic views throughout the day. Hills surround this emerald freshwater lake. Its surreal atmosphere has inspired several writers and poets. Couples love boating in this lake. Adventure seekers may also prefer to do kayaking and yachting in this lake. It has two parts; the northern part of the lake is known as Mallital, while the southern part is called Tallital. It is a must that you have a boat ride on this lake during your visit to Nainital.

  • Location: Nainital, Kumaon, Uttarakhand.
  • Entry Fee/Price: No fee is charged for witnessing the beauty of the lake. However, INR 150 is the charge for a boat ride on Naini Lake for 30 minutes.



  1. The Mall Road

For most people, shopping and touring go side by side. For shopaholics, the must-visit place in Nainital is the Mall Road stretching along the Naini Lake. It is the best place for shopping in Nainital. You can also visit this place to try out delicious food items. Have a tour around Mall Road and get some woolen clothes at the most reasonable price. You can get exclusive artifacts and souvenirs from the various stores on Mall Road. You can also give your taste buds a treat while roaming Mall Road.

  • Location – Mall Rd, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263002, India
  • Entry fee-  You do not need any entry fee to go to Mall Road.



  1. The Naina Devi Temple

It is a well-recognized Shakti Peeth of the Hindus. A large number of pilgrims visit the Naina Devi Temple every year. It is a pilgrimage site, the hill station of Nainital. The deity of this temple is Goddess Naini Devi, who is represented using two eyes, and the temple lies north of the Naini Lake. 

Devotees from other corners of the world visit Nainital to seek the blessings of the Goddess. The vicinity of the temple is dotted with multiple shops and stores from where devotees can buy items they need for worshipping the Goddess.

You can witness a peepal tree in the temple’s interiors, where you can find an idol of Lord Hanuman. In the inner sanctum, you can find three sculpted figures; the center one is of Naina Devi with two lion statues on two sides, while the sculpture to the left is of Maa Kali, and that on the right is of Lord Ganesh.

  • Location: In the Mallital Area, on the edge of the Nainital Lake.
  • Entry fee/price: No entry fee is charged for visiting this famous temple.



  1. Eco Cave Gardens

It is a newly developed tourist spot in Nainital that consists of multiple interconnected caves of different animals. Hanging gardens enhance the beauty of this place. Children often enjoy an educational tour of these gardens.

This tourist spot is managed by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigaam. Children and other tourists get to know about Himalayan wildlife by visiting this place. It houses several caves of different caves. You may have to crawl to get into a cave. It is informative, and children find it interesting as well. A musical fountain present at the center of the gardens operates only when it is the peak season for tourists.

  • Location: Sukhatal, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001, India.
  • Entry Fee/Price: The fee for children is INR 25, and that for adults is INR 60. You will have to pay INR 25 for the camera.



  1. Pangot And Kilbury Bird Sanctuary

Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is a favorite spot for bird watchers in Nainital. It is on Kilbury road. It is undoubtedly a  famous wildlife sanctuary of Uttarakhand and a must-visit place of Nainital. It is at the height of 2528 m and is well-known for a variety of bird species. The dense forests surrounding the bird sanctuary offer excellent opportunities for bird-watching. 

This birding route is full of scenic beauty and has around 580 different species of birds. You can spot local as well as migratory birds in this sanctuary. Some of the commonly found birds which you may see in this sanctuary include laughing thrushes, Collared Grosbeaks, Brown wood Owls, etc. 

Situated amidst the reserve forest of the hill station, the place is serene, but the tourists may occasionally experience the sounds of birds.

You can also find mammals here, including sambhar, leopard cat, Himalayan Goral, Wild Boar, Barking deer, etc. You can also take the opportunity to stay in the tourist bungalow in Kilbury and enjoy watching and hearing birds.

  • Location: Kilbury Road, Panghat Village, Uttarakhand.
  • Entry Fee: You do not have to pay any entry fee to get into this bird sanctuary.



  1. Jim Corbett National Park

The Jim Corbett National Park is a major tourist attraction in Nainital; the landscape of Corbett is famous for its tigers. Lying at the foothills of the Himalayas, close to the hill station of Nainital, the Jim Corbett National Park houses several tigers. It is spread over a large area of picturesque locations. Enjoy the jeep safari as you go into the dense forest to witness various wild animals in their natural habitat. You can even enjoy staying in this National Park overnight.

  • Location: Nainital District, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand 244715.
  • Entry fee/price: The day visit for Jim Corbett National Park safari is INR 200 per head for Indians and INR 1000 per head for foreigners for an hour. There is an additional charge for vehicles from INR 500 to INR 1500, depending on the type of vehicle.

How to reach Nainital?

Nainital is a popular tourist destination in India. You can reach this famous city of Uttarakhand in various ways. 

  • By Air: Nainital does not have an airport. The nearest domestic airport is Pantnagar. It is a drive of around 60 mins from Pantnagar to Nainital. You can hire a car to get to the hill station. The nearest commercial airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. You can use the road connectivity to reach Nainital from New Delhi. 



  • By Road: Nainital has an extensive network of roads that connect Nainital with other North Indian cities. If you must go to Nainital from Delhi, go via Ghaziabad and Hapur via NH24, followed by the route to NH121 from Moradabad. It is the best route by road. You can also avail yourself of the bus services that frequently connect Nainital with Amritsar, Delhi, and other cities. If you want to enjoy a peaceful journey, you may also take up private car services to get to Nainital.



  • By Train: Kathgodam Railway Station is the closest railway station to Nainital, which is around 34 km away from the town. There are several trains that connect Delhi and Dehradun.

What is the best time to visit Nainital?

Summer and spring seasons are the ideal times to visit Nainital. You can experience a pleasant temperature during these seasons in Nainital. You can visit this place during March and June. The average temperature ranges from 13 degree Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius.

The beauty of Nainital, like all other hill stations, can be best experienced during the hotter months when it is not much cold.

However, if you are in love with cold weather, you may visit Nainital during the winter months of November, December, January, and February, when the beauty of the hill station is at its peak. You may also experience snowfalls during the winter seasons.

You may also visit Nainital during the rainy season. This lovely hill station gets a different look during the wet seasons. Also, if you are visiting Nainital during this season, you can enjoy a budget-friendly trip. However, you may not visit Nainital during monsoons due to the fear of landslides and roadblocks.

What can you do during your trip to Nainital?

Nainital gives enough scope to try out different activities.

  1. Shopping from Mall Road.

Nainital offers good scope for shopping for souvenirs and candles. Mall Road is an excellent place for shopping. You can also get lovely candles of different designs and patterns. You can buy them as home décor items.

  • Location: Mall Rd, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263002, India
  • Entry fee-  You do not need any entry fee to go to Mall Road



  1. Visit the Tibetan Market.

The Tibetan Market sells several artifacts made by the local people, which may be scarves, bags, designed shawls, etc. 

  • Location: 9FQ3+PH6, Ayarpatta, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001
  • Entry fee: No entry fee or price is required for exploring the Tibetan Market.



  1. Exploring wildlife at the Jim Corbett National Park

Nainital offers great opportunities to witness different types of wildlife. The Jim Corbett National Park is well-known for tigers. While exploring the wildlife sanctuary, you will see sloths, bears, tigers, leopards, and other animals that are freely moving.

  • Location: Nainital District, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand 244715.
  • Entry fee/price: The day visit for Jim Corbett National Park safari is INR 200 per head for Indians and INR 1000 per head for foreigners for an hour. There is an additional charge for vehicles from INR 500 to INR 1500, depending on the type of vehicle.



  1. Bird watching at the Kilbury Bird Sanctuary 

 The Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary gives you magnificent chances to witness exclusive species of birds and mammals. You can visit this place during your stay at Nainital.

  • Location: Kilbury Road, Panghat Village, Uttarakhand.
  • Entry Fee: You do not have to pay any entry fee to get into this bird sanctuary.

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