Nainital on the hills of Uttarakhand India is one of the gifted hill stations of the country. The beauty of Nainital: ringed as it is with snow-capped mountains and sparkling clear lakes, natural beauty is certainly not scarce in Nainital. Whether the traveler is in the mood for an exhilarating trek, a relaxing spiritual respite, or a vacation away from the humdrum of city life in the lap of nature at a hill station, the place has something to offer. This article will present you with a list of ten amazing destinations in and around Nainital, detailed as to what there is to do at each location and how one can get there.
Top 10 Tourist Places to Visit in Nainital
1. Naini Lake
The star-shaped Naini Lake is considered the soul of Nainital; the charm and beauty of the place seem incomplete without this enchanting lake. Vice President, India is located in the beautiful hills of the Uttarakhand state.
What to Do: Relax while cruising on the calm waves of Naini Lake, which is surrounded by beautiful hills and wonderful pathways along its shores. Boating lovers can also engage themselves in one of the fascinating boating activities along the shores of the lake, exploring the colorful market structures and the lovely cafes situated adjacent to the lake.
The magnetic heart of the city is the finest and most famous site in Nainital, Naini Lake. This cylindrical pear-shaped lake with emerald green hills and colorful boats is not only a natural wonder of Sri Lanka, but it is also the lifeblood of the town. Tourists are allowed to undertake a relaxed boat cruise along the beautiful waterfronts, walk along the beautiful pedestrian areas or just sit on the shores beside the beautiful water bodies.
How to Reach: This beach is in the heart of Nainital and tourists can reach this place by walking from different corners of Nainital or by hiring local taxis or rickshaws.
2. Mall Road
For choosing to posit of the shop, Mall Road is better due to the reason it is the main Alive Road of Nainital which is more than a Road i.e. Mall Road is the heart of Nainital. Regarding location, there is no doubt that Mall Road is located at the best place as it is situated on the northern side of Naini Lake and is bustling with localities and tourists who go into a frenzy to capture a glimpse of the lovely hand-crafted knick-knacks, lip-smacking cumulative cuisines, melodious musical shows, and spectacular shopper’s delight.
What to Do: Eat local food and get familiar with cultural trinkets through an elaborate shopping strip at the Mall Road filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Mall Road also offers good options for shops to buy souvenirs and spot locals and tourists throughout the day. The Mall is a long strip beside Naini Lake and is the main commercial center of the town.
Being a commercial area, one can access an array of shops and restaurants and even get to tour antediluvian structures along Mall Road. If you enjoy shopping, yummy delights or you’re in the mood for a good window shopping and watching people, this is the place for you.
How to Reach: The area that needs to be visited is called Mall Road and is located beside Naini Lake which is very popular here; one can get there either by car or on foot.
3. Naina Devi Temple
Naina Devi Temple, the sacred shrine stands like a monumental arch on the northern bank of Naini Lake facing Nainital. Spiritually, and religiously, this edifice stands as a sacred structure that is dear to the hearts and minds of many worshippers for many more often visit this temple in prayers, meditation, and in search of divine intervention.
What to Do: Pray your way at the holy Shrine of Naina Devi Temple situated on the northern verge of Naini Lake. Admire the unique architectural style of the temple to sit atop a hill and have a bird’s eye view of the surrounding terrain; The Naina Devi Temple lies at the top of the northern bank of the Naini Lake and is dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi.
History has it that the Govinda temple stands where the drops of God Sati’s eyes had fallen hence making it the political Pilgrimage. Apart from the religious perspective, the peripheral part of the temple has a splendid view of the lake and surrounding hills.
How to Reach: It takes about an hour to drive by taxi or if one wishes to walk, can take nearly 2 and a half hours from Nainital town to reach Naina Devi Temple.
4. Snow View Point
Koshaed in the bosom of the magnificent Himalayas and nestled amidst the lush green slopes of Nainital is the bewitching sight of Snow View Point.
What to Do: For groups interested in taking up a round trip, there are cable car services, or one can take time and hike up the Snow View Point to view the Himalayas including Nanda Devi and Trishul peaks. Have a lively meal time with your family in the middle of the green grass amidst the beautiful mountains. Also, tourists should not miss the spectacular Snow View Point which offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan Range.
This place is located at a distance of around 10 kilometers which can be covered by using the cable car or by walking for as long as 4 hours and it provides a magnificent view of mountains such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Kot. It is an ideal place for tourists who have ventured out to explore the natural beauty alongside photographers.
How to Reach: Snow View Point is accessible through the cable car facility or by a steep walk of about 2-3 km from Mallital which is close to Nainital town
5. Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat)
Tiffin Top, nestled among the relaxing and soothing hills of Nainital, Uttarakhand witnessing the majestic beauty of sunset and the inviting horizon for those who wish to escape the bustle and the stress of modern life.
What to Do: Hiking to Tiffin Top offers passengers breathtaking views of the Nainital town and the surrounding countryside areas. Take a gift with you like a bottle of wine and go for a pleasant picnic or a horse ride in a wonderful landscape. Tiffin Top, named after an English artist Dorothy Kellet is known as one of the best vantage points situated on the top of the Ayarpatta Hill.
This can be conquered through extended and fascinating forest pathways that provide a spectacular view of Nainital town besides the surrounding countryside. It therefore provides an ideal location for family picnics, exercising, and bird watching.
How to Reach: Tiffin Top is another place of interest which is situated on Ayarpatta Hill and can be approached by either walking on foot or by horseback from Mallital.
6. Eco Cave Gardens
Located in the beautiful region of Nainital Uttarakhand, the Eco Cave Gardens is a delightful surprise for all those interested in witnessing a truly beautiful creation of nature. This wonderful little playground is nestled in the central part of the town, inviting tourists to discover this magical site and perhaps even find themselves.
What to Do: Hear the musical fountain as well as tour the interconnected caves and the vine-hung gardens of Eco Cave Gardens. It will enlighten you on the vegetation and animals that inhabit the region and at the same time have complementary fun with your friends and family. One of the prominent and fascinating tourist points of attraction in the town of Nainital is Descend down to the Eco Cave Gardens, a natural tunnel system, and aquatic cave park with a network of interconnected caves and hanging gardens.
Some of the interesting features include; There are over 100 caves that tourists and hikers can visit to explore the natural nature of the land; The park has several strange rock formations that are unique and interesting to view; Biodiversity is well illustrated in and around the park and there are various types of animals that are freely seen. Besides snakes, other attractions include musical fountains and a children’s playground making the garden fit for families.
How to Reach: Eco Cave Gardens are located near Mallital and the best way to get there is by walking or taking a rickshaw or a jeep for about 20 minutes.
7. Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
Our second destination of the trip was the little-known bird sanctuary, the Pangot-Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, located less than a day’s drive from Nainital in the midst of the virgin forests of the Kumaon Himalaya.
What to Do: The rendezvous to Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary to do bird watching of, over 580 recorded species of birds and other Himalayan birds. Go bird watching at Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary to appreciate bird species and fauna including the Himalayan birds. Take beautiful pictures of bright birds and other appearances of the natural beauty of different trees in various forests with clear water lakes.
Bird watchers will have a good time visiting Pangot-Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, a place that is the house for avian species. Located in Shimla, one of the most famous tourist places in India, with over 580 species of birds including Himalayan birds this sanctuary provides the best Bird Watching and Wildlife Photography locations. Wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers can get a closer look at many species in the forestlands and sparkling lakes.
How to Reach: These two destinations Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary are nearly 14 km away from Nainital town and can be easily moved by taxi or personal transport.
8. Hanuman Garhi
Located in the center of the beautiful town of Nainital nestled in the Kumaon hills of Uttaranchal, birth birthplace of Himalayan civilization is Hanuman Garhi, a temple complex dedicated to devotion and ‘Deity. This religious site, which is solely devoted to the deity Hanuman, acts as a reminder for the concerned public and fans of value, hope, and divine grace that those who pay their visit to this incredible religious site can get in person.
What to Do: Tour the archaeological and heritage Hanuman Garhi or the temple of Lord Hanuman resting on a hill at Nainital town. Experience the feeling of complete emancipation and tranquility while watching the sun rise and set amidst vast expansive lands. Located at a distance of 3 km from the Nainital town is Hanuman Garhi which is a noted religious site to Lord Hanuman.
Apart from the religious angle, a lot of visitors come here to have a glimpse of the spectacular view of the hills and valleys nearby. This is a shooting place for hundreds of devotees and nature lovers. It is one of the serene places for them.
How to Reach: Hanuman Garhi which is among the most visited places in the region is easily accessible since it is about a kilometer from Nainital town and therefore one can get there on foot or by motorized transport means.
9. Khurpatal Lake
In this introduction, let’s go along with the shikari to Khurpatal Lake to watch birds and get acquainted with the splendid beauty of nature when the mountains embrace the souls wholeheartedly. Come, and journey with us as we go over the powdered rising beauty of the Khurpatal Lake, surrounded by the blue waters, greenery, and wildlife of the Himalayan range for anyone in need of a break.
What to Do: Visit the enthralling Khurpatal Lake set in the lap of green forests and consists of hills. Want to spend time on a boat, catch some fish, or just ponder away in this rather secluded place? This is a guide for you on how to move from Nainital town and transfer to the serene Khurpatal Lake. It is an enclosed freshwater lake that offers excellent fishing opportunities and is an excellent place to take picnics, and boating during weekends. It is one of those places that are yet to be popularized so that people with a bit of traveling sense begin visiting.
How to Reach: Khurpatal Lake is one of the famous lakes near the Nainital town and is located slightly away from it.
10. Sariyatal
Traveling to Sariyatal is just as fascinating as the place being visited or rather being explored by man. Whether it is driving along Bozeman’s picturesque roads lined with mountains or hiking along the trails through the forest full of birds’ trills and rustling leaves, there is one thing that is certain: every single step leads to the ultimate destination—the shores of the lake. With anticipation, they advance to behold the mountainous waters that give them fresh mountain air as they are filled with a signal of tranquility.
What to Do: Spend time at the Sariyatal Lake, it is a quiet lake where you can enjoy fishing or just swimming surrounded by the green oak and pine forests. This place offers nature lovers a perfect opportunity to engage in bird watching, take nature walks, or just take some time to relax. Greetings need no words, neither does emerald Sariyatal, a calm lake surrounded by oak and pine trees.
People can lay on the banks of the lake, take nature walks through the trails around or even bird watching taking advantage of the worth of the serene environment. It is perhaps one of those places best suited to the all-round recharging of the human system.
How to Reach: It is a small place about fifteen kilometers away on foot or otherwise from Nainital town and easily accessible.
Conclusion
It is an ideal destination for tourists looking forward to boots and tackling the beauty of nature unknown to most but waiting to be discovered in Nainital. It will always be a great idea to go somewhere with a view; maybe an exciting feature in the wilderness, sleep under the stars, find inner peace inside an old shrine or just spend some time alone with nature at Nainital. Thus, carry a traveling bag, go for this fascinating hill station, and be prepared to frame some of the most memorable moments in your life.