Welcome to Trip Trek Tales. Today we will provide a detailed guide of the Land of the Kumaons – Nainital!
Nainital, located amidst the picturesque Kumaon hills, is a famous hill station known for its enchanting beauty and peaceful surroundings. This scenic retreat was established by P. Barron in 1841 around the splendid Naini Lake, enclosed by majestic mountains. With its amazing views and various attractions, Nainital is an excellent choice for a relaxed holiday with family members or friends. Here are 12 places not to miss when you visit this delightful hill station.
List of 12 Best Tourist Places Of Nainital You Should Not Miss
Though you will find a lot of places in Nainital that are attractive and charming, visiting all of them in a single trip is not possible. Therefore, we have curated the top 12 places to visit in Nainital to make your trip memorable.
Naini Lake
The jewel of Nainital, Naini Lake, is a kidney-shaped freshwater body located right at the centre of the town. Surrounded by lush green hills, this charming lake is what makes Nainital so attractive. The lake itself has two parts: Mallital (north) and Tallital (south).
Activities: Visitors can engage in boating, yachting, or paddling on this peaceful water body. There are different charges for boat rides; paddle boats cost around Rs 160 per head for half-way trips and Rs 210 for a full-trip round trip, while a gondola boat, which comes in ornate, costs about Rs 210 per person for a complete ride around.
Timings: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m..
The beauty of Naini Lake can best be experienced during the evenings when the sun sets, casting a golden glow on the waters. Hills reflect themselves on the calm surface of the lake while street food vendors and local artisans sell their goods, making it the perfect place for a romantic walk after dinner along the lakeside.
Naina Devi Temple
A significant religious site that honours Goddess Sati is the temple complex that lies on the northern banks of Nani Lake. The deity image is unique since it symbolises Sati’s eyes, while other shrines dedicated to Lord Hanuman Kali and Lord Ganesha are on the temple premises.
History: The first temple was built by Moti Ram Shah in 1842, but it collapsed due to a landslide in 1880, and later on it was rebuilt as a result of its religious significance.
Timings: Open daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m..
The lake’s turquoise-blue water creates a spiritual atmosphere for the temple. On occasions like Navratras, lights are put up in the temple area with flowers that draw worshippers from far and near.
Nainital Zoo
Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, also known as the Nainital Zoo, is one of three high-altitude zoos found in India. It lies at an altitude of approximately two thousand one hundred metres, occupying over 4.6 hectares of land. Among other endangered animals, this zoo is home to Royal Bengal Tigers, Tibetan Wolves, Leopard Cats, Himalayan Bears, and many exotic birds.
Entry Fees: Adults: Rs 50/-; Children under 12 years: Rs 20/-; Camera Fee: Rs 25/-; Professional Video Camera: Rs 200/-
Timings: Open daily from ten a.m. until 4 p.m., except Monday’s Diwali and Holi days.
The well-maintained paths of the zoo provide visitors with close proximity to the animals in their natural settings. For families or nature lovers on an outing, it has educational programmes included within its environment, whereas guided tours are provided.
Ropeway
The aerial ropeway in Nainital connects Mallital with Snow View Point, offering a stunning panoramic view of the town and Naini Lake. The ride is thrilling as it goes upwards, bringing out breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Ticket prices: adult Rs. 300 and children Rs. 200.
Timings: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
Snow View Point offers various activities like watching through telescopes far off mountain peaks, eating at nearby hotels, or playing sports in fun parks. To see the scenic beauty of this town from a different angle, taking a ropeway ride is a must for every visitor to Nainital.
The Mall Road
It is the chief business street of Nainital, lying parallel to the lake (Naini). Numerous shops sell many things, including souvenirs made from local handicrafts, woollens, etc.; you will be spoilt for choice in terms of what to buy along Mall Road.
Shopping and Dining: Handmade shawls, wooden artifacts, and scented candles are found here, as well as local street foods and global cuisine restaurants around.
Timings: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m..
Walking along The Mall Road in the evening can be an enchanting experience when the lake breezes mix with the market’s lively atmosphere, creating an ideal spot for night outs. For tourists’ safety, the road is well lit, and security measures have been put in place, thereby facilitating tourism.
Snow View Point
Snow View Point lies about two kilometres away from Nainital, giving an uninterrupted sight of snow-capped peaks such as Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and Trishul, amongst others, that are part of the Himalayan range. It is one of the most the most heavily visited viewpoints in Nainital, with a stunning view on all sides, making it one-of-a-kind.
Activities: Besides admiring nature’s beauty, one can also sip hot tea and eat snacks, as well as visit a little temple of Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Shiva, and Durga. Besides this, there is a Tibetan monastery called Gadhan Kunkyop Ling Gompa.
Timings: Daily, except for Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m..
There are different ways to reach Snow View Point, including treks and ropeways, which can be expeditions themselves. This place is peaceful enough to take photographs and relax, making it a top choice for both locals and tourists alike.
Tiffin Top
Tiffin Top is commonly referred to as Dorothy’s Seat, where people love visiting for picnics, situated in Ayarpatta Hill. The spot offers a total of 360 degree views of Nainital and its surrounding hills. The place was named after Dorothy Kellet, an English woman artist who died, and her husband, Col. J.P. Kellet, constructed a stone bench at that point in her memory.
Activities: For a round trip between Rs 500 and Rs 700 per person, one may hike up or take ponies from the base.
Timings: Open daily from 8 a.m. up to 5:30 p.m..
Tiffin Top has beautiful places that are perfect for photography; it also provides an amazing panoramic view among peaceful settings. In addition, it is good enough for bird watching and nature photography too.
Eco Cave Garden
Eco Cave Garden is a newly developed tourist attraction in Nainital, with several interconnected animal caves providing a unique spelunking experience. Another feature of the garden managed by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam is its musical fountain.
Entry Fees: Adults pay 60 INR, children cost twenty-five rupees, and the camera fee is also 25 INR.
Timings: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The garden was designed in such a way that visitors would experience crawling, climbing, and squeezing through various caves. The musical fountains, especially during the peak season, add charm to the garden; it’s an exciting place for families, particularly children.
Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is about 14 km from Nainital, which is a famous bird-watching and nature enthusiast’s paradise. The sanctuary has more than 500 species of birds, including some rare and endangered species.
Activities: bird watching, nature walks, photography
The sanctuary’s dense forests of pine, oak, and rhododendron are a perfect habitat for the Collared Grosbeak, White-Throated Laughingthrush, and Brown Wood Owl, among others. The calm environment of this place, together with the symphony of bird calls, makes it a must-visit for anyone looking to have a close encounter with nature.
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary lies between Corbett National Park and Rajaji National Park in Corbett Tiger Reserve. It is named after the Sonanadi River, which flows through it, making it rich in biodiversity.
Activities: Jeep safaris, bird watching, nature walks,
Safari Timings:
- Winter: 7–10 am/2–5:30 pm
- Summer: 6–9:30am/3–6:30pm
Elephants, tigers, and leopards as well as over five hundred species of birds, are among the various kinds of wildlife found here. The lush green Sal, Timber, and Sheesham tree forests create an enchanting backdrop while visiting for wildlife lovers.
Raj Bhawan
Raj Bhawan, popularly known as the Governor’s House, is a grand structure built during British rule. It is a two-story building with 113 rooms, designed in Gothic architecture.
Entry Fees: The main building has an entry fee of 50 INR per person, and the golf course charges Rs. 450 per person.
Timings:
- March to April, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- May to August: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- September to October: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- November to December: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors can explore the well-maintained gardens, golf course, and green landscape surrounding the building. Its resemblance to Buckingham Palace adds to its charm, as it is one of the most visited destinations.
Tibetan Market
Tibetan Market, situated at one end of Mall Road, is a bustling flea market where various Tibetan goods like clothes, woollen clothes, handicrafts, etc. are sold.
Timings: Open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.
A unique collection of items, such as Tibetan jewellery, prayer flags, and traditional clothing, is also available here. Besides that, this place is known for its scrumptious Tibetan cuisine, including momos and thukpa, thereby making it an ideal place for shopping as well as tasting local flavours.
Conclusion
Nainital offers something special for every visitor—a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure that make it unforgettable. From tranquil Naini Lake to crowded Mall Road, a majestic Raj Bhawan, or an adventurous Eco Cave Garden, every attraction in Nainital has its own uniqueness. Whatever you desire—be it nature lover, history buff, or thrill seeker—Nainital takes you away on no ordinary trip but an unforgettable getaway amidst Kumaon hills.