Ravnik's Guidebook
Sightseeing
A popular picnic spot in Nainital,Tiffin Top( also known as Dorothy’s Seat) is located on Ayarpatta hill,and offers a panoramic view of the Nainital town and surrounding hills. A delight for photographers,many tourists also like to trek up to the place , which is just 4 km away from the town.
Tiffin Top
A popular picnic spot in Nainital,Tiffin Top( also known as Dorothy’s Seat) is located on Ayarpatta hill,and offers a panoramic view of the Nainital town and surrounding hills. A delight for photographers,many tourists also like to trek up to the place , which is just 4 km away from the town.
The beautiful,crescent shaped Naini Lake is at the heart of Nainital. The most popular attraction in the town,the shimmering lake is surrounded by seven panoramic hills, snowy peaks, and rows of willows. An all year round destination,the lake is well known for boating,yachting, and other water sports, and colourful boats dot the water along with quacking ducks.
24 locals recommend
Nainital Lake
The beautiful,crescent shaped Naini Lake is at the heart of Nainital. The most popular attraction in the town,the shimmering lake is surrounded by seven panoramic hills, snowy peaks, and rows of willows. An all year round destination,the lake is well known for boating,yachting, and other water sports, and colourful boats dot the water along with quacking ducks.
One of the most beautiful spots in Nainital, the Snow View Point, located at 2,270 m above the sea level,offers stunning views of the snow covered mountain peaks of the Great Himalayas.A large pair of binoculars is installed here to let visitors take a closer look at the peaks. Spend an hour or so to enjoy the views,as children can play in the amusement park. There are food and tea stalls here as well.
Snow View point
One of the most beautiful spots in Nainital, the Snow View Point, located at 2,270 m above the sea level,offers stunning views of the snow covered mountain peaks of the Great Himalayas.A large pair of binoculars is installed here to let visitors take a closer look at the peaks. Spend an hour or so to enjoy the views,as children can play in the amusement park. There are food and tea stalls here as well.
The cable car or ropeway in Nainital is one of the must-try experiences. Plying between Snow View Point and Mallital, the 3 minute one-way journey offers breathtaking aerial views of Nainital and Naini Lake. The charges are INR 300 per adult
( two way trip) INR 200 for children upto 12 yrs of age. It runs from 10 am everyday and you can spend about an hour at Snow View Point before returning to Mallital ,the upper end of the Naini Lake and the Mall Road, offers great shopping and dining options.
Ropeway Fun Park
The cable car or ropeway in Nainital is one of the must-try experiences. Plying between Snow View Point and Mallital, the 3 minute one-way journey offers breathtaking aerial views of Nainital and Naini Lake. The charges are INR 300 per adult
( two way trip) INR 200 for children upto 12 yrs of age. It runs from 10 am everyday and you can spend about an hour at Snow View Point before returning to Mallital ,the upper end of the Naini Lake and the Mall Road, offers great shopping and dining options.
The Pt Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo in Nainital is popularly known as Nainital Zoo. One of the most well-known family destinations,the zoo is perched on Sher Ka Danda Hill at an altitude of 2,100 m above sea level. Spread over a green area of 4.6 hectare ,the zoo is home to a variety of animals like the royal Bengal tiger , Tibetan wolves, leopard,various types of deer and the Himalayan bear. The zoo is also home to several species of birds.
Nainital Zoo Complex
The Pt Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo in Nainital is popularly known as Nainital Zoo. One of the most well-known family destinations,the zoo is perched on Sher Ka Danda Hill at an altitude of 2,100 m above sea level. Spread over a green area of 4.6 hectare ,the zoo is home to a variety of animals like the royal Bengal tiger , Tibetan wolves, leopard,various types of deer and the Himalayan bear. The zoo is also home to several species of birds.
The sacred Naina Devi temple with Goddess Naina Devi as its presiding deity is located atop the Naina hill near the Naini lake. One of the most revered temples in India,the two eyes of the Goddess represent divinity here. There are many myths and legends associated with the temple, which attracts devotees throughout the year. The Naina Peak ,locally known as Cheena peak, is the highest point in Nainital.
Naina Devi Temple
The sacred Naina Devi temple with Goddess Naina Devi as its presiding deity is located atop the Naina hill near the Naini lake. One of the most revered temples in India,the two eyes of the Goddess represent divinity here. There are many myths and legends associated with the temple, which attracts devotees throughout the year. The Naina Peak ,locally known as Cheena peak, is the highest point in Nainital.
One of the most popular tourist spots in Nainital, the St. John in the Wilderness Church is one the oldest buildings in the city. Built in 1846, the beautiful church with Neo-Gothic architecture,stands in the middle of a forest, surrounded by tall deodar and pine trees. Hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett was a strong follower of this church and used to come here regularly.
St. John Wilderness Church
One of the most popular tourist spots in Nainital, the St. John in the Wilderness Church is one the oldest buildings in the city. Built in 1846, the beautiful church with Neo-Gothic architecture,stands in the middle of a forest, surrounded by tall deodar and pine trees. Hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett was a strong follower of this church and used to come here regularly.
The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences or ARIES is an observatory sitting on the Manora Peak in Nainital. Known to have one of the most advanced telescopes in India,ARIES is an educational institution on astronomical studies.It is also open to visitors.
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences
The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences or ARIES is an observatory sitting on the Manora Peak in Nainital. Known to have one of the most advanced telescopes in India,ARIES is an educational institution on astronomical studies.It is also open to visitors.
On the Nainital to Almora Road ,9 km from Bhowali and 17 km from Nainital is the popular pilgrimage centre Kainchi Dham , a Hanuman Temple and ashram founded by the sage Neem Karoli Baba ,1962 . It is located between two hills that cut and cross each other to create the shape of a pair of scissors( scissors in Hindi is Kainchi). The place gained more recognition owing to a visit by Apple Founder Steve Jobs,and the founder and CEO of Facebook ,Mark Zuckerberg. There is a cave near the Kainchi temple, which is said to be the place where Baba Neem Karoli used to meditate and pray.
29 locals recommend
Kainchi Dham
On the Nainital to Almora Road ,9 km from Bhowali and 17 km from Nainital is the popular pilgrimage centre Kainchi Dham , a Hanuman Temple and ashram founded by the sage Neem Karoli Baba ,1962 . It is located between two hills that cut and cross each other to create the shape of a pair of scissors( scissors in Hindi is Kainchi). The place gained more recognition owing to a visit by Apple Founder Steve Jobs,and the founder and CEO of Facebook ,Mark Zuckerberg. There is a cave near the Kainchi temple, which is said to be the place where Baba Neem Karoli used to meditate and pray.
Food scene
Built by the Britishers to connect the two ends of Nainital city,Mallital and Tallital ,the iconic Mall Road is a must on most tourist’s to-do list in Nainital.Running along the lake, the busy road, is a hub of Multi-cuisine restaurants and shops selling knick-knacks.The must-buys here are handmade candles and pinewood artifacts crafted by local artisans. Taking a leisurely evening stroll along the road to enjoy sweeping views of the lake and Nainital city spread across the mountain slope.
10 locals recommend
Mall Road
Built by the Britishers to connect the two ends of Nainital city,Mallital and Tallital ,the iconic Mall Road is a must on most tourist’s to-do list in Nainital.Running along the lake, the busy road, is a hub of Multi-cuisine restaurants and shops selling knick-knacks.The must-buys here are handmade candles and pinewood artifacts crafted by local artisans. Taking a leisurely evening stroll along the road to enjoy sweeping views of the lake and Nainital city spread across the mountain slope.
Neighbourhoods
Pangot is a small picturesque hamlet famous for its jungles and birds, located just 15 kms from Nainital. It is a haven for bird watchers,as it is home to a plethora of exotic birds.The weather in summers is very pleasant with light and cool breeze and in winters,Pangot is blanketed in snow.
7 locals recommend
Pangoot
Pangot is a small picturesque hamlet famous for its jungles and birds, located just 15 kms from Nainital. It is a haven for bird watchers,as it is home to a plethora of exotic birds.The weather in summers is very pleasant with light and cool breeze and in winters,Pangot is blanketed in snow.
Situated at a distance of just 25 kms from Nainital, the crystal clear Naukuchiatal lake with its nine corners is a captivating sight. Enjoy angling and bird watching ,and also rowing, paddling, and yachting.
Naukuchia Tal Road
Naukuchia Tal RoadSituated at a distance of just 25 kms from Nainital, the crystal clear Naukuchiatal lake with its nine corners is a captivating sight. Enjoy angling and bird watching ,and also rowing, paddling, and yachting.
The quiet Kilbury hamlet is the ideal place for a serene holiday. Located just 12 kms from Nainital town, you can come here for walks around forests and for breathtaking views of the Himalayas. It’s famous for its flora and fauna and bird watching. The Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary here is home to around 600 species of birds.
Kilbury Road
Kilbury RoadThe quiet Kilbury hamlet is the ideal place for a serene holiday. Located just 12 kms from Nainital town, you can come here for walks around forests and for breathtaking views of the Himalayas. It’s famous for its flora and fauna and bird watching. The Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary here is home to around 600 species of birds.
A group of pristine mountain lakes nestled within a dense oak forest , Sattal is one of the most stunning of nature’s gems in Uttarakhand. Lying on the outskirts of Nainital ,it makes for a great tourist destination.Sattal is a perfect vacation option for those who are looking for solitude. Best time to visit is between October and June.
27 locals recommend
Sattal
A group of pristine mountain lakes nestled within a dense oak forest , Sattal is one of the most stunning of nature’s gems in Uttarakhand. Lying on the outskirts of Nainital ,it makes for a great tourist destination.Sattal is a perfect vacation option for those who are looking for solitude. Best time to visit is between October and June.
Bhimtal, another lake town, adjoining the popular hill-station Nainital, is an idyllic vacation spot. Surrounded by dense forests of oak and pine, Bhimtal is an idyllic getaway. It has several historical sites. A large number of butterflies can be spotted here. It offers unparalleled adventure activities. In winters, Bhimtal becomes a bird watchers paradise ,with the arrival of migratory birds. April to June and October to December are the best months to enjoy this beautiful town.
45 locals recommend
Bhimtal
Bhimtal, another lake town, adjoining the popular hill-station Nainital, is an idyllic vacation spot. Surrounded by dense forests of oak and pine, Bhimtal is an idyllic getaway. It has several historical sites. A large number of butterflies can be spotted here. It offers unparalleled adventure activities. In winters, Bhimtal becomes a bird watchers paradise ,with the arrival of migratory birds. April to June and October to December are the best months to enjoy this beautiful town.