“It is by far the best site I have witnessed in the course of 1500 miles trek in the Himalayas” commented P Barron (founder of Nainital), a sugar trader from Shahjahanpur about “Nainital” a scenic hill station in Uttarakhand. This hill station is situated in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas at an altitude of 2,084 meters above sea level. It is famous for its picturesque landscapes and a large number of lakes. Due to the presence of large number of lakes Nainital is also commonly referred to as “Lake District” of India. The most famous being the “Naini Lake”. It is due to its natural beauty that Nainital is a perfect tourist destination especially for newly married couples. Apart from natural beauty this hill station is also linked to number myths. For instance the lake Naini is considered to be sacred among many Hindu devotees because this is where Goddess Sati’s burnt body was supposed to have fallen while Lord Shiva was carrying her. So if natural beauty is what you want to enjoy or you are an avid Hindu mythology aficionado then “Nainital” is the perfect tourist destination for you to explore.
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How to reach Nainital?
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Nainital Map
By train:
The nearest railway station is in Kathgodam located at a distance of 41 km from Nainital. The Kathgodam railway station is well connected to major cities in the country like Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata etc.
By road:
Bus and taxi services to Nainital are available from Kathgodam. One can travel to Nainital from New Delhi as well with duration of the journey being approximately nine hours. Bus services are also available from places such as Garhwal and Kumaon region. New Delhi and Ranikhet are starting points that are located in close proximity to Nainital.
a. How to reach Nainital from New Delhi : The shortest route to reach Nainital from New Delhi is via NH9 as depicted in the map above. Alternatively, click on the Google Maps link here to view on Google Maps.
b. How to reach Nainital from Ranikhet : There fastest route from Ranikhet to Nainital is via Ranikhet Rd and NH109 and the route map is depicted above. Alternatively, click on the Google Maps link here to view on Google Maps.
By flight:
The nearest airport is in Pant Nagar and is situated at a distance of 72 km away from Nainital. Taxi services to Naintal from Pant Nagar Airport are available.
Climate and best time to visit Nainital
“A temperate climate” is how one would best describe the climate of Nainital. The temperature during summer months (March to May) ranging from 14 degrees to 30 degrees. During the winter season (October to February) the climate is extremely cold with the temperature ranging from -3 degrees to 15 degrees and snowfall is a common phenomenon during this season. The rainfall received during the monsoon season (June to September) can be termed as “moderate” with this hill station receiving on an average 110 cm of rain. The best time to visit this beautiful hill station is from March to October.
Places To Visit Around Nainital
One of the biggest research centers, the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) or the Observatory is located on Manora Peak within in close proximity to Nainital and must be visited.
Naini peak: The China peak or the Naini peak is the highest peak in Nainital. There are plenty of restaurants and hotels here where tourists can relax and mingle with the locals to get a close cultural taste of the place.
Eco Cave Garden: It is one of the biggest attractions for the kids where they get to learn about ecosphere. There are a total of six caves here along with a musical fountain.
The Mall: It is currently known as GovindBallabh Pant Marg, is another tourist place of interest.
Nainital Zoo: A wonderful place to visit is the Nainital Zoo, which is home to several exotic species such as snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, steppe eagle etc
Governor House: The Governor House or the Raj Bhavan can also be visited by the tourists.
Naina Devi Temple: On the northern border of the Naini Lake is the famous Naina Devi Temple. It was rebuilt after it was destroyed during the landslide of 1880. This temple offers its visitors a splendid view of the entire Nainital.
Other places of tourist interest in close proximity to Nainital are The Jim Corbett National Park, Bhimtal Lake, Ghorakhal, and Hanumangarhi.
Accommodation – Hotels, Resorts and Home Stays in and around Nainital :
Click on the link here to check out the places to stay near Nainital, Uttarkhand on Google Maps.