You know Nainital as a famed Lake District in Uttarakhand, but there is more to know about it. It is a hill resort town in Kumaon district and sits at the green foothills in the Himalayas. This famous weekend getaway is one of the most visited hill towns for the tourists living in and around the NCR region. Tourists flock to this hill station because they love staying around the Naini Lake - the famous lake there. Hoards of accommodation options are available around Naini Lake - most of them boast clear views of distant Himalayan peaks.
There is no shortage of memorable moments in Nainital if you are planning to visit it. Apart from the oh-so-common yet must-do activity - boating in Naini Lake, this place brims with elegant colonial structure. Nainital was founded by the Britishers during their ruling time in India. They believed that Nainital resembles the Cumbrian Lake District. This is the only reason why Britishers made Nainital their popular summer retreat.
Why is Nainital Worth Visiting?
There is hardly anyone in India who has not heard of Nainital. It has adventure activities, spiritual landmarks, indigenous markets, and many other things to lure tourists. The prime reason for travelling to Nainital is it is absolutely safe for the solo female travellers - be it be from India or other nations. Tourism is the major push of Nainital livelihood, that is why locals in Nainital are heartwarming and deliver first-class hospitality whosoever visits their town. Here every sightseeing makes sense because most of them have an intriguing past or scenic appeal. Nainital is the cornerstone of tropical weather and a treasured place for landscape lovers. Here is everything in brief about Nainital your should know:
Things to do in Nainital
Nainital is known for its splendid viewpoints, where tourists can witness the soaring mountain peak of Nanda Devi. While some tourists come to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, others come for boating, ropeway, shopping, etc. Besides outdoor sports, ropeway, trekking, rock climbing, and bird watching are well-known things to do in Nainital. The largest town and favorite hill resort of Uttrakhand host fairs and festivals is Phool Dei, Uttarayani, Nanda Devi Fair, etc.
Ideal For
Nainital is an ideal weekend getaway for the adventure as well as nature-loving tourists. Here you will find hordes of trekking points, pristine lakes, ropeway rides, and plentiful shopping spots lined with the picture-worthy restaurants. No matter your age, you will be spoiled with multiple relaxing options in Uttarakhand’s Lake District.
Best Time to Visit Nainital
Generally, the best time to visit Nainital is between March to June due to the pleasant weather conditions. It is the season when boating in Naini Lake (for which Nainital is famous) could be enjoyed best. However, snowfall lovers must plan their trip to Nainital between December-January. Monsoon season (July-September), however, marks the sightseeing difficult due to landslides. But one can seize the discounted deals on hotels due to the shoulder tourist season.
How to Reach Nainital
Using road connectivity from northern India is the most convenient, quick, and affordable way to reach Nainital. The towns like Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh are well connected with the roads of Nainital. Tourists can also look out for railway options to reach Nainital and Kathgodam (nearest railhead) connected with metro towns. Anyone looking to reach a quick turnaround time must take a Pantnagar airport flight (nearest airport to reach Nainital).
How to get around Nainital
Shared taxis, private taxis, local buses are the best ways to get around Nainital. Bus travel from Haldwani and Kathgodam is inexpensive. While private/shared taxis are worth booking for couples with kids. The travel distance between Haldwani to Nainital is 43 km (approx.) and 36 km (approx.) from Kathgodam.
Accommodation in Nainital
Nainital being a hill town doesn’t have a dearth of luxurious accommodations. But it doesn’t mean that affordable accommodation in Nainital is not possible. In Nainital, luxurious hotels are set surrounding the Naini Lake, while Airbnbs in and around Nainital will provide tourists with budget-friendly accommodations. It entirely depends upon what sort of budget travelers have.
Where to Eat in Nainital
Nainital is not only about breathtaking beauty enveloped in lush greenery and surrounded by the Himalayas. In Fact it has the perfect blend of Kumaoni and Tibetan cuisine. Bal Mithai is arguably the best dish to eat in Nainital. Looks like brown chocolate and coated with 'Khoya' (dry evaporated milk), coated with sugar balls and pure Uttarakhand ghee. Hop over to Mamu's Naini Sweets, Momos at Sonam Fast points for mouthwatering momos.
Shopping in Nainital
Nainital is a highly developed hill station in Uttarakhand where tourists can get almost everything they require. The famous boating point in Nainital, Naini Lake, is dotted around several hotels. Stepping outside the hotel and just a walk away from Naini Lake, you can shop your hearts out at Mall Road, Bara Bazar, Bhutia Bazar to shop for woolens, Tibetan souvenirs.
