What Are the Best Places to Visit in Nainital? Complete Travel Guide

Nainital — named after the pear-shaped emerald lake (Naini Tal) at its heart — is Uttarakhand's most beloved hill station. Nestled in the Kumaon Hills at 2,084m altitude, this crescent-shaped town wraps around its beautiful lake with hills rising steeply on all sides. Developed by the British in the 19th century as a summer retreat from the plains, Nainital retains its colonial charm alongside vibrant Indian hill-town energy.

Getting to Nainital from Delhi: Nainital is 310 km from Delhi via NH9 through Moradabad and Kathgodam (260 km highway, then 50 km mountain road). Total drive takes 7–8 hours. EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Nainital cabs with hill-experienced drivers — call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com. Heavy vehicles are not permitted in Nainital — only small cars enter the town.

---

1. Naini Lake — The Soul of Nainital

Location: Town centre | Open: Always | Boating: 7 AM – 6 PM

The Naini Lake is a natural freshwater lake of glacial origin, 1.5 km long and 0.5 km wide. The entire town wraps around it and every activity gravitates toward its shores.

Boating on Naini Lake:
- Rowboats: ₹80–150 per person for 30 minutes
- Pedal boats: ₹200–300 for 30 minutes (2 persons)
- Sailboats: Available at the Nainital Boat Club
- Shikara rides: ₹500–800 per boat

The lake view changes dramatically through the day — misty mornings, sparkle at noon, golden reflections at sunset. Evening illuminations of the surrounding hills reflect in the water.

Naini Devi Temple at the north end of the lake (Mallital area) is a very sacred temple — one of the 64 Shakti Peethas where Goddess Sati's eyes are said to have fallen. The word "Naini" means "eyes" in Sanskrit.



---

2. Snow View Point — Himalayan Panorama

2,270m altitude | Accessible by ropeway or trek | Open: 9 AM – 5 PM

Snow View Point is Nainital's most dramatic viewpoint — on a clear day (best in October–February) you see an unbroken panorama of the Greater Himalayan range including peaks of the Nanda Devi massif (7,816m — India's second highest), Trisul (7,120m), and other giants.

Getting there:
- Ropeway (cable car): From Mallital, 4-minute ride. Cost: ₹200 return (Indians), ₹300 (foreigners)
- Trek: 2 km uphill from Mallital, 45–60 minutes

At Snow View Point:
- Panoramic telescope for mountain viewing (₹20)
- Small temple and food stalls
- Horse rides to Tiffin Top (2.5 km further)

Best time for mountain views: October–December and January–February on cloudless mornings (by 8–9 AM before clouds build up).

---

3. Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat) — Sunset Ridge

2,292m | Accessible by horse or trek from Ayarpata | 3 km from town

Tiffin Top is a beautiful ridge named after Dorothy Kellett (a British artist who painted here and tragically died). It offers 360-degree views — Naini Lake directly below, the town, the plains in the distance, and the Himalayan peaks on the horizon.

The forest trek to Tiffin Top through oak and rhododendron forest is one of Nainital's most pleasant walks.

Horse riding to Tiffin Top from town: ₹500–800 return (negotiable). The horse handlers are generally reliable.

Sunset at Tiffin Top with the lake glowing below is one of Nainital's finest experiences.

---

4. Eco Cave Garden — Family Fun in Rock Caves

Open: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Entry: ₹50 Indians, ₹100 foreigners

The Eco Cave Garden is a series of six natural rock caves connected by narrow passages, each named after a Himalayan animal (Panther Cave, Tiger Cave, Flying Fox Cave, etc.). The caves are small and you crawl or squeeze through them — children absolutely love this.

The garden above the caves has a musical fountain and a beautiful view of Nainital town.

Ideal for: Families with children aged 5–15.

---

5. Mall Road — Shopping & Evening Life

Nainital's Mall Road (Thandi Sarak — "Cool Road") runs along the lakeside from Mallital to Tallital — about 1.5 km of shops, restaurants, and cafes. No motorised vehicles allowed on the inner Mall.

What to buy:
- Woollen shawls and sweaters (Kumaoni designs, good quality)
- Candles — Nainital is famous for handmade scented candles, produced by local cottage industries since colonial times
- Fruit jams and pickles — local apricot, apple, and strawberry jams
- Tilhari and other Kumaoni jewellery
- Walking sticks crafted from local wood

Where to eat on Mall Road:
- Sonam Fast Food — popular local restaurant with excellent momos
- Embassy Restaurant — old Nainital favourite for continental and Indian
- Sakley's — colonial-era bakery and restaurant near Mallital bus stand
- Cafe Kathmandu — rooftop views of the lake

---

6. Naina Peak (China Peak)

2,611m — highest point near Nainital | Trek: 6 km from Snow View | Entry: Free

Naina Peak (also called China Peak or Cheena Peak) is the highest viewpoint accessible from Nainital — at 2,611m, it's significantly higher than Snow View. From here on a clear day, the Himalayan panorama extends from Badrinath to Nepal.

The trek from Kilbury takes 2–3 hours through dense forest. A 4WD vehicle can get you most of the way to Kilbury (7 km from Nainital), then it's a 3 km walk to the summit.

Horse riding to Naina Peak (full day): ₹1,000–1,500

---

7. Bhimtal, Sattal & Naukuchiatal — The Sister Lakes

15–25 km from Nainital

The Kumaon region is blessed with multiple beautiful lakes within easy reach of Nainital:

Bhimtal Lake (22 km from Nainital): Larger than Naini Lake, with a small island in the middle housing an aquarium. Much less crowded. Boating available.

Sattal (23 km): A complex of 7 interconnected lakes in a dense forest setting — one of India's finest birding destinations. Very peaceful, popular with naturalists.

Naukuchiatal (26 km): The deepest of the Nainital lakes with 9 corners (nauka = nine, kona = corner). Kayaking and boating available. Beautiful for a quiet picnic.

A half-day EZPZ Taxi circuit covering all three lakes is a wonderful Nainital day trip — call +91-9871121217.

---

8. High Altitude Zoo (Pt. G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo)

Near Mallital bus stand | Open: 10 AM – 4:30 PM, closed Tuesday | Entry: ₹50

India's highest zoo at 2,100m altitude, housing animals specifically adapted to cold climates and high altitude:
- Snow leopard (very rare to see in the wild — this is your chance)
- Himalayan black bear and brown bear
- Tibetan wolf
- Red pandas
- Himalayan pheasants (monal, koklass)

A genuine conservation facility, not just a zoo.

---

Day Trip: Jim Corbett National Park

75 km from Nainital (via Ramnagar)

If combining Nainital with Jim Corbett, the two are just 75 km apart. From Nainital, drive down to Kathgodam, then 50 km to Ramnagar (Corbett's base town). An excellent 2-location trip from Delhi: drive to Corbett first (Day 1 safari), then Nainital (Days 2–3).

EZPZ Taxi offers this combined Corbett-Nainital circuit — call +91-9871121217 for a package quote.

---

Practical Information

Best time to visit:
- March–June: Summer peak season, all activities available, pleasant (12–25°C), book early
- July–September: Monsoon — lush, misty, fewer crowds, heavy rain possible
- October–November: Post-monsoon, clear skies, best mountain views, ideal weather
- December–February: Cold (0–10°C), occasional snowfall, magical but quiet

Where to Stay:
- Budget: Hotel Alka, Hotel Barista (₹800–2,000)
- Mid-range: The Naini Retreat (KMVN), Manu Maharani (₹3,000–7,000)
- Luxury: The Manor (Mallital), Vikram Vintage Inn (₹7,000–15,000)

KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) hotels: www.kmvn.gov.in

Uttarakhand Tourism: www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in

---

EZPZ Taxi for Nainital

Delhi to Nainital with hill-experienced drivers who know the Kathgodam to Nainital mountain road well. Fixed fares, no surge.

Call: +91-9871121217 | Book: ezpztaxi.com

Love Nainital? Which lake or viewpoint is your favourite? Share your Nainital memories below!