Nainital is a mesmerizing hill station in the dearly titled “Lake district” of Kumaon Hills in the Nainital district of the north Indian state of Uttarkhand. This tiny gem of the Himalayas is cozily snuggled in the outer foothills of the Himalayas. Named after its most popular attraction, the Naini Lake, a pear shaped water body, it is a literal translation to “Lake of Eyes”. Legend claims that the lake is the site where the goddess Sati’s eyes fell when her grief-stricken consort, Lord Shiva, perform the celestial dance of destruction called “Tandava” whilst carrying her charred corpse in his arms.
At 2,084 m Nainital has no dearth of sights, sounds and surprises. From the adventurous back-packer to the reclusive bookworm, every traveler can find something to suit their tastes and soothe frayed nerves. Nainital has numerous lakes, temples and irreplaceable wonders that cannot be found elsewhere in India.
The essences of Nainital’s offerings include:
One of the most famous attractions in Nainital is its very namesake. The Naini Lake is located in the heart of this Himalayan attraction. The northern head, “Mallital”, and the southern end, “Tallital” are connected by the “Lake bridge”. Interestingly, this bridge is the only one of its kind in the world-it has a post office on it.
Bhimtal Lake
The largest lake in Nainital is aptly named after the second Pandava brother, Bhima, from the Mahabharata who had superhuman strength. A 17th century temple complex called Bhimeshwar is present on the dam that runs for 12 m on one side of Bhimtal.
Sattal
Literally meaning “Seven lakes”, this lake is actually an aggregation of seven lakes, each having its own name.
Khurpa Tal
This “Trowel Lake” is very popular with anglers and is also a favorite of hikers. Naukuchia Tal: This nine-cornered lake carries a legend that if one can view all nine of its corners in one glimpse, one can disappear in a cloud of smoke.
A natural garden containing six caves and a musical fountain, this is located near the Kumaon University Campus. Snow view: It is located on the summit of Sher-ka-danda ridge. Easily accessible by cable cars, it offers a spectacular view of the surrounding Himalayas.
Naini peak
At an elevation of 2, 615 m, this mountain bestows trekkers and pony-riding travelers with a breathtaking panoramic view of the pristine Himalayan ranges.
“Dorothy’s seat” is a terraced platform atop Aryapatta hill at 2,292 m. It is a stonework built as a memorial to Mrs. Dorothy Kellet, Col. J. P. Kellet’s wife. St. John in the Wilderness: Located in “Mallital”, this church was established in 1844. It carries a brass plaque with the names of the victims of the landslip of 1880.
High Court of Uttarkhand
This was previously called “Old Secretariat” when Nainital was the summer capital of United Provinces. Gurney House: Renowed hunter-turned conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a huge role in establishing Jim Corbett National Park had his residence built from the materials of his previous house which was destroyed in the landslip of 1844. Though privately owned, visitors can take a tour of Corbett memorabilia.
Pt. G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
One of the two altitude zoos in India (the other being in West Bengal), this houses various species of animals which are arranged according to the altitude of their habitat. Some of these include the snow leopard (highest location), Siberian tiger, goat antelope “ghooral” and many birds including the “Kaleej” pheasant.
Governor’s House
Also known as “Raj Bhavan”, this was built in 1899 by architect F. W. Stevens. It is two story high and has 113 rooms, a swimming pool, golf links and a large garden.
The nearest airport to Nainital, as well as Kathgodam, is the Pant Nagar Airport in Uttarkhand. For foreign travelers, the nearest international airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, about 300 km away. Roads are good and taxis are easily available.
Rail
Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Nainital, which is a 1 hour drive away. The railway station is connected to other major cities in the country and run on regular schedules.
Road
Nainital is soundly linked to other cities. Delhi (320 km) is the main port of entry and is a 9 hour drive on NH87; another route can be opted from Kathgodam which is 1 hour away from Nainital. Taxis, rental cars and buses for reaching Nainital are all easily available. Buses are available from Anand Vihar ISBT.
At 2,084 m Nainital has no dearth of sights, sounds and surprises. From the adventurous back-packer to the reclusive bookworm, every traveler can find something to suit their tastes and soothe frayed nerves. Nainital has numerous lakes, temples and irreplaceable wonders that cannot be found elsewhere in India.
The essences of Nainital’s offerings include:
Lakes
Naini Lake
One of the most famous attractions in Nainital is its very namesake. The Naini Lake is located in the heart of this Himalayan attraction. The northern head, “Mallital”, and the southern end, “Tallital” are connected by the “Lake bridge”. Interestingly, this bridge is the only one of its kind in the world-it has a post office on it.
Bhimtal Lake
The largest lake in Nainital is aptly named after the second Pandava brother, Bhima, from the Mahabharata who had superhuman strength. A 17th century temple complex called Bhimeshwar is present on the dam that runs for 12 m on one side of Bhimtal.
Sattal
Literally meaning “Seven lakes”, this lake is actually an aggregation of seven lakes, each having its own name.
Khurpa Tal
This “Trowel Lake” is very popular with anglers and is also a favorite of hikers. Naukuchia Tal: This nine-cornered lake carries a legend that if one can view all nine of its corners in one glimpse, one can disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Nature’s Nurturing Bosom
Eco cave gardens A natural garden containing six caves and a musical fountain, this is located near the Kumaon University Campus. Snow view: It is located on the summit of Sher-ka-danda ridge. Easily accessible by cable cars, it offers a spectacular view of the surrounding Himalayas.
Naini peak
At an elevation of 2, 615 m, this mountain bestows trekkers and pony-riding travelers with a breathtaking panoramic view of the pristine Himalayan ranges.
History Keepers
Tiffin top“Dorothy’s seat” is a terraced platform atop Aryapatta hill at 2,292 m. It is a stonework built as a memorial to Mrs. Dorothy Kellet, Col. J. P. Kellet’s wife. St. John in the Wilderness: Located in “Mallital”, this church was established in 1844. It carries a brass plaque with the names of the victims of the landslip of 1880.
High Court of Uttarkhand
This was previously called “Old Secretariat” when Nainital was the summer capital of United Provinces. Gurney House: Renowed hunter-turned conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a huge role in establishing Jim Corbett National Park had his residence built from the materials of his previous house which was destroyed in the landslip of 1844. Though privately owned, visitors can take a tour of Corbett memorabilia.
Pt. G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
One of the two altitude zoos in India (the other being in West Bengal), this houses various species of animals which are arranged according to the altitude of their habitat. Some of these include the snow leopard (highest location), Siberian tiger, goat antelope “ghooral” and many birds including the “Kaleej” pheasant.
Governor’s House
Also known as “Raj Bhavan”, this was built in 1899 by architect F. W. Stevens. It is two story high and has 113 rooms, a swimming pool, golf links and a large garden.
How to Get There?
AirThe nearest airport to Nainital, as well as Kathgodam, is the Pant Nagar Airport in Uttarkhand. For foreign travelers, the nearest international airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, about 300 km away. Roads are good and taxis are easily available.
Rail
Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Nainital, which is a 1 hour drive away. The railway station is connected to other major cities in the country and run on regular schedules.
Road
Nainital is soundly linked to other cities. Delhi (320 km) is the main port of entry and is a 9 hour drive on NH87; another route can be opted from Kathgodam which is 1 hour away from Nainital. Taxis, rental cars and buses for reaching Nainital are all easily available. Buses are available from Anand Vihar ISBT.
Author Bio
Passionate about travelling, Rohit finds great pleasure in contributing to the curious minds of globe trekkers, inviting them to indulge in this little jewel of the Himalayas- the glorious hill station of Nainital. He blogs regularly at www.transindiatravels.com.
Sometimes a vacation right in your own backyard is just as appealing as going somewhere far and distant. Not only would you save time and cost on travel, but there are many things that we don’t think to do in our own area just because we live around them. And some of those things are amazing! Don't discount what's in your own backyard.
Here are five UK locations that are perfect for a family staycation.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are something out of a storybook and you can rest assured that this is the kind of place you can get away to with your family for a couple days of relaxation. There are historical remains of forts from the Bronze and Iron Ages, and if you couple that with the endless peaceful meadows and quaint town atmosphere you know that you will have a great time. Sometimes we just need to get away from the busyness of a big city to stop and smell the roses – this may be the prettiest place in the UK to do that…
Blackpool
The city of Blackpool in England gives you the impression that they love to have a good time. The ocean side town hosts a bunch of different carnival-like things such as games on the street and even a huge ferris wheel that you can ride right off the pier. Some of the older buildings are timeless and make you feel as if you have gone back about 30 years, but it is still full of charm. A great way to experience Blackpool as a staycation with the kids is to rent a cabin or B&B for the weekend and enjoy the fun in the sun as well as the lovely beaches on the edge of town.
West Coast of Scotland
The West Coast of Scotland is where everyone should go just to get a breath of fresh air, as the scenic views and peaceful environments. The best way to visit this area for a staycation is to rent out a cabin by the sea and just take a couple days to wind down and release the stresses of life. Even if there are not a lot of modern conveniences nearby, it can often be the case that less is more and your family will be able to focus on bonding activities like hiking or day trip exploring. If you’re a family that prefers things inland, there are some beautiful cottages in the Oban area where you can get away from it all in stunning surroundings.
Butlin’s Resort
There are three Butlin’s Resorts in the United Kingdom in the towns of Bognor Regis, Skegness, and Minehead, so no matter which area you live in there should be one close enough to drive to for a couple of days. At a Butlin’s Resort you can enjoy their new Splash Waterworld area for swimming and other water sports, but if that is not your cup of tea all of the resorts also have beaches nearby and daily live entertainment shows. Overall, this resort is just a great place to get away without any stress or pressure.
Loch Ness
The famous Scottish lake, Loch Ness, has been full of mystery and wonder for ages now as it is thought to be home to the sea beast, Nessie the Loch Ness monster. This part of Scotland is right up in the Highlands and the lake itself is just on the outskirts of the town of Inverness, that also offers plenty of things to look at and explore. The waters of Loch Ness are almost black and usually fairly cold, but that doesn’t stop people from taking a day tour on it or even a quick swimming dip. In addition to that, there is a castle on the edge of the land right on the loch that is historic and you are able to take a tour of its inside.
Here are five UK locations that are perfect for a family staycation.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are something out of a storybook and you can rest assured that this is the kind of place you can get away to with your family for a couple days of relaxation. There are historical remains of forts from the Bronze and Iron Ages, and if you couple that with the endless peaceful meadows and quaint town atmosphere you know that you will have a great time. Sometimes we just need to get away from the busyness of a big city to stop and smell the roses – this may be the prettiest place in the UK to do that…
Blackpool
The city of Blackpool in England gives you the impression that they love to have a good time. The ocean side town hosts a bunch of different carnival-like things such as games on the street and even a huge ferris wheel that you can ride right off the pier. Some of the older buildings are timeless and make you feel as if you have gone back about 30 years, but it is still full of charm. A great way to experience Blackpool as a staycation with the kids is to rent a cabin or B&B for the weekend and enjoy the fun in the sun as well as the lovely beaches on the edge of town.
West Coast of Scotland
The West Coast of Scotland is where everyone should go just to get a breath of fresh air, as the scenic views and peaceful environments. The best way to visit this area for a staycation is to rent out a cabin by the sea and just take a couple days to wind down and release the stresses of life. Even if there are not a lot of modern conveniences nearby, it can often be the case that less is more and your family will be able to focus on bonding activities like hiking or day trip exploring. If you’re a family that prefers things inland, there are some beautiful cottages in the Oban area where you can get away from it all in stunning surroundings.
Butlin’s Resort
There are three Butlin’s Resorts in the United Kingdom in the towns of Bognor Regis, Skegness, and Minehead, so no matter which area you live in there should be one close enough to drive to for a couple of days. At a Butlin’s Resort you can enjoy their new Splash Waterworld area for swimming and other water sports, but if that is not your cup of tea all of the resorts also have beaches nearby and daily live entertainment shows. Overall, this resort is just a great place to get away without any stress or pressure.
Loch Ness
The famous Scottish lake, Loch Ness, has been full of mystery and wonder for ages now as it is thought to be home to the sea beast, Nessie the Loch Ness monster. This part of Scotland is right up in the Highlands and the lake itself is just on the outskirts of the town of Inverness, that also offers plenty of things to look at and explore. The waters of Loch Ness are almost black and usually fairly cold, but that doesn’t stop people from taking a day tour on it or even a quick swimming dip. In addition to that, there is a castle on the edge of the land right on the loch that is historic and you are able to take a tour of its inside.
Have you been to any of these beautiful locations? How were they? Tell us about it in the comments below!