Nainital Tour

Nainital, Uttarakhand, is one of the most popular hill stations of India. It is famous for its lake, Nainital the capital of Kumaon’s lake district is set around a lake 6,538 ft above sea level 35km from Kathgodam and 310 km North East of Delhi, india.

One of the most oft told plain plain tales of the hills centers on the discovery of Nainital by a Britisher in 1841. Back then the kumaonis were filled with foreboding about what would become of their sacred lake which they believed to be the eye of sati. Sure enough Nainital today isn’t what it used to be. Not only did the british crowd the slopes of this hill station with their cottages and clubs, the Kumaonis won compatriots sent up a sprawl in the gaps that have all but ruined what was once the most beautiful lake in kumaon. Still though Nainital has expanded and the surrounding forest that once teemed with tigers and deer has thinned down abysmally, the soul of the place remains. It is still possible to look for traces of Jim Corbett’s town in the modern day resort and track down bits of history or revel in the clear mountain air and find enchanting wooded groves.

Set against the backdrop of the kumaon Himalaya this lake resort has many interesting walks along pine forest many interesting walks along pine forest trails in the neighboring woods. There is an overhanging sense of festivity during the high season when the town is closed to heavy vehicles and holidayers can get loud and overbearing. But Nainital takes it all in her stride. Be different from the rest move to the outskirts and let peace envelop you again.

In season hordes of honeymooners Swamp Nainital and understandably so the setting of Nainital does ignite spearks of romance in most hearts. Your may stroll around the lake try a bit of boating shop at the Mall, take in the view or do nothing at all except sun yourself and relax. Please worth visiting are Dorothy’s Dorothy’s Seat popularly known as Tiffin Top 4 km from the lake Land’s End and the Nainital Zoo which has some rare high altitude species you won’t find in Delhi. Entry Fee Rs10 Timings open daily except Mondays.

Naini Lake

Hindu mythology has it that the tal lake is one of the emerald green eyes of Sti Shiva’s wife. It is said that the Naina Devi Temple at the northern end of the lake is the exact spot where her eye fell, after Vishnu chopped up her body and scattered it over the country to stop shiva’s cosmic dance of destruction.

A rowboat ride around the lake costs Rs120. Alternatively you can hire a small yacht at Rs80-120 per half hr from the Nainital Boat Club. You will get a boatman along with these but there are pedal boats to explore the lake on your own. However be sure to venture into the lake only with life jackets.

A thrill for adults too the Aerial Express ropeway to snow view 7,450 ft affords majestic views of the Himalaya dominated by the sacred Nanda Devi peak. Near the lake buy knick knacks toys and balloons. Ropeway fare Round trip Rs65 per hr. Timings 9 am 5 pm.

Around Nainital

Pangot 15km

IT is hard to believe that just 15 km from this madness called Nainital is an island of tranquility, 6,000 ft above sea level where you can either lie soaking in the sun or do some vigorous walking in the dense oak and rhododendron forests. Pangot is a great place for birders and trekkers. The walk from the Kilbury Forest Rest House to Pangot is very popular. A long trail leading up to Naina Peak 8,563 ft, offers picture postcard views of the Himalaya. This track is full of canary flycatchers’ white throated laughing thrushes’ blackbirds and titmice.

Jeolikot 18-km

Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda found this tiny hilltop village a perfect haven for solitude and healing. The hills encasing Jeolikot are sprinkled with shrines and colonical structures. Follow the sylvan trail to a tiny bungalow once the home of a direct descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte. Check out the house of war wick sahib a retired major of the British army. On his death it was discovered that the major was a woman.

Rail Nearest railhead kathgodam 35 km 1 hr. Cabs charge Rs250 to Nainital. Road from Delhi drive along NH24 to Rampur then its NH87 all the way via Rudrapur, Haldwani, Kathogodam and Jeolikot. The total drive takes 6 and half hrs. Regular buses leave for Nainital from Delhifrom ISBT Anand Vihar.