Top Tourist Attractions in Nainital
At an elevation of around 2,000 metres, Nainital is a Himalayan vacation town in India’s Uttarakhand state’s Kumaon area. It’s located around Nainital Lake, a renowned boating spot with the Naina Devi Hindu Temple on its north bank, and was once a British hill station. Snow View observation point (at 2,270m) is accessible by cable car and offers views of the town and surrounding mountains, notably Uttarakhand’s highest peak, Nanda Devi.
At an elevation of around 2,000 metres, Nainital is a Himalayan vacation town in India’s Uttarakhand state’s Kumaon area. It’s located around Nainital Lake, a renowned boating spot with the Naina Devi Hindu Temple on its north bank, and was once a British hill station. Snow View observation point (at 2,270m) is accessible by cable car and offers views of the town and surrounding mountains, notably Uttarakhand’s highest peak, Nanda Devi.
Nainital is definitely the treasure trove of Kumaon, engulfed in a dense blanket of nature and enhanced by the smell of blossoming blooms mingling magically in the crisp pure air. Since the British time, it has been one of the most frequented hill destinations in North India. The dazzling city of Nainital is acclaimed for being a parent to the beautiful Naini Lake, from which it has acquired the moniker of “lake city.” It is perched at a height of 2,084 metres above sea level. Nainital is well-known not just as a popular tourist destination, but also for its outstanding educational institutions and schools, many of which date back to the British era.
1. Naini Lake
Famous for: Lakes, Nature, Photography.
Tickets: 100 INR each for both parking and entry.
Opening Timings: Open all days.
Duration: 2 hours.
About Naini Lake
Naini Lake, as it is widely known, is located in the centre of town and is the lifeline of Nainital. Boating facilities are provided for tourists, and a leisurely stroll around the lake will provide a tranquil relaxation unlike any other.
Things to Do at Naini Lake:
Boat Riding.
Picnic Spot.
Visit the Naina Devi Temple.
2. Naina Peak
Naina Peak
Photo by Anirudh Singh, CC BY 2.0
Visitor Information
Famous for: Nature, Viewpoints.
Tickets: No entry fee.
Opening Timings: Open all days.
Duration: 1 hour.
About Naina Peak
Naina Peak, also known as the Cheena or China Peak by locals, is the highest point in Nainital. It is a renowned trekking destination in Nainital, with an average elevation of 2,615 metres above sea level. The location is well-known for providing one of the most breathtaking panoramic views over the entire valley of Nainital, and is located close the Naini Lake.
Things to Do at Naina Peak:
Hiking.
View sunrise or sunset.
Get a view of Naini Lake.
3. Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat)
Tiffin Top
Tiffin Top, Image Source
Visitor Information
Famous for: Hiking, Sightseeing, Nature.
Tickets: No entry fee. Charges for horse riding starting from 500 INR.
Opening Timings: Open all days.
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours.
About Tiffin Top
Tiffin Top, located on Aryapatta Hill at a height of 2292 metres above sea level, is a well-known viewpoint that provides some of the most stunning views of the Himalayas and Nainital. The location is named after Dorothy Kellet, an English painter who loved to sit here and paint. Dorothy’s seat is another name for this location.
Things to Do at Tiffin Top:
Hiking.
Horse riding.
Sunset and sunrise views.
4. St. John In The Wilderness
St. John In The Wilderness
Photo(cropped) by Lewesian1982, Public Domain
Visitor Information
Famous for: Architecture, Nature, History.
Tickets: No entry fee.
Opening Timings: Open all days from 7 am – 6:30 pm. On Sundays from 9 am to 6:30 pm.
Duration: 45 mins.
About St. John In The Wilderness
St. John in the Wilderness refers to a church that was founded in 1844 and is located on the town’s northern outskirts. The church was named after the Bishop of Calcutta, who became ill and was forced to sleep in an unfinished house in the desert. The church was built to memorialise the victims of the 1880 landslide and is secluded and serenely nestled among the deodar woodlands.
Things to Do near St. John in the Wilderness:
Visit the Cemetery.
Explore by strolling around.
5. Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
Red panda, Photo by Akhil.jain1912, CC BY-SA 4.0
Visitor Information
Famous for: Nature, Wildlife, Viewpoints.
Tickets: 50 INR for adults and 20 INR for children.
Opening Timings: Open daily except monday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Duration: 2 hours.
About Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, located at an elevation of 2,100 metres above sea level, was founded in 1984 and opened to the public in 1995. The zoo has various exotic and endangered types of animals and birds native to the area. Among the endangered species found here are the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Tibetan Wolf, and others.
Things to Do near Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo:
Trekking.
Visit the Astronomical Observatory.
6. Gurney House
Gurney House
Photo by Schwiki, CC BY-SA 3.0
Visitor Information
Famous for: History, Nature.
Tickets: Entry fee not specified.
Opening Timings: Open all days from 9 am to 5 pm.
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours.
About Gurney House
Gurney House is a well-known bungalow that was once home to British naturalist Jim Corbett. The home was constructed in 1881 and is located near Nainital Lake. The materials used in the construction were repurposed components from an older house on the site. When the Corbett family left for Kenya in 1947, the house was sold to Mr. Sharda Prasad Varma. It is now owned by his granddaughter, who offers private tours of the house upon request.
7. Snow View
Famous for: Peaks, Nature.
Tickets: No entry fee.
Opening Timings: Open all days except Saturdays from 10:30 am to 5 pm.
Duration: 45 mins to 1 hour.
About Snow View
The Snow View, one of the nicest perspectives in Nainital, is accessible by cable car and is located at an elevation of 2,270 metres above sea level. It offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas, including key peaks like as Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and Trishul.
Things to Do at Snow View:
Ropeway.
Trekking.
View the Himalayan peaks.
8. Lands’ End
Lands’ End
Photo by Enjoymusicnainital, Public Domain
Visitor Information
Famous for: Nature, Viewpoints.
Tickets: No entry fee.
Opening Timings: Open all days from sunrise to sunset.
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours.
About Lands’ End
Land’s End is a gorgeous area that is mainly accessible by hikers. The spectacular views from this spot are unlike any other. The location, which is 2,118 kilometres above sea level, offers views of the surrounding hills and is bordered by some gorgeous trees and pine forests.
Things to Do at Land’s End:
Pony Rides.
Trek to Naina peak.
Scenic views of Khurpa lake.
9. Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
Famous for: Wildlife, Nature, Trekking.
Tickets: Not specified.
Opening Timings: Open all days at daytime.
Duration: 2 hours.
About Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
The Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, one of India’s few high altitude bird sanctuaries, is situated at an elevation of 2000 metres above sea level. The sanctuary is home to about 240 different species of birds, both migratory and resident. The refuge is situated in Pangot, a lovely wooded town.
Things to Do at Kilbury Bird Sanctuary:
Trekking.
Birdwatching.
Try out the local cuisines.
10. Eco Cave Gardens
Famous for: Nature, Caves.
Tickets: 20 INR for adults, 10 INR for children and extra 25 INR charge for camera.
Opening Timings: Open all days from 9 am to 6 pm.
Duration: 45 mins.
About Eco Cave Gardens
Eco Cave Gardens are an interconnected network of caves that attract large crowds of tourists and are a treat for children that visit. The park consists of seven caves that are accessible via a small and winding route with breathtaking vistas along the way. This is one of the nicest spots to visit with the family, and the melodic fountain placed here is very appealing to children.
Things to See at Eco Cave Gardens:
Musical fountain.
Light and Show programmes.
Other attractions in and around Nainital are Bhimtal, Sattal, Ghorakhal and Naina Devi Temple.
While there are more attractions such as Pangot and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, the above-mentioned ten tourist locations in Nainital are the most popular and must-see to get the most out of your vacation.
Best Time to Visit Nainital
Nainital is open all year, however, the best time to come in between the months of March and June.
How to Reach Nainital
The town of Nainital attracts not only local travellers and tourists, but also a large number of foreign visitors. It gleams like a gleaming diamond in the Himalayan Mountains, surrounded by lakes and the wealth of nature.
By Air
Nainital does not have direct air access because it is a mountainous station. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar, which is 65 kilometres from Nainital. Private chartered planes account for the majority of aviation activity at Pantnagar airport. There are no commercial flights to or from this location.
The second closest airport is in New Delhi, which is around 290 kilometres from Nainital’s centre town. The Delhi airport is well-connected to places all over the world. You may book private cabs from the airport for around Rs. 4000 to 4500. If you’re seeking for a cost-effective solution, take a train from the Delhi railway station.
By Train
The nearest railway station is in Kathgodham, at the foothills of the Kumaon highlands, at a distance of 34 kilometres. With regular trains to New Delhi, Kathgodam railway station has excellent connection to key cities like as Delhi, Lucknow, and Howrah.
Ranikhet Express, Uttar Sampark, Kranti Express, Bagh Express, Dehradun Kathgodam Express, and Anvt Kgm Shatabdi Express are some of the notable trains that depart from Kathgodam station. You may either rent a shared cab or take a private taxi to the city from outside the railway station.
By Bus
Nainital has good transport connections to key North Indian locations. Several travel operators provide daily bus service from New Delhi to Nainital, with air-conditioned, non-air-conditioned, sleeper, and Volvo buses among the alternatives. The most convenient method to get to Nainital is to take an overnight bus, however some buses run during the day as well.
Best Places to Visit in Nainital
- Naini Lake
- Naina Peak
- Tiffin Top
- St. John In The Wilderness
- Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
- Gurney House
- Lands’ End
- Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
- Eco Cave Gardens