Explore Nainital
The word Nainital is derived from "Naini" means 'Eyes' and 'Tal' means 'Lake'. In the hindu mythology Naini Lake is believed to be the ' naina' or eye of Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, which was fallen on earth as he carried her charred body across the sky, deep into the mountains. Maa Naina Devi temple is built on the Northern side of the lake. The Naini lake is the main attraction of the place. The panoramic beauty of naini lake has been explained by many worlds famous writers and poeters. Nainital lake is divided in to 2 sections Mallital and Tallital. Northern part is known as Mallital and Southern part is known as Tallital. The lake view can be enjoyed from the balcony of the hotel in Nainital by the name Nainital Willows.
The breadth taking view of charming lake is surrounded by 7 Peaks which are known as Ayarpata, Deopata, Handi Bandi, Cheena peak, Alma, Laria Kanta AND Sher – Ka- danda. The lake delights the tourist by its mesmerizing beauty at night. Nainital Willows a home stay in Nainital is situated on the peak by the name Sher – Ka- danda .
Beautiful Lakes of Uttarakhand
Nainital - The kidney shaped lake is one of the famous lakes of the Kumaon region and most visited by tourist of the Nation.
Sariyatal – This small and beautiful lake is five kms away from nainital. Himalayan Botanical Garden at Sariyatal near Nainital has a butterfly Park,herbarium,library to explore.
Saattal – Sattal (Seven Lakes)is an interlinked group of seven mesmerizing freshwater lakes situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand
Naukuchiatal - Naukuchiatal is a nine-cornered Lake. It is the deepest lake in the greater Naintal area.
Khurpatal - Khurpatal Lake is one of the beautiful lake that embellish the landscape of Nainital.
Bhimtal Lake - Tourists from all over India come to live the tranquility of Nainital and Bhimtal Lake. The beautiful little island in the middle of the lake excites the tourists. Boat ride takes the guest to island.
Sukhatal - Sukhatal was earlier the part of Naini lake. It is dry lake and has been renamed as Sukhatal, because the entire water from this lake has been drained to the Naini lake.
Places to visit in & around Nainital
Tourist attractions in Nainital
Aerial Ropeway is one of the prime attractions of Nainital. It starts at Mallital and connects the Snow View Point at 2270 metres. With steep ascend and descend, the ropeway with 2 trolleys to ferry passengers, takes less than 3 minutes to cover the one way journey offering the panoramic view of the lake while ascending and birds eye view of the flats while descending.
Located at a distance of 4 kms from Nainital, Dorothy Seat was built in memory of an English painter Dorothy Kellet by her husband and admirers after her death in a plane crash. It is a picnic perch on a Tiffin Top situated at an altitude of 2292 metres providing a fabulous view of the Himalayan ranges.
Located at a distance of around 1 km from Mallital, Eco Cave Garden is one of the new popular tourist attraction in Nainital. Located in Sukhatal or Mallital as it is commonly known, on the Kaladungi road, it is a natural park maintained by the local administration.
A network of inter-connected rocky caves and hanging gardens, it leads the visitor into a mysterious and ancient dream-world and gives the tourist an encapsulated glimpse of what the wilderness of the hill-region can offer-right in the easily approachable middle of civilization. Drive straight up to entrance, climb up a short flight of steps cut into the hill-side, and enter the cave-world of our prehistoric ancestors.
A network of inter-connected rocky caves and hanging gardens, it leads the visitor into a mysterious and ancient dream-world and gives the tourist an encapsulated glimpse of what the wilderness of the hill-region can offer-right in the easily approachable middle of civilization. Drive straight up to entrance, climb up a short flight of steps cut into the hill-side, and enter the cave-world of our prehistoric ancestors.
Constructed in 1899 during the British rule, Governor's House or Raj Bhavan is a marvelous structure built in Victorian Gothic style. In old days, it served as the residence of the Governor of north-western province and later the United Province. Governor's House is an architectural marvel with beautifully manicured gardens, a large swimming pool and a golf course. At present, Governor's House is used as a guest house for the Governor of Uttarakhand.
Located at a distance of 3.5kms from Nainital at the south end of Tallital, Hanuman Garhi is a popular Hanuman Temple displaying the spiritual side of Nainital and its residents.
Located at a distance of around 12 kms, Kilbury is a picnic spot for often visited by tourists for spending a day out in the open in the arms of nature and returning after the grand viewing of the setting sun.
Located adjacent to the Tiffin Top, Land's End offers a magnificent view of the waters of Khurpa Tal. Located at an altitude of 2120 metres, this mountain road ends at a point where one gets a magnificent view of the plains and the beautiful Khurpa Tal Lake, which is surrounded by a beautiful village and pine forests. Amazing sunset view can be experienced from Land's End.
Constructed during the British rule, Mall Road aka Govind Ballabh Pant Marg is the busiest place of Naintal with tourists flocking the place at all times of the day across all seasons. It runs parallel to the Nainital lake and connects the two ends - Mallital and the Tallital. Mall Road is full of hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping centres, travel operators etc and is a prime spot for evening stroll for tourists visiting Nainital.
Located at a distance of around 6 kms, Naina Peak is at an altitude of 2615 metres above sea level. This is the highest point of Nainital and can be reached in a 2 to 3 hours walk or a scenic pony ride. Overlooking the Naini Lake, Naina peak or the Cheena Peak provides the most fabulous view of entire Nainital town and the beautiful Naini Lake.
Naini Devi Temple, a temple of the Goddess Naini Devi is believed to be built in the 15th century and is said to be a must visit place for Hindus. Located in the northern part of the Naini Lake, the temple was destroyed in the landslides of 1880 and later rebuilt. As per Hindu mythology, King Daksha organised a great Yagna and intentionally did not invite his daughter Sati(Parvati) and her husband Shiva. Against the wishes of Shiva, Sati went to attend the Yagna but was insulted by her father. Unable to take the insult, Sati immolated herself and ran into sacrificial fire. Shiva was shattered on learning this and took the half burned body of her corpse and wandered places. Nainital is one of the 64 Shaktipeeths where one of the body parts if the Goddess had fallen and it is believed that Sati's eyes fell in the lake here from which the lake got its name Nain-Tal (lake of the eye).
Situated in the heart of the town, Naini Lake is the prime attraction for visitors and tourists. The northern part of the lake is known as Mallital and the southern part is known as Tallital. A bridge connects the two banks of the lake and boasts of having the only post office in the world located on a bridge. Boating and yachting facilities are available at the lake.
Located at Manora Peak at a distance of 4.5 kms and at an altitude of 1951 metres, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is a place of astronomical studies. Public is shown round some of the instruments during working days at afternoons. The Nainital Observatory has the most advanced telescopes in India and with prior permission, visitors can get access to the observatory and also experience the pleasure of viewing celestial objects through the telescope, provided the nights are clear enough. For night viewing three four days on moonlight nights are fixed and permission is required to be taken in advance.
The highest sailing club – Nainital Boat Club in the world is situated in Nainital. The club conducts Annual Yachting competition named "Regatta" every year in around third week of June.
Located at distance of 3 kms from Nainital, Snow View Point is the coldest place in Nainital and is located at an altitude of 2270 metres offering a mesmerizing panoramic view of the Himalayas. It is by far the best view point at Nainital offering the tourists the best views of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Kot. The place can be reached by trekking or by a pony ride. A cable car ropeway ride also runs from Mallital to Snow View Point.
Located at a distance of around 1km from Naini Devi Temple, St. Johns's Church Church is one of the calm and peaceful place of Nainital. Daniel Wilson, the Bishop of Calcutta laid the foundation of the Church which was built in 1844 and the church has a brass plaque on the altar with the names of the victims of the tragic landslide of 1880.
Thandi Sadak is a 1 km long cold road in Nainital open only for pedestrians. It is lined up with lush greens of pine, deodar and oak which restricts the sunbeams to fall over the road. Thandi sadak presupposes the calm and scenic beauty of green hills surrounding Nainital and the Nainital Lake, where one can succumb oneself in the warmth of nature, the sweet sound of the gentle breeze puffing through the trees and chirping of birds makes a musical serenade. It is the most alluring spot of Nainital offering the best atmosphere and ambience for a perfect walk.
Located at a distance of around 1 km from Nainital Willows, Govind Ballabh Pant zoo situated at a high altitude of 2100 metres, houses variety of animals and birds that are high altitudes. The zoo is a house to various animals including, Leopard, Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wolves, Hill Fox, Monkeys, Himalayan Bear, Pheasants, Parakeets White Peacock and the he most popular Siberian Tigers. The zoo remains closed for tourists on Mondays.
Places to visit near Nainital
Located at a distance of about 22 kms from Nainital, at an altitude of 1370 metres above sea level, Bhimtal houses a lake larger than Nainital. It also has an island at its centre and an old Shiva temple at the banks, which as per Hindu mythology is believed to have been built when Bhima visited the place during the banishment (vanvas) period of Pandavas.
Located at a distance of 11 kms from Nainital, Bhowai is situated at an altitude of 1654 metres above sea level and serves as a gateway to many places in the Kumaon division of of Himalayas.
Located at a distance of 64 kms from Nainital, Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park of the country. Situated in Ramnagar in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, it was a part of the erstwhile princely state of Tehri Garhwal. Established in 1936, Corbett Tiger Reserve is home to the largest number of Tigers in the country and a trip to Nainital is incomplete without a Jungle Safari in Corbett Tiger Reserve. It is advised to take the return journey from Nainital via Ramnagar Railway station which is at a distance of 10 kms from Corbett.
Located at a distance of 12 kms from Nainital, at an altitude of 1635 metres, Khurpatal is a scenic, serene place in the Nainital district. It is considered to be anglers paradise having clear water and a good harvest of fishes.
Located at a distance of 50 kms from Nainital and at an altitude of 2286 metres, Mukteshwar is a small but virgin hill station rich in scenic beauty, with magnificent views of the Himalayas including India's second-highest peak Nanda Devi. Surrounded by orchards and conifer forest from all the directions, Mukteshwar is situated atop of the Kumaon range. It has a diverse view to serve you with the arena which appeals to your soul and gives birth to the artisanal capabilities inside you.
Located at a distance of around 18 kms from Nainital, Naukuchia Tal is a lake of nine corners. The lake is 175 feet deep and is situated at an altitude of 1220 mts above sea level. Surrounded by hills covered in trees and shrubs, it is the deepest of all the lakes in the Nainital region. The lake attracts large number of tourists for angling and birdwatching.
Located at a distance of 15 kms from Nainital, Pangot is a village in the Kosiyakutoli tehsil of Nainital and said to be a Bird Watcher's paradise. The drive to here passes through the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury, which are remarkably incredible birding spots.
Once a cantonment of the British Army, Ramgarh is a small but beautiful hillstation situated at a distance of 25 kms from Nainital. It is rich in orchards of Peach, Apricot, Pears and Apples and is often referred as "Fruit Bowl of Kumaon".
Located at a distance of around 25 kms from Nainital, Sattal is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal. The lakes sit at an altitude of 1370 metres below lush orchards in the Mehragaon valley.
Set amongst dense forests of oak and pine trees, Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted freshwater biomes in India. These lakes are a paradise for migratory birds.
Set amongst dense forests of oak and pine trees, Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted freshwater biomes in India. These lakes are a paradise for migratory birds.
We at Nainital Willows, a luxury accommodation in budget organize the Nainital sightseeing tours for our guests and also make arrangements for the adventures activities in Nainital.
