NAINITAL

Naini Lake is a fresh water lake in Nainital and is one of the most famous lakes in the Kumaon region. Surrounded by the Naini Peak and Tiffin Point from north and south, the Naini lake offers a breathtaking view especially during winters and early morning, when the mountain peaks are covered with snow and fog. Visitors usually engage in boating, picnic, and nature walks here. The lake remains open throughout the day but the recommended visit time is from 5:00am to 6:00pm.

Located at the peak of Ayarpatta Hill, Tiffin Top is one of the spectacular picnic spots in Nainital. One can get a complete view of the whole town of Nainital from here. Tiffin Top is also known as Dorothy’s seat because it was named after an English artist Dorothy Kellett. Adventure enthusiasts can go for hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling here. You can also catch a glimpse of Naini lake and Nanda Devi Parvet from here on a clear day.

Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo or Nainital Zoo is the only zoo located in the state of Uttarakhand. The main motive behind the establishment of this zoo is conservation and preservation of wildlife. Some of the wildlife species found here are Leopard, Royal Bengal Tiger, Tibetan Wolf, Barking Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, and Hill Patridge. You can visit this park by paying a nominal entry fees of Rs. 50, and the park remains open from 09:30am to 04:30pm.

A bustling road full of shops selling food items, book, handcrafts and so much more, and visitors strolling around, the Mall Road is the lifeline of Nainital. You can buy woolen clothes, chunky jewelleries, and handcrafted stuff here as a souvenir. Tourists usually stroll in the evening here to enjoy the mesmerizing view of Naini Lake and sunset. The market remains open on all days from 09:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Sattal, meaning a body of seven lakes, is a popular and quaint town situated in the district of Nainital. Pristine lakes surrounded by pine and cedar trees make the whole view awe-inspiring. In this vicinity, you can also spot several migratory birds passing by. Although, the beauty of this place is always on the peak, but the recommended time is early morning and evening.

Situated just a kilometer away from the Mall Road, the Eco Cave Garden will provide you a sneak peek into the way of living in Himalayas. Here you will find numerous caves of different dimensions depicting the habitat of a particular animal. The caves here are named as Tiger Cave, Panther Cave, Squirrel Cave, Flying Fox Cave, Bat Cave, and Ape Cave. The entry fee for adults is Rs. 20 and for children is Rs. 10.

Don’t miss visiting the Naina Peak when in Nainital for catching a bird’s eye view of the whole town. The high elevation and rich green forest path make this peak the most loved hiking trail. Enjoy a photography session of the snow-clad Himalayas peak. This place is perfect for camping and picnic.

Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is no less than a paradise for bird watchers. Here you can spot more than 580 different species of birds including Forktails, White-throated laughingthrush, and Brown wood owl. The sanctuary remains open on all days from 06:00am to 05:00pm. Also, no entry fee is charged here, so you can quietly spend your day amidst the nature.