Three days covers Nainital and the hills around it. Day one is the town: Naina Devi, Snow View, Land's End, Tiffin Top and the lake. Day two goes to Kainchi Dham, Sattal, Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal. Day three goes to Mukteshwar, about 52 km away, for the temple, the Chauli ki Jali cliff and the snow peaks, with the Golu Devta temple at Ghorakhal on the way back.
The town day. Naina Devi Temple first, then the ropeway up to Snow View when it opens at 10:00. Eco Cave Gardens and Land's End before lunch, then the walk up to Tiffin Top in the afternoon and a boat ride on Naini Lake to finish. About 23 km by cab, back on Mall Road by about 16:45.
The temple Nainital is named after, on the north shore of the lake at Mallital. It is for the goddess Naina Devi, shown by a pair of eyes. The first temple was lost in a landslide in 1880 and built again. The Flats, a big open ground, and the Tibetan market are next to it.
Tip: Cabs stop at the Flats parking a few minutes away. Leave shoes at the gate. The evening aarti is at about 18:30.
A cable car from Mallital up to Snow View, a hilltop above the town. On a clear day you can see a long line of snow peaks to the north, Nanda Devi among them. Looking down, you see the whole lake. There are tea stalls and telescopes at the top.
Tip: Come at opening: the queue grows fast in season. The views are best from October to February. A road also goes up to Snow View if the ropeway is shut.
A garden on the hill above Mallital with six small rock caves joined by paths. Each cave is named after an animal, like the tiger cave and the bat cave. Some are so low you have to crawl. Children usually love it.
Tip: The caves are tight and dark in places, so it is hard for older people or anyone with bad knees. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dusty.
A cliff edge west of the town where the hill drops away. Below you see the small Khurpatal lake, terraced fields and the hills going down towards the plains. It is quieter than the viewpoints in town.
Tip: The last bit is on foot from where cars stop. Pony owners wait at the start, but the walk is easy.
A hilltop on Ayarpatta, above the west side of the lake, at about 2,290 m. A stone seat at the top was built in memory of Dorothy Kellett, an English painter. People used to carry a packed lunch, a tiffin, up here, which is how it got its name. You see the lake, the town and the snow peaks on a clear day.
Tip: From where the cab stops it is an uphill walk through the forest, or a pony ride. Wear proper shoes; the path is rough.
The green lake in the middle of the town, with Mallital at the north end and Tallital at the south. You can take a rowing boat with a boatman, a pedal boat, or a small sailing yacht. From the water you see the hills on every side and the town climbing up them.
Tip: Buy the ticket at the prepaid booth, where the rates are written up, not from touts. A rowing boat costs about ₹210 to ₹300.
Kainchi Dham early, before the crowds, then the quiet forest lakes at Sattal. Bhimtal for a boat ride and lunch, and Naukuchiatal last. About 79 km by cab. The routing says back by 15:00; on these hill roads allow an hour more.
The ashram of Neem Karoli Baba, a Hindu saint, in a narrow valley beside a stream on the road to Almora. It has small temples to Hanuman and other gods. Steve Jobs came here in the 1970s, and people from all over the world have visited since.
Tip: On busy days cars park before the ashram and a shuttle takes you the rest of the way. Dress modestly; phones and photos may not be allowed inside.
A group of small lakes joined together in thick oak and pine forest. The name means seven lakes. It is the quietest of the lakes near Nainital, with boating, short forest walks and lots of birds.
Tip: Boats and kayaks go from the main lake. It is cooler and darker under the trees, so bring a layer.
The biggest lake in the Nainital area, in a small town about 20 km from Nainital. A little island in the middle has a café, and you reach it by boat. An old Shiva temple, Bhimeshwar, stands by the dam at one end.
Tip: Bhimtal is less crowded than Naini Lake, so it is a good place for a long boat ride. There are cafés by the water for lunch.
A deep, quiet lake whose name means the lake with nine corners. It is past Bhimtal, at the end of the road. People come for boating, kayaking and, in good weather, paragliding off the hill above.
Tip: Paragliding depends on the wind, so ask at the lake before you plan on it.
A day out to Mukteshwar, about 52 km away, for the old Shiva temple, the cliff at Chauli ki Jali and a wide view of the snow peaks. Lunch there, then the Golu Devta temple at Ghorakhal, with its thousands of bells, on the way back. About 105 km by cab. The routing says back by 15:30, but the road is narrow and winding, so expect 17:00 or later.
An old Shiva temple on a hilltop at about 2,300 m, reached by stone steps. Just past it is Chauli ki Jali, a rock cliff with holes worn through it and a long drop to the valley below. From here the snow peaks look close on a clear day.
Tip: The cliff has no railing in places, so keep children close. The road here passes the orchards of Ramgarh; fruit stalls sell local plums, peaches and apples in season.
A hilltop temple to Golu Devta, a local god of justice, near Bhowali. Thousands of brass bells hang along the paths, left by people whose wishes came true. Many also tie written requests to the railings.
Tip: There are steps up from the road. A small bell to offer is sold at the stalls by the gate.
Drive times come from road routing without traffic. Nainital's roads are narrow and winding, and the town jams on summer weekends and holidays. Allow more time than the map shows, often an hour more on the lakes and Mukteshwar days. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.
Call or message a local Nainital operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
We are still listing Nainital operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.
The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.
| Place | Open | Best time | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naina Devi Temple | About 06:00 to 19:00, later at festivals; free | Morning, before the crowds and the ropeway queue. | 30 min |
| Ropeway to Snow View | About 10:00 to 16:00; return ticket about ₹200 | Morning, when the snow peaks are most often clear. | 1 h 15 min |
| Eco Cave Gardens | About 09:30 to 17:30; about ₹60 entry | Any time in the day. | 45 min |
| Land's End | Open in daylight; free? | A clear morning or early afternoon. | 40 min |
| Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat) | Open in daylight; free? | Morning or afternoon, in good weather. | 1 h 30 min |
| Boat ride on Naini Lake | Boats about 06:00 to 18:00; yachts to about 16:00; fixed rates at the booth? | Any time in daylight; the water is calmest in the morning. | 1 h |
| Kainchi Dham | About 07:00 to 18:00, every day; free | Early morning, before the crowds. | 1 h |
| Sattal | Open in daylight; boats in daylight? | Morning, when it is quiet and the birds are out. | 1 h |
| Bhimtal | Boats about 09:00 to 18:00 | Any time in the day. | 45 min |
| Naukuchiatal | Open in daylight; boats and kayaks in daylight? | Afternoon. | 45 min |
| Mukteshwar Temple and Chauli ki Jali | Temple about 06:00 to 20:00; Chauli ki Jali about 06:00 to 18:00; free? | Late morning, on a clear day for the snow peaks. | 2 h |
| Ghorakhal Golu Devta Temple | About 06:00 to 22:00; free? | Any time in the day. | 45 min |
Kainchi Dham, Bhimtal, Snow View and Naini Lake
See the 1-day plan →Naina Devi, Snow View, Tiffin Top and the lake · Kainchi Dham, Sattal, Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal
See the 2-day plan →Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.
See all places →Yes, if you want the snow peaks up close and a quieter place than Nainital. The drive takes most of the day: about 105 km there and back on narrow hill roads.
The road to Mukteshwar runs through Ramgarh's orchards, so you see them on the way. In summer, stop at a roadside stall for fresh plums, peaches or apples. There is no single sight to visit.
Nothing in these three plans closes on a Monday. Only the zoo, which is not in the plans, shuts that day.
