Category: Uttarakhand

Nainital Uttarakhand – Places to Visit and Things to do

Nainital is one of the most scenic towns in Uttarakhand. The whole Kumaon town is built around the Naini lake. I wanted to visit the Himalayas with my toddler. As parents wanting to have a relaxed vacation with a toddler, I am glad Nainital in Uttarakhand was my first choice in the Himalayas. There are so many places to visit and things to do in and around Nainital in Uttarakhand. I have detailed on everything about that in this blog.

Must Visit Places in Nainital

Mall Road

If there is one place which you cannot miss when you are in Nainital is the Mall Road. It is a 1.5 km stretch of road, along the lake. Mall Road connects Mallital and Tallital. You can find tons of shops, restaurants and hotels.

Mall Road was built by the British during the 1840s. One of our taxi drivers told us that if Indians attempted to walk on these roads during the British times, they were flogged by the British.

Shops opening & closing time: 9 am to 10 pm
Traffic prohibition on Mall Road: 6 pm to 9 pm

Naina Devi Temple

Naina Devi Temple is located on the banks of the Naini lake. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. It is at a walkable distance from the Mall Road.

There is a place to keep your shoes within the temple. Any kind of photography or videography is strictly prohibited within the temple premises.

Open and Closing Timings: 6 am – 10 pm
Aarti timings: 7 am, 7pm

Thandi Sadak

Thandi Sadak can be translated to ‘Cold Road’. As the name suggests, this road along with this portion of the Naini hills is colder than the other side. This is a 1 km no vehicle road stretch from the road that leads out of Naina Devi Temple. Thandi Sadak also houses the Parshan Devi temple.

Map of must visit places in Nainital

Nainital Zoo

If you aren’t a fan of steep climbs then you should think twice before visiting Nainital zoo. I visited this zoo for the sake of my 1.5 year old and unless you have kids I wouldn’t encourage you to visit this zoo.

Note: There are a lot of monkeys on the way to the zoo so make sure to close your bags completely. Do not carry any food item or water bottles in your hands.

Timing: 9 am to 4.30 pm
Weekly holiday: Thursday

Read also: Complete Nainital Travel Guide

Things to do in Nainital

Naini Lake Boating

What is a visit to Nainital if you don’t opt for boating? There are paddle boats and row boats. Post covid the tourism dept has made it a rule that only 3 people can sit in a row boat.

Row boat cost as of June 2025: Rs.320 (half round – 20 to 25 mins), Rs.420 (full round – 35 to 40 mins)
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm

Nainital Ropeway (Aerial ropeway)

You get the complete panoramic view of the Nainital town. You will be taken to the snow viewpoint and then you can return to the start location. Aerial ropeway can be preferred as an option for sightseeing if you do not have babies or toddlers travelling with you.

Ticket price: Rs.400 (Adults)
Timing: 10 am to 4 pm

Tiffin Top Horse Riding/Trekking

It is worth visiting this place only if you wish to trek to the hilltop or take a horse ride to the view point. The start location is full of horses lined up to take tourists up the hill. Travelling with a toddler I preferred neither to take the horse ride nor to trek on a rainy day morning.

Shopping at Nainital

There are umpteen shopping options at Nainital in the markets. I have shopped clothes near Naina Devi temple 8 years back and they still haven’t lost their shine. You have to use your bargaining skills to get what you need at the right price. Most of the clothes that get sold in Nainital are from Delhi.

Bada bazaar

Places to visit near Nainital

Bhimtal

Bhimtal is 22 km from Nainital and is less commercialized, yet beautiful. If you are a bird watcher then you might not want to miss Bhimtal. Bhimtal offers boating along with paragliding for adventure enthusiasts.

Khurpatal

Khurpatal is a very small yet beautiful lake at about 12 km from Nainital. You can take a pause take in the view and move on to your next location as there is no other activity that can be done in Khurpatal.

Naukuchiatal

The word ‘Naukuchiatal’ translates to ‘Lake of nine-corners’. It is less commercialized than Nainital and Bhimtal. Naukuchiatal is about 28 km from Nainital and 5 km from Bhimtal and from Kathgodam. If you are looking for an offbeat location near Nainital to visit then Naukuchiatal should be your go to place.

Sattal

Sattal can be split into ‘sat’ + ‘tal’ which is ‘seven lakes’. It is an interconnected group of seven fresh water lakes. Sattal is one of the most sought after destinations near Nainital for day treks. You can do boating and kayaking as well in the lake. Fishing is not allowed in this lake. Not all seven lakes within Sattal are open for boating as well.

Note: The narrow roads to the lake can get congested during weekends and peak tourist seasons.

Day treks in Uttarakhand

Read also: Exploring Rishikesh – 2 Days in The Himalayan Foothills

Kainchi Dham Neem Karoli Baba Temple

Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram became a must visit destination for many tourists after Virat Kohli’s visit to the Ashram in Nov 2022. This ashram gained media attention (especially via Youtube) after Kohli’s visit.

The quaint little village of Kainchi Dham which once used to be visited only by foreigners is now crowded with Indians visiting from all parts of the country to feel Baba’s presence. You can find the devotees in Kainchi Dham buying blankets to keep on the feet of Neem Karoli Baba’s statue to get his blessings. On 15^th June lakhs of people visit Kainchi Dham Ashram for Neem Karoli Baba’s birthday.

The ashram is located at 32 km from Kathgodam and 17 km from Nainital.

Timings: 5 am to 8 pm

Mukteshwar Temple

Mukteshwar Dham Temple in Uttarakhand is 350+ years old. It is 50 km from Nainital and serves as an offbeat destination for tourists. It is also a destination for paragliding, waterfall treks and nature walks. Chauli ki jali in Mukteshwar serves as a rock climbing destination for the adventure enthusiasts.

Jim Corbett Safari

Located at around 95 km from Nainital, Jim Corbett is India’s oldest national park. It is recommended to take a rest stop at Ramnagar, as the day becomes hectic to visit Jim Corbett from Nainital and to return on the same day.

Safari timings: 6 am – 9 am, 2.30 pm – 6 pm

There are 6 different tourist zones in Jim Corbett for safaris. You can check for more details on the Jim Corbett safari pricing and booking here.

Nainital in Uttarakhand is a destination that can delight any type of tourists with its varied type of places to visit, experience and activities to do. There are so many places to visit and things to do, in and around this Kumaon town.

I would love to wish to go back to explore more, would you?

Read also: Others posts from Uttarakhand

July 4, 2025
Complete Nainital Travel Guide
Nainital is one of the most scenic towns in Uttarakhand. The whole Kumaon town is built around the Naini lake. I wanted to visit the Himalayas with my toddler. As parents wanting to have a relaxed vacation with a toddler, I am glad Nainital in Uttarakhand was my first choice in the Himalayas. In my Complete Nainital Travel Guide I will provide you information about commute, food, stays, places to visit within Nainital with kids and how to not get cheated by the cabbies.

How to reach Nainital?

If you are not from Uttarakhand or Uttar Pradesh then you have to pass Delhi before reaching Nainital. I took a flight to Delhi from Bangalore. After a day’s rest we took the New Delhi (NDLS) – Kathgodam (KGM) Shatabdi which starts everyday at 6 am from New Delhi Railway Station. The train took 5.20 hours to reach Kathgodam.

At Kathgodam railway station

If you love to drive, then you can hire a car from Delhi. The travel distance is about 360 km. I didn’t want to experiment this with a 16-month-old baby.

You can also take buses that start from Delhi in the night. The only reason I didn’t prefer this is because I would have reached Nainital much before the check-in time and I was not willing to wait outside the stay/in the hotel lobby with a toddler.

Best Time to Visit Nainital

Nainital is beautiful to visit all around the year with family. If you are travelling with kids then you can avoid visiting Nainital during the monsoon months of July-Sept. You can get rooms at a lower rate during the monsoon months as it is off season. Best season to visit Nainital would be during winters. The peak season in Nainital is during December, 1^st week of January and the summer months of April and May.

Food at Nainital

You can enjoy all types of cuisines in Nainital starting from Kumaoni, South Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, Punjabi, Continental, English, Mexican etc..

Most of the cafes and restaurants are on the Mall road, facing the lake. I also relished food at the Bhotia market which is very close to Naina Devi Mandir.

Few of the restaurants which I would recommend based on my past 2 visits are
– Nanak Restaurant – pure veg
– Simz Café
– Sher-e-Punjab
– Anupam Restaurant
– Café Lakeside
– Tamang Momos in Tibetan market
– Anupam Restaurant in Bada Bazaar – authentic Kumaoni food

Note: I had the best Veg (soya) Momos in Nainital in the Tibetan market.
I’d suggest not to try Idli or Dosa in Nainital

Stay at Nainital

On my first visit I stayed at a hotel in Mallital facing the lake. Every place I wanted to visit was walkable and easily accessible. I only had to take cycle rickshaws if I became tired walking.

On my last visit, as someone who travelled with family, especially with a toddler, I decided to rent a house for 3 days on DSB road in Nainital. I got to use the kitchen in a beautiful and spacious house on the Ayarpatta Hill. I faced difficulty in walking down and walking back to the stay because the climb was super steep. Taxis charged me Rs.300 for one way up/down. I had to get milk for my toddler which was also available only near the Mall road.

Rented a flat with kitchen in Nainital

If you do not mind staying in hotels then you have umpteen hotels in Nainital, in and around the Mall road. Everything will be easily accessible from these hotels.

Places to Visit in Nainital

1. Naina Devi Temple

Naina Devi Temple is located on the banks of the Naini lake. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India.

Naina Devi Temple

2. Nainital Lake (Boating in Naini Lake)

There are row boats and paddle boats in Naini lake. I preferred to hire a rowboat for 30 mins. Post covid a max of 3 people excluding the driver can boat in a rowboat.

Paddle and row boats

3. Nainital High Altitude Zoo

Trekking uphill to the zoo is not for the faint hearted. The shuttle services have been stopped in 2024 to the high-altitude zoo. If you are not used to trekking steep uphill then better skip this place. I decided to still visit for the sake of my toddler who was excited to see animals.

4. Nainital Mall Road

No vehicles are allowed on the Mall road between 6-8pm in the evening. It is an experience to cherish your walk on the beautiful street.

Mall road

Read also: Exploring Rishikesh – 2 Days in the Himalayan Foothills

5. Tiffin Top

It is one of the view points in Nainital. If you want to reach the Tiffin Top then you might want to either take the horse ride or trek up to the point. You can skip this place if you are travelling with babies or toddlers.

Start point for Tiffin Top

6. Aerial Ropeway (Nainital Cable Car)

If you are sightseeing Nainital with kids above 3 years then this is an experience you shouldn’t miss. The ropeway starts from Mallital and takes you to the Snow View Point. You can spend an hour in the ropeway.

7. Snow View Point

The sight of the snow capped mountains is not to be missed if you get a chance to visit the Snow View Point in Nainital. You can choose to take the ropeway to view the snow view point instead of hiring a cab.

Apart from the above there are few other places which are sold by the cabbies as must visit in Nainital but you can choose to ignore them because they are not worth it.

Map of must visit places in Nainital

Commute within Nainital

If you stay close to the Mall road then you might not need a cab to go within the town. There are electric rickshaws at minimal cost in Mallital which you can use to shuttle to different places within the town. If you wish to go to Mukteshwar, Bhimtal lake, Sattal lake, Naukuchiatal lake or Neem Karoli Baba Ashram then you might want to hire a taxi.

Shuttle service in Mallital

If you hire taxi from Tallital bus stand, the cost starts from Rs.800 based on the places you want to visit. If you like to go on sharing basis, then the cost reduces.

Shopping in Nainital

What to buy in Nainital?

You can look for woolen clothes, sweaters, fancy clothes, wooden crafts, candles and fancy accessories.

Where to shop in Nainital?
- Mall Road
- Tibetan Market
- Bhotia/Bhutia Market
- Bada Bazaar
Bhutia market

Bada bazaar

The scenic beauty of Nainital is a treat to cherish. I visited the town in the months of August and March.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit both the times, before and after having a family 🙂

I’d suggest anyone with kids to consider Nainital as an option when you choose to travel in Uttarakhand.

Read also: My other posts from Uttarakhand
May 1, 2025

Exploring Rishikesh – 2 Days in The Himalayan Foothills

Rishikesh is a beautiful city in the state of Uttarakhand, right on the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. The river Ganges cuts through the city in her purest form with mesmerizing green waters. Irrespective of where in the world you are from, the city will cast its charm on you. Rishikesh is known for spirituality, pilgrimage, adventure and in the recent days working from Rishikesh is also in the trend, especially post Covid. My travel guide ‘Rishikesh – 2 Days in the Himalayan Foothills’ will give you all the details on everything to do in Rishikesh when you are tight on time. ?

How to reach?

Buses and trains ply everyday between Delhi and Dehradun/Haridwar.

I found Kota DDN Exp (12401) from Delhi Nizamuddin Station to Haridwar to be the best among all the commute options. It took 4 hours to reach Haridwar in Rs.555/- in 3 Tier AC and around 50 mins to Rishikesh from there in a shared auto at Rs.50/-

From	Distance (approx.)	Time (approx.)
Delhi (Nizamuddin, Majnu-ka-tila, Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate)	240 km	5-6 hours
Dehradun Bus Stand	47 km	1-1.5 hours
Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport	21 km	40 mins
Haridwar	25 km	55 mins

Where to stay?

If you are on a budget travel and if there aren’t any kids travelling with you then hostels would be the best choice. Hostels provide you with bunk beds and private rooms based on your budget. They are mostly located in and around Tapovan and Lakshman Jhula.
Note: I stayed at Live Free Hostel and Hostel Cozy Beds

You can find multiple luxury hotels and resorts on the banks of the Ganges offering you exquisite views of the beautiful city around Tapovan, Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula.

Rishikesh being the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, has multiple ashrams for various spiritual programs and retreats which includes practicing different forms of Yoga and meditation techniques, also offer accommodation while you are taking their courses.
Note: Parmarth Niketan Ashram is open for pilgrims to stay and practice Yoga and meditation. They have about 1000 rooms priced reasonably and prior booking is necessary.

Click here to get the hotel list and rent estimate in Rishikesh.

Adventure in Rishikesh

Rishikesh attracts adventure lovers with sports like white water river rafting, bungee jumping, cliff diving and kayaking in Ganges. River Ganga is said to have one of the safest plains for all these activities.

If you want to do rafting in Rishikesh which is for a short distance in a 2-day trip then I’d suggest you to find rafting agencies near Ram Jhula, opp. to Parmarth Niketan Ashram. I did my 16 km river rafting and indulged in other adventure sports in Byasi which is 34 km from Rishikesh. You can read my blog post on that here.

Distance	Time	Price (approx.)
10 km	2.5 hours	Rs. 600
16 km	3.5 hours	Rs. 800
24 km	4.5 hours	Rs. 1200

Note: Many of the adventure sport agencies also provide accommodation in tents in and around Rishikesh. You can check with them before booking hotel rooms.

What to wear?

There are no restrictions on the clothes to wear in Rishikesh unless you are inside the premises of temples or any centre (Ashrams) that teaches spirituality. During winters Rishikesh doesn’t get any snowfall but it is preferable to pack your jackets to keep yourself warm.

How to commute?

I always prefer to explore any place on foot. It was the same case in Rishikesh and only when the distance was more than 5 km, did I board shared auto rickshaws. If you plan on staying for more than 2 days and you want to explore places not restricted to Rishikesh you can rent a 2-wheeler at Rs.350-500/- per day excluding petrol charges.

What and where to eat?

In Rishikesh, you can find cuisines from all over the world with an Indian touch to it in different price ranges. If you are up for a walk from Tapovan to Lakshman Jhula then you will find tons of restaurants with some even offering a lovely view of the Ganges.

I have had food at Frog Life Café, Beatles Café, and Little Buddha Café. There are so many more to explore. ?
You will also find carts all over the city selling lemon soda, sharbat, ice gola and sugarcane juice.

RefreshmentsinSummer — Another colorful hand cart

Places to Visit

Lakshman Jhula

Legend says that Lord Ram’s brother Lakshman crossed river Ganga on a jute rope at the same place where the current bridge is situated. It was a jute rope bridge before the iron suspension bridge was built in the 1930s.

You will find many temples once you cross the bridge along with eateries and shopping areas. It is one of the most happening places in Rishikesh.

During weekends this will be the most crowded bridge as you can see hordes of people clicking selfies, cows wanting to cross the bridge, while you enjoy nice breeze and the view of the folks doing white water river rafting. The bridge is less wide in comparison with Ram Jhula and swings when it is windy.

Ram Jhula

Similar to Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula was also a jute rope bridge which was replaced with an iron suspension bridge in the 1980s. There are many temples and ashrams around Ram Jhula. This bridge is less crowded and wide enough for 2 wheelers to pass through.

Beatles Ashram or Chaurasi Kutia (now Rajaji Tiger Reserve)

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who is known for his transcendental meditation techniques established Chaurasi Kutia. Apparently, the band Beatles visited this ashram in the 1960s and since then it became a famous spot for tourists and fans of the band.

BeatlesBackground — Wall painting of the band

There are many wall paintings in the ashram premises and dome shaped structures for meditation. I felt Beatles Ashram isn’t worth the hype unless you want to click pictures of yourself in the ruins.

Meditation caves — Dome shaped caves for meditation on the right

Note: Currently the Ashram ruins are taken over by the Government and it is named as Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
Entry ticket: Rs.150/- (Indian), Rs.600/-(Foreigner)

Where to experience Ganga Aarti?

There are 2 places for this. I would suggest you to visit Triveni Ghat for Maha Aarti in the evening, which is more beautiful and soul filling. You can get a shared auto from Ram Jhula. Nevertheless, if you are short on time then Parmarth Niketan Ashram should be your go to place right in the heart of the city to experience the Aarti. ?

Note: Ganga Aarti in the mornings attract very less crowd both in Rishikesh and Haridwar

Place	Aarti Start Time
Parmarth Niketan	5.30 AM – 6 AM, 5.30 PM – 6.30 PM
Triveni Ghat	5.30 AM – 6 AM, 6.30 PM – 7 PM

Note: Aarti time can change based on the sunrise and sunset on that particular day.
If you also want to do Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat and take part in the pooja ceremony you will be asked to pay Rs.300/-

FlowersforGanga — Some flowers for Ganga

Note: Please reach both the places at least 30 mins before the Aarti time if you want to get a seat.

The vibe that Rishikesh gives is something you will experience only when you visit the city. It lights the soul of anyone in search of spirituality or adventure. It attracts people from all walks of life. My travel guide to Rishikesh for 2 days would have given you an idea about the things to do in Rishikesh. Now, why don’t you experience it for yourself? 🙂

NamahShivaya — Shiva Statue in front of Parmarth Ashram

Want some adrenaline rush?

Rishikesh is one of the safest places for you to do any kind of adventure activities like river rafting, bungee jumping, reverse swing, giant swing and squad jump.

Below are some of the recommended places where you can get yourself some adrenaline rush based on recommendations from people who did it

Tips to be a responsible traveller

Carry your own water bottles, tumblers/mugs when you travel
Avoid buying bottled water in shops, instead you can fill filtered water in any ashram, hostel, hotel, or restaurant in Rishikesh while you explore the city
Don’t carry wet tissues because they are non-biodegradable, instead carry small towels and hand kerchiefs
Use menstrual cups in place of sanitary napkins during your periods. Napkins are again non-biodegradable and takes at least 500 years to decompose after releasing toxins into the soil
Reduce, Re-use and Recycle to protect Mother Earth

Click here to check my other blog posts.

May 24, 2022

Rishikesh – Adventure Water Sports in Ganges
The words ‘water sports’ and ‘adventure’ when put together bring me the memories of Rishikesh and the mighty Ganges. Rishikesh is the finest and safest place for adventure and gives nothing but pure adrenaline rush for people who crave for it. All kinds of adventure water sports are conducted in Byasi which is around 30 kms from Rishikesh.

Ganga and Goodness

How to get to Rishikesh?

Flights: Delhi -> Dehradun (45 minutes – 1 hour)
Bus/Car: Delhi -> Dehradun (6 hours)

Bus/Cab: Dehradun -> Rishikesh (1.5 hours by road)
Rishikesh -> Byasi (1.5 hours by road)

NOTE: Shared maxi-cabs can be availed from Laxman Jhoola Main Road in Rishikesh to Byasi for Rs.80/person.

Whom to approach for Adventure Sports?

When I had gone to Rishikesh a friend from UrbanARCKS helped us get in touch with Camp Rapid Runner. Their site is located in Haridwar-Rishikesh-Badrinath road in Byasi. The owner’s name is Praveen Singh and you can find his contact here.
- Camp Rapid Runners
- For dog lovers
NOTE: There are many other companies running adventure sports, but I have given information about the company with whom I personally experienced adventure water sports in Rishikesh.

What is the Cost for Adventure Sports in Ganges?

We were a group of 10 friends who went to Camp Rapid Runner and we got a deal of Rs. 2000/- per person for a day’s stay which included many adventure water activities and 3 times food for a day.

NOTE: I’d suggest you talk to the owner directly rather than booking through any booking websites so that it costs you less.

The vehicle that commuted us from the camp to the river rafting start point

What are the Adventure Water Sports in Ganges?

1. River rafting (16 kms / 30 kms)
2. Kayaking
3. Cliff jumping
4. Swimming
NOTE: Bungee jumping bookings are to be made prior to a month during holidays and it also doesn’t fall under the ambit of adventure water sports.

Swimming to reach the cliff jumping point
- Swimming at Byasi
- Getting acclimatized to the cold water
How was the experience?

We reached the stay in the afternoon. The camp was clean, had 3 beds in a room and had umpteen number of charging points. There were AC and Non-AC rooms.

Camp Rapid Runner

On the evening of the first day we were taken to the Ganges river which was at a trekking distance of 500 meters from the camp. We started with kayaking, followed by cliff jumping and then swimming. This was all safe and it is not necessary that you should know how to swim because you will be given a life jacket. We were engaged in these water activities a day prior so as to get accustomed to the water when we do the 16 kms river rafting the next day.
Fun ride in the vehicle that commuted us to the start point of river rafting from the camp
White Water River Rafting

All set for white water river rafting in Ganga

I had earlier done river rafting at Dandeli which was for few hundred meters but doing it in Ganges was mind blowing and so much fun. Initially we were scared seeing the river but then when we were asked to jump inside the river holding the ropes surrounding the raft we screamed in the thrill of enjoyment. I never knew jumping into Ganga would be so much fun until I did it.

Get Set Go

Our phones, spectacles and valuables were all kept in a bag safely in the raft. It was just us with our paddles/oars. We were given a 10-minute instruction by the raft lead before we started the adventurous ride.

Before we are asked to jump into the so called ‘Black Money Rapid’

What to wear while rafting?

1. Quick dry shorts/t-shirts
2. Sunscreen
3. Flip-flops (any sandals that can preferably be stuffed in the raft while rafting)
- Hold the rope tight 😛
- Chilling in Ganga
Pictures and videos will be taken by raft leads using a Go-Pro at an additional cost of Rs.500 per raft which is totally worth it.

I am somebody who craves for adrenaline rush and the adventure sports at Rishikesh gave me the thrill and experience of a lifetime.

You can find more of my adventures here.
March 19, 2020