NAINITAL – THE BEAUTY OF NATURE WORLD LIES HERE

One of the best places to enjoy winter in India is Nainital, Uttarakhand. The winter in Nainital and the snowfall in Nainital are two of the major reasons why it’s a popular holiday destination. Though it is known for being more of a honeymoon destination, it is also an ideal place to head to with your family, friends or just by yourself. The snowclad hill station has far more to offer and looks absolutely stunning during winter.
You can either go sightseeing in Nainital or sit back and enjoy the view from your hotel rooms. Nainital turns out to be a great place to plan a staycation. Staycations have become the new trend, and even properties offering accommodations have staycation packages here.
Welcome to Nainital, there are many spots where travellers can enjoy their leisure time. Explore the gems of Nainital with our best given spots that is meant for you only.
Here’s why you must definitely experience winter in Nainital at least once in your lifetime.
Nainital Winter Carnival
The Nainital Winter Carnival is a three-day event organised every year and is one of the best things to do in Nainital. Catch the cultural performances, go on heritage walks or even go birdwatching. Apart from this, you can also catch the Uttarani Festival, celebrated among locals. Participate in games or go shopping. It is one of the best ways to experience and witness the culture of Uttarakhand.
A cable car ride to Snow View Point
Taking a cable car ride up to Snow Point View is one of the most popular things to do in Nainital. The view from up here is breathtaking! It’s a 2.5 minutes ride up to the Snow View Point, but it’s so beautiful you’ll want to stay longer. If you’re lucky, there will be snowfall during your visit, which only makes this ride and the destination more stunning than it already is. You’ll also get a sneak peek of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Kot and Nanda Devi.
Nainital Lake
One of the most beautiful lakes of the country, Nainital lakes is known for its exquisiteness. It is one of the four lakes of Kumaun Hills which includes the Sattal Lake, Bhimtal Lake and the Naukuchiyatal Lake besides the Nainital Lake. The famous lake finds its mentions in ancient scriptures and many poems by prominent writers. Naina Devi Temple is situated on this lake where it is believed that Sati’s eye’s fell to earth after her act of self-immolation.
The lake is surrounded by the green hills which give the town a mesmerizing landscape. Being a natural freshwater lake, all nature lovers find the lake a charming site to sit, relax and spend some quality time either by oneself or with their loved ones. Lately, environmentalists have cited worries regarding the health of this lake and preservation measures are gaining momentum to save this natural treasure.
Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat)
One of the popular picnic spots in Nainital, the Tiffin Top is a place where you can get enjoy the spectacular scenery of Nainital from its highest point. Also called the Dorothy’s Seat, it is located on the Ayarpatta Hills, offering a gorgeous 360-degree view of the Lake District. It was named Dorothy’s Seat by a British Army Officer in the memory of her wife Dorothy Kellet who died from septicemia.
The Kumaun Hills which surround this location give the place calm and serene scenery making it a delight for all visitors. If you love hiking, the Tiffin Top makes for an exemplary 4 km ride from the main city where you can go by foot or hire a pony that are easily available from the Mall Road. The horse riding up the hill is full of adventure and fun if you go with your friends and family. Other activities like Rappelling and Rock Climbing are also conducted in the Tiffin Top. However, most activities are recommended to be undertaken during the day to enjoy the experience.
Snow View Point
If we check out the most visited tourist spots in Nainital, Snow view point is surely the most visited and loved spot by people all over. The mountain also has a temple to which residents’ worship.
While you move in the cable rope, you can have a great view of the Nainital lake.
Location: The point is around 3 Km from the town of Nainital and you can travel there through either cable rope or your car. If you are comfortable, you can also visit Snow view point by walking there or book a taxi if you prefer it.
Highlights: From the top of the mountain, you can have a full view of the city which looks just marvellous. If you notice, there will be a place which says the highest mountain in the British empire. Before Sikkim became a part of India, Naina Devi was India’s highest peak.
High Altitude Zoo
The High-Altitude Zoo, officially known as GB Pant High Altitude Zoo, is a one-of-a-kind zoo that is known for its intriguing location at 2,100 meters above sea level. Expanded across 4.6 acres of lush greenery, the zoo was built in 1984 and is one among the only three high altitude zoos in India.
Home to numerous endangered and rare species of birds and animals, the zoo allows you to spot Royal Bengal tigers, Tibetan Wolves, the Himalayan Bear and many other wild animals.
The Mall Road
Constructed during the British colonial rule, Mall Road is the primary road which goes through the core of the Nainital town parallel to the lake, interfacing the two closures of the town. It is now named as the Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. The road is one of the most vibrant places to visit in Nainital.
Mall Road has a number of hotels, travel agencies, banks, showrooms, department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. You will find some of the best hotels and restaurants of Nainital located on the Mall Road. It is one of the busiest and crowded during the day time.
Bhimtal Lake
It is a famous lake located in the town of Bhimtal. The reason why it is so famous is because of the masonry dam built in the year 1883 which enabled a good storage facility. It has a catchment area of around 17.12 sq. km which is quite large.
Location: The lake is located in Bhimtal, which is a famous town in Nainital. It is more than 22 km away from Nainital. If you want to reach a railway station from here, the nearest one is Kathgodam which is at a distance of 20 km from the lake.
Sattal
Sattal as the name says is a body of 7 freshwater lakes in the lower Himalayan range. The place is near Bhimtal which is a popular town in the district of Nainital. As the pollution level has grown in the recent times, Sattal is one of the few unpolluted and unspoiled freshwater biomes in our country.
Kainchi Dham
One more religiously significant site in the list of famous places to visit in Nainital, Kainchi Dham was built in 1962 by Neem Karoli Baba, the founder of Hanuman Garhi. A temple and an ashram, Kainchi Dam is engulfed by lush greenery and marvellous hills. Set alongside a glistening river, the temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by several believers and worshippers regularly.
Winter in Nainital is an experience you won’t get anywhere else. It’s the best place just to sit back, relax and laze around whilst enjoying the serene view of the hills.