Top 5 Things to Do in Nainital

Nainital, a vibrant hill station in the state of Uttarakhand is known for its scenic beauty. I have always wanted to experience the beauty of this 'Lake district of India' and that happened to come true last October, 2014.

We stayed at Hotel Shalimar which is situated right on the Mall Road and you can enjoy the view of the lake right from the Hotel's balcony.

Nainital has a lot to offer to enthusiastic, nature loving tourists. Here are the 5 things you must do in Nainital.

1. Boating

You will find two types of boats in Nainital for recreational rides. These are paddleboats and rowing boats. The charge for rowing boat is Rs 210 per boat for a 30-minute ride.

2. Ropeway

I think this is the first and foremost thing to do when you are in Nainital town. The board on the counter says the timing to buy tickets is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. But they may shut down way ahead of time if the quota of tickets is over for the day. This has happened with us. However, the cable car takes you to the Snow-View Point from where you’ll not only get a bird's eye view of Naini Lake but also a breathtaking panorama of the snow-capped mountains all around.

3. Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Nainital mainly includes visits to various lakes dotting the region, namely Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchia Tal and Khurpatal. You can also visit the Waterfall, Sunset Point and Nainital Zoo, which is one of few high altitude zoos in India.

Bhimtal situated at a lower altitude than Naini Lake, beckons travelers with its pristine aqua blue water to have a boat ride or at least spend some quiet moments by the waterfront.

Sattal is a combination of three lakes merged together naturally. Apart from boating facilities it also offers a 15-minute trek to a church on the other side of the lake.

Naukuchiatal is also a beautiful lake where you’ll love the serenity in the atmosphere. On our way back from Naukuchiatal we halted at Hanumangarhi Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

4. Paragliding

Flying high over the lakes and meadows may seem unnerving but in the end it is a rewarding experience as my friends who have done the adventure told me. Paragliding at Bhimtal costs for Rs 1500 per person.

5. Shopping

Nainital markets offer wide range of trendy woolen clothes and accessories which are difficult to resist for shopaholics. Nainital is also famous for its wide variety of candles. You can’t ignore the beautiful wooden artifacts either. :)

Eating in Nainital

Nainital is a vibrant town where tourists swarm in throughout the year. So, there is no dearth of food outlets in Nainital – from full-service multi-cuisine restaurants to inexpensive street-side food stalls there is something for every budget.

Excerpts from A Memorable Trip to Nainital – The Lake District of India