Travel Nainital - Uttaranchal India Tours, Himalayas Travel Excursions

Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalayan necklace, blessed with scenic natural spledour and varied natural resources. Dotted with lakes , Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India. The popular summer retreat of India, Nainital attracts innumerable tourists during the summer heat. The hill resort is indeed a pleasure. The gorgeous greens and the majestic mountains add to the beauty of the hill resort. The small town of Nainital in Uttaranchal is dotted with cottages, villas and bungalows. Situated at an altitude of 1,938 meters the hill resort of Nainital offers several places of interest to the tourists. The hill resort is believed to have derived its name from the goddess Naina.

Tourist Places - If you have a car at your disposal (for your sake we hope you don't, for that way you miss out on a lot that's very, very interesting), you can drive down the Mall from the entry point at Tallital (lower end) to Mallital (upper end of the lake). If you're lucky enough to be footing it, you take the side wall along the brim of the lake and pass under an extended canopy of the sun spangled leaves while images of poplar, cypress and willow gently ripple on the surface of the water to your left. To your right the hills take off again, rising from the edge of the Mall in one giant sweep of habitation. Nainital is studded with buildings-shops, restaurants, private homes, hotels and boarding houses. During the last decade or so, it has witnessed the emergence of mega hotels and the construction of houses by agencies as against private individuals. However, despite the commercialization, it's fun place, with so much to do there's never a dull moment.
Then there is the Hanumangarh temple. Besides praying you may enjoy the sunset from the temple. Close to the temple is an observatory. Night view of the moon from the observatory should not be missed.
Nainital also has the St. John Church. The church is one of the oldest buildings of Nainital built after the British turned it into a hill resort.
The British Cemetery and the vintage point of the Dorothy's Seat on the Tiffin peak are other places worth seeing in Nainital.

Tourist Attraction

Muncipal Library - The reading room here, right on the lake shore about halfway along The Mall between Mallital and Tallital, is a good place to escape the frenetic activity on The Mall, particularly in the late afternoon, when reflections from the lake create a lovely rippling effect on the walls and ceiling. Bibliophiles will appreciate the old wooden card files and hundreds of old volumes, and there are current newspapers for visitors persual.

Snow View - The Snow view point located at height of 2270 meter on the Sher-ka-Danda hill is the most easily accessible, if not on foot then via the cable car that skims its surface and whisks you away merrily to the top. Once there you can only gaze in wonder at the glittering panorama of Himalayan snows spanning the distant horizon.

Hanuman Garhi - Situated at a height of 1951 meters, with its famous temple, this place is reputed for its glorious sunsets. A very beautiful Hanuman temple is at the top. Near the temple stands the Uttar Pradesh Government observatory and the Satellite Tracking Center.

Naina Devi Temple - The attractive lake of Nainital is said to be the eyes of Sati, wife of Lord Shiva. Sati jumped into the sacrificial bonfire. Lord Shiva to mourn the death of his beloved wife carried the body across the country. The remains of her body fell at various places which today are sacred worship places for the Hindus.

St. John's Church - This church was built in 1847. A brass memorial is kept in memory of the persons who were buried in the infamous landslide.

Horse riding - Any visitor coming to Nainital cannot miss the joy of riding a horse on the Mall. Not only at the Mall but to reach the Snow View Point, Tiffin Top, Kilburi from the Mallital area one can hire ponies and horses.

Nearby Excursions

Bhimtal - 23 km from Nainital, this is the place for a quiet holiday. It has lovely dappled paths, ravines festooned with dog rose and wild raspberry, farm houses set among terraced fields and citrus trees hung with fruits. The lake offers scope for boating and in the middle of the lake, there is an intriguing looking island with a restaurant.

Mukteshwar - 45 kms from Nainital, at 8000 ft, this is an idyllic sojourn in the lap of the mountains and rolling meadows. Surrounded by fruit orchards and thick coniferous forest it provides a majestic view of the Himalayas. It is popular for the century old Shiva Temple, Chauthijalli rock formations, Angora wool sheep farm, rejuvenating forest walks and enchanting sunsets.

Sat Tal - Originally a cluster of seven lakes, now reduced to five (since two have dried up), Sat Tal (21 km from Nainital) has all it takes to veil the place in a kind of mystique—densely wooded hills, roads that glide under a canopy of gossamer green oak trees, pines and dark brooding firs, little creeks along the shores of the lakes and boat rides on the placid waters.

Naukutchia Tal - 4 km from Nainital, it is the deepest and by far the most picturesque lake in the Kumaon region and derives its name from the nine corners which came together to form it. It is a tranquil, pleasant expanse of water, reflected green by the low, wooded hills cradling it and surrounded by 70 acres of predominantly oak forests which, after the monsoons, show the innumerable hues of the Himalayan forest.

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