Things to do
Kainchi Dham
Kainchi Dham

Spiritual haven, Neem Karoli Baba, devotion, peaceful vibes.

Bhimtal Lake
Bhimtal Lake

It’s the 2nd largest lake by surface area in Uttarakhand.

Sattal Lake
Sattal Lake

Pristine waters, seven interconnected lakes, lush forests, peaceful retreat.

Naukuchiatal
Naukuchiatal

Nine-cornered lake, lush surroundings, paragliding, boating.

Nainital Lake
Nainital Lake

Tranquil waters, scenic beauty, boating, surrounded by hills.

Mukhteshwar
Mukhteshwar

The serene hill town, shiv temple, adventure, peaceful retreat.

Travel Tips to Nainital
directions_car By Car

From Delhi: Scenic drive via NH9 and NH109. Approximately 300 km (5-6 hours).

From Lucknow: Picturesque route via NH27 and NH109. Approximately 400 km (8-8.5 hours).

From Agra: Drive via Yamuna Expressway, NH9, and NH109. Approximately 365 km (8.5 hours).

train By Train

From Delhi: Comfortable train journey to Kathgodam Railway Station (6-7 hours), followed by a scenic 1-1.5 hour drive to Nainital.

From Lucknow: Direct train to Kathgodam (6-7 hours), then a short drive to Nainital.

From Agra: Train to Kathgodam via Bareilly (8-9 hours), followed by road journey.

flight By Flight

Pantnagar Airport: Nearest airport (70 km away) with connecting flights from Delhi. Approx. 2 hours by road.

Bareilly Airport: Alternative airport (140 km away) with limited flights. Approx. 3-3.5 hours by road.

International Option: Fly to New Delhi International Airport (310 km away) and combine with train or road journey (6-7 hours).

Travel Tips & Additional Information
  • Kathgodam Railway Station: Taxis and shared cabs readily available. Pre-book during peak season.
  • Pantnagar Airport: Pre-paid taxi services available. Consider booking in advance.
  • Road Conditions: Mountain roads can be winding. Motion sickness medication recommended for sensitive travelers.
  • Best Time to Visit: March-June (pleasant weather) and September-November (post-monsoon clarity).
  • Winter Travel: December-February can be chilly (0-10°C) with possible road closures due to snow.
  • Monsoon: July-August brings heavy rains which may cause landslides - check weather alerts.
Top Tourist Places in Nainital
  • Naini Lake - The heart of Nainital
  • Nainital Zoo - High altitude zoo
  • Aerial Ropeway - Panoramic views
  • Naina Devi Temple - Sacred lakeside temple
  • The Mall Road - Shopping & dining hub
  • Tiffin Top - Spectacular viewpoint
  • Eco Cave Gardens - Natural rock caves
  • Raj Bhawan - Governor's house
  • Snow View Point - Himalayan vistas
  • Naina Peak - Highest point in Nainital
  • Sattal - Cluster of seven lakes
  • Pashan Devi Temple - Ancient shrine
  • Hanuman Garhi - Sunset viewpoint
  • Gurney House - Jim Corbett's former home
  • Guano Hills - Peaceful nature walks
  • Bhimtal - Picturesque nearby lake
  • Mukteshwar Temple - 350° views
  • Kainchi Dham - Spiritual retreat
  • Lands End - Dramatic cliff views
  • Sattal Christian Ashram - Serene retreat
  • Khurpatal Lake - Fishing paradise
  • Sariyatal - Tranquil lake
  • Naina Devi Bird Reserve - Birdwatching
  • Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary - Rich biodiversity
  • Bhotia Market - Local handicrafts
  • St. John's Church - Historic architecture
  • Pangot - Bird sanctuary village
  • Himalayan Center - Spiritual ashram
  • ARIES Observatory - Stargazing
Sightseeing places to visit in Nainital

Lush greenery, shimmering waters, die-to-fall scenery and majestic mountains along with a peaceful atmosphere creates a picture of a mind-blowing vacation. A tour to Nainital offers the best travel experience in the state of Uttarakhand.
Perched at a height of nearly 2000 meters, Nainital is blessed with a refreshing setting and untouched nature, which is perfect for people to enjoy a short or a long city break away from the hectic work life.
It is a place where you can enjoy a comfortable stay in the foothills of Himalayas. It is a place that leaves you speechless with a unique and different experience time and time again. It is a place that makes you forget everything about the temporal world for some time!
An ideal destination for holidaymakers of all ages, the City of Lakes draws thousands of visitors every year and has become a go-to place to beat the heat of warmer areas. From religious temples to ancient museums, historical sites, majestic gardens, world-class restaurants, vibrant clubs and shops, here you will get everything under one roof. All-in-all, the city never lets you get bored with so many exciting things to see during the day and in the evening.
Whether you are travelling alone just for a day or have come with your family for a weekend getaway, the hill station will pamper you with modern amenities, especially with Nainital Darshan Packages offered by Nainital Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA. Nainital Darshan - Top Sightseeing places in Nainital to Visit Here is a list of top sightseeing places to visit in Nainital covered as part of your Nainital Darshan Tour Package by private car:

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Tiffin Top

One of the most visited sightseeing places in Nainital, the Tiffin Top is a famous vantage point that boasts of an excellent hilltop location along with a rich variety of flora and fauna species.
Built by a British Army Officer J.P Kellet, the viewpoint is no less than a paradise for photographers and has a 360-degree view of the hill station to offer. The serene environment and the dense forests covered with Oak and Deodar trees are quite hard to miss and the adventure activities such as rock climbing and rappelling make it irresistible for experience seekers. It is just 5 km away from Tallital Bus Stand and is open for 24 hours a day. However, the recommended exploration time is 2 hours, starting from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm in the evening.

Nainital Lake

Nestled amidst the heart of the city centre, the Nainital Lake (Naini Lake) is a crescent shaped lake that is known for its magnificent beauty and glittering waters. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, lush greenery and a relaxing atmosphere, the lake offers wonderful scenery for couples to spend some quality time away from the overcrowded areas.
It is a perfect spot for visitors to hang-out in the evening and to enjoy the awesome boating experience under the Kumaon Sky. Here you can also indulge in a photography session, with the picturesque lake at the backdrop. The lake is open from 6 am to 6 pm every day.

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Naina Devi Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi, Naina Devi Temple is another tourist attraction that captures your interest during your Nainital Darshan. Situated on the banks of the Naini Lake, the temple belongs to the Hindu community of India and has a presiding idol, who is believed to be a reflection of Maa Sati.
Constructed by Moti Ram Shah in 1842, Naina Devi Temple is a symbol of strength, unity and compassion. However, it got destroyed in 1880 due to landsliding. Later, the temple took nearly 3 years for its renovation to be completed.
Tourists from all around the world flock to this place to celebrate Navratri and Nanda Ashtami. During this time, an 8-day long festival is held within the premises of the temple. There is no entry fee to visit Naina Devi Temple in Nainital and it is open from 6 am to 10 pm throughout the week.

Snow View Point

All those who wish to witness the natural beauty at its best can visit the Snow View Point in Nainital. Located at a distance of just 2 km from Nainital Lake, the Snow View Point lets you treat your eyes with enchanting views.
Walk hand-in-hand with your loved ones and admire the beautiful landscapes at some distant. Try your hand at shooting, trekking or go-karting activities in your free time. Satisfy your appetite with some delicacies at your favourite eatery. Roam around the gift shops to bring some souvenirs back home. There is also an amusement park for the enjoyment of families with children. It is open for all days between 10:30 am and 5:00 pm except Saturdays.

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High Altitude Zoo

While embarking on your journey through our Nainital Darshan Packages, you can’t afford to skip the High-Altitude Zoo. Established in the year 1984, the zoo covers an area of 4.693 hectares and is the first zoological park in the Uttarakhand region.
Home to a wide variety of animals and birds, the High Altitude Zoo hosts various programs and events to spread the lessons about wildlife conversation. Other than that, quiz, painting and debate competitions are also organized by The Bharat Ratna Zoo Management Society for kids to have a great time on their Nainital tour. It welcomes its tourists from 10 am to 4:30 pm on all days of the week except on Mondays.

Thandi Sadak

Thandi Sadak, as the name suggests, is a cold pedestal road that retains the old-world charm of Britishers in the form of buildings and lodges. It is a delightful experience for people who love walking and is also ideal for spending some time away from the chaos of everyday life.
The serene and scenic beauty lets you breathe the fresh air, whereas the tranquil setting gives you an authentic feeling of a local. Along with these, the chirping of the birds makes it a perfect place for tourists to visit it at least once in a lifetime. It is only 1.8 km from Tallital Bus Stand and has Simz Café where you can fulfil your appetite with lip-smacking snacks.

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Mall Road

Shop till you drop when you are on Nainital tour! With a mix of old and new tradition, the shopping experience on the Mall Road is sure to leave you spellbound.
From plenty of vendors selling everything from cute woollen clothes to pullovers, shawls, jackets and artificial jewellery, you’ll get everything that you need to complement your wardrobe with the latest fashion products. The Mall Road is also known for its variety of aromatic candles, cane sticks, wooden artefacts and other handmade items. It is open for 24 hours a day on all days of the week.




Kainchi Dham, a spiritual retreat in Uttarakhand, India, was established by the revered Hindu saint Neem Karoli Baba in 1964. It's named after the two sharp hairpin bends ("kainchi" in Hindi) on the road leading to the ashram, resembling scissors. The ashram, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, has become a popular pilgrimage site, attracting devotees worldwide, including famous figures like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.

1962

Neem Karoli Baba visited the Kainchi area and decided to establish an ashram.


1964

The ashram was officially established, with the construction of a Hanuman temple and an ashram for devotees.


Spiritual Significance

Neem Karoli Baba, known for his teachings on love, compassion, and service, drew many followers to Kainchi Dham.


Popularity

Over the years, Kainchi Dham gained international recognition, particularly after visits from Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, who spoke about the ashram's positive influence on their lives.


Annual Bhandara

A large Bhandara (community feast) is held on June 15th each year to commemorate the establishment of the temple and the consecration of Neem Karoli Baba's murti (idol).


Spiritual Energy

Kainchi Dham is known for its serene environment and the belief that it is imbued with a special spiritual energy.