Nainital, Bhimtal, Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Kausani, Almora (Kumaon Region)

Nainital (Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand)

In this write up, I am going to share an itinerary which started from one famous destination - Nainital but got extended and we ended up covering most of the Kumaon Region. 

Places covered: 

• Bhimtal
• Nainital
• Mukteshwar
• Ranikhet 
• Kausani
• Almora

I will share the things to do at each of these destinations. 

• Bhimtal - Boating at lake with Aquarium
• Naukuchiya tal (5 kms from Bhimtal), Kamal Tal, other activities include zip lining, horse riding, boating with Shikara Boat 
• Nainital - Naini Lake, Mall Road, Naina Devi Mandir, Zoo, Snow Viewpoint, Cave Gardens, Lovers Point
• Mukteshwar - Mukteshwar Dham, Chauli Ki Jali, Zero Point
• Ranikhet - Jhula Devi Temple, Golf Course ground
• Kausani - Gandhi Ashram 
• Almora - Mall Road, Temples

On the way from Kausani to Almora, places to be covered are Bijapur, Bageshwar, Binsar Wildlife Centry, Kasar Devi Temple.

On the way from Almora to Delhi, Kainchi Dham can be visited. 

I have seen such pictures for marketing promotions of Thailand, especially Phuket. I was surprised to see that we have so many places in India which are even more beautiful and mesmerizing than any destination abroad but these are less explored or less promoted. 

These pictures are of Naini Lake. The lake is at least 2 kms in length and we could capture the lake with clarity on the day we arrived as it was late evening. 

Khurpatal Viewpoint and Pines Viewpoint

On the way to Nainital, we could see Khurpatal Viewpoint and Pines Viewpoint. Both these points are less than 20 kms before Nainital. 

There was Mansa Devi Mandir, very close to Khurpatal and we could do the darshan while on the way. It was a nice place as on one side we could see Khurpatal lake and on the other is this temple which is make don the road side. 

The first place we reached was Bhimtal and the lake looked beautiful. 

We did evening boating in Bhimtal lake. However, the aquarium was closed since it was post 7:00 pm. There are other activities like water cycling, zorbing, paddle boating, row boating, and kayaking which can be enjoyed in the Bhimtal lake. 

We started our Journey with Bhimtal and after spending a day in Bhimtal and covered Naukuchiyatal. 

Naukuchiyal tal is a beautiful lake, just 5 kms away from Bhimtal. It is known for adventure sports and paragliding can be done from here. It is said that it is a good place for beginners to try paragliding.  

Just before reaching Naukuchiya tal, there is a tall Hanuman Statue. There is also a temple with Vaishno Devi Tunnel. 

The status was huge and beautifully built. There is also a selfie-point and we can take great pictures of this beautiful temple. 

Kamal Tal

This was a beautiful lake filled with Lotus flowers. I have never seen so many lotus and of this big a size. It was a delight to the eyes. I recommend not to miss this place, which is just before the Naukuchiya tal. 

There is a way to get down to the Kamal tal and it is worth going near to this lake. We also spent a couple of minutes, standing next to the tal and amazed by the size of the lotus. 

After having some nice time spent in Naukuchiya tal, we proceeded to our main destination - Nainital. 

I also got mesmerized on the sight of the lake on the day we arrived and decided to give some pose in front of the lake.  

Night view of the beautiful Naini Lake 

Mahatma Gandhi Status at one end of the Naini Lake

The monsoons arrived as we were there and we could capture some beautiful views of the lake. 

Snow View Point

This is a popular point in Nainital which has lot of activities for the kids. It can be reached by cable car as well as by vehicle. There are places like Dianosour Park, 360 Tower view, Himalaya view point, Snow view Point, and other activities to keep the kids excited and engaged. 

Tower 360 - This can give 360 degree view of the entire Nainital and surrounding areas. It rotates once it reaches the top. Charges are Rs 300 per person. 

Dinosour Park - Ticket is included in case one comes to snow point using the cable car. We went using our own cab and hence it had to be purchased separately.  

Some awesome views can be seen from this point. 

Lovers' Point

This is another point in Nainital which the cab operators would try to cover. However, this can be skipped in case of less time. The place has a view of the mountains and is named as a point. Just opposite to this point, there is a horse point where one can ride horses and go uphill which can take around 2 -3 hours, in case you are interested in doing horse riding. 

Cave Gardens 

The place is interesting especially from the point of view of kids. This is a speaking tree / rock. It welcomes the guests and moves his hands and mouth. 

We went inside the tiger cave. There are 5 caves in total which are natural and not man-made. It is interesting to see the natural habitat of these animals and birds. 

Panther cave is scarier than the tiger cave. We decided to avoid it. We also did not try other caves such as Bat cave as those required more efforts to pass through. 

Nainital Zoo

The zoo is at an altitude and one has to do a lot of walking as it is located uphill. There are various species of both birds and animals. Tiger, Lepord, Beer, and Panda are the highlights of the zoo. 

As we walking on the Mall Road in Nainital, there are different statues at different ends of the mall road. The mall road can also be covered by e-rickshaw by paying a fee of Rs 10 which drops you from Tallital to Mallital or vice-versa. If you wish to go by car, there are charges of Rs 130 for a day for driving on the mall road. The road is closed for private vehicles from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 

Naina Devi Temple 

Just before reaching Nainital, we could see the Nainital Cantonment. It was very clean and maintained nicely. It was a pleasure to drive through it as we reached Nainital. 

Beautiful leaf lying on the Mall road. I had seen such leaves in the bollywood movie "Mohobatien". Here at mall road, Nainital such leaves could be found in abundance. 

Gurudwara (next to Naina Devi Temple)

We tried some cafes in Nainital and they were nice. Two of them were Brittney's and Lake Side Inn. Food was good at most of the places that we had in Nainital. 

View from Brittney's cafe of the Naini Lake. 

Mouth-watering starters @ Britney's Cafe at the Mall Road

Our next recommendation is Cafe @ Lakeside Inn, The Mall, Nainital 

This place offers delicious food. We tried both Italian as well as north Indian, and both were amazing. We later on came to know that they offer rooms as well with lake view. I am sure that during our next visit, we would try to stay with them. 

Our next destination was Mukteshwar. 

Mukteshwar 

The place is known for its views. It is away from maddening crowd and gives peaceful atmosphere. There is Mukteshwar Dham (Shiv Temple) and Chauli ki Jali which can be visited. It is believed that Lord Shiva has killed a demon, thats why the name Mukteshwar. The Chauli ki Jali has great significance especially for the local ladies staying in the village as they consider it auspecious to pass through that stone especially on the day of "Shiv Ratri". 

Chauli Ki Jali 

Mukteshwar Dham (Mahadev Temple) 

We spent two days in Mukteshwar. Our next destination was Kausani. 

On the way to Mukteshwar to Kausani, we decided to some time at Ranikhet. 

We visited Jhoola Devi Mandir, Ram Darbar, and Chaubatiya Garden in Ranikhet. 

There is a beautiful Ram Darbar Temple, just opposite to Jhula Devi temple which requires a climb of around 100 stairs. 

We also did boating and zip lining at the small but cute Rani Jheel. 

Kausani

Next on the itinerary was Kausani. We visited Anasakti Ashram, which offered great views of the Himalayas. 

Mahatma Gandi has spent time here in this Ashram. His pictures have been kept here, right from his student days till the Independence movement. 

This was the highest point in Kausani. Sunrise and Sunset views could be experienced from here. Also, the entire Himalayan range could be clearly seen from Kausani. 

Kasar Devi Temple 

The compound has positive energy and is believed to have positive energy. This temple is a part of three temples across the globe, the only one to be in India. It has Shiva Temple on top, Vivekanand Medication cave where Vivekananda had attained spiritually and worked for the welfare of mankind, and the temple of Maa Kasar Devi.  

Vivekanand Meditation Cave 

Shiva Temple 

The place offers great views and is famous for sunset. The place is around 100 steps from the top. 

Binsar Wildlife Santury - On the way from Bageshawar to Almora, we came across Binsar Wildlife Sanctury. It can be visited anytime from sunrise to 5 pm in the evening. 

The next place was Bagnath Temple, Bageshwar

Just next to the temple is the sangam of two rivers. 

Lord Shiva Statue @ Bageshwar

This place is a confluence of two rivers - Gomati and Saryu.  

Bageshwar 

Baijnath Temple 

Boating at lake next to Baijnath Temple 

The temple has special significance as it is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati came over to spend a night at this place and the temple premise was constructed overnight. No one ever saw the people who constructed the temple as they could never be spotted again. 

Kausani Tea Estates

The tea estates can be visited by paying a nominal fee of Rs 25. Tea factory and tea gardens can be visited. Variety of tea is available for tasting as well as purchase. 

Kainchi Dham is another religious place which came on the way. There was huge traffic jam which started 5 kms even before the Dham. It is believed that Apple CEO visited this place before he became rich and since then anybody who wants to be successful tries to visit this place. 

Our next destination was Almora. We visited the famous Kheem Singh Mohan Singh Shop for the famous Bal Mithai. 

The famous sweet shop in Almora located right at Mall Road. 

Sunset reflection coming the clouds - captured in Almora in the first frame, while the other one is on the way driving back home. 

The trip was memorable. All I can say is that "I love Nainital". It is a must visit place for anyone who has not yet visited it. 

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or need any suggestions for planning your trip, please feel free to reach me at amitbansal71812@gmail.com. This is my passion and we do not charge anything for any plans. I would be glad if I could make your trip memorable.