PLACES TO SEE NEAR NAINTAL

Nainital excursions consist of some of the finest places near the city. Excursions around Nainital, Uttarakhand are a must see for those visiting the city. Some of the famous places to visit around Nainital are:

Bhowali
Bhowali is situated at an altitude of 1,706 metres above sea level and is 11 kms. from Nainital. This place is very famous for the panoramic view that it provides. It is also famous as a hill fruit mart. It was established back in the year 1912.

Ghorakhal
Ghorakhal is a place that is famous for the temple of Lord Golu that is located here. Lord Golu is worshipped by the local people. There is also a Sainik School situated here.

Sat Tal
Sat tal is located at a distance of about 23 kms. from Nainital, and at an altitude of 1,370 metres above sea level. It is a very beautiful place which has seven lakes which are set in the oak forests. All these lakes are situated at an altitude of 1,370 metres. In Hindi, the word Sattal means seven lakes. This is one of the few places which is still unspoilt and unpolluted.
Every year, lots of migratory birds make their way to Sattal because of its fresh water lakes. The seven lakes that make Sattal are the following:
Panna or Garud Tal
Nal-Damyanti Tal
Purna Tal
Sita Tal
Ram Tal
Laxman Tal
Sukha Tal or Khurdariya Tal

Bhimtal
Bhimtal is situated at an altitude of 1,370 metres above sea level and is 22 kms. from the city of Nainital. The prime attraction of Bhimtal is the Bhimtal Lake which has a beautiful island at the centre. Apart from being a main tourist destination, it is also the mini district Headquarters since
most of the offices of the district administration has been shifted here. Bhimtal is named after Bhima of Mahabharata.

Naukuchia Tal
Naukuchia Tal is located about 26 kms. from Nainital and 4 kms from Bhimtal, at an altitude of 1,220 metres above sea level. The Naukuchia Tal Lake is a beautiful lake that is 983 metres long and 693 metres broad. There is provision for rowing, padding and yachting at the lake as well.

Kainchi Dham
Kainchi Dham is located at the Nainital - Almora road, about 9 kms. from Bhowali and 17 kms. from Nainital. It is a pilgrimage centre which has achieved huge recognition for the ashram of famous Neem Karoli Maharaj. Kainchi Dham is named because of the two sharp hairpin bends of the road. Kainchi is a local term of Uttarakhand..

Mukteshwar
Another very important excursion around Nainital is Mukteshwar. Situated at an altitude of 2,286 metres, it is in the Kumaon hills. As with most of the other places of Uttarakhand, Mukteshwar provides a beautiful view with the Himalayan ranges surrounding it. From here, one can view the second highest peak of India, Nanda Devi. A renewable park which is developed by The Energy and Research Institure (TERI) is also a prime attraction of Mukteshwar. This park uses solar energy for its electricity needs.

Ranikhet
Located about 60 kms. from Nainital, Ranikhet is a very beautiful hill station. According to mythology, Ranikhet had won the heart of Rani Padmini, who was the Queen of Raja Sudhardev. Since the Queen chose Ranikhet as her place for her abode, this place came to be known Ranikhet ever since. Ranikhet, in Hindi means 'Queen's Field'. The climate is pleasant with mild summers and chilled winter. This is among the few unexplored destinations offering serene environment, traffic-less streets, and hospitable people.

Kausani
Kausani is another excursion spot that is located not too far from Nainital. It is situated in some thick pine forests, on top of a narrow ridge. Mahatma Gandhi spent 12 days in the year 1929, in Kausani and he penned his experience on the Geeta Anashakti Yoga. It is an ideal spot for those looking to get away from the usual hustle-bustle of the city.

Almora The hill station of Almora, located in the Kumaon hills, has fascinated travellers from all over the world. It is among the very few hill stations not developed by the English. Geographically, Almora is surrounded by Pithoragarh in the east, Garhwal in the west, Bageshwarin in the north and Nainital in the south. Placed over a picturesque horseshoe-shaped ridge, some of the major attractions of Almora are G. B. Pant Museum, Kasar Devi Temple, Chitai Temple and Udyotchandesvar Temple (also Nanda Devi Temple).

Corbett National Park Set up in 1936, the Corbett National Park is India’s first national park. Situated on the foothills of western Himalayas, the park has grown including the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of its 1,319 sq. km of reserved area. The park is situated mainly along the valley of the Ramganga River. The river swarms with gharial, mugger, mahseer and flocks of cormorants. Apart from tigers (90 in number in 1984), leopards, jungle cats, fishing cats, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, jackal, yellow-throated marten, dhole, Himalayan palm civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine, and black-naped hare are found all over the park. Elephants can be seen in the park.