Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural spledour and varied natural resources . Dotted with lakes , Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India . The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills . Nainital has a varied topography . Some of the important places in the district are Nainital , Haldwani , Kaladhungi , Ramnagar , Bhowali , Ramgarh , Mukteshwar , Bhimtal , Sattal and Naukuchiatal . Nainital’s unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother nature.
Most of the lakes in the region have disappeared and whatever remains is just a glimpse of what they might have been in the past. Today the life of Nainital revolves around the lake of Naini. But there are few other lakes around Nainital which are equally beautiful and attractive as the Naini lake.
Climate
Nainital is located in the Kumaon hills and the weather is very pleasant throughout the year except during winter months. The temperature is not very high at any time but in winters it becomes very cold. The climate of Nainital is regulated by the lake here which showers rain almost every afternoon. The best time visit the place is between April to June and then again in September October. The months of January to March are marked by the snowfall which is for a very short time. It is advisable that contact any local person before going to Nainital to watch snowfall.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit any hill resort in India is certainly the summer months from March to June. The months of September and October are also pleasant to be visited. Though the monsoon season in between from end of June to August should be avoided.
How to Reach Nainital
Air:
Pantnagar 70 Kms from Nainital is the nearest air port . Jagson Airlines operates flights in between Pantnagar & Delhi . These flights are available daily except on Sunday. Flight duration is approximately 1 Hr. & 15 Mins.
Railways
Kathgodam 35 Kms. away is the last terminus of broad gauze line of North East Railways connecting Nainital with Delhi,Dehradun & Howarah .
Ranikhet express departs from Old Delhi railway station at 10:45 PM daily , it reaches Kathgodam at 6:05 AM . Extra coaches for Ramnagar are attached with this train , arriving Ramnagar at 5:00 A.M. .Uttaranchal Sampark Kranti Express is also running between Kathgodam & Delhi, it start from Kathgodam at 8:50 AM in the morning and reaches Delhi at 3:20 PM and on the same day return from Delhi at 4:00 PM and reaches Kathgodam at 10:45 PM.
Bagh Express connects Kathgodam directly to Howarah via Lucknow. Lalkua Junction 56 Kms. from Nainital is another terminal point of meter gauze line of North East Railways . Nainital Express connects Lalkua with Lucknow while Kumaun Express connects Lalkua with Mathura via Bareilly. Ramnagar 65 Kms away acts as an alternative outlet for Delhi & Lucknow. Train No. 4319 / 4320 runs daily in between Kathgodam and Dehradun via Moradabad.
Tourist coming by rail mode can take Taxi or Buses from Kathgodam or Haldwani . Taxis are available on shared seat basis at Haldwani Taxi stand & as well as at Kathgodam , Haldwani & Lalkua railway stations. While most of the buses starts from Haldwani roadways bus stand.
Computerized railway reservation counter is situated near Bus Stand at Nainital . This facility is also available at Kathgodam, Haldwani & Lalkua railway stations .
Road
Nainital is connected to National Highway No. 87. Regular roadways buses run from Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lucknow, Kanpur & Bareilly daily . Beside this luxury coaches are available from Delhi for this place .
Weather
The winter starts at Nainital in late October which extends upto late March, of which December & January are extreme cold during which snow fall may also occur. April to Mid June & the month of October is the most pleasant time at Nainital. It rains very heavily from late June to September.
Clothing
Heavy woollens in winter and light woollens in summer. Raincoat & Umbrella are must during rainy season.
Near By Places:
Ghorakhal : Famous for the temple of Lord Golu worshipped by hill people and sainik school this place is at a distance of 3 Kms from Bhowali.
Bhimtal : It is about 22 Kms. from Nainital and 11 Kms. from Bhowali at an altitude of 1370 mts. The pride of Bhimtal is a beautiful lake which offers magnificent vistas for tourists. The lake is larger than Naini lake. Tourist enjoys here boating in lake. There is an island amid lake a restaurant is located atop it. Tourist visit here by boats. The distance of island from lake shore is 91 mts.There is a 17th century Bhimeshwar temple complex along the 40 feet high dam . The local bus stand and taxi stand is situated near it. One road from Bhimtal leaves for Naukuchiatal while the another one goes to Kathgodam 21 Kms from here.
Naukuchia Tal : It is 26 Kms from Nainital and 4 Kms from Bhimtal at 1220 mts above sea level.A pretty deep clean lake with its nine corner is a captivating site.Length of lake is 983 mts. ,breadth is 693 mts & depth 40.3 mts.It is within an enchanting valley offering an opportunity of angling and bird watching.There is ample scope for rowing ,paddling or yachting.
Kainchi Dham : On the Nainital - Almora Road , 9 Km from Bhowali and 17 Kms from Nainital is a modern pilgrim centre. This place has achieved recognition owing to the ashram of the famous Neem Karoli Maharaj. Kaichi is a term used for two sharp hairpin bends of the motor road in local dialect hence the name. It has no relation with scissors.
