Discovering Nainital – A Gateway to Lakeside Bliss
This January, we visited Nainital – A Scenic town of Lakes in the Himalayan Range. We had decided earlier to visit a place that would be cool enough compared with the regular heat of the metro cities in India. Nainital is a famous place shown in many movies as the perfect romantic township with exceptional landscapes. Nainital is a place with Majestic peaks with their snow-capped vertex sparkling in the sunlight. The multiple Lakes, always shining, dot the landscape, reflecting the nearby greenery and the azure sky above. It is a haven of natural splendor within the heart of the mighty Himalayan range.
We started our journey from Kathgodam and hired a cab to reach Nainital(in the mountains). The environment was cold and breezy. We reached Nainital in an hour. We booked a classic hotel in Nainital and got ready instantly to go sightseeing and other activities. We rented a bike (Royal Enfield) first to cover the entire trip to Nainital with ease and convenience.
The sight of the beautiful and naturally attractive emerald-green Naini Lake, framed by surrounding hills, is absolutely captivating. The lake’s reflection of the nearby peaks and old-fashioned colonial buildings creates a peaceful, silent atmosphere that activates the tone for the entire visit. The Town has a charming architecture that consists of old British-style bungalows and churches.
We moved forward towards Mall Road, the main promenade along the lake. This lively street has a large number of shops, cafes, and eateries offering local delicacies, clothes, other special garments and handicrafts. Boating on Naini Lake is a must, it gives many picturesque scenes of Nainital.
Boating experience in this peaceful lake is like no other. Here with the reflection of the nearby hills creating a picturesque setting. We took many photos to display the awesomeness of the cold weather.
Next, we headed to experience the aerial ropeway to reach the famous Snow View Point. The cable car ride is thrilling and offers superb 360 degree views of Nainital and the nearby mountains. We saw some stunning vistas of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas when we reached the top. At the local stall, we were sipping some hot tea and feeling the cold winds in the majestic scenery.
On the next day, we headed towards exploring Tiffin Top, which is famously called Dorothy’s Seat. We went for a hike in the fresh mountain cold air. The classic view from Tiffin Top is unbelievable, providing a 360-degree panoramic view of the Town as well as the surrounding countryside. The place was fully filled with people, and it was an ideal picnic spot.
During the mid-day, we tried to visit Land’s End, a cliff that gives a perfect view of Khurpa Tal Lake below. We spent some quiet moments in the woods here.
Our next visit was to a spiritual place – The Naina Devi Temple, which is located at the northern end of Naini Lake. The temple is dedicated to the local goddess Naina Devi. The temple is also a famous and prominent Hindu pilgrimage center. It is famous for fulfilling all the wishes of a person. The place is calm and serene. We were so spiritually engraved in that area that we sat there to meditate for at least an hour, and the positive vibes were astounding.
Next day we thought we should experience a thrilling experience therefore we went for a day trip to the nearby lakes of Sattal and Bhimtal. Sattal, is a famous place for birdwatchers and nature lovers and is known for its seven interconnected lakes. We had a long walk around the lakes, where we saw different kinds of bird species and were drenched in the calm surroundings.
We visited this amazingly large and beautiful Bhimtal lake. The lake is bigger than Naini Lake and also has an island in the center. We took a boat ride to the island and explored the small aquarium there.
We were focused to travel to an offbeat place in Nainital therefore we went to a secluded viewpoint known as Pangot, a small lovely village situated about 15 kilometers from Nainital. The route goes through the forests that consist of dense trees and curvy roads. Pangot is famous for its opulent birdlife and pure natural beauty, yet it remains mostly unexplored by a large number of tourists. As a result the place is natural and peaceful.
Our journey to Pangot was a striking drive through the cold and breezy mountain roads, showing breathtaking views of the nearby valleys as well as peaks. At our arrival, we were greeted by the tempting aura of our village, which was least crowded with tourists and the general bustles of the Mall road or other areas of Nainital.
