Circuit · Uttarakhand
Kumaon lakes
Nainital, Bhimtal and Mukteshwar — easy, family-friendly lake and orchard country.
- Places
- 3
- Altitude
- 1,370–2,615 m
- Fly / train to
- Kathgodam
- Daily spend
- about ₹2,800
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Best for most places here: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov. Each place here needs 3–4 days on the ground; places in one circuit share travel days, so pair two or three.
Places in this circuit
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal
Two quieter Kumaon lakes 20 minutes below Nainital, with paragliding and lakeside cottages.
Mukteshwar
A quiet ridge town with a 350-year-old Shiva temple and a clean sweep of the Kumaon Himalaya.
Nainital
The classic Kumaon lake town — Naini Lake, the Mall Road, Snow View and Naina Peak.
What to pack for Kumaon lakes
Everything the places in this circuit call for, most widely needed first. Each place's page has its full list with reasons.
- Fleece or light sweater
- Compact umbrella
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Day pack, 20–30 litres
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total
- Sunscreen, SPF 50
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets
- Insect repellent
- Power bank
- Extension board with surge protection
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom)
- Down or padded jacket
- Woollen cap that covers the ears
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs
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Where to stay
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Pickups & drivers
Kumaon lakes: questions people ask
Which places are in the Kumaon lakes circuit?
The Kumaon lakes circuit in Uttarakhand covers Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal, Mukteshwar and Nainital. They share a gateway, so two or three are usually combined in one trip.
What is the best time to visit Kumaon lakes?
March to June and September to November suit most places in Kumaon lakes. Individual places differ, so check each one.
How do you reach Kumaon lakes?
Travel to Kathgodam, then continue by road.
How much does a Kumaon lakes trip cost per day?
About ₹2,800 per person per day on the ground for a mid-range trip, averaged across the places in this circuit.
Which is the easiest place in Kumaon lakes, and which is the highest?
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal is the easiest (easy). Nainital is the highest at 2,615 m.