Nainital, Kumaon · Uttarakhand
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal
Two quieter Kumaon lakes 20 minutes below Nainital, with paragliding and lakeside cottages.
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal is an easy hill destination in Nainital, Kumaon, Uttarakhand, reaching 1,400 m. The best time to go is March to June and September to November. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Kathgodam and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal
The one thing not to miss
Boating on Naukuchiatal
The quieter, nine-cornered lake a few kilometres beyond Bhimtal.
- 2Bhimtal lakeRow out to the small island in the middle.
- 3SattalA cluster of lakes in oak forest nearby; one of the best birding spots in Kumaon.
- 4Paragliding at NaukuchiatalTandem flights with local operators, weather permitting.
- 5Bhimeshwar Mahadev templeBy the dam at the end of Bhimtal lake.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Kathgodam to Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal
About 45 minutes to 1 hour on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Boating on Naukuchiatal · Bhimtal lake · Sattal
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal to Kathgodam
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Nainital's scenery without Nainital's crowds, and cheaper stays.
Why not
Less to do in town; you'll want a vehicle.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Boating only with life jackets; the lakes are deep.
- Phone & internet
- Good.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District disaster control room, Nainital, Nainital; Police, Nainital district (SSP office), Nainital; B.D. Pandey District Hospital, Nainital.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
4 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
4 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereGood.
For what you're going for
1 item
- Extension board with surge protection Few sockets per room, and voltage dips are common in the hills.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
Links to shops are affiliate links: if you buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The shop handles payment, delivery and returns.
Share this place
Homestays in Uttarakhand
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Delhi
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Drive time
- 7–8 hours
- Delhi
- Hapur
- Moradabad
- Rampur
- Rudrapur
- Haldwani
- Kathgodam
- Bhimtal
From
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 21 km
- Drive time
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Kathgodam
- Ranibagh
- Bhimtal
Naukuchiatal is 4–5 km beyond Bhimtal.
Live directions from KathgodamFrom
Nainital
- Distance
- about 22 km
- Drive time
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Nainital
- Bhowali
- Bhimtal
Buses and shared taxis. Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
The best months for Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal are March to June and September to November. December to February and July and August are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,370 m and reaching 1,400 m.
How many days do you need for Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹7,500 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam.
How do you reach Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
By road: from Delhi it is about 300 km, 7–8 hours (Delhi → Hapur → Moradabad → Rampur → Rudrapur → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Bhimtal); from Kathgodam it is about 21 km, 45 minutes to 1 hour (Kathgodam → Ranibagh → Bhimtal); from Nainital it is about 22 km, 45 minutes to 1 hour (Nainital → Bhowali → Bhimtal). Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is moderately busy in season. Boating only with life jackets; the lakes are deep.
What should you pack for Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, 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. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
Good.
Who should not go to Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal?
Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Less to do in town; you'll want a vehicle.
Close to Bhimtal & Naukuchiatal
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Nainitalabout 10 km
- Mukteshwarabout 16 km
- Almoraabout 30 km
- Ranikhetabout 34 km