Nainital, Kumaon · Uttarakhand
Nainital
The classic Kumaon lake town — Naini Lake, the Mall Road, Snow View and Naina Peak.
Nainital is an easy hill destination in Nainital, Kumaon, Uttarakhand, reaching 2,615 m. The best time to go is March to June and September to November. Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground from Kathgodam and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Nainital
The one thing not to miss
Boating on Naini Lake
Early morning, before the Mall Road fills up.
- 2Snow ViewBy ropeway or on foot, for the line of peaks on a clear day.
- 3Tiffin TopA walk through oak forest to Dorothy's Seat.
- 4Naina Devi templeAt the northern end of the lake.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Kathgodam to Nainital
About 1–1.5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Boating on Naini Lake · Snow View
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Tiffin Top · Naina Devi temple
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 4
Nainital 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
The easiest full-service hill station in Kumaon, with boating, cable car and every budget of stay.
Why not
Very crowded in summer and on long weekends; parking is a nightmare.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Monsoon landslides on the Kathgodam road; the lake promenade is safe.
- Phone & internet
- Excellent.
Altitude
Nainital reaches 2,615 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common.
- Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol on the first night.
- If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears.
General guidance, not medical advice.
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 Nainital
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
10 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
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
6 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- 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 thereExcellent.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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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. Parking in town is scarce in May, June and on long weekends; cars are sometimes stopped below town.
By road
From
Delhi
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Drive time
- 7–8 hours
- Delhi
- Hapur
- Moradabad
- Rampur
- Rudrapur
- Haldwani
- Kathgodam
- Nainital
From
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 34 km
- Drive time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Kathgodam
- Jeolikote
- Nainital
The nearest railway station.
Live directions from KathgodamFrom
Pantnagar airport
- Distance
- about 65 km
- Drive time
- 2–2.5 hours
- Pantnagar
- Haldwani
- Kathgodam
- Nainital
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. Direct buses also run from Delhi to Nainital.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
Nainital: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Nainital?
The best months for Nainital are March to June and September to November. December to February and July and August are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January and February.
How difficult is Nainital?
Nainital is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,938 m and reaching 2,615 m.
How many days do you need for Nainital?
Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Nainital cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹12,000 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam.
How do you reach Nainital?
By road: from Delhi it is about 300 km, 7–8 hours (Delhi → Hapur → Moradabad → Rampur → Rudrapur → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Nainital); from Kathgodam it is about 34 km, 1–1.5 hours (Kathgodam → Jeolikote → Nainital); from Pantnagar airport it is about 65 km, 2–2.5 hours (Pantnagar → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Nainital). 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. Direct buses also run from Delhi to Nainital. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Nainital?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Nainital suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is busy in season. Monsoon landslides on the Kathgodam road; the lake promenade is safe.
What should you pack for Nainital?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, compact umbrella. 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 Nainital?
Excellent.
Will I get altitude sickness at Nainital?
Nainital reaches 2,615 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common. Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol on the first night. If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Nainital?
Nainital suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Very crowded in summer and on long weekends; parking is a nightmare.
Close to Nainital
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Bhimtal & Naukuchiatalabout 10 km
- Mukteshwarabout 22 km
- Ranikhetabout 29 km
- Almoraabout 32 km