Nainital
Glittering highland lakes, colonial promenades, and birding oak forests
All Destinations
Nainital Lake & Naina Peak
The jewel of Kumaon's lake district, Nainital sits in an eye-shaped valley encircling the emerald waters of Naini Lake. Flanked by colonial promenades and the sacred Naina Devi temple (a prominent Shakti Peetha), the town's highest summit—Naina Peak (Cheena Peak at 2,615m)—offers a rewarding 6 km day-hike through rhododendron forests with sweeping views of the northern snow peaks and the lake basin below.
Mukteshwar Ridge & Chauli Ki Jali
A peaceful hilltop destination situated 50 km from Nainital at 2,171m, surrounded by fruit orchards and coniferous forests. Famous for the 350-year-old Mukteshwar Dham Shiva temple atop the highest point, and the adjacent overhanging cliffs of Chauli Ki Jali—a dramatic rocky precipice popular for rock climbing, rappelling, and unobstructed vistas of Nanda Devi.
Pangot & Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
Located just 15 km beyond Nainital through dense oak, pine, and rhododendron forests, Pangot and Kilbury is an internationally acclaimed birdwatching sanctuary. Home to over 580 recorded bird species, it is a haven for observing rare Himalayan avian fauna, including cheer pheasants, koklass pheasants, white-throated laughingthrushes, and lammergeiers.
Jim Corbett National Park Foothills
Established in 1936 as India's first national park (Hailey National Park), Jim Corbett National Park sprawls across the forested Shivalik foothills of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal along the Ramganga River. Famous for the highest tiger density among India's reserves, wild elephant herds, dense sal forests, and the iconic Dhikala grassland zone.