A Perfect 1 Day Itinerary for Nainital – The Lake District

  • 10:00AM: Eco Cave Gardens
    10 minutes (1.2 km) from Naina Devi Temple

    Eco Cave Gardens are a chain of interconnected natural caves and hanging gardens, acting as an educational center, consisting of six caves with various animal statues and life-sized models. It takes approximately 90 minutes to explore the gardens and caves. You can explore the natural formations and learn about cave systems, their formation, and ecosystems. These caves are human-made, but they do look natural!

  • 12:00PM: Naina Devi Temple
    15 minutes (2.5 km) from Eco Cave Gardens

    One of the most visited shrines of India, Naini Devi Temple is situated on top of the Naina Hill. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of the region and the lake, Naina. It is believed to be one of the Shakti Peeths of the goddess. It is a beautiful place, with views of the Nainital city and a beautiful temple pond, used for seeking blessings and meditation.

  • 2:00PM: Nainital Lake
    20 minutes (2.5 km) from Naina Devi Temple

    The centerpiece of Nainital is the beautiful Naini Lake. A visit to Nainital is incomplete without a boat ride on this lake that is surrounded by green hills. You can take a paddle boat or a rowing boat and enjoy the scenic views of the lake, hills, and townscape of Nainital. It is an absolute visual treat to spend a pleasant evening on the banks of this beautiful lake.

  • 4:00PM: Mall Road
    10 minutes (1 km) from Nainital Lake

    Mall Road is a paradise for shoppers, foodies, and people watchers alike. It is a lovely, flat pedestrianized lane offering scenic beauty and shopping opportunities. Tourists who visit Nainital flock to Mall Road to experience shopping, eat delicious food and enjoy views of the lake. It is a bustling and lively place during the tourist season. A visit to Nainital is incomplete without a tour of Mall Road.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Nainital Eco Cave Gardens (1.5 hours, INR 60)
  • Naina Devi Temple (1 hour, Free)
  • Boating in Nainital Lake (1 hour, INR 250 per person)
  • Mall Road Walk and Shopping (2 hours, Depends on the individual)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 310

Transportation

One can use a private or shared taxi to go from one point to another. Walking is another option, but it is not recommended as it can be tiring and time-consuming. Rickshaws and electric shuttles are another way to move around, but they have limited seating. These options cost between INR 30 and INR 150.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, visit the China Peak, where you can do some trekking and enjoy beautiful views of Nainital. Nainital is also famous for its food, and you must try the local Kumaoni cuisine. Moving around Nainital on a budget is easy and there are many free activities to enjoy. A walk to Tiffins Top or hiking to Snow View Point are also fun activities to do. If you have less time, skip the Eco Cave Gardens.

Airports

Pantnagar Airport (PGH) is the nearest airport to Nainital, located approximately 60 km away from the town. The airport connects Nainital to Delhi and Chandigarh, and other cities in India. The nearest major airport is New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). The approximate distance between Delhi to Nainital is around 298 km. One can hire a taxi or board a bus from both airports to Nainital as per convenience.

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