Best Things To Do In And Around Nainital: Travel Guide 2026

Introduction

Nainital is a hill town in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, built around the pear-shaped Naini Lake at about 2,000 m. It is known for its lakes, its colonial-era Mall Road and its views of the snow-capped Himalaya from viewpoints like Snow View and Tiffin Top.

In short: the best things to do in Nainital are a boat ride on Naini Lake (from about ₹160), the ropeway to Snow View Point (₹190 return), the Naina Devi Temple, an evening on Mall Road, the short hike to Tiffin Top, the High Altitude Zoo (closed on Mondays) and Eco Cave Gardens. Around Nainital, try paragliding at Bhimtal (22 km), hop between Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal, and visit Kainchi Dham (17 km). Prices and timings below were checked in October 2026.

Quick Glance: Best Things To Do in Nainital

Water Activities & Boating at Naini Lake

Start your Nainital trip with a boat ride on Naini Lake, the heart of the town, ringed by the Kumaon hills, cafes and markets. Seeing the town from the water is very different from walking around it, which makes this one of the best things to do in Nainital for couples, families and photographers.

You can choose a traditional rowing boat, a paddle (pedal) boat or, in season, a yacht with the Naini Tal Yacht Club. Approximate 2026 rates:

• Rowing boat: about ₹160 for a half round, ₹210 for a full round
• Paddle boat: about ₹210 per hour
• Yachting: seasonal and wind-dependent; ask at the yacht club
• Where to buy: only at the official boat counters at Mallital and Tallital, where rates are displayed
• Tip: early morning and late afternoon have the calmest water and the best light

Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal, 22 to 26 km away, are quieter lakes with boating and kayaking.

Paragliding & Adventure at Bhimtal

For an adrenaline rush, try tandem paragliding at Bhimtal or Naukuchiatal, about 22 to 26 km from Nainital. You fly with a trained pilot over green valleys with the lakes below, so no experience is needed.

• Price: from ₹2,000 + GST for a short flight; about 12 to 15 minutes costs ₹4,500 and 25 to 30 minutes ₹7,000 (our 2026 rates)
• Book: Paragliding in Bhimtal
• Other activities: kayaking and boating on Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal

Trekking & Hiking

Nainital is surrounded by forested ridges, so short hikes are easy to fit into a day. The most popular is Tiffin Top (also called Dorothy's Seat), about 4 km from town at 2,292 m, with wide views over the town and the hills. Fitter walkers can go up Naina Peak, at 2,611 m the highest point around Nainital, or walk the quiet trails towards Kilbury and Pangot.

• Tiffin Top: about 4 km from town, 2,292 m; walk up, or hire a pony at the start of the trail
• Naina Peak: 2,611 m, the highest peak around Nainital; start early for clear views of the Himalaya
• Tip: carry water and start before 9 AM in summer, when clouds often build up by midday

Ropeway Ride to Snow View Point

The aerial ropeway is the easiest way to get a view of the Himalaya without a long hike. It climbs from Mallital, about 200 m from Mall Road, to Snow View Point at 2,270 m, with views over Naini Lake on the way up.

• Fare: ₹190 return for adults and ₹120 for children aged 3 to 12 (official rate)
• Timings: 10 AM to 4 PM
• Ride: about 2.5 minutes each way
• Tip: queues are long in May, June and on long weekends; arrive when it opens

Visit the Naina Devi Temple

The Naina Devi Temple stands on the northern shore of Naini Lake at Mallital. It is dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi and is counted among the Shakti Peethas: it is believed that the eyes of Devi Sati fell here. It is easy to reach on foot, which makes it a good visit for families and senior citizens.

Tip: combine the temple with a boat ride from the Mallital boat stand next door, then walk along Mall Road.

Explore Eco Cave Gardens

Families with children enjoy the Eco Cave Gardens in Mallital: a set of small, connected caves named after Himalayan animals, with garden paths and a musical fountain in the evening. It is a fun, hands-on stop for children.

• Entry: about ₹50 to ₹60 for adults and ₹25 for children
• Timings: about 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Tip: some caves are narrow and low, so wear comfortable clothes

Wildlife Experience at Nainital Zoo

The Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo sits on Sher ka Danda hill, about 1 km uphill from the Tallital bus station. Its animals include the Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Tibetan wolf, barking deer, goral and sambar.

• Closed: on Mondays, national holidays, Holi and Diwali
• Getting there: a steep walk of about 1 km from Tallital, or a shared taxi
• Entry: a small entry fee is charged at the gate

Walk, Shop, & Eat on Mall Road

In the evening, walk Mall Road between Mallital and Tallital along the lake. It is lined with cafes, sweet shops, woollen stalls and souvenir shops, and the lake views change as the lights come on.

Tip: vehicles are restricted on Mall Road at busy times, so park at the lakeside parking areas or your hotel and walk.

Lake Hopping Around Nainital

The Nainital district is known as the "Lake District of India". A day of lake hopping covers the quieter lakes around town, each with its own setting:

• Bhimtal (22 km): the largest lake, with an island and boating
• Sattal (23 km): a cluster of seven connected lakes in thick forest
• Naukuchiatal (26 km): the "nine-cornered lake", known for boating and paragliding
• Khurpatal: a small, quiet lake on the road to Kaladhungi

Hire a taxi for the day to cover Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal together.

Experience Spirituality: Hanuman Garhi & Kainchi Dham

Hanuman Garhi, near Tallital, is a temple of Lord Hanuman established by Neem Karoli Baba, and one of the best sunset viewpoints in Nainital.

Kainchi Dham, the ashram of Neem Karoli Baba and one of the most famous temples in Uttarakhand, is 17 km from Nainital on the Almora road via Bhowali. Devotees from India and abroad come here for peace and blessings, especially around the 15 June foundation-day festival, when the crowds are very large. See our Kainchi Dham tour package from Delhi (2 days / 1 night).

Birdwatching & Nature at Pangot and Kilbury

The forests around Kilbury (about 12 km) and Pangot are part of the Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve, one of the best birdwatching areas in the Kumaon hills. Hundreds of bird species have been recorded in the area, including the Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon and Brown Wood Owl. Go early in the morning, with a local guide if you can.

How To Reach Nainital

• By train: the nearest station is Kathgodam, about 35 km away (about 1.5 hours by taxi or bus). See our guide to the nearest railway station to Nainital.
• By air: the nearest airport is Pantnagar, about 70 km away.
• By road: Nainital is about 300 km from Delhi (7 to 9 hours), with direct Uttarakhand Roadways and private buses.

Best Time To Visit Nainital

2-Day Nainital Itinerary

• Day 1 (Nainital town): Naina Devi Temple in the morning, a boat ride from Mallital, the ropeway to Snow View Point, Eco Cave Gardens after lunch, and an evening walk on Mall Road.
• Day 2 (around Nainital): an early hike to Tiffin Top, then Kainchi Dham via Bhowali, and Bhimtal for paragliding or boating in the afternoon. Skip the zoo if it is a Monday.

Best Things to Do in Nainital for Different Travellers

Final Thoughts

Nainital deserves more than a single day. Give the town two days for the lake, the temple, the ropeway and Tiffin Top, and add a day for the lakes around Bhimtal or for Kainchi Dham. Check the closing days (the zoo is shut on Mondays) and book paragliding in advance in peak season.

FAQs

What are the best things to do in Nainital for couples?

Take a rowing boat on Naini Lake at sunset, ride the ropeway to Snow View Point, walk Mall Road in the evening and eat at a lakeside cafe, hike to Tiffin Top, and spend a quiet half day at Sattal or Naukuchiatal.

What are the best adventure activities in and around Nainital?

Tandem paragliding at Bhimtal (about 22 km away; from ₹2,000 + GST for a short flight), kayaking and boating on Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal, short treks to Tiffin Top (about 4 km) and Naina Peak, and birding trails at Pangot and Kilbury.

What is the Nainital ropeway ticket price and timing?

The aerial ropeway runs from Mallital (about 200 m from Mall Road) to Snow View Point at 2,270 m. The official return fare is ₹190 for adults and ₹120 for children aged 3 to 12, and it runs from 10 AM to 4 PM (Nainital district administration). Queues are long in May, June and on long weekends, so go when it opens.

How much does boating on Naini Lake cost?

Approximate 2026 rates: a rowing boat costs about ₹160 for a half round and ₹210 for a full round, and a paddle boat about ₹210 per hour. Yachting with the Naini Tal Yacht Club is seasonal and depends on the wind. Rates are shown at the boat counters at Mallital and Tallital, so buy tickets only there.

Is Nainital Zoo open every day?

No. The Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo is closed on Mondays and on national holidays, Holi and Diwali. It is about 1 km uphill from the Tallital bus station; you can walk up or take a shared taxi.

What are the best places to visit near Nainital for a day trip?

Good day trips from Nainital are Bhowali (11 km), Kainchi Dham (17 km), Bhimtal (22 km), Sattal (23 km), Naukuchiatal (26 km) and Mukteshwar (51 km). Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal can be combined in one lake-hopping day, and Kainchi Dham fits in a half day via Bhowali.

How many days are enough for Nainital?

Two days cover the town itself: the lake, Naina Devi Temple, Mall Road, the ropeway, the zoo and Tiffin Top. Add a third day for the lakes around Bhimtal or for Kainchi Dham, and a fourth if you want Mukteshwar.

How do I reach Nainital?

The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, about 35 km away (about 1.5 hours by taxi or bus). The nearest airport is Pantnagar, about 70 km away. By road, Nainital is about 300 km from Delhi, with direct Uttarakhand Roadways and private buses.

What is the best time to visit Nainital?

March to June is pleasant (about 10 to 27°C) but crowded, especially in May and June. September to November has clear skies and fewer visitors. December to February is cold, with occasional snowfall. July and August bring heavy rain and landslide risk on the hill roads.

Sources: ropeway fare and timings, zoo closing days and distances from the Nainital district administration (nainital.nic.in); boating and Eco Cave Gardens rates from current counter rates reported by local guides (approximate, October 2026); paragliding prices from our own activity page.