Nainital Itinerary Snapshot
Day 1- Nainital City tour
Day 2- City tour continued
Day 3- Almora
Day 4- Ranikhet
Day 5- Jim Corbett National Park
Detailed 5-Day Nainital Itinerary
Day 1
Nainital City tour
Once you reach Nainital, start your vacation at the Naina Devi Temple on the banks of Naini Lake. This is an 8th century temple believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths holy to the Hindu culture. Mythology states that the eyes (naina) of Goddess Sati fell on this site after the Tandava of Lord Shiva and the site is a pilgrimage spot for many Hindus.
The Naini Lake beside is the central attraction in the city and you can take a boat ride on it while enjoying the views of the Kumaon range surrounding it. The Governor’s House in Uttarakhand is located close to the lake and is a British colonial structure.
Visit the Eco Cave Gardens nearby for a fun-filled crawl through various animal-shaped caves. This site is especially popular with children. Next on your list could be the Aurobindo Ashram and the Gurney House, the erstwhile home of Jim Corbett.
You can then drive to Jeolikot, about 18 kms away, which is often called the gateway to Nainital to see the many-hued flowers and butterflies prolifically spread in the area.
Spend your evening at the Astronomical Observatory gazing up at the constellations in the clear sky. End your first day strolling through the Tibetan Market and Mall Road lined by many cafes.
Day 2
City Tour Continued
Mallital, 5 minutes from the Naini Lake, is the other charming spot in the city. Take a ropeway ride from here to reach Snow View Point which provides extremely magnificent views of the mountain ranges all around.
Tiffin Top, at a height of 7,520 feet is another popular viewing point. The place is named so because many tourists come here for picnic with packed tiffins!
St. John Wilderness Church, located next to the High Court, is a fascinating structure and a must-visit. You can trek or drive up to Naina Peak, at a height of 2,615 metres, to see the rhododendron blooms lining the hill.
Next visit the ashram of the famed Neem Karoli Baba. His popularity was so widespread that many luminaries across the world, including Steve Jobs, wanted to become his disciple.
Khurpatal, a scenic lake, surrounded by pine and cedar trees and Land’s End, a cliff offering an adrenaline kick due to its treacherous viewpoint are the other popular sites in the city. Spend some time in the Himalayan Botanical Garden and the zoo with its many species of birds and animals.
Day 3
Almora
The mesmerizing view from Zero Point in Almora
Almora is a quaint yet spectacular town in Uttarakhand, about a 2-hour drive from Nainital. Shaped like a horse-shoe, this town gives visitors grand views of the Himalayas from its Zero Point in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Jageshwar group of temples is a cluster of over 100 temples built between the 7th and 12th century and is a holy site to the Shaivism sect of Hindus. Katarmal Sun temple and the Kasar Devi temple are also worth a visit in the town.
The Deer Park and Bright End Corner are the other popular attractions here. The latter is named after a Mr. Brighton and is the site for the Vivekananada Library and memorial.
Govind Vallabh Pant museum is an interesting site in the town that houses artefacts belonging to the Katyuri and Chand dynasty. It also displays many local handicrafts and paintings. Spend your night at one of the guest houses or homestays in the town to enjoy a chilly and silent sleep in the lap of the mighty mountains.