We were seven boys (Vivek, Manish, Nitin, Neeraj Sharma, Neeraj Maltia, Anupam and Kapil) and ready for beautiful lake city Nainital, so I booked Innova Car for this trip. All people were from Gurgaon except Nitin, so we meet in Sec-17 Gurgaon and left around 11:00 PM on Friday 5 December, 2014. This trip was planned because of Vikas Marriage, he is belonged from Haldwani. Nitin joined us in Ghaziabad around 1:00 PM and we moved towards Nainital. Gurgaon to Nainital is approx 320KM, and road condition is also good.
Everyone started gossip except Manish because he was not taken dinner and was hungry. So after 1-2 hour of driving, we stooped at one Dhaba (Roadside restaurant) and ordered tea and food for Manish. We were taken two more tea breaks to reached Haldwani and we were at Vikas's Home around 9:00 AM. After tea and snacks, we left the Haldwani and reached our destination Nainital around 12:00 PM. We wasted around one hour to search the hotel room, but thanks to Neeraj Maletia's friend Bharat (He is native of Nainital) who arranged the Hotel and was full day with us to discover the beautiful city.
Nainital, also known as the lake city and lake district of Uttarankahd, is located around the Naini Lake. This place is named after the Goddess Naini Devi, the presiding idol of the area. It is situated at a height of 1,938 mts. Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains. Nainital is definitely a heaven for all the adventure finders. Nainital is a famous tourist destination of India, attracting hundreds of both domestic and foreign tourists every year. Source: aries.res.in
Places we visited in Nainital and nearby:
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Raj Bhawan and some Churches
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Naini Lake
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Mall Road Nainital and Local Market
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Naina Devi Temple
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Frog Point, on the way to Ranikhet
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Army Museum in Ranikhet
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Golf Course in Ranikhet
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Bhimtal
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Naukuchia Tal
Activities we have done:
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Boating in Naini Lake
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Ropeway
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Kayak Boating in Naukuchia Tal
After refreshment on hotel room, we had lunch and then first visited Raj Bhawan. There was paid entry of 50 Rs per person, but that place was awesome and must visit place in Nainital. There were also two old and beautiful churches before the entry gate.
The Governor's House - Raj Bhawan area is 220 acres and was built in the line of Buckingham Palace London, having double storied 113 rooms. State guests & V.I.P. coming to Nainital also use it for their stay. It consists of a marvellous Garden, Golf Links, Swimming Pool and covered with lush green area of Deodar and Oak trees.
The foundation stone of the Nainital Government House, modelled after Buckingham Palace, was laid on April 27, 1897, and the building was completed in March 1900. Source: nainitaltourism.com
Time was around 5:00 PM and there was cold due to wind, so we first warmed with coffee and then went to Naini Lake to enjoy the boating. We started the boating from one end and then left the boat at another end (Mall Roadside). Nainital is famous for his lakes; Naini Lake is one of the most beautiful and clean lake, surrounding was well maintained and managed.
Now time was 6:00 PM and we were at Mall Road. Vehicles entry is prohibited between 6:00 to 9:00 PM on Mall Road; this is good for visitor to enjoy the evening time. Nainital Mall Road is around 1KM long and very good in compare to Manali and Shimla. After 1-2 hour of enjoyment, we went to local market which was opposite of Naina Devi Temple. Neeraj, Neeraj Maletia and Kapil did some shopping and then we went to Momos Shop according to Nitin suggestion. Momos was delicious and very tasty, you must taste if you are in the visit of Nainital. After full enjoyment, we went to hotel room to take a rest.
Next day on 6 December 2014, we wake up late and then ready to go Ranikhet (actually we planned for Kausani, but due to less time we choose Ranikhet). Nainital to Ranikhet journey was very good. You can see step field in whole way. We stopped our car at Frog Point and captured a lot of photographs. You must stop your car whenever you see any good location because only journey is matter not destination. We again halted before the Ranikhet for some photo session and enjoyed the lovely view of Himalaya and dense trees. We climbed few steps on hills and captured a lot of photos. Ranikhet city was not according to our expectation; I think this was not the good time to visit.
We first visited Golf Course, that place was superb. You can see the clear view of Nanda Devi range of Himalayas from here. After few hour of enjoyment, we went to Army Museum, but museum was closed due to Sunday. We took the break for tea and Maggi and also got a taste of the local sweet called "Bal Mithai". So in the evening we return to Nainital and again passed some time on Mall Road and visited Naina Devi Temple. Naina Devi temple was looking nice in the night.
Ranikhet, which means Queen's meadow in Hindi, gets its name from a local legend, which states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence, giving it the name, Ranikhet, though no palace exists in the area.
In 1869, the British established the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment here and used the station as a retreat from the heat of the Indian summer. Source: wikipedia
On 7 December 2014, we wake up early, packed our luggage and had breakfast first. Today was last day in Nainital, so we decided for Ropeway, Bhimtal and Naukuchia Tal. Now we were excited for Ropeway (Cable Car). From cable car, we went to the top of the hills and enjoyed around one hour. From top, you can see the beautiful Himalayas peaks. After coming down, we went to Bhimtal. Bhimtal is bigger than Naini Lake and quiet place. You can also visit to fish aquarium in Bhimtal.
After lunch, we moved towards Naukuchia Tal. That was the last but best location. Naukuchia Tal is biggest Lake in Nainital. Here, we enjoyed the Kayak boating which was the best part of this trip. Near Bhimtal, you can also enjoy the Paragliding. After Kayak Boating, we came to Haldwani to attend Vikas's Marriage which was the reason for this awesome trip.
Two days were not enough for Nainital, I think we required at least three days to cover all places. After attending marriage, we left from Haldwani around 1 AM and reached Gurgaon around 10 AM. Thanks for reading my experience, please share your experience on comment.
