One of my friends said, “If you are in India and haven’t visited Nainital, then you have missed a hell of a lot.” So I packed my bags and headed towards one of the most beautiful hill stations in the country.

Whenever we talk about the hill stations of Uttarakhand, Nainital is always at the top of the list. Be it the breathtaking landscapes or mesmerizing scenes, you name it and Nainital has it. Located 2000 meters above sea level and site of the famous Naini Lake, Nainital is as fascinating as it can be.

I took a taxi to Nainital from New Delhi, the capital of the country. As soon as the mountain journey commenced, I immediately felt the gush of cool and fresh air. It refreshed me and removed the lethargy that had engulfed me. The mesmerizing views and fascinating sights woke me – as if from a dream – to the beautiful reality now before my eyes.

I stopped my taxi, took out my camera and snapped a few pictures. After some rest, and of course a photo shoot, we continued our journey.

Two hours later, I was at one of the most thrilling places on the planet earth, Nainital. The grand and majestic Naini Lake welcomed me right at the entrance. Yes, the first thing you see as soon as you reach Nainital is the Lake. It will make you forget your travel sickness instantly.

Whenever we talk about the hill stations at Uttarakhand, Nainital always scores the highest points. Be it the breathtaking landscapes or mesmerizing scenes, you name it and Nainital has it.

ML

A number of people immediately surrounded me asking if I was interested in the unforgettable experience of boating in Naini Lake. I instantly grabbed one of the deals and enjoyed boating for about half an hour.

The boatman dropped me at The Flats, a popular tourists destination. The Bhotia Market, located at The Flats, has a wide range of local handicrafts and artifacts that make wonderful souvenirs. It is also famous for the auspicious Naina Devi Temple.

From Bhotia Market, I headed to Nainital’s major attraction – aside from the beautiful Naini Lake that is – the Cable Car or Aerial Ropeway. A ride on the Aerial Ropeway will give you spectacular views of Naini Lake and the whole of Nainital. This 10 minutes ride is definitely worth taking if you visit Nainital!

After the Aerial Ropeway, I headed towards ‘The Tiffin Top’, also known as Dorothy’s Seat. It is located in the Ayarpatta Hills and offers a 360 degree view of the glorious mountains surrounding Nainital. The scenic views from this place are well worth the trip.

For a closer view of the majestic Himalayas, I then headed to Snow View Point. As the locals say, this point offers the best glimpse of the snow-capped Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Kot mountains. How could I miss the opportunity to see them in person?

My final destination was Kilbury. I am a true nature lover, so when the locals told me that Kilbury is a Birdwatcher’s Paradise, I couldn’t resist my urge to visit. En route to Kilbury, I found a number of rare species of flora and fauna. Keep your camera handy if you are a nature lover like me, at Kilbury you will capture photos of the rarest of rare species!

There is so much to see in Nainital, but if I had to define it in one sentence, I would say it is a blend of pilgrimage, adventure, trekking and wildlife. My friend’s saying really holds true, “If you are in India and haven’t visited Nainital, you have missed a hell of a lot.” Give Nainital a try and decide for yourself!

For more Himalayan getaways, check our Dehradun, India.