3 Days in Nainital: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one circles Naini Lake: the Naina Devi Temple, a boat on the lake, the cable car up to Snow View and an evening on Mall Road. Day two takes to the hills above town for Tiffin Top, the Eco Cave Gardens and the mountain view from Himalaya Darshan. Day three is a drive around the nearby lakes, Sattal, Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal, ending with sunset at Hanuman Garhi.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹2,100 to ₹4,500, excluding flights, hotel and some gate fees
Weather: Summers are mild and pleasant, the monsoon brings heavy rain from July to September, and winters are cold with the odd snowfall.
Pack:
A warm layer for evenings
Comfortable shoes for hill walks
An umbrella in the monsoon
Local tips:
Traffic into town backs up on weekends; park at the edge and walk the Mall.
Agree boat and pony prices before you set off; rates are fixed by the local authorities and posted at the stands.
Mornings are clearest for Himalayan views; clouds roll in by afternoon.
Booking tips:
Book hotels well ahead for May, June and long weekends.
Arrive at the Snow View cable car early to avoid a long queue.
Getting there (from other Indian cities):
train: Trains from Delhi to Kathgodam, the nearest station, about 35 km from Nainital - About 6 to 7 hours from Delhi, then about 1.5 hours by road
car: Delhi to Nainital via Moradabad and Haldwani, about 320 km - About 7 to 8 hours
flight: Pantnagar airport, about 65 km away, has a few flights from Delhi - About 1 hour from Delhi, then about 2 hours by road
Shared and private taxis wait outside Kathgodam station for the drive up to Nainital.
Book trains to Kathgodam early for summer weekends.
Day 1: Naini Lake, Naina Devi and Snow View
Around the lake: the Naina Devi Temple at Mallital, a boat across Naini Lake, the cable car up to Snow View and an evening on Mall Road.
Naina Devi Temple (morning): Start at the Naina Devi Temple on the north shore of the lake at Mallital. The goddess Naina Devi gives the town its name, and the temple is one of the Shakti Peeths, where legend says the eyes of Sati fell. Free Why visit: The temple that gave Nainital its name; On the lake shore at Mallital Know before you go: Leave shoes and bags at the counter outside
Naini Lake boat ride (late morning): Take a boat out on Naini Lake from the Mallital stand. The lake fills a green valley ringed by hills, and from the water you see the whole town climbing the slopes around it. Rowing and paddle boats at posted rates, reported at about ₹200 to ₹400 a boat Why visit: The view of Nainital from the water; A calm start before the afternoon crowds Know before you go: Wear the life jacket you are given; Rates are posted at the boat stand; pay those, not more
Snow View (afternoon): Ride the cable car from Mallital up to Snow View, a few minutes in the air. The hilltop looks north to the snow peaks of the Himalayas on a clear day, and back down over the lake. Cable car return ticket, reported at about ₹200 to ₹300 per adult Why visit: Himalayan peaks on a clear day; A cable car ride over the town Know before you go: Queues are long in season; go early in the afternoon; You can also walk or take a pony up
Mall Road (evening): Walk Mall Road along the lake between Mallital and Tallital. Shops sell candles, woollens and souvenirs, and the Tibetan market near the Mallital end is good for jackets and shawls. Free Why visit: The lakeside promenade at dusk; Candles, woollens and Tibetan stalls Know before you go: Vehicles are restricted on the Mall in the evening in season
Eat: Sakley's - A Mallital favourite for pastries and cakes as well as full meals.
Evening: Walk Mall Road from Mallital to Tallital along the lake as the lights come on.
Budget for the day: ₹400 to ₹1,000 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees
Day 2: Tiffin Top, Eco Cave Gardens and Himalaya Darshan
The hills above town: a walk or pony ride to Tiffin Top, the small caves and gardens of the Eco Cave Gardens, and the mountain view from Himalaya Darshan.
Tiffin Top (morning): Walk or take a pony up Ayarpata hill to Tiffin Top, also called Dorothy's Seat, about 4 km from town through oak and pine forest. The rocky top looks over Nainital and the hills around it. Free, pony rides are extra Why visit: A forest walk above the lake; Views over Nainital and the hills Know before you go: Agree pony prices at the stand before you set off; Wear shoes with a good grip
Eco Cave Gardens (afternoon): Head to the Eco Cave Gardens above Sukhatal, a short cab ride away. Narrow paths link a set of small rock caves, each named after an animal, through a terraced hillside garden. A small entry ticket at the gate Why visit: Fun cave crawls for children; Views over the town from the gardens Know before you go: Some caves need crawling; not for the claustrophobic
Himalaya Darshan (late afternoon): Take a cab up the Kilbury road to Himalaya Darshan, a viewpoint north of town. On a clear day it looks out across the Kumaon hills to the snow peaks on the horizon. Free Why visit: Wide Himalayan views from the road to Kilbury Know before you go: Views depend on the weather; clouds often build by late afternoon
Eat: Anupam Restaurant - A busy Indian restaurant at Mallital for thalis, curries and parathas.
Evening: Come back down to the Mallital flats for chaat and momos at the stalls.
Budget for the day: ₹700 to ₹1,500 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees
Day 3: The lakes: Sattal, Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal
A drive around the lakes south-east of Nainital: Sattal in its forest, Bhimtal with its island, Naukuchiatal, and sunset at Hanuman Garhi on the way back.
Sattal (morning): Drive about 23 km to Sattal, a group of small connected lakes deep in oak and pine forest. It is quieter than Nainital, with boating, birdwatching and forest walks. Free, boating is extra Why visit: Forest lakes, quieter than Nainital; Good for birdwatching Know before you go: Mornings are best for birds and calm water
Bhimtal (afternoon): Continue to Bhimtal, about 30 minutes away. The lake is bigger than Naini Lake and has a small island in the middle with an aquarium, reached by boat. Free, boats to the island are extra Why visit: A large lake with an island aquarium; Less crowded than Nainital Know before you go: Check boat rates at the stand before boarding
Naukuchiatal (late afternoon): Drive about 4 km on to Naukuchiatal, the 'lake of nine corners'. It is a deep, quiet lake with boating, and paragliding on the hill above it in season. Free, boating and paragliding are extra Why visit: The quietest of the three lakes; Paragliding in season Know before you go: Paragliding depends on the weather; check on the day
Hanuman Garhi (sunset): On the way back, stop at Hanuman Garhi, a temple about 3 km below Tallital on the Haldwani road. Its terrace faces west over the hills and plains, a favourite place to watch the sun go down. Free Why visit: Sunset over the hills and plains; An easy stop on the way back to town Know before you go: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset
Eat: Machan Restaurant, Bhimtal - A restaurant near Bhimtal lake for Indian and Chinese dishes, convenient for lunch on the lakes drive.
Evening: Spend your last evening at one of the lakeside cafés on the Mall.
Budget for the day: ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Add Mukteshwar: A day trip to Mukteshwar, about 50 km east: An old Shiva temple on a cliff and wide Himalayan views, quieter than Nainital. (Trade-off: About 2 hours each way by road. - Costs more)
Climb Naina Peak: A morning walk up Naina Peak, the highest point around the lake: The widest Himalayan view near Nainital on a clear morning. (Trade-off: A steep walk of a few hours; swap it for Tiffin Top on day two. - Similar cost)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Nainital?
A 3-day Nainital itinerary like this one works well for Families, Couples, First-time hill station visitors. It's not the best fit if You dislike crowds; May, June and long weekends are very busy or You want snow, which falls only on a few winter days.
How much does a 3-day Nainital trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹2,100 to ₹4,500 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Nainital itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Nainital?
The best time to visit Nainital is March to June, and October to December.
How do I reach Nainital from other Indian cities?
Common options are train (About 6 to 7 hours from Delhi, then about 1.5 hours by road), car (About 7 to 8 hours), flight (About 1 hour from Delhi, then about 2 hours by road). Shared and private taxis wait outside Kathgodam station for the drive up to Nainital.
What are the must-see places in Nainital in 3 days?
Day 1: Naina Devi Temple, Naini Lake boat ride, Snow View and Mall Road. Day 2: Tiffin Top, Eco Cave Gardens and Himalaya Darshan. Day 3: Sattal, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal and Hanuman Garhi.
Which Nainital attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Naina Devi Temple, Mall Road, Tiffin Top, Himalaya Darshan, Sattal, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal and Hanuman Garhi are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
Which lakes can you visit near Nainital?
Besides Naini Lake in town, the usual lakes tour covers Sattal, Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal, all within about 25 km. A cab for the round trip takes most of a day with stops.
How do you get from Kathgodam to Nainital?
Kathgodam is the nearest railway station, about 35 km and 1.5 hours by road from Nainital. Private and shared taxis and buses wait outside the station.
Where to Eat in Nainital
Boat House Club, Nainital - ★4.3 - near Rickshaw Stand, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001, India