Uttarakhand, being the land of Gods and Goddesses, attracts a number of tourists from all over India. It is a land of many scenic spots which are perfect for honeymooners, backpackers, families and also for leisure seeking travelers. Nainital is one of the famous and most common touristy places in Uttarakhand which is surrounded by lush green mountain ranges, tranquil villages and a number of mini traditional markets.
Despite being the most visited tourist destination in North India, Nainital preserves its fresh air, luxuriant nature, old cottages and the beautiful culture efficiently. Naini Jheel or the beautiful mango shaped lake is the center of attraction among the crowd that provides an amazing display of the hills all around.
Day 1: Kurukshetra to Nainital
I started my journey with four other friends from Kurukshetra at 5:30 a.m. sharp by car. It took around 8 hours to reach the lake city, Nainital (when we got no traffic on our way). I reached the place around 2:30 p.m. and checked into our pre-booked hotel.
Note: The place is easily accessible via road transport from Delhi and Gurgaon. Frequent buses, both public and private are available from Kashmere Gate, Delhi that take 7-8 hours to reach Nainital.
One can also travel by train till Kathgodam (6 hours approx.) and then from Kathgodam to Nainital by local bus. (1 hour)
After having lunch and resting for an hour or so, we headed our way to Naini Jheel which was at a walking distance from our hotel. Since, it was a peak season of tourism, so there were a lot of people standing at the periphery of the lake.
One could spot a group of middle-aged men playing flute kind of instrument and singing traditional songs. They were not only a source of entertainment for tourists but also, displaying their culture that engulfed the city for years now.
What to expect at Lakeside?
• Boating at Naini Jheel
• Amazing displays for photography
• Singing concerts (if any)
• Football match
• Shopping from local market
• Delicious Momos from Tibetan market
Though I like less crowded places yet, it was an amazing sight for the eyes and, I was enjoying every bit of it. There is also a beautiful mosque, known as Jama Masjid displaying a perfect blend Mughal and British architecture. As the evening subsided, there was silence all around as most of the tourists were back to their hotels. There were very few people to be seen even at 9 p.m. but, we continued strolling by the lakeside and enjoying the cool climate.
Day 2: Naina Devi – China Peak – Mukhteswar
Next day, we wake up early around 6:30 a.m. and paid a visit to the famous Naina Devi temple which is known one of 51 Shakti Peeths. It has mythological significance and attracts a number of visitors from all over India. The Naini jheel seemed spectacular in the morning hour and it felt as if it was meditating peacefully in her own world. The morning walk around the lake is perfect for every nature lover.
Later, after having breakfast we headed towards China Peak in order to get a bird eye view of the whole Nainital. It is a favorite spot for all photographers and peace lovers. One can either trek till China peak or ride the way through car. From there, Naini Jheel actually looks like a mango but, some view it as a pear-shaped!
Soon, we decided to come back to the city and planned to visit Mukhteswar which is a 2-hour drive from Nainital. We left for Mukhteswar around 1:30 p.m., had lunch in midway and reached the town around 3:30 p.m.
Mukhteswar is a small hamlet which offers picturesque view of the step farming by the locals while driving. It is a peaceful destination and a perfect getaway from Delhi or Haryana for a small vacation.
We visited a shrine known as Mukhteshwar Dham Temple situated in midst of pine forest. One needs to trek uphill for thirty minutes or so to reach there. There was also a place through the path of the temple called, Chali ki Jali which offers an amazing display of the town from a cliff. I was to visit one more place called Bhalu Gaad falls at Mukhteswar but, we got late so we had to drop this plan. (If one has time in hand then can visit this beautiful waterfall)
There are not many places to visit at Mukhteswar so we left the place by evening around 6:30 and spent our night in a beautiful homestay at Bhimtal. We enjoyed the night chatting and singing.
Day 3: Lake Hopping (Bhimtal – Gadudtal – Sattal – Naukuchiatal - Khurpatal)
Strolling around Bhimtal in the morning was no less than a treat for us. The place was serene and blessed with nature’s bounty. The lake was as beautiful as Naini lake and there’s also a small island at its center.
Our next destination was to visit Sattal but we visited an offbeat place known as Gadudtal. It’s an untouched beauty and less visited by people. It is situated in the midst of jungle and away from the touristy crowd. I personally felt at peace being there. It is absolutely a picture-perfect spot and will be liked by all peace-loving humans.
Around 11:30 a.m., we reached Sattal. It was an adventure package in itself. There were number of leisure activities that one can be engaged in. It is one of the popular lakes in Uttarakhand after Nainital. I too tried to sink in various leisure activities and spent around 4-5 hours in the lap of nature. The place was so majestic that even a day would not be enough to explore it. But we had to leave it for our next destination.
Late in the afternoon, we reached Naukuchiatal which is believed to have nine corners. There were boating facilities, bubble balloons, Shikara boats, paragliding for activities but, I was tired by now and didn’t engage in anything extravagant. I enjoyed the scenic beauty of the place and spent some quality time at peace.
Then, we headed back to Nainital and from there we were on our way back to home. It’s on our return journey we saw people clicking pictures of Khurpatal. We halted there for 10-15 minutes, clicked few pictures and left for Delhi.
