Showing posts with label Uttarakhand. Show all posts

NAINITAL

Heritage, HILL STATION, National, Uttarakhand

NAINITAL - HILL STATION

About:-

Nainital is a beautiful hill station in Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of Himalayas. It is one of the most popular hill resorts in India and also one of the top places to experience Uttarakhand tourism.

Nainital is famous for its scenic mountain views and is commonly known as the Lake District of India. Situated at an altitude of 1938 m, Nainital derives its name from Naini Lake. The highest point is Naina Peak or China Peak, with an elevation of 2,615 m. Nainital is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the town is spread around the beautiful Naini lake.

Nainital was founded by a European businessman Percy Barron in 1841. This place is named after Naina Devi Temple, which is dedicated to Shakti, a form of Parvati.

Nainital is a famous tourist destination of India, attracting large number of domestic and foreign tourists every year. Some of the important places in Nainital are Naina Peak, Nainital Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Mall, Raj Bhavan, High Altitude Zoo, Bhimtal and Sattal. Naini Lake has facilities for boating and yachting. Facilities for horse riding, skating, golf and rock climbing are also available for the visitors.

Pantnagar Airport (68 km) is the nearest airport to Nainital which has direct flights from Delhi. Kathgodam Railway Station is the nearest railway station, which is 24 km from Nainital.

Nainital Weather & Temperature, Best Time to Visit Nainital

The best time to visit Nainital is from March to May & December to February. The hill station receives snowfall during the winter months from December to February, which receives the maximum number of tourists.

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Best Time to Visit Nainital: March to May & December to February

Peak Season: April to May & December to January

State: Uttarakhand | District: Nainital

Nainital Weather: Summer: Maximum - 24°C and Minimum - 14°C

Winter: Maximum - 13°C and Minimum - 0°C

PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO IN NAINITAL

Nainital Lake, Nainital

Nainital Lake is a natural freshwater lake, situated amidst the main town of Nainital. Nainital Lake is one of the prime places to visit in Nainital town.

According to the history, this lake was built in 1839 by P. Barron at an altitude of 2,000 m. This is one of the four lakes of Kumaon hills, the other three lakes are Sattal Lake, Bhimtal Lake and Naukuchiyatal Lake. Nainital Lake is lunar-shaped and has an outlet at the southeastern end. The lake covers a perimeter of 2 miles with a depth varies from 6 m to 28 m. Northern part of the lake is called as Mallital while southern part known as Tallital. Balia Nala is the main feeder-stream of the lake. Other than this, 26 major drains, including the three perennial ones, feed it. It is surrounded by panoramic hills on three sides.

This captivating lake is a major tourist spot in Nainital, the Nainital Boat Club provides boating and yachting facilities.

Boating Price: Rs. 120 per boat for two people, Rs.150 per boat for four people (1 hour).

Boating Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Mall Road, Nainital

Mall Road is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nainital. It connects the North and South West corner of Nainital Lake known as Mallital and Tallital and runs parallel to Nainital Lake. Shopping in Mall Road is one of the top activities in Nainital.

The Mall Road was constructed during the British colonial rule. This is the main commercial area which runs through the heart of the Nainital town. The Mall road is now named as Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. The road has a number of Hotels, Banks, Showrooms, Department Stores, Shops, Restaurants and Cafes. It is a cluster of many small shops offering varied products.

Visitors can enjoy their leisurely evening stroll on the Mall Road, with a cool refreshing breeze blowing across the lake on to the road adding to the charm of the Mall. During summers, this road becomes crowded with locals and tourists enjoying the evening weather.

Entry of heavy traffic is prohibited during the months of May, June and October from 8 AM to 10.30 AM and 2.30 PM to 10.30 PM, light vehicles from 6 PM to 10 PM and cycle rickshaw from 6 PM to 9 PM.

High Altitude Zoo, Nainital

G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo is a high altitude zoo situated in Nainital. It is one of the popular Nainital tourist places.

The Zoo was established in 1984 and is spread over an area of 11 acres. It is situated on the Sher Ka Danda hill at an altitude of 2,100 m (6,900 feet) and is the only zoo in Uttarakhand. The Zoo was opened to visitors on 1st June 1995 and is managed by Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Management Society, Nainital from 1st March 2002.

The Zoo was established with the objective to conserve and protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the hill region of Uttarakhand. The zoo has several endangered species of animals in the Himalayas and animals like snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Japanese Macaque, Sambar, Himalayan Civet, Himalayan Martin, Barking Dear, Royal Bengal Tiger and Himalayan bear. It also has a vast collection of high altitude birds, like kalij pheasant, Lady Amherst pheasant, rose ringed parakeet, golden pheasant and red jungle fowl.

Entry Fee: Rs.50 for Adults, Rs.20 for Children, Rs.25 for Camera and Rs.200 for Video Camera. Free entry for senior citizens and disabled.

Timings: 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM. Closed on Mondays and national holidays.

Snow View Point, Nainital

Snow View Point is one of the most beautiful places in Nainital and also among the most visited Nainital tourist places.

Situated at an altitude of 2,270 m, Snow view point offers excellent views of snowcapped mountains like Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Kot. It also offers great views of Nainital Lake and the town. Snow view point is well connected by road but a ride in aerial ropeway from Mallital is the best way to reach this place.

In order to provide a perfect view to visitors, a pair of huge binoculars is installed at this spot. A small temple housing images of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman with Durga and Shiva is located on the peak. A special attraction for the kids is an amusement park that has recently opened up here. The stalls at Snow View Point provide tea and some snacks.

Ropeway Ticket: Rs.150 for Adult, Rs.75 for Children for two-way.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Saturdays.

Aerial Ropeway Nainital

Nainital Ropeway is one of the main attractions of Nainital. This ropeway connects Snow-View Point (at 2270 Mts.) with Nainital near flats.

Aerial ropeway starts at Mallital, there are only two trolleys to carry passengers.

The time - duration trolley takes approx. 151.7 seconds (2 Minutes 31 Seconds ) to cover one way journey by trolley.

Cabin capacity is 10+1 or 825 kg.

Nainital Rope Way Timings 10 AM to 4 PM

Rope Way :- This Cable Car connects Snow View from the town below.

Tiffin Top Nainital

Accessible by pony ride, this popular destination offers dramatic views of Nainital & the Himalayas.

It is very popular among places to visit in Nainital. Perched at a height of 7520 ft (2290 mt) on top Ayarpatta region. It is also called Dorothy’s seat.

Eco Cave Gardens Nainital

Eco Cave Garden is a cluster of interconnected caves and hanging gardens, which are one of the popular tourist attractions of the hill station. There are six underground caves in this garden, connected through tunnels. Named after various wild animals that they resemble, some of these caves are so narrow that people have to crawl through them, which in turn adds to the fun and adventure.

After exploring the dark caves, visitors are greeted by the musical fountain show, which is conducted in the evening. It is organised during the peak tourist season and is the first show in Uttarakhand that is inspired by Disneyland. Here, visitors can sit and relax while beholding the stunning panorama of the hill station.

Opening Closing Time: - Daily: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

HOW TO REACH NAINITAL

By Air

Being a hill station, Nainital does not have direct air connectivity. The nearest airport is located at Pantnagar, which lies at a distance of 65 kilometres from Nainital. Most of the air traffic to Pantnagar airport includes private chartered flights. There are no commercial flights operational to and from here.

By Train

The nearest railway station is located at a distance of 34 kilometres at Kathgodham, at the foothills of the Kumaon hills. Kathgodam railway station enjoys good connectivity to important places such as Delhi, Lucknow and Howrah.

By Bus

Nainital enjoys excellent bus connectivity to important destinations in North India. Several tour operators operate daily bus service from New Delhi to Nainital, which includes options like air-conditioned, non-air-conditioned, sleeper and Volvo buses. Boarding an overnight bus is the most convenient way to head to Nainital.

Road/Self Drive

Nainital is well-linked to all nearby places by a network of well-constructed roads, including National Highway 87, which links it to Rudrapur and Rampur. A 6 to 7 hour drive from New Delhi, Nainital can easily be accessed by road, with a few halts en route. Tour operators offer regular taxi services to and from Nainital, and one can also opt to drive all the way up, being a little careful on the uphill climb.

HOTELS IN NAINITAL

5 STAR HOTELS IN NAINITAL

1. Manu Maharani 5 star / Luxury Hotel

Tariff: Rs. 9000 onwards

4 STAR HOTELS IN NAINITAL

1. Arif Castles 4 star / Luxury Hotel

Tariff: Rs. 8200 onwards

2. Earls Court UNA Hotel 4 star / Luxury Hotels

Tariff: Rs. 3000 onwards

3. Shervani Hilltop 4 star / Luxury Hotel

Tariff: Rs. 6000 onwards

3 STAR HOTELS IN NAINITAL

1. Abbotsford 3 star / Heritage Hotel 2. Alka Lake Side 3 star / Deluxe

Tariff: Rs. 3999 onwards Tariff: Rs. 2800 onwards

3. Alpine Club 3 star / Luxury Hotel 4. Aroma 3 star / Deluxe

Tariff: Rs. 4400 onwards Tariff: Rs. 1600 onwards

5. Crosswinds 3 star / Luxury 6. Balrampur House 3 star / Heritage

Tariff: Rs. 1600 onwards Tariff: Rs. 3300 onwards

7. Chevron Fairhavens 3 star / Deluxe 8. Classic The Mall 3 star / Deluxe

Tariff: Rs. 7000 onwards Tariff: Rs. 5500 onwards

GOVT. GUEST HOUSES IN NAINITAL

1. Khairna KMVN Tourist Rest House Tariff: Rs. 700 onwards

2. KMVN Sukhatal Tariff: Rs. 3000 onwards

MUSSOORIE

HILL STATION, National, Top Attractions, Uttarakhand

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Mussoorie (Hill station)

About:-

Mussoorie is a popular hill station in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand state. This is one of the most popular hill stations in Uttarakhand.

Mussoorie is situated atop a horseshoe crest on the mountains of Garhwal at an average altitude of 1880 m. Mussoorie offers commanding views of the underlying Doon Valley and the magnificent Himalayas. The highest in the region is Lal Tibba in Landour, with a height of over 2,275 m. Mussoorie is called the gateway to the Yamunotri and Gangotri, two sacred destinations known to be the origin of rivers Ganga and Yamuna respectively.

Mussoorie gets its name from the Mansoor plant that grows in abundance in this region.

The lush green hills, the varied flora and fauna and the majestic view of the Himalayas attract thousands of tourists both domestic and international to Mussoorie each year. Mussoorie has several interesting tourist places like Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Camel's Back Rock, Jharipani Falls, Mall Road, Childer's Lodge, Bhatta Falls, Dhanaulti, and Kanatal. Mussoorie also offers some adventure and shopping opportunities. Tourists can enjoy horse riding or a leisurely walk across Camel's Back Road and a ropeway ride to the top of Gun Hills.

Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport, which is about 58 km from Mussoorie. It is well connected by flight with Delhi. The nearest railhead is at Dehradun, 34 km from Mussoorie.

Mussoorie has pleasant climate throughout the year. During spring, the town looks beautiful with blossoming flowers all around and the trees looking lush and green. The best season to visit Mussoorie is between April to June and again from September to November.

Mussoorie Weather & Temperature, Best Time to Visit Mussoorie

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Base Station: Mussoorie

Nearest City to Mussoorie: Dehradun (33 Kms), Delhi City (278 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Mussoorie: April to June & September to November

Mussoorie Weather: Summer: Maximum - 24°C and Minimum - 14°C

Winter: Maximum - 12°C and Minimum - 2°C

PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO IN MUSSOORIE

Camel's Back Road

Camel's Back Road was built in 1845 to provide a walking track with a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. This road has an ancient Hawa ghar where people can sit and view the mighty peaks. This Hawa ghar was earlier known as Scandal Point. Telescopes are available here for those wanting a closer look of the Himalayan peaks.

The road is ideal for a walk as one can get amazing views of the valley and the mountains from here. Camel's Back Road is also a great sunset point. The peaks of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi and Trishul are visible from here.

Tourists can easily reach Camel's Back Road by hiring auto rickshaws, while horse rides are also available.

COMPANY BAGH / MUNICIPAL GARDEN

Company Garden is a major picnic location in Mussoorie. It was previously known as Botanical Gardens of Mussoorie. The garden has a lush green carpet of lawns and a fountain, which is located in its center. It has nearly 800 different types of flowers, including Dahlias, Begonia, Pansy and Petunia. The garden has a nursery, which offers a wide range of plants for sale.

There is also an artificial lake with a small artificial waterfall. For the kids, the garden also has an amusement park with several adventurous rides. Boating facility is also available in the small lake at the garden. There is a small market inside the garden where visitors can buy local made items. A telescope is also installed to have a closer look of the surrounding peaks.

This place is easily accessible from all parts of Mussoorie.

Entry Fees: Rs. 18 per person, Boating Fee: Rs. 75 per person.

Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM.

Lal Tibba

At a distance of 5.5 km from Mussoorie Library Bus Stand, Lal Tibba is the highest point in Mussoorie situated in Landour area. It is located at an altitude of 2275 m. This place offers scenic views of sunrise and sunset and is one of the best places to visit in Mussoorie.

There are several buildings constructed during colonial period here. Childer's Lodge is one such building and it offers some stunning views of the hills and the valley. There is an old market area called the sister bazaar where one can buy local goods.

The road to Lal Tibba is very picturesque and is surrounded by Conifers, Pine and Rhododendron. Avoid visiting this place during the monsoons to this place is infested with leeches.

CLOUD'S END

At a distance of 7.5 km from Mussoorie Library Bus Stand, Clouds End is a landmark location and a popular place among Mussoorie tourist places. It is known for scenic views of hills with pleasant climate.

Cloud's End is surrounded by thick Oak and Deodar forests. A heritage building was built here by Major Swetenham, a British officer in 1838. Regarded as one of oldest building in Mussoorie, it is now converted into heritage hotel (Clouds End Hotel). The Bungalow still retains the original architecture, furniture, paintings, books and relics of a bygone era. The resort is surrounded by thick forest, offers a wide variety of flora and fauna besides a panoramic view of snow clad Himalayas. This place offers activities like hill climbing, nature walks in the nearby forest.

Visitors can reach Clouds End by Car or by trekking along the Hathipaon Road from the popular Happy Valley. Nearby Benog Wildlife Sanctuary and Jwala Devi Temple are other attractions around Clouds End. Tibbi Point provides a spectacular sunset and sunrise views. Tourists can witness variety of flora and fauna, while reaching Clouds End.

KEMPTY FALLS

At a distance of 14.5 km from Mussoorie Library Bus Stand and 48 km from Dehradun, Kempty Fall is a fascinating waterfall and one of the best tourist places to visit in Mussoorie. This fall is located on Mussoorie-Yamunotri Road. Kempty Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Uttarakhand and also among the top waterfalls in India. It is most often represented to promote Mussoorie Tourism and also one of the wellknown Uttarakhand tourist places.

Kempty Falls is situated at an altitude of 4,500 feet. It offer a remarkable view as the water dropping from a height of about 50 feet flowing through five cascading falls in the downstream. There are two main falls in Kempty with water falling into big pools that offer excellent opportunity to play in the crystal clear water of the mountain stream. The lower waterfall is very popular and attracts large crowd while the upper one relatively calm. The falls are close to the main road and the first waterfall can be reached by about 5-10 minutes walk from the main road. The second waterfall can be reached by further walk or through a roadway from the main road / first waterfall.

Tourists can also reach other cascading parts of the falls by climbing down from the second falls. Tourists like to enjoy the refreshing bath under fall and one can also enjoy boating in the nearby man-made pond. Several shops are there to serve food and other eatables. The Falls are a good place for picnic or for spending a couple of hours in the midst of the Greenery which cover the surroundings of the Kempty Falls.

Another 12 km down the Hill, the waters of the Kempty reach the legendary waters of Yamuna River. Fishing is very popular at the merging point. However, permits are to be taken from Divisional Forest Officer, Mussoorie, before fishing at Yamuna River merging point.

Best time to visit Kempty Fall is during summers from June to October. Tourists can easily reach the destination by car, taxi or bus, which regularly operate from Mussoorie as well as Dehradun.

Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM.

MUSSOORIE LAKE

At a distance of 6.5 km from Mussoorie Library Bus Stand, the Mussoorie Lake is an artificial lake situated on Dehradun - Mussoorie road. This picturesque lake is now a favourite picnic spot in Mussoorie.

The lake was recently developed as a picnic spot by Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority. This small lake is created by a natural waterfall. Tourists can enjoy boating in the lake. The lake also offers beautiful views of Doon Valley and the surrounding places. This lake also offers several outdoor activities for children.

Mussoorie Lake can be visited through the year, while monsoon is the best season. The road leading to the lake is quite scenic with refreshing greenery and slopes.

Entry Fee: Rs. 15 per person.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM.

BHATTA FALLS

At a distance of 10.5 km from Mussoorie Library Bus Stand, Bhatta Falls is situated on Mussoorie - Dehradun Road near Bhatta Village. This fall is one of the major tourist attractions and also among the best waterfalls in Mussoorie.

Bhatta Falls is a natural waterfall cascading down from a height of 30 feet into a naturally encircled pool. This waterfall is relatively untouched by commercialization and a good place to spend some time. Visitors can see several picturesque locations ideal for photographer to catch nature at its best. The pond at bottom of the falls provides some opportunity for swimming. There is also a children's park, slopes and swings are provided for playing purpose.

Bhatta Falls is easily accessible by car or bus from Mussoorie and Dehradun. The falls about 100 meters from parking area and can be reached through well laid steps.

Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM

HOW TO REACH MUSSOORIE