Nainital not only offer tourists with places of interest around the town but also excursions near the town as well as Uttarakhand which has some really excellent places to visit especially once you arrive here, it is but natural that you see the entire region. You can start your excursion by visiting the nearby lakes that forms the very reason that this region is known as the 'Lake city' of India and then travel further to explore other places.
Khurpatal is another attractive small town with green surroundings situated 11 km from Nainital. If you hike by foot down here, it would cover only 5 km from Nainital as you would be following a shorter trail. The town is elevated at 1,635 mts above sea level. more about Khurpatal
Sattal is situated 22 km away from Nainital and on the way downhill to Bhimtal. It is set at a height of 1,370 mts above sea level and the sight is unique and unforgettable due to the way the seven lakes mysteriously interconnect with one another to form 'Sattal' or 'Seven-Lakes'. more about Sattal
Bhimtal is a few kilometres away from Sattal and 24 km from Nainital set at a height of 1,370 mts above sea level. The town derives its name from a lake called 'Bhim Tal' after 'Bhim' from the 'Mahabharata' era and is the mini district headquarters of the region apart from being a tourist destination. more about Bhimtal
Naukuchiatal also spelled 'Naukuchiyatal' is 4 km further downhill from Bhimtal and 28 km from Nainital which is perched at a height of 1,220 mts above sea level. The town was named after a Lake here that has nine corners and hence called 'Nine-Cornered Lake' surrounded by a myth that makes it a unique attraction and a must visit. more about Naukuchiatal
Kainchi Dham is a pilgrim centre located on the Nainital to Almora road and is 17 km from Nainital. The name means 'Scissors' though some say it has no relation to scissors but 'Kainchi' is a local term that means 'two sharp hairpin bends' of the road due to which this name originated. Kainchi Dham
Bhowali is a small town that was established with the construction of the famous T. B. Sanatorium during the British rule in 1912. It is situated 11 km from Nainital and sits at an altitude of 1,706 mts above sea level. Bhowali
Ghorakhal is another small town about 16 km from Nainital and famous for the Temple of Lord Golu and the Sainik School for boys only. Ghorakhal
Mukteshwar, a definite place of excursion located 35 km from Nainital is set at a height of 2,286 mts above sea level that is named after the ancient 30 years old Mukteshwar Temple and Dham. The Research and Education Institute, 'IVRI' was established by the British in 1893. Mukteshwar
Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest and the most famous National Park and Sanctuary in India situated in the Ramnagar town 68 km from Nainital District that was established in 1936 by the famous Jim Corbett who had a love for wildlife.
more about Jim Corbett National Park
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is 95 km from Nainital and one of the most scenic places in the Kumaon region and a famous Hill resort flooded with variety of flora and fauna. It is perched at a height of 2,412 mts above sea level where you can get an excellent view of the greater Himalayas. more about Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Almora District was founded in 1568 and is considered the hub of cultural heritage of the Kumaon region. It lies on a hillock elevated at 1,651 mts that looks like a horse-saddle surrounded by Pine and Fir trees. Flowing through are the Kosi and Suyal Rivers with the snow capped Himalayas that form the backdrop of this town. The following places form an important excursion point for tourists. Places to visit are Ranikhet, Jageshwar, Dwarahat and Chaukhutia. more about Almora
Bageshwar District is elevated at 1,004 mts above sea level with the Saryu River flowing through and has many places of Historical importance with temples dating back to the 10th Century AD. The towns of this district are worth exploring. Places to visit here are Kausani and Baijnath. Bageshwar
Champawat District is an ancient town set at a height of 1615 mts on the Kumaon Hills located 233 km from Nainital. This was once the ancient capital of the Chand dynasty and hence is enveloped with historical ruins and Temples adorned with intricate architecture and carvings. The Himalayas as the backdrop adds more charm and rustic quality to this town ideal for trekking and sightseeing.
The famous places to visit are Baleshwar Temple, Nagnath Temple, Ek Hathiya Ka Naula, Kranteshwar Mahadev and Lohaghat.
Places to visit around Lohaghat are Mayawati Ashram, Abbot Mount, Devidhura, Pancheshwar, Vanasur Quila, Meetha Reetha Saheb, Poornagiri Temple and Syamlatal. Champawat
Pithoragarh District that find resemblance with the Kashmir Valley though in a small scale lies in the central region of the Soar Valley, where 'Soar' means 'Cool' cornered by Chandak, Dhwaj, Kumdar and Thal-Kedar. It stretches to join the barren peaks of Nepal. Surrounded by such beauty, this is where the Himalayas come alive with numerous awe inspiring Glaciers which is a must visit.
The valley is filled with exquisite flora and fauna waiting to be discovered and many small towns like Askot, Berinag, Chaukori, Dharchula, Dharchula Dehat, Didihat, Gangolihat and Munsiyari that adds to the list of excursions near Nainital. Pithoragarh
