Nainital and Pangot

Nainital Lake

This holiday is ideal for those of you who like being in the Himalayan foothills, in the midst of nature, long walks, bird watching and lesser known but stunning built heritage. Some of the hotels and resorts that I partner with may not have televisions in the room but have recently upgraded their wifi to cater to guests looking to work remotely and stay for longer durations. Not ideal for people who like to party with blaring music or people with mobility issues as some of the places are not handicap accessible. Get your laptop, books, board games, star gaze and be thankful that you are in nature breathing fresh air. Visit and follow our Instagram page to see photos from Nainital and other Himalayan destinations we cover.

Hiking around Nainital

Although a popular hill station in Uttarakhand, the region around Nainital does see less people as compared to the lake town itself. Even in Nainital, if you stay away from the Mall road you can be at peace. This is the Nainital that I know very well, having studied and lived here for 9 years of my childhood. I will help you explore the Nainital and places around it that many don't get to see because simply put - they get stuck on the Mall which is the busiest part of the town.

Winter mornings in the Himalayan Foothills

Itinerary (can be customized further to your requirements):

Day 1 

Self-drive or take the early morning (06:00) train from Delhi to Kathgodam (train tickets in the Shatabdi must be booked in advance). Arrive Kathdogam by 11:00 and get shuttled by a taxi to Nainital at an elevation of almost 7,000 feet. Check in to your hotel. Options include a heritage homestay which was once where Jim Corbett lived for some time or stay in a resort with fantastic views of Nainital Lake. Post lunch, go on a nature trail to get an aerial view of Nainital. As a boarding school kid growing up in Nainital, the trail was strictly out of bounds for us but we still did manage to sneak our way there, especially when we craved hot and fresh bread with omelettes with copious amounts of tea.

Governor's Mansion, Nainital

Day 2

After breakfast, visit Gurney House (provided the current residents are not in town). Gurney House is where Corbett lived for most of his time during the last few years before India's independence. This part of Nainital still retains it's former Colonial past as there are several other bungalows, some still in two acre size plots complete with a tennis court.

Next, visit the Governor's Mansion or Raj Bhawan, a 90 bedroom Scottish gothic style mansion created in 1900. The mansion is still used by the Governor when he / she is in town and adjoins a beautiful nine hole golf course. You can then have a traditional local lunch in town. 

Nainital Lake from Boat House Club

Day 3

No trip to Nainital is complete unless you walk on the Mall road. Visit some of my favorite hang out places as a boarding school kid, go on a boat ride or grab a bite at the famous Sakley's Cafe. The Mall Road has become more pedestrian friendly in recent years. Other than Sakley's there are several other noteworthy churches, shops, cafes and restaurants to visit when you're on the Mall.

Sunsets in Pangot

Day 4-6

After breakfast, drive to Pangot (other options include Marchula, Kotabagh, Bhimtal, Sattal, Padampuri, Ranikhet etc. all within a two hour hilly drive from Nainital) the second leg of your trip. Pangot is a tiny hamlet in the Naina Devi Bird Conservation Reserve and a 3.5 hour drive from Corbett at 2,000 meters amsl. About 30 minutes short of reaching Pangot you can stop to see the kidney shaped Naini lake and if it's a clear day, you can also see snow clad Himalayan mountain peaks. You will be staying at a wilderness lodge in Pangot away from commercial run-of-the-mill resort surrounded by cedar, rhododendron (red flowers that bloom in spring) and pine trees. All meals at the resort you stay in as there are no stand alone restaurants in the area.

Rhododendron bloom in Spring

Post lunch, go bird watching or catch up on work/classes. Pangot and it's surrounding mountains are home to hundreds of species of birds as it falls in the annual bird migration route. Birds in the upper Himalayas fly down to Pangot and the foothills to get away from the biting cold while some other species use it as a nesting ground before they migrate in late spring to the upper ranges of the Himalayas. Besides the Koklas and Cheer Pheasants (which draws many a bird nerd to Pangot), the Reserve is home to several species of thrushes, vultures, barbets, minivets, owls, shrikes, fly catchers, finches and more. 

Kaleej Pheasant

Mammals include the ravenous Yellow Throated Pine Martin, the nimble Himalyan Goral, the easily scared Barking Deer, the shy Himalayan Black Bear and Leopard, etc.. As a kid I remember seeing the Himalyan Blue Sheep or Bharal but I hear they have migrated to higher altitudes due to loss of habitat. Back to the lodge for tea and coffee and watch the valley transform as the sun sets. Dinner and bonfire (weather dependent). From Pangot, Kathgodam train station is a 2-2.5 hour drive. The train to Delhi leaves mostly in the afternoon (check the latest train schedule) giving you enough time to check out after a laidback breakfast. 

Mornings in the Himalayan Foothills

Price 

Pricing depends on number of people, length of stay and customization. Contact info@travelwith.in or call +91 9717148483. As it is hard to find professional guides in Nainital I can accompany you on this holiday as your naturalist. I studied in Nainital for nine years and visit quite often even today - it would be a pleasure to share my knowledge of my second home with you.

Himalayan Foothills
Photo Credits: Rahul Bharti

Please Note:

• There is no guarantee that you will see any wildlife. The river and / or sanctuary is their habitat and sightings depend on water level in the river, human interference, climatic conditions, weather and other factors, migratory pattern of birds, most of which are beyond your and our control. 
• What to carry during the safari: photo identification, camera, binoculars, warm jacket (in the winter), backpack, sun glasses, cap, vizer, sun block, some cash, and drinking water.
• Smoking and drinking alcohol is strictly not permitted in National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Please do not throw trash on the floor even if you don't see a trash can. Please ask me or your walk leader and we can help to dispose it off properly.
• To prevent disturbing wildlife, I do not recommend the use of call playback to attract birds for photography purposes, feeding or baiting of wildlife.