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PANGOT (2000m) Just 15 km from Nainital this small village will make you forget that you are so
close to the hustle bustle and the concrete of a big hill station. The route
takes you through dense jungles of oak and rhododendrons via Viewpoint
and Kilbury. One can have great views of the Himalayas at ViewPoint and
can spend a day picnic at Kilbury. The only transport available to the place is
a self driven or hired four wheels, and you must be very cautious due to
treacherous
hill driving. The place is known for it's quiet walks into the jungle and for
birding opportunities. For bird lists of Pangot and other information
about birds visit www.delhibird.org
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 UTTARANCHAL
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BHOWALI
(1750m) Coming
from Delhi it is 11km short of Nainital and known for it's fruit market and
health resorts. Though not known as a tourist destination it is ideally located
to explore this part of Kumaon with cheap accommodation and proximity to
most place worth visiting in the area. One can also enjoy it's serene
surroundings with mild climate ample supply of fresh and juicy fruits and no deluge of tourists even in the busy summer
season. RAMGARH
(1900m)
25 km
from Nainital and 14km from Bhowali when reaching directly from Delhi the place
surrounded by fruit
orchards all around and air smelling of the same. There is
no Mall, no Video games and no crowds (those looking for all of the above may
please avoid) just pure nature and peace. On a clear day you can see a
clear view of the Himalayan mountain ranges with their snow capped peaks. Many VIPs
have their farmhouses here and the number keeps going up everyday, still the
place is unexplored, unexploited and unspoiled so enjoy it till it remains
so.
Read more about
Ramgarh MUKTESHWAR (3000m) A
little further away from Nainital (55km) further along Ramgarh road is
Mukteshwar. The place is dominated by the IVRI, a veterinary research
institute with flowers blooming all over the place and the views of the snow
clad mountains being incomparable on a given day. The place has a lot of
trekking and camping opportunities. The fruit orchard of apple, plum,
apricot and peach extend all the way from Ramgarh to Mukteshwar with small
children vying for your attention trying to sell fruits picked up from the
nearby trees. Apart from enjoying the natural beauty one can scale the stairs to
the top of the hill to visit a century old Shiva Temple. Stay
at Mukteshwar BHIMTAL,
NAUKUCHIATAL and SATTAL
These are the other lakes of the district
all being 25-30 km from Nainital via Bhowali with boating facilities available at
each . Bhimtal is one of the largest of the district named after Bhima,
the Mahabharat character. It has a island in the center approached only by a
boat and also has a restaurant there. A gaggle of ducks has made the lake their
home and give company to the lake visitor. More
on Bhimtal/
Resorts, Hotels in Bhimtal
Naukuchiatal
or
the 'nine cornered lake' is 4km further down Bhimtal. The lake is one of the
most beautiful and cleanest too. Apart from the boating and fishing on the
lake
one can take a walk around the lake with loads of nature in form of flora and
fauna to go along side you. Parasailing facilities are available nearby but must
make sure of the credentials of the group offering it along with safety measures
and arrangements in case of an emergency! Stay
at Naukuchiatal
Sattal or the
seven lakes is now more of a Paanchtal (five lakes) as two have dried up.A
lot of recreational activities are coming up along the lake like camping,
fishing, rock climbing , mountain biking and kayaking, check them out at
location. TIP
A lake known mainly to the locals and very close to Sattal is the
Nal-Damyanti
lake. Take a left turn on a kucha road before reaching Sattal (ask a
local) to reach this almost hidden lake with religious significance. The lake is
full of colourful fishes who
are ready to put a show for you if you feed them
( remember to take some bread along). They collect at one corner of the lake
and jostle with each other to get that piece of bread. Fishing is banned
here.
Camping at Sattal
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