Sights in Nainital
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Snow View
The cable car runs up to the popular Snow View at 2270m, which on clear days has panoramic Himalayan views, including Nanda Devi. At the top you'll find the usual food, souvenir and carnival stalls, as well as Mountain Magic, an amusement park with rides that kids will love. There's also a hotel with restaurant and bar. You can hike to Cheena/Naina Peak, 4km away.
A walk up to or back from Snow View can take in the tiny Gadhan Kunkyop Ling Gompa (monastery) of the Gelukpa order (of which the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader). Take the road uphill from the Hotel City Heart and a path branches off to the gompa (the colourful prayer flags should be visible).
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Naini Lake
This pretty lake is Nainital's centrepiece and is said to be one of the emerald green eyes of Shiva's wife, Sati (naina is Sanskrit for eye). Naina Devi Temple, rebuilt after the 1880 landslide, is on the precise spot where the eye is believed to have fallen. Nearby is the Jama Masjid and a gurdwara.
For holidaying families, a boat ride around the lake is de rigeur. Boatmen will row you round the lake for Rs 120 (Rs 50 one way) in the brightly painted gondola-like boats, or the Nainital Boat Club (Mallital) will sail you round for Rs 120 between 10:00 and 16:00. Pedal and rowing boats can also be hired for Rs 50 to 80 per hour.
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Raj Bhavan
About 4km south of Tallital, Raj Bhavan is the official residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand. Styled on Buckingham Palace, it’s an impressive castlelike building set in extensive grounds. Tours of the grounds are available but the residence is only open when the governor is out. In the grounds is a lovely 18-hole golf course. Club hire and caddies are available.
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Nainital Zoo
This high-altitude hillside zoo has some large enclosures containing Himalayan animals, Siberian tigers, leopards and lots of pheasant species. It’s a steep 20-minute walk from the Mall or a Rs50 taxi ride.
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Tiffin Top
A 4km walk west of the lake brings you to Tiffin Top (2292m), also called Dorothy's Seat, from where it's a lovely 30-minute walk to Land's End (2118m) through a forest of oak, deodar and pine.
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