I am looking into going to Rishekesh (in June-yes I know it's hot) and from there looking to go to a COOL hill area that id beautiful.1)-can one of you fellow travers tell me about Nainital?Things to do, you know that sort of thing?Also there seems to be a train from Rish to the Nainital area?Do you know much about it?
I Wish To Thank All of You out there......................................
richy2
1
yarra
Nainital sits up on the first ridge of the himalaya in a lake filled bowl. It's only just shy of 2000m but has a quite cool rainy micro climate. Its got the best banking service in the region (the only ATM that takes international cards) restrauants and many hotels. There are some nice walks around and an old fashioned holiday town atmosphere a lot like Blackpool circa 1957. Mostly its for Indians who like to hang with their families, walk around in new saris and down jackets and watch TV in their hotel rooms. From April to June its packed to the limit and getting a room at any price can be a challenge. Even locals think its a bit pricey and very few travellers linger for more than a day or so.
Almora sees more international action and there is a little travellers scene on Crank's Ridge. This is a tiny affair and not like Manali or Dharamsala. Again though, finding a room can be tough in early June.
The train runs over night from Haridwar (near Rishikesh) to the rail head at Kathgodam/Haldwani. It's 45 minutes to Nainital from there or 3 hours to Almora
2
brownshouse
I liked Nainital a lot, but you don't get much of a view of the Himalayas from there. Personally I'd go to Mussoorie and stay up in Landour to make the best of the stunning Himalayan views.
3
bhutan2ladakh
another good option would be to travel up to RANIKHET its a quaint lil town that everyone gives a miss. u get awesome views of the nanda devi range... its realy quiet and compared to the hills (nainital) in the summer mnths it is relatively quiet.
do visit the MIRTOLA ASHRAM in ALMORA and the SINGHODA SWEET wrapped in some trees leaf.......
also the JIM CORBET NATIONAL PARK is worth the visit
cheers
4
willemspie
Nainital is rather nice but is a very large tourist resort. For good views, choose KAUSANI and possibly GWALDAM nearby. For a real laidback place, choose MUNSYARI.
5
latisharma
(this is big time generalizing).. but there are 2 types of hill stations.. those on a rigde / peak (example shimla) and those in a valley (example nainital)
it should be obvious that in a valley your views are limited to the adjecent hills.
If long unbroken vistas of the himalayas is what you want.. nainital is the wrong place. but it has charms of its own
Nainital is best avoided in the indian summer holiday season. also its very rainy in the monsoon...At other times.. it is a very pleasant place to be.. nice place for walks (along the mall and also in the 'wild') there are a number of adventure tour operators in and around.. you can do some kayaking / white water rafting / even sailing.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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